Snow in the OC!

A few weeks ago the little guy had an obsession with snowmen. We weren't feeling up to taking a trip to the mountains so, Daddy improvised and came up with a quite impressive alternative...A sheet Snowman!

A Sheet, Electrical tape for eyes & buttons, a scarf, hat & marker cap for a nose!

For the cooking impaired!

Okay Girls, I am not one for sharing recipes, because well...my husband would be happy with a turkey sandwich for dinner every night (I know, don't be hatin'). But, this recipe looked really yummy and I gave it a try. Its super easy, quick and soooo yummy! I substituted with Ground Turkey instead of beef cause thats how we roll. But try it out and let me know if you like it!

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup (Regular or 25% Less Sodium)
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup water
6 flour tortillas (6-inch) , cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
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Cooking Instructions

Cook the beef in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it's well browned, stirring often. Pour off any fat.

Stir the soup, salsa, water, and tortillas in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes or until the beef mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir the beef mixture. Top with the cheese.

Creamy Mexican Fiesta: Stir in 1/2 cup sour cream with the soup.

Ranchero Style: Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas and shredded Mexican cheese blend instead of Cheddar.

Serving Suggestion: Serve with a mixed green salad with Italian salad dressing and corn-on-the-cob. For dessert serve store bought flan.

San Fran (a little late, but what's new!)

san fran 2008

Some of you have already heard about my trip since it was a few weeks ago. But, it is blog worthy so I will post late anyways. My 30th birthday was in January and my husband was talking to me about planning a big party. But, we decided instead of spending the money on a party, to get away (sans kids) and go to San Francisco for the weekend! I have always wanted to go and this was the perfect excuse. A few minutes later I was talking with Carolyn and told her about it and said, you want to go...and she said yes! It all came together and soon after babysitters were in place and we were on our way! It was one of those non-stop, jam packed quick trips and I will never forget it. My husband, best friend (aka big sis) and her hubby. They made this trip extra special. In a nutshell...Plane arrived, public transportation, Larkspur hotel, fishermans warf, clam chowder bowls, shopping, cable cars, chinatown during chinese new year, yummy italian dinner, more shopping, golden gate bridge and more. One of the funniest memories is that we could hear Carolyn and Joe talking through the vent in our bathroom as their room was below us. So, Sunday they sang happy birthday to me through the vent! It was hilarious and a great finale to our trip. 

THANKFUL!

I am thankful for several things this morning. In no particular order. I am getting ready to celebrate my 30th birthday. That in itself is a miracle, I was told when I was three and diagnosed with juvenile rhuemotoid arthiritis that I would be confined to a wheelchair by the time I was 30. Well, for those of you who know the story, I was healed and I am definately not in a wheelchair, nor do I have residual pain from the disease that once crippled me. AMEN!

I am thankful for a wonderful family, I get to spend so much time with them and I love it. I am thankful for my husband and beautiful children. 

For our home, provision, my church and so much more. I am also thankful for my friends and the melting pot...LOL (So much fun last night)!

These are just to name a few. I am blessed and thankful for all the reasons I can thank God for his faithfulness to me these 30 years of my life. (it's kinda weird to say that still)

Yee-Haw!

Rachel found her brothers cowboy hat the other day and turned into a little cowgirl. She was spinning in circles saying "yeehaw" she has become quite the ham lately. I don't know where she gets it from!

Olive Oil!

This is a very humbling post because I know some of you out there will read this and think...Duh! But, I was baking cupcakes for our Jr. High Girls Slumber party tomorrow night and I was out of oil (all I had was olive oil-cause thats what Italians stock up on!). So, I figured...what the heck I will give it a try. Needless to say, the fire alarm almost went off and I think the bottom of the cupcakes could seriously injure someone if I threw one! 

Yep, thats a testament to what a great cook I am. Good thing Scott likes sandwiches...ALOT!

But, since I am obsessive about having a photo (I know, I tried, but couldn't hit the publish post button until I added one!) There is something I did have success with...and it is pure SIN & will lead most people down a path of destruction. And, the only ingredients are LOTS of Sugar, Peanut Butter & Chocolate. Can we say...PMS!

Yes...that is one missing in the middle!

Props to the Pooch!

I have been feeling a little guilty lately about the lack of attention my sweet (horse) dog Rusty gets these days. When we first got him (about 6 years ago) he was Scott and I's baby. He did everything with us, slept in the house and as a puppy even milked us into letting him in bed with us. Yeah, I know...

But, after the first kid, and then the second kid...his living quarters have changed and his attention has been a bit squelched. Don't get me wrong, he is still pretty spoiled. We built out the garage that he has now taken over and we love him to pieces, but lets just say he hasn't been in any more family photos since this one....

She Scolded Me!

I got scolded by my big sister today for not blogging in so long. Which is funny because she knows more about me than I probably know about myself. But, apparrantly she needs it in blog format to be totally filled in.

I have been having "issues" because when I blog I feel the need to get all creative with photos and such (I guess its the graphics lady in me) and if I can't accomplish that in a timely manner I just say forget it.

It's not that I dont have anything to say, you all know I can chat it up with the best of them, but its this requirement I have given myself to make this all fancy. So, my attempt will be to blog more frequently. With pictures or not and see how it goes.

We had our ups and downs in 2008 (unfortunately a few downs) but I am seeing through all of it and looking to the faithfulness that God has shown us time and time again. I am anticipating great things in 2009! 

The kids are growing so much every day. Nathan finally got potty trained and it's been really nice only changing diapers for one little munchkin. Here are a few pictures from Christmas...just for the heck of it (cause I have issues and I can't post without them!)