No prince for Aleeya.....

He was STILL a turtle after the kiss. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?! I blame Disney for putting crazy ideas in our heads...........

Oh and look, Zack smiles......

AND climbs of velvety dresses. What a talented turtle.

(We only pick the MOST talented ones around here.)

(It was a CLOSE call. Zack almost came to church with us today because Camden packed him in his church bag. I found out halfway to church, turned around and took Zack home.

At LEAST I found out in the car, because last time he took a "pet" to church, the frog got lost in our van during church and died a few weeks later.......a long.....stinky......death)

Mommy trio date

I had fun tonight with the 3 younger ones while Brooks took Bronson and Camden golfing. We ran a few errands and one happened to be CVS. I even had a lady say, "Are ALL THREE of these YOURS?!?!? Wow, you have your hands full!" I just smiled........little does SHE know.

We had Nips together (my go-to candy) and ate and had a relaxing night............until...........

the boys got home from golfing. Let me first explain that Camden has been practicing and practicing ALL THE TIME in the back yard and LOVES golfing. Brooks said on the first hole Camden saw a turtle, in a stream close by and tried to catch it, but to no avail. He followed that stream until he DID catch one.........which meant his golf game was done. He no longer wanted to golf, he just carried "Zack" (that's the turtles name) for the the next 7 holes. You can IMAGINE my surprise when he brought Zack home, made him a "house" and now have a turtle sleeping in the bathroom.

Zack, welcome to the family. I'm sure you're visit will be short.....since all the previous ones have been.

On TOP of this, when the kids went down for naps I ran to Harris Teeter and the Dollar Tree to do grocery stuff and Easter yadda yaddas. (Just in case you were wondering Brooks WAS home) When I came home the kids were awake and I KNEW they would peek in the bags, so I threw them in a place that was close that I KNEW they wouldn't look...............the washer, duh.

I just went downstairs to move it to a safer hiding place and to my LUCK, I found a pair of poopy undies thrown in with Easter. Nice.

I guess Brooks is right when he says I'm a HORRIBLE "hider".

Pure entertainment

I love it how it entertains EVERYONE when Brooks mows the lawn!

And for some reason it's just so cute how Iris finds entertainment in emptying her drawers when left open. (check out her face, she must really think she's in trouble)

Probably my favorite post ever.....

I'm pretty sure you have 4 minutes to watch this.........incredible. It changed me.

Why I love St. Paddy's......

I know it sounds lame to absolutely LOVE St. Patrick's Day. But it's always been one of my FAVORITE holidays!!! Partly because my parents always made a big deal about holidays.

Obviously we did the usual wearing green and transforming all your food to green but my family ALWAYS had a jellybean race.........I'll explain later.

First up, the preschool St. Paddy's luncheon!

I had preschool at my house today and the kids had fun.

(Note: Camden is NOT wearing green, even after I told him he might get pinched. He told me, "Well if someone pinches me, I'll just punch them". But don't worry, no one tried)

The kid's favorite was the "magic milk". I put 1-2 drops of green food coloring in the bottom of the cups (hence, the black cups) while they weren't looking. Then they watched me pour WHITE milk into their cup and then it turned green. They thought it was those tricky leprechauns.

They also thought I was so forgetful to not make green frosting. I played it up how I couldn't BELIEVE I only had yellow and blue frosting......... until they mixed the two together on their plates.

So here are the kids at the starting line of the

JELLY BEAN RACE

I'll explain the rules: you put a green jellybean on the floor and you have to push it with your nose to the finish line. Adults can't use their hands for support either. We let the kids though. Whoever wins picks where we go out to eat. Which is probably the reason I love this so much. We go out to eat when we're on vacation as a whole family, or I'll take the kids to an occasional Chick-Fil-A/McD's thing, but we really NEVER eat out with everyone.

(Believe you me though, I get to eat out plenty on dates!)

And they're OFF.........

-Aleeya has no clue and right after I took this, ate her jellybean

-Camden is getting ready to flick his (cheating), and then he pushed it with his head (once again, cheating......he probably get that from me, because I used to wedge it in my glasses when my parents weren't looking.)

Surprise, surprise, Camden won.

Not that we're shocked or anything.

Then we did the parents heat and Brooks beat me because Sally at my jellybean mid-race.

Brooks and Camden battled it out, but don't you think for a minute that we're the type to just let our kids win......so.......Brooks won.

He picked Brixx (pizza place) that we had a coupon for (yet, ANOTHER surprise for you, I'm sure)

The kids LOVED that they could watch through the window and see the pizzas cooking and being made

As for the food?.......eh.......we're not too big of fans, but hey, it was fun.

And to even add MORE excitement to it, Bronson shot a spit wod out of his straw at Aleeya on the way home............she had no clue it was there!

