Sorry Santa

Christmas was an adventure this year. The Sunday before Christmas my kids found their Christmas presents hiding in the storage room underneath a blanket. What could I do? They found the Santa Presents. On Christmas Eve I had to unwrap the presents under the tree and swap out for the Santa Presents. My son was not that happy when he saw what Santa brought him. Although I thought an MP3 Player and a new DS game was pretty awesome he wanted the Star Wars Lego set that I told him I had taken back to the store. If you ask him what he got for Christmas form Santa he will tell you that His Mom saved Christmas because Santa did not bring him anything he asked for, but his Mom and Dad gave him his Star War Legos and what "cool" parents he has. Sorry Santa! Brooklyn was happy with Santa because fortunately Santa hid her stuff in two spots so she only saw one of her Santa gifts. She asked for Pet Shops and a robe. She saw her Pet Shops, but not the robe. Although the robe she wanted was just pink and Santa brought her a pink robe with colored polka dots. Santa could not win this year!!

hmmm

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Blogger's I know I haven't blogged in a long time, but some family stuff has come up. I haven't felt like blogging. I can't share right now out of respect and wishes for those involved. I consider my blog somewhat of a journal not a private journal, but a journal of our lives. It has been hard not to blog what is going on. In our struggles I had forgotten that life does go on and that many things have passed in the month since my last blog. Good things - like my kids going to school, time spent with my brother and his family, end of the summer family bash. I came across this picture and it brought all those thoughts to mind. Life does go on when we aren't paying attention. Many things have to be blogged from last month. I have much catching up to do. But in for the time being see if you can guess who is in the picture? It brightened my day with laughter I hope it brightens yours!!

Florida? or Mexico? or Both (ha, ha)?

In June we got a great deal to take the family on an Mexican Rivera Cruise. We would fly out of Salt Lake into Long Beach on March 1st Cruise through the Mexican Rivera until March 8th (the kids only miss 2 days of school). The Cruise line is on the Carnival Pride. This ship was rated #1 for the kids club. My kids have never been on a cruise. What fun! But then....

My friend from college invited us to a week in Orlando, Florida at her parents Condo. A whole week at Disney World. All we have to pay is air fare & tickets into Disney World of course. The dates are January 3rd through the 10th (The kids will miss five days of school). The problem with this is air fare to Florida is expensive, although the condo does not cost us anything the air fare does and the food for the week (but the condo has a kitchen bonus and we would have to eat regardless Idaho Falls/Florida, right!) My kids have been to Disneyland but not to Disney World!

Both trips cost the same. What would you do? I am begging my husband to do both, but the problem is we just can't win the lottery (although I think you have to play to win, Bummer!)

Breaking Dawn

Ladies the much -anticipated final book in Stephenie Meyer's bestselling Twilight series will be released at Barnes & Noble on Friday, August 1st @ midnight. Emily & I are planning on going if anyone else is interested let us know. Barnes & Noble is having a release party from 9:00pm to midnight, they are calling the party "Vampire Prom Night", they will have a costume contest, refreshments, and trivia games. We will not be able to purchase our books until midnight. If you want to reserve a copy you need to go into Barnes & Noble and fill out a save me a book form. I am super excited can't wait for a couple of sleepless nights finish it like I did the first three books.

Mr. Mom

My husband is amazing! While I went to Las Vegas for a Fitness Convention my husband took time off work and became Mr. Mom. The first day he had the kids he had not only Brooklyn and Connor but he had Kyla and Carson too. That means he had three seven year olds and a five year old for eleven hours. When I called to check on him he told me that the kids where playing and he was working on replacing the bark in the front yard (a major task that I had been dreading). The next day I called and he was cooking dinner... a roast. Yes, I said a roast... with potatoes and peas. O' my goodness! The next time I called him he was cooking dinner again chicken with rice and vegetables. O' my goodness! And he had finished the bark in the front yard and was now working on cleaning out the garage. That was the point I decided I should just stay in Vegas to see what other projects he would finish. If only! When I got home he had done the laundry and picked up the house. What a man! I decided that more trips are in my future...

Good Friends!

What makes a good friend? I think a good friend is someone who tells you how it is... honesty! That is why I think Emily Devries is my good friend. She told me flat out that I need to post more on my blog. She is right, I do! I will try to do better. I don't know how many times I think about things I would love to put on my blog, but most times the thought is all that happens. I am off to Vegas for a week. BUT when I get back I will try to put my thoughts into a post. Thanks, Emily for being a good friend!

Things I love!!

I love to see my husband on his knees praying!

I love when my kids wrap their arms around me and give a big hugs and kisses (without being asked)!

