Bon Appetit!

 (Photo compliments of www.backtothecuttingboard.com/)

A friend of mine invited us all over for dinner a few weekends ago and this is what we had (Thanks Andy and Kimaleigh).  I enjoyed it so much, I made it last night and we all LOVED it!  This picture hardly does it justice- the sweet potatoes were vibrant and orange and had caramelized in my favorite baking dish on the planet!

I used boneless skinless chicken breasts because that was all that I had- but I think the bone in is the best way to go, I used sea salt and baked it for 1.5 hours- hence the carmelization.  Fabulous!  Also, to prove how fabulous it was to Elliott while I was making it- I poured in some extra syrup just to see his eyes and then his expression was priceless "dinner is going to have syrup in it?".  He ate without hesitation- well, except for the pesky little "sticks" (as he would say) from the thyme.  He hates those "sticks".

Maple Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

1 1/2 lbs. chicken thighs and or drumsticks

poultry seasoning, to taste

2 cups carrots, cut into one inch pieces

3 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces

3/4 cup of maple syrup

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp (to taste) fresh thyme,chopped

Arrange chicken in an 8x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with the seasoning, salt and pepper. Place the carrots, sweet potatoes and the onion in the dish. drizzle with maple syrup and olive oil. 

Sprinkle with thyme and toss to coat.

Cover and bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Remove cover, stir and cook for about 15 minutes longer or until the chicken is golden brown and meat thermometer registers 165. 

Let stand and cover with foil for 5-8 minutes before serving.

Book Reviews as of late....

This is a GREAT little read.  It just gives basic reminders of marriage and what the different needs of men and women are- it's full of little things you can do in your marriage.  I would recommend it to anyone married, getting married, or thinking about marriage.  It is helpful- anything helpful is useful and important- and well worth your time!

I LOVED this little read.  I have all these little books I've been given over the years that I haven't gotten around to until now.  It  really you understand the importance of service and how serving others will make you better and unselfish.  I would totally recommend this book.  It is seriously a 30-50 minute read and because it is so short, yet, so good it is a complete pick-me-up.  Well worth the time and effort for sure!

Bet you didn't think you'd find a novel here, did you?  I've had it sitting by my bed for a year now.  (Sorry Karlea)  Finally got around to reading it- once I started, I didn't put it down.  I enjoyed the story- I learned quite a bit from it and was really annoyed at many of the characters in the book.  I was disappointed with the ending- I'm not a big fan of the kind of ending where it just ends- I felt it was a rushed and not a complete ending.   I wanted to see how the characters were, where they were, and what was happening in their lives- say- maybe 5 years later.  I would recommend it.  It is a simple quick read- but one that still makes you think and put yourself within the pages.

A friend of mine brought this to me when I was in the hospital.  It took me a few weeks to actually start reading it.  It goes through a vast amount of information.  Some in depth- some extremely basic.  I actually skipped some of the chapters- which I still think is funny- because that isn't quite like me.  I enjoyed most of it.  I found the chapter "What to Teach Your Children" really wonderful.  It gives a basic list of the important things we should be teaching our children- I don't know about you- but when an Apostle for my church tells me certain things to be teaching my E- I want to know what they are.  I love that I have them written down like a little checklist that I can refer to.  I also loved the chapter "Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings"-  Elder Nelson gives certain situations where he is interviewing people and the questions he asks them are awesome.  I have each of them written down so I can ask myself those same questions.  It is really eye opening asking myself these personal spiritual questions. I would recommend it simply just for those two chapters and more.   I love reading books that make me want to be better in all of these areas of my life.  They help me to feel so much stronger and better able to tackle life.

That's what he said

It's better being a droid than being a GIRL.

Spring Soccer, we're back

Spring Soccer is in full swing.  Elliott LOVES soccer. 

I love watching him play soccer.  

It's a win win.

Final cleaning...

I forgot to put these on the last post- the best ones!  

The clean pool.  

Seriously- hard work to get a pool back from the dead.

The Pool, ehh I mean Lake

Our poor pool!  It has had quite the winter.  First the heater went out at the end of the summer- we figured we'd fix it after the holidays.

Then the winds kicked in- BIG TIME.  

Then I was sick and nothing got done- AT ALL.

It literally looked like a lake- smelled like one too.  It was lovely- 

L O V E L Y!  

Craig borrowed a pump and pumped out all of the water and he and E got out there and power washed the whole thing.  It was a PROJECT!  They worked very hard to get it up and running again.

Yesterday it was full of pretty- CLEAN- water and then..... 

the winds kicked in again.

We will never let it get so bad again!

Taking care of a pool is a lot of work.  