Gotta love what they learn on the bus ride to school.

And I'm even MORE grateful that he taught his brothers how to do it as well. YES!

So HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO YOU!!!!

Face Talking

There is a man in our church that usually sits up on the stand facing the congregation.

He told me last week, that he just likes to sit and watch Aleeya, because she "talks with her face". What do you think?

(before you think that upper right one is of her sleeping, think again. That's what she does when she doesn't want to obey, listen or cooperate. For some reason, we think it's the funniest thing)

Yep, this little one definitely KEEPS US LAUGHING with how animated she is (not mention her ALWAYS singing)!

Freezer Cooking 101

I title it that because I should probably be the 101st person to be asking about this.!!! Let me start by saying I'm DEFINITELY not a pro.

Right before Iris was born I sent out an email to many women asking for their "freezer recipes" so I could stock up. That was the beginning of my freezer cooking adventures. I guess I never thought of doing it before because I

1) didn't have the freezer space

2) didn't have those tin looking casserole containers, nor did I want to buy them

3) my family doesn't much care for soups

4) I like casseroles enough but when I heard ladies cooking for a WHOLE month, I just couldn't FATHOM eating a casserole EVERY day and not eating more "fresh things"

5) it seemed like a lot of extra work

6) I didn't want to eat the same thing 6 times that month!

What I learned:

-I didn't NEED extra freezer space (although it helps)

-I didn't NEED those casserole containers

- I've only had 1 casserole this whole time and I eat PLENTY of fresh things

-DEFINITELY is a lot LESS work

- well......my family still doesn't like soup. But I can't change that....yet.

Like I said, I'm no expert, but since I've had quite a few people ask about freezer cooking and how I do it, I thought I would share a few things I HAVE learned that have worked for me so it doesn't seem so overwhelming. (wow, that was a long sentence)

• I don't use casserole-sized containers. I use freezer bags and freeze them flat.
• I don't throw the cooked noodles or cooked rice in anything in the freezer (it saves space...and sometimes I have texture issues) Example: there's a well-known Poppyseed Chicken recipe many know of with a creamy mixture and Ritz topping that you throw on noodles and bake. Well, you just make the chicken creamy mixture, freeze it, have Ritz on hand, cook up some fresh noodles when ready to eat, throw the (defrosted) creamy mixture on top, the Ritz and throw it in the oven.
• I stopped looking for "freezer recipes" and started looking at the ones my family ALREADY likes and figured out ways to freeze those
• I don't do it all in one day, (dreading that day of work), I break it up over 3 or more days. I would do it during a naptime or at night, etc. This month one thing I was making was burritos for the freezer and one day I just threw chicken in the crockpot with salsa and Pepsi and it cooked all day. I shredded it, and the next day Aleeya and I put it (and a few other things) in some tortillas to wrap up in wax paper and individually freeze. It took all of 15 minutes because the chicken was already cooked and cooled.
• I make a normal menu before grocery shopping and just put "x2" or "x3" by the side if I want the stuff to make more. Then I end up with MORE then a "two-week grocery" trip to begin with.
• Not ALL my meals are frozen flat. Some of my favorite things in the freezer are the burritos, pizza pockets, saucy mini-meatloaves, crescent rolls, pigs-in-a-blanket, pizza loaf, sub sandwiches, etc. Sub sandwiches are one of my family's favorite. We get buns and put deli meats and cheese in them and some sauteed veggies in mine and Brooks', then individually wrap them up with tin foil and freeze. When it's time to eat we put them frozen in the oven and still wrapped. They come out Quizno-tasting and we LOVE it. Note: if you're wanting to add mayo or mustard, add it AFTER you cook it or it will make the bun soggy......learned from experience.
• make a variety or you'll HATE freezer cooking
• cook up and freeze meats. I did this on Sunday when we had a group dinner for Taco Salads. Earlier in the week, I cooked up all the meat. Then on the day I just added the taco seasoning/water and simmered.
• count on making extra "just in case" someone needs a meal sometime that month. Whether you end up taking one over or not, making things with the thought of service definitely makes it a more uplifting experience. With things ready and on hand it's easier and more enjoyable to serve. I also think we're more willing to do it and we can be used to help out those around us instead of being "too busy".
• think of what YOUR family likes and quit catering to everyone else's freezer recipe menu. (I learned that the hard way last month when "Lemonade Chicken" sounds GREAT, so I timed it by 3.......and should've timed it by NEGATIVE three and not wasted my chicken. Note: before you multiply things TRY it out first or look at the ingredients and try to see if your family would eat it.)
• cook/freeze PARTS of a recipe, to cut down on assemble time later (my personal fav. tip) I did something new this month that saved me a TON of time. I cut all the chicken breasts horizontally in half (I do that EVERY time I cook chicken because it makes it go farther and DOUBLE the chicken) and filled up a cookie sheet with them. I threw them in the oven at 375 until they were cooked (turning in the middle). Then I let them cool, cut them up and froze them. (All while watching Biggest Loser!) The chicken was used this week for example, in one of my favorite chicken/cold pasta salad type recipes this week. I just had to cook the noodles and throw in the other "fresh ingredients" along with the chicken and I was done. Super fast. I also did that again with the "Palace Chicken" that my family likes, but the only thing that requires work is all the cutting of the vegetables to saute later. So I cut up a ton of those one day and froze them in separate bags for that recipe later on, and since I'm going to saute them anyway, the texture won't matter. Now I just pull it out of the freezer and directly to the pan. So it's not TECHNICALLY a whole freezer meal, but I cut the prep. time down by 75%!
• freeze sweets, cookie dough balls, lemon bars, ROLLS (before they rise), breakfast foods (muffins, pancakes, french toast, etc.) and it will cut down on dishes later. Plus when you have to take some treats over to someone's house you'll have some on hand (happened last week to me when I was reminded on SUNDAY that I forgot the birthday someone I visit taught!!!!!!!!) Also since I'm not THAT good of a wife and get up at 5:15 to make sure Brooks has breakfast before he goes, it's nice to know there are things in the freezer for him to grab and warm up. So seriously, next time you make pancakes, just double the recipe, cook them all up, let the extras cool, then throw them in the freezer!)
• Spring/summer is coming, so use it with FRUITS and JAMS! My favorite and new thing I did this year was when the strawberries were on sale, I got a ton, chopped them, pureed them, and divided them into 2 cups in sandwich bags to make jam all year long when I run out. For example, I'm out now. So this week I'll just grab one of those bags, then mix the sugar in and pectin and pour in the jars and there's no mess with all the chopping, etc. I'm down to my last baggie now, and I started with 6, but I just didn't have the space (or jars) to make THAT much to last us all winter.....because we go through a lot. Good thing fruit season is just around the corner.
• ENJOY your newly found free time!!!! Especially around 2 o'clock when you're sitting there thinking, "My kids are down, and I would LIKE to get such-n-such done, but I have to figure out what to make for dinner now instead."