I love to eat peanut M&M's, I like to bite the shell and eat the chocolate and then eat the peanut!

I love to read a good book on Sundays!

I love to sleep in on Sundays!

I love when my kids help without asking!

I love to ride bikes and go on picnics with my family in the summer!

I love to get a new pair of shoes (any shoe it doen't matter what type)!

I love to see the beautiful flowers in the Spring and Summer!

I love to hold hands with my husband when we go on walks!

I love to lay in the towels when they first come out of the dryer they are so warm!

I love it when my kids tell me they love me!

I love it when my husband kisses me goodbye before he goes to work!

I love it when I find unexpected money in my coat pockets!

I love to step on the scale when I have lost a pound or two!

I love laying on the beach and burrying my toes in the sand!

I love to put music on when I am cleaning and dance around the house!

I love when I cook a good meal and everybody eats it without complaint!

I love when my whole house it clean!

I love to ride my bike with the wind at my back!

What's Up!

Girls Night Out

With the boys at the Father/Son outing Brooklyn and I had a girls night out. We started the night with a pedicure and manicure from Da Vi Nails. We both picked the same color for our toes and nails. Brooklyn was so much fun. She loved sitting in the massage chair. The massager kept massaging her head because she was so little for that big chair. She kept giggling it was very contagious and made me giggle with her. It was one of the best pedicures I have ever had. We went to IHOP for dinner (Brooklyn's choice). Brooklyn had blueberry pancakes and I had carrot cake pancakes. It was surprisingly good. We headed to Macy's in the mall. We bought Brooklyn a fun new dress for church. She loved it and pranced around the dressing room. She loves to shake those hips. We went into Barnes and Noble to buy a new book to keep up with the summer reading schedule I have put my kids on. We bought a new Juney B. Jones book. We headed for home. We got in our pajamas snuggled up to each other so we could read Brook's new book. She was out like a light. I had the best time with my daughter memories I hope to cherish when she is a teenager and doesn't want to go to the mall with her old Mom.

My friend Christine had this great idea on her blog. She asked her seven year old daughter Caitley some questions! I wanted to know what my kids answers would be! So here goes...

Connor 7 years Old

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

The Force (Star Wars)!

What chore did you do last?

Made my bed!

What was the last movie you saw at a theater?

Prince Caspian Chronicles of Narnia

What is your favorite song?

Backyard Beach!

What do you like to eat for lunch?

Pizza of course!

What's the nicest thing you've done lately for someone in your family?

Made My Mom's bed!

What makes you mad?

Brooklyn yelling at me!

Where would you like to go on vacation next year?

Disney World!

Who's the smartest person in your family?

Daddy!

What is your dad really good at?

Working!

What can you do better than your dad?

Build Legos!

How are you like your mom?

We both have allergies!

How are you different from your Mom?

She is a girl

How old is Mom?

34!

How tall is Dad?
75,000 inches

What one thing is Mom always saying to you?

Clean your room!

What do you and Dad do together that you'll always remember?

Going Golfing!

How do you know that Mom and Dad love you?
They kiss me!

Brooklyn Answers Some Questions

Brooklyn 7 years Old

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I would want to be like Elastic Girl on the Incredibles!

What chore did you do last?

Wiped the base boards for Mom!

What was the last movie you saw at a theater?

Prince Caspian Chronicles of Narnia

What is your favorite song?

I don’t have one

What do you like to eat for lunch?

Chicken Nuggets !

What's the nicest thing you've done lately for someone in your family?

Drew pictures

What makes you mad?

When my brother is mean to me

Where would you like to go on vacation next year?

Cruise with my Family

Who's the smartest person in your family?
Popcorn the Dog, or maybe Dad?

What is your dad really good at?

Basketball

What can you do better than your dad?

Color

How are you like your mom?
We both like to run!

How are you different from your Mom?

She is a lot older!

How old is Mom?

Thirtysomething?

How tall is Dad?
I don’t know

What one thing is Mom always saying to you?
Clean your room

What did you and Dad do together that you'll always remember?
We had fun at my seventh birthday.

How do you know that Mom and Dad love you?
Because you always say it

Comfort Food On A Cold Day

Chicken and Stuffing in the Crockpot

1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 to 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter (I use olive oil instead of butter)
2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 package (12 ounces) seasoned stuffing mix, plus ingredients to prepare mix

1. Combine flour, seasoned salt and pepper in large resealable food storage bag. Add chicken; seal bag. Shake to coat with flour mixture.

2. Melt butter or olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken on both sides. Place in slow cooker; pour soup over chicken.

