Family Fun Weekend

We were supposed to go out of town this weekend, but a serious of miscommunications made us stay in town instead.  So, my husband and I decided to have some fun family time with the kids this weekend.  On Friday night, we had homemade pizza, watched 101 Dalmations, ate homemade popcorn and hot chocolate.

On Saturday, we took the kids to the Children’s Discovery Museum and then went to dinner at Logan’s Roadhouse.

Camden driving the tractor.

Caleb driving the tractor.

My sweet Emma Grace.

On Sunday, we went to church and just hung around the house the rest of the day.  The big hit of the day was a picnic for dinner.  When my husband asked Caleb what his favorite part of the day was, he said “The picnic”.  Something so simple, makes them so happy and makes such great memories.

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March 31, 2008 | Filed Under Family Life, Our Children, Photos | Leave a Comment 

Menu Plan Monday - March 31

Monday - Swiss Chicken, sauteed asparagus and peas, salad

Tuesday - The in-laws are bringing pizza over, seven layer bars

Wednesday - Brown Sugar Meatloaf, twice baked potato casserole, vegetable

Thursday - Ham, broccoli cheese casserole, praline sweet potato casserole, dinner rolls, chocolate banana parfaits

Friday - Homemade pizza, salad

Saturday - Breakfast - Breakfast Burritos, fruit - Dinner - Sweet and Tangy Chicken Kabobs, rice

Head on over to I’m an Organizing Junkie for more meal plans.

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March 31, 2008 | Filed Under Menu Plan Monday | Leave a Comment 

Easter Celebrations

Our family had a great Easter weekend.  We tried to emphasize for the kids that Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ, mixed in with a few family favorite Easter activities.

On Friday, we had a few friends over to color eggs.  This is the first time we have done this in a couple of years and the kids had a great time.

Caleb and Camden coloring eggs.

Emma with her first Easter basket.

Caleb and Camden with their Easter baskets.

We hid the Easter baskets for the boys and then they went to find them.  They were very excited about the little toys to play with.  They also got one egg filled with M&M’s. 

At church, there was a children’s choir this year and so Caleb sang on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

I had planned on doing the Resurrection Eggs this year with the kids, but time got away from us.  It will be something that we incorporate next year, along with a couple of other ideas I found that I thing my children will enjoy.

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March 26, 2008 | Filed Under Crafts & Activities, Family Life, Holidays & Celebrations, Our Children, Photos | Leave a Comment 

Menu Plan Monday - March 24

Monday - Buttermilk Pancakes, maple roasted bacon, fresh fruit salad

Tuesday - Chicken Pot Pie, spinach salad, fruit

Wednesday - Meatball Subs, cheese and bacon potato rounds, vegetable

Thursday - Homemade pizza, salad with tangy tomato dressing

Friday - Out of town to see friends

Saturday - Out of town to see friends

Head on over to I’m an Organizing Junkie for more meal plans.

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March 24, 2008 | Filed Under Menu Plan Monday | Leave a Comment 

Favorite Ingredients Friday - Crunchy Pea Salad & Easter Surprise Cake

Crunchy Pea Salad

  •  1 (10 ounces) package frozen peas, thawed
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1/4 cup diced green onion
  • 1 cup chopped cashews
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 - 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

Combine peas, celery, cauliflower, onions, cashews, sour cream and dressing in a bowl.  Mix well.  Chill until ready to serve.  Right before serving, add the bacon.

Easter Surprise Cake

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 small can mandarin oranges, with juice

Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.  Pour into a greased and floured pan.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  Do not overcook.  Let cool.

Topping

  • 1 large can crushed pineapple, with juice
  • 1 package instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 tub (8 ounces) whipped topping

Mix thoroughly with spoon and cover cake.  Refrigerate.

Head on over to Overwhelmed With Joy for more FIF - Easter Edition recipes.

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March 21, 2008 | Filed Under Favorite Ingredient Friday, Holidays & Celebrations, Recipes | 3 Comments 

Spring Reading Thing 2008

Callapidder Days is hosting her Annual Spring Reading Thing.  Here is the list of books that I am going to be reading over the next 3 months.

Non-Fiction

Fiction

Bible Studies

Reading with Caleb

Head on over to Callapidder Days to view other Spring Reading Thing lists.

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March 20, 2008 | Filed Under Books & Reading | 6 Comments 

Menu Plan Monday - March 17

Monday - Irish Stew, salad, irish soda bread with golden raisins

Tuesday - Biscuits and Gravy, scrambled eggs, fruit

Wednesday - Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Pie, vegetable, rolls

Thursday - Oven Barbecued Chicken, barbecued potato wedges, baked beans

Friday - Date night with hubby, going to Medici

Saturday - Breakfast - Coffee Hound - Dinner - Spaghetti, caesar salad, garlic bread

Head on over to I’m an Organizing Junkie for more meal plans.

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March 17, 2008 | Filed Under Menu Plan Monday | 2 Comments 

Hearts at Home

I will be at the National Hearts at Home Conference tomorrow.  I can hardly wait for a day of rest, relaxation and learning how to be a better mommy and wife.  I am going with a friend that I went with last year and we had a great time together.  I am sure this year will be just as great.

The best part is that the conference is only 5 minutes from my house.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

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March 13, 2008 | Filed Under Family Life, Mothering, Parenting | Leave a Comment 

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

One of our family goals this year is to implement some healthier eating habits.  Our diet is fairly healthy, especially since having children, but we have been wanting to do more.

What we are already doing:

  • Join a CSA - This is something our family has wanted to do for a few years and are finally able to try.  We just joined Mitchell Farms Produce and are anxious to start getting our farm fresh produce in May.
  • Buying hormone-free and antibiotic-free milk - We have been getting our milk delivered from Oberweis Dairy for several years.
  • Reducing high fructose corn syrup - This is still an area we are still working on.  It is a challenge to find foods that do not have this as an ingredient.
  • Eating organic - As much as possible, we are buying organic foods.

What we want to do:

  • Buying grass fed beef and free range eggs - Grass fed products offer more good fats and fewer bad fats.  They are richer in antioxidants , including vitamin E , beta-carotene and vitamin C.  They also do not contain traces of added hormones, antibiotics or other drugs (from Eat Wild). 

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March 12, 2008 | Filed Under Food & Eating, Healthy Living | Leave a Comment 

Menu Plan Monday - March 10

Monday - Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, vegetable

Tuesday - Sausage and Rice Casserole, seven layer salad

Wednesday - Beef and Taters TV Dinner

Thursday - Cheddar Corn Chowder, salad, honey of an oatmeal bread

Friday - Hubby and the kids are on their own…I will be here.

Saturday - Breakfast - Banana Blueberry Muffins, fruit - Dinner - Out to dinner

Head on over to I’m an Organizing Junkie for more menu plans.

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March 10, 2008 | Filed Under Menu Plan Monday | 1 Comment 

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