Tuesday, June 29, 2010

First-Time Bowling

A few weeks ago, when Nana and Pops were visiting from MA, we decided to take the boys bowling for the first time.  We thought Landon would LOVE it, however we weren't so sure about Cole...we figured he'd just run around the entire bowling alley giving us a good amount of exercise from chasing him.  We were very surprised...he LOVED it!!  I think he was even more excited than Landon (at least he showed his excitement a little more).  They had so much fun and worked up quite the appetite (which sent Nana to the vending machine SEVERAL times to feed them).  Here are a few pictures of our fun time at the bowling alley:


I wish I was able to get some pictures of the FRONT of them rather than their backs, but oh well...it was such a fun day with lots of memories made :)

Saturday, June 26, 2010

I Love Saving Money!

I have been trying to get this couponing thing down over the past few months and while I wouldn't say I am one of those people who get $150+ groceries for like $30, I do feel that I have been saving money.  I get so excited when I come home with such great deals.  Tonight would be one of those times!!  I went to Target and walked out with two bags and paid only $4.80.  This is what I bought:

Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Shower Cleaner (reg. $8.69) - paid $.69
6 Renuzit Air Fresheners (reg. $.94 each) - paid $2.82 for all six
2 Airwick AquaMists (on sale for $1.99 each) - paid $.99 for two
1 Dental Floss (reg. $.97) - got $.03 credit

All that plus tax came to $4.80!!  Savings of $15.93 (or so it says on my receipt).  I was pretty happy :)  I love finding great deals...and I LOVE TARGET!!!!!  I also made a trip to Wal-mart for $.99 wipes, $.50 new Kraft sandwich mayo, $.50 Kraft salad dressing, plus a few other non-saving items.  Of course, I spent more time waiting in line at the check-out than I actually did searching for my list items.  Have I mentioned that I am NOT a fan of our local Wal-mart?  I was so excited to have a new, expanded Wal-mart about a mile from my house, but it has not lived up to it's expectations in my opinion!!  Thankfully, Target is just as close!!

Anyways, just had to share!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Grilled Chicken

Yesterday I shared one of my favorite summertime desserts, so today I thought I'd share one of my favorite summertime meals.  It's my favorite because 1) it's SOOOO yummy and 2) it's SOOOO easy!!  We love to grill out a lot during the summer...several times a week at least!  This "recipe" is something we eat A LOT!!  It's so simple!!  You just need chicken, Italian dressing mix, and zesty Italian dressing:














All I simply do is take the dry mix and rub it onto my chicken.  Then I put it in a large ziploc bag and pour Zesty Italian dressing into the bag.  I don't have any particular measurements because it depends on how much chicken you are using...so just eye it.  I usually use one packet of dressing mix for about 4 chicken breasts and enough of the liquid dressing to cover it and marinate.  I let it marinate most of the day.  Then I take it out and grill it!  It's so good!!  Some of the things we like to eat it with are: rolls, corn on the cob, salad, rice...lots of possibilities!

Bon Appetit!!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Fruit Pizza

Fruit pizza is one of the most delicious desserts out there - it is my most favorite summertime dessert when it's topped with yummy fresh fruit!!  We had it for dessert on Father's Day, but since it's such a favorite around here, I thought I'd post a pic with the recipe (the pic was from a previous time I made it):


FRUIT PIZZA

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese
1/2 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Assorted fresh fruit

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Mix in egg. combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Press dough into an ungreased pizza pan. 
Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool. 
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until light. Spread on cooled crust. 
Arrange desired fruit on top of filling, and chill. 

NOTE:  I used low-fat cream cheese and I thought it still tasted great...I may try fat-free cream cheese next time to save even more calories!!


Anyways...had to share one of my favorite dessert recipes - I wish I could eat this every day!!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day

I want to wish every dad out there a VERY HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, but a special one to the three "fathers" in my life :)

To my dad, I am so thankful for such an amazing father who I respect, admire, and love so much!!  He is such a compassionate and giving person.  He is such a hard-worker and is always willing to help all of us when we need something done.  He is a fantastic "grampa" (or "gampa" as Cole would say) to our sons.  Our boys get SO excited when they get to spend time with him (and gramma too).  I love watching him and Gavin "talk" to each other in their own special little language...so funny!!  He is someone who makes us all laugh...I have many memories of laughing so hard until we are all practically crying!!  I am so thankful for such a wonderful dad!