3. Prepare stuffing according to package directions, decrasing liquid by half. Arrange stuffing over chicken. Cover; cook on high 3 to 4 hours.

Thought For The Day!

Where you're looking is where you are going!

My Husband

My husband has been running, and running, and running, and when he is done running he runs some more. In 10 days my husband will be running his second marathon. He has been so determined and strong in his training. He has lost twenty five pounds and looks incredible. Alan the kids and I are so proud of you! I just want to say way to go Babe!

P.S. This picture was taken after he had already run 15 miles with five more to go!

BYU Women's Conference

Off to BYU Women's Conference I went. My wonderful husband held down the fort as I went to learn to be a better wife, mother, and inspired woman. My conference started out great I got to listen to the wonderful Sheri Dew, she told me to Awake, Arise, and Come Unto Christ. I Listened to a Family Home Evening Session, the point... Just Do It! I had an incredible lesson on Having a Better Marriage the two main points... 1. Say What He (Jesus) Would Say, and 2. Do What He (The Lord) Wants Done. And I can't forget the Three Enemy's to Equal Partnership 1. Self - Doubt 2. Self - Indulgence 3. Self - Absorption hmmm, very thought provoking. My favorite of all was of course the last session where I heard from the Prophet, President Monson. I never got to see President Hinckley in person. In fact this was the first Prophet I have been in the same room with. Of course I was in the same room with 20,000 + women and the Prophet , but it was still very special and I will always remember it. Some of his inspiring points 1. Find Joy in the Journey 2. Good timber does not grow with ease but with wind and sorrow growes strength 3. When you get to the end of the road tie a knot and hang on. I will never forget how I felt when he entered the building and how I felt when he exited the building. From the BYU Bookstore I bought lots of chocolate covered Cinnamon Bears (they make the best) and, I bought some great carry it all bags $4.00 per bag. What a Deal! My husband did a great job with the kids and the house looked pretty good by the time I got home. Way to go Alan! Thanks to Christine Neider for helping my husband and my Brooklyn while I was away!

Bosch

I am now the proud owner of a BOSCH. I got it from a friend of Heathers for $100.00, Yahoo! I have no more excuses homemade bread here I come. All I can say is "TIFFANY HELP"!!

Yummy, Yummy, Chicken

These two chicken recipes are my husband and kids favorite chicken recipes. Whenever anyone has a baby and we bring them a meal we always bring our chicken enchiladas. Because they are easy to make and soooo good!

Yummy Chicken Enchiladas

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 large container of sour cream

1 large bag of Mozzarella cheese

5 burrito-size tortillas

3 large cans of breast of chicken (or five baked chicken breast chopped)

Salt and Pepper to taste

Dash or two of Paprika (opt.)

chopped green chillies and onions (opt.) (my kids don't like them so I don't add)

In medium bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup and the sour cream, salt, pepper, and paprika. In 9x13 inch pan, place a layer of soup mixture on the bottom. In burrito shell, put a spoonful or two of the soup mixture, cheese and shredded chicken. Roll burrito shell and tuck in the ends. Place in pan (you should have room for five big enchiladas). Cover enchiladas with remaining soup mixture; sprinkle the top with remaining cheese. Cover enchiladas with tin foil. (Spray the tin foil with non-stick cooking spray before you place it over the enchiladas to keep the cheese from sticking to the tin foil.) Bake at 350 for 35 minutes; remove tin foil and bake for additional 10 minutes.

Chicken In the Grass

5 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped

1pkg. frozen, thawed chopped broccoli (or mixed vegetables)

2 cans cream of chicken of chicken soup

2 Tblsp. lemon juice

2/3 cup mayonnaise

1/2-1 cup grated cheese

Buttered Ritz Cracker Crumbs

Place broccoli in pan. Add chicken and cheese. Make sauce with soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, pepper, a dash of paprika. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle cracker crumbs over top and bake for 30 mins. at 350

Big Kids

Brooklyn Almost 2 Connor Almost 2

My kids have changed so much. Yesterday morning they got dressed, got breakfast, made their lunch for school, brushed their teeth all by themselves (and I didn't have to ask). I can remember carrying them around everywhere I went. Now I open the van door and away the go! I love them so much! Watching them get bigger makes my stomach ache. I have to admit I like their independence, but the years are going to fast. I am afraid that it is going so fast that I am not going to remember or embrace it enough. I wrote this post today to remind me to slow down and enjoy my kids. Because Holy Cow they are almost eight.

My Family

Two by Two that describes us.... There are two parents Alan and Tami. Two seven year old twin kids Connor and Brooklyn. Two dogs Sammy and Popcorn. This Two by Two family loves to camp, bike, play board games and go on fun family vacations.