Logan's First Birthday

Logan's first toy trucks, and they make NOISE!!!!



Family Birthday party, and Logan's gift from Aunt Alicia and Uncle Aaron, it was a BIG hit.
(that is cute cousin Sophie in the background)



Enjoying his birthday cake...

Blowing out his candles....well, not really, but we tried :)

Logan Walks

This is Logan, crawling and carrying his Lamby, then taking his first steps. SO Cute!!

December's BIG snow...

So, we had our first HUGE snowstorm this week. 19 inches in 2 days....

All the kids watching the snow come down in the morning.

Our backyard in the morning on the 21st.

The snow was almost too high for the snow-blower.

This is the snow igloo that Craig and the kids built in the backyard....It had 2 rooms and 2 doors. It was high class!

Are you nice now?

First a preface to set the stage...When we have time-outs at our house, the kids may come out when they are ready to "be nice". When they poke thier little heads out of thier bedrooms and say, "Can I come out now?" I always respond with "Are you ready to be nice?"

So yesterday, Olivia was throwing a fit because Ally was using the bathroom that she wanted to use....sigh.....I informed her that she should just use the other bathroom, to which she rebuttled that she didn't want to and she wanted Ally to get out so she could use the bathroom "right now". Well, after I had enough 2 year old attitude, I picked her up and hauled her to the other bathroom, and set her on the toilet. She was not happy. She continued to be sassy and rotten, until she got a little 'love tap' on her backside. I let her pout for a few minutes and then came back to see if she was done going potty and if she needed help with her paperwork....when I came in, I said, "are you all done", to which she responded...

"Are you nice now?"

:)

coupon madness

Perhaps there are a few of you who know that I am kind of a deal diva. I love to get a great deal! This is my latest coupon extravaganza... For all of the items shown above, (before tax) I spent a grand total of
.....drum roll please.....
$3.00!!!
And here is the best part, there is a $20 rebate when I mail in my receipts.
I am one happy momma.

A Thankful heart

Today my heart is full of thanks for many things. I sat with all my family, my children, my father and stepmother, my brother and his family, and my Uncle and aunt, and shared a BOUNTIFUL meal, that was delicous. We visited and laughed and truly enjoyed each others company. I was able to talk to my youngest brother in the military and his dear wife, to complete the evening. How thankful I am for them. I am thankful to have my family so close to me. It is often at times like these that I miss my mother greatly, but I am reminded today of how many others I have to stand in her place and help me along my way.

This year has brought many hardships for my family and friends. Of the 6 immediate members of my family at dinner tonight, 5 of them have had lay offs (I was the only one who hadn't been laid off, but you can't really lay-off a mom :). My father faced cancer once, and is fighting it again. My brother was in a serious car accident and walked away without any serious harm. And yet among all of this, God has always seen fit to bless us with enough, and some to spare. Our lives have been lifted with joy and happiness. 2 babies were born into our family within the last year, amid all of this. We all have cars that work, homes that are warm, food to fill our bellies, and the gospel of Jesus Christ- the greatest of all our blessings. It is only fitting to give thanks for him this day as we look to begin this Christmas season. He is the reason for our celebration today and everyday. I am thankful for his love, his tender care, and his watchful eye. For my sweet husband, my beautiful children, and my angel mother, who surely watches over us all. God bless each of you on this joyous day. May you all feel as blessed and cared for as we do today.

Dinner delight

So, many of you know that I am a lover of good food. (when I say good food, I am referring to good tasting food rather than good for you food... :) I try to keep things healthy most of the time, but there are just some days that you need to eat something that really just tastes good. Today was one of those days...

Tonight I make fettuccine Alfredo (and salad), with apple spice cake and lemon sauce for dessert.

Here is the greatest recipe for Fettuccine Alfredo I have ever had, thanks to my friend Kyli's mother -in-law.

PS- it is NOT low-fat, but you will thank me later, it is divine.

Alfredo Sauce:

1 -8 oz. package of Cream Cheese
1 Cube of Butter
1/2 - 1 C. Cream
1/4 tsp. Garlic powder (or to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste
(I also added about a T. of dried parsley because green stuff gives the illusion of healthy right?)

Heat all and serve over cooked fettucini, with a green salad so you don't feel guilty :)


Apple Spice Cake:

1 1/2 C. Flour ( I use half white and half wheat)
3/4 C. Oil
3/4 C. packed Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. ground Allspice
2 Eggs
1 1/2 C. Grated Apples (or applesauce)

Mix dry ingredients- add wet. Stir in apples. Pour into greased 9x13 pan and bake for 25-30 minutes at 350. Serve with Lemon Sauce.


Lemon Sauce:

2 C. Sugar
1/4 C. + 1 tsp. Corn Starch
1/4 tsp. Salt
2 C. Water
1 C. Butter (yes I really do mean 1 CUP of butter :)
1 1/2 tsp. Lemon Extract

Mix dry ingredients in pan. Add water and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes, remove from heat and stir in butter and lemon extract.

I hope that some of you will venture to try this and tell me what you think....I hope you love it too.