WOW, I AM aware of how long this post was, but hopefully you may have picked up a tip, and save on the trial-and-error time like I had.

My Sunday mornings.....Part 2

I REALLY should post a picture of them AFTER they're done up in their sunday clothes.....because it would make these pictures seem more funny.....like a before and after type thing. Yes, this is Sunday morning at my house (the weather was AWESOME!)

Notice: Emerson's Batman/Superman duo and Aleeya looking out the wrong holes.

Aleeya showing me her muscles.

(I have to note my favorite thing Aleeya has been saying lately when I tell her no. For example, yesterday she asked for more vitamins. I said she already had her's. To which she replied, "Aw, you're mean. The Mommy on the the bus says, 'I am mean' " (she obviously sings that last part....it is so funny. I get the Mommy being mean on the bus song a lot)

Here is Iris during naptime........she shares a room w/ Aleeya......

They play and giggle and giggle. I love it. It only lasts about 20 minutes before one taps out and falls asleep....usually Aleeya, but it's still cute.

Iris, enjoying corn on the cob. She loved it!

This next picture is on the night Brooks was on call. The boys LOVE it when Daddy is on call because it doesn't happen too often (most if not all of his call is "home call" so the kids don't always know when he is). Anyway, I picked up Bronson from the bus and said, "Guess what, Daddy is on call!" YAY!!! They all say together.

Trust me, the kids love their dad more then me, but when he is on call, I let them pick dinner (it ends up being pancakes, pizza, grilled cheese-type foods) and we watch a movie AT NIGHT! That doesn't happen unless he's on call, so they get pretty excited. Anyway, we started the movie a little late this particular night and Aleeya fell asleep snuggling me and Sally. I just LOVE moments like these......regardless of how I look. :)

On a completely unrelated note......we had a bunch of guests this weekend and in particular a big group dinner on Sunday. (SUPER fun, BTW, I love having people over) So I cleaned a ton. Not that we don't ALWAYS pick up, but you have to REALLY deep clean, wipe cupboards, walls, de-clutter/pile everything etc. Anyway spending Saturday doing that, then Sunday cooking, I always want to "take a break" from cleaning and picking up the next day. Or like when guests leave your house from visiting, it's like you want a one day break from cleaning. Does anyone else feel like that?

And why does it take a BIG get together to FINALLY get you to clean out from under the boys' beds, to clean the front door, or get rid of all your piles of papers?!

I really need to do better at just doing it for MY family, because they should be all that matters, right?