To my husband, my best friend and man of my dreams.  He is such an incredible daddy to our three little boys.  I always have such great joy watching him with our sons...putting them to bed at night, playing with them outside, wrestling with them in the basement, reading them books, taking them to special places...I look forward to watching more of those memories in years to come.  He is so patient with them, so kind.  He loves each of them so much and cares for their well-being.  He is such a hard worker and great provider for our family.  I'm so thrilled to see the special relationship he has with each of our boys...they all love their daddy!!  I love you Jason and I'm so thankful for the amazing husband and father that you are.



To my father-in-law, someone we don't get to see as often as we like because of the miles that separate us.  When he comes to our home, I might-as-well say good-bye to my boys because they LOVE the time they get to spend with their "Pop" :)  He is such a kind, tenderhearted man who loves his kids and grandkids - they all have a very special place in his heart!!



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!

Friday, June 18, 2010

I'm Back :)

Well, after taking a break from the blogging world, I think I'm going to try jumping back in! We'll see how long this lasts...my 3 little boys keep me very busy, so time at the computer is limited now-a-days!!

Lots has happened since I last blogged, so here is a whirlwind update.  We welcomed our 3rd baby boy into the world on February 23, 2010...Gavin Scott. 


He is such an angel baby!!  He is very laid back, very content and happy most of the time, and such a sweet, sweet baby!  The Lord knew I needed an easy one :)  Especially with two other little boys so close in age!  My labor with him is one I will never forget - the most intense, painful time in my entire life!!  Thank goodness it went so quickly (I was in the L&D room for 37 minutes)...because it went so fast I could not have any pain meds, so he was born natural.  We chose not to find out what we were having (although Jason apparently knew all along because he saw "something" on one of the million ultrasounds we had).  I figured with our track record that we'd have another boy and I was right!!  I love him to pieces...I couldn't have asked for a better baby!!  He is now almost 4 months old and he's growing up WAY TOO FAST!  In fact, it seems like they grow up faster and faster with the more kids you have!!  I don't want him to grow up so quickly!!  Here is a recent picture of my sweet happy baby:


Cole just had his 2nd birthday...he is such a sweetie (when he's not screaming or fighting with his brother).  He just had his doctor's appointment and he was in the 100th percentile for height...he is very tall!!  He was in the 60th percentile for weight.  He looks so different from his big brother with his light blond hair and bright blue eyes.  He adjusted VERY well when Gavin came along which surprised us since he is such a mommy's boy!!  He does very well playing on his own, but he loves to follow his big brother around and copy everything Landon does!!  Here is a recent picture of him (on spaghetti night):


And then last, but not least, my big boy Landon!!  Wow, that boy is growing up TOO fast!!  He talks so "intelligently" for a 3.5 year old...and is sometimes TOO smart.  He LOVES having a baby brother.  He tells me every day how much he loves baby Gavin.  He is also a good helper and big brother to Cole.  He is such a funny little guy - always has the funniest expressions and funny faces!!  He LOVES playing outside - especially baseball with daddy.  Here is a recent picture of him (eating lunch...hence the food in his mouth, but such a nice picture otherwise):


So that is the update on my 3 boys.  I think that's all I'll update for now - it's getting close to lunchtime and then NAPTIME...YAY :)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Birthday Cakes I've Done

So my friend referred me to the Birthday Cake Round-Up so I thought I'd post a few of the cakes I've done for my boys' birthday. I am by far no experienced cake decorator, but I enjoy trying to make the cakes for their birthdays :) The Curious George was my first cake, the Farm Animals my second, the Lightning McQueen my third, and the Jungle my most recent.

Landon's 2nd birthday (Curious George):



Landon's 3rd birthday (Lightning McQueen):



Cole's 1st birthday (Farm Animals):



Cole's 2nd birthday (Jungle):


I enjoy doing these for my boys' birthdays, but I'm glad there are only a couple each year :) Starting next year I will have to do THREE a year!!