PS- I just found out my parents are coming out in April (they're even flying in on my birthday! Happy Birthday to me!) YAY! My dad hasn't been out here for about 2 years and my kids need their grandparents!

Monday...."My FAVORITE day"

As mentioned before, Sunday are NOT Bronson's favorite day.

But Monday is.

I'm sure as he grows up, that might change a little. But as for now he has basketball and Family Home Evening. Or, I guess HAD basketball.

Last Monday was his final game and trophy ceremony.

Really, this kid is happiest when on that court! (can't IMAGINE where he gets that from....)

He's the shortest on his team and the youngest, but definitely one of the better ones. He was so proud of himself that he was the only one (on all the teams, actually) that could dribble with both hands equally. Watching him with that perma-grin on his face was so fun

But not AS fun when these three decided not to obey.......

There they are in Time-out, and hiding from me. Stinkers.

I finally let them come back and watch the game as long as they STAYED seated (I usually let them play under the bleachers like I did when I was younger, but this week they just wanted to play on top of the bleachers, in front of people that were trying to watch and keep putting their foot over "the line" so they were in the game. Arg.)

(Emerson's face is so sweet. How could I have gotten mad at THAT?!? Aleeya looks really sorry, doesn't she......as she TALKS ON MY PHONE!!!!)

Later for Family Home Evening we went to Krispy Creme (using the rest of our free Valentines) for the treat (Brooks wasn't home yet).

Aleeya had just fallen down and is showing you her "ow-ee mano (hand)"

My big head.......

My big head in cooking just got deflated .......... Now I don't presume to be the BEST cook in the whole world, but according to Emerson, I am. He said I'm even better the the mouse on Ratatouille! (Quite a compliment, I might add)

The moment of deflatage came when I was driving Bronson to the bus stop this morning. Camden said, "Bronson, how come gasoline SMELLS good but it doesn't TASTE good?" (I'm really not going to ask how he knows that.....) To which Bronson replied, "Well, don't you remember how Mommy's dinner SMELLED good last night, but it didn't TASTE good? Some things just don't taste as good as they smell."

Personally, I LIKED my Shepherd's Pie and really, they better learn to like it more too, because I had a big ol' freezer cooking day yesterday and that yummy ol' Shepherd's Pie was definitely included. Guess I showed them, huh.

My Sunday mornings.......

I love Sundays. I do.

The boys have JUST started getting to the stage of not liking it because they just "have to sit and not move".

Aleeya LOVES church because of "Nursery, singing time, Coleson, and Ms. Nikki"

Brooks has meetings on Sunday before church, so I do Sunday mornings solo. Which is fine, because I run a pretty tight schedule then (my mom calls me a "Sargent Mom".....good? bad? Who knows, but it works here.)

Since church starts at 11, (last year it was at 9 and I had to have all the clothes set out the night before.....thankfully, I don't have to do that this year) the kids can play a little before we start the getting ready:

-Iron and set out all the clothes (the kids find their shoes/socks/ties right after breakfast) before 9:30.

-ME ready by 10

-Prepare kids' snack for "bribe" and set it on the table (they can't have it until after they are ready, so I have to be VERY careful it's not messy, or spill-worthy....:) I've learned THAT the hard way)

-10:20- get them ready.

-10:35-snack.....or whenever they finish getting ready

-Between 10:40 and 10:45-load them in the car. It takes exactly 8 minutes to get to church, and I'm a freak about not being late. (we need time so all the boys can pile in the bathroom and empty all their "excuses" for leaving sacrament meeting) I've been late ONCE when Iris was a few months old. I say that because you would THINK it was because of the baby, but no, it was because we couldn't find the boys' shoes......hence, me making them set them out before they can play.

(Why am I a freak about being on time? It all started before I had kids and prego with Bronson. I was visiting my mom and my sister, who had a young baby was late for coming over. Mom said, "When you have kids, YOU will never be on time either."

And if you know me, I took that as a personal challenge for church ever since. :)

Be careful what you "Dare" be to do.)

Anyway, here is what the kids looked like Sunday morning......

They, for some reason, ALL decided to get into Emerson-sized swimsuits and act like turtles, and punch each other's "shells" since it didn't hurt. The things that entertain kids........

Obviously the swimsuits fit some more then others......... :)

But I HAD to post these pictures of my Christmas present!

On Saturday Brooks took me to Hairspray (traveling through here for just a few days) with the tickets Santa threw in my stocking!

It was so cold posing by that sign, but I HAD to have it documented, right?

I just LOVE musicals and the dancing was incredible. For some reason I don't remember it being as......shall I say......suggestive.......but at least I had GREAT company!

I really don't think I can end this post w/o drawing attention to the INCREDIBLY HOT man with his arm around me!