I enjoy that I get to sleep with the pool guy and all- 

but it's a lot of extra work to keep it up and running and beautiful.

Craig and E did a great job, it's good to have it back- 

can't wait for the weather to get warm and swim again.

Dinner

I forget about my juicer sometimes and when I remember it, 
I'm stoked.  
Craig, E and I are pretty partial to carrot apple juice.  

I love that my boys will drink this for dinner.

Post Valentine's Day

After Medieval Times E and Craig had to have a battle. 

 

 

 At school they did a whole Post Office and Mail Carrier series during the month of February.  It was really cute.  First they made a large envelope and colored it to be like their homes- then wrote their addresses on them.  The kids would bring in a few Valentine's each day and they would have different tasks- one was the mail carrier, one put stamps on the Valentine's, some delivered, etc, etc.  

It was a good way for them to learn their addresses

and learn how to sort, etc.  

Then on Valentine's day they got to open all of their "mail". 

 

On Presidents Day we went mini golfing with some of our favorite people.  All the kids had the best time.  

We've got some future golfers among us.

Valentine's Day

Craig and I take turns with our holidays. One of us does Valentine's Day the other our Anniversary- the next year we take the other.  It works out so well.  This year I was in charge of Valentine's day.  We don't go crazy on Valentines- keep it simple.  I decided we'd go shooting and then find a fun restaurant near the shooting place.  We had a great time.  I enjoy doing things that Craig likes to do.  

On Saturday we took Elliott to Meidevil Times for his Valentine from us.  It's a dinner type show- where you eat dinner (with your hands- no silverware) while you watch a little show.  He was STOKED!  He loves jousting and all the knightly things.  He's all about that kind of thing.  It was so fun just watching him- for me that was the best show of all!  

I highly recommend for mothers of 6 year old boys.  You'll be a HERO!

Disneyland, one last time....for awhile.

Elliott loves being able to reach the pedals and drive the car by himself.  

It's quite a jerky ride, but he's in heaven.

Cousins

 

We had a fun trip to Disneyland at the end of January.  We didn't renew the passes.  Part of me is sad, but the other part that has had them the last 4 years is pretty content to take awhile off.  Disneyland is fun and all- but with school we don't find ourselves going much during the year.

Look at the joy on E and Luke's faces in the last photo?  I love it!  All of the moms decided we didn't want to spin to much on the tea cups but the boys wanted to spin like crazy.  It was so fun watching them!

Principles Award

In January Elliott got a Principles award.  It is an award that is given out by the Principle but the teacher nominates the students (each student gets at least 1 a school year).  His award was for many things- among which were- being a good friend and taking good care of his friends.

I was (am) so proud of my little guy.  He can be pretty feisty with his buddies- however, when it comes to his buddies- he loves them and when it comes down to it- he would do most anything for them.

Volcanoes

 
 

 

Ever since I can remember, E has been into science experiments.  Anything he can watch do something different, he's all over it!  We've been buying pop-it's since he was a baby.  He LOVES volcanoes. 

For Christmas he got a volcano kit-(pretty lame actually- just some plaster paris and some molds) but he loved it.  Ever since we've been doing volcanoes.  Love them, I don't think they will EVER GET OLD!  

If you have never done volcanoes with your kiddos-

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND it- it will not disappoint!

Doesn't the last picture look like a total Joker smile?  He just needs some white face paint and red messy lipstick- and green hair, and....okay- just the smile looks Joker like!

That's what he said

On Valentine's Day Elliott and I were in a hurry to beat Craig home because I had left his gift on the counter, unwrapped.  As we are turning onto our street with no sight of Craig-

Yeah!  We gave Dad the slip!

1st book review for 2011

This year I intend to read QUALITY books.  Not just a book to read a book.  I want to learn something, become a better person, mother, wife, or whatever it is- just something that will make me better.  It doesn't have to be a self-help type of book- just a book that makes me feel better while reading.  I've read too many books that depress me or make me want to shoot the next author that thinks it's "clever" to write a book about someone dying a slow death- but their journey is miraculous....blah blah blah.  

Been there, done that- DONE!

So- my first review- the above book.  It was an EASY read- a couple of hours.  It is a beautiful little account of various areas of parenting, rearing children, marriage and life.  It reminded me how important it is to live in the moment and save the annoying little things for later. 

I have walked away with so many fun ideas to implement with Elliott and things here within my home.  It has made me want to be more fun (is that possible?) organized, less annoyed at the little things and has made me see a few things in my life a little differently with new eyes.  Great read, totally worth it. 

Thank you Stephanie, it was just what I needed to get me back into the "swing" of things! 

Hello 2011

Goodbye 2010

Christmas Highlights

Love him.

One gift highlight was all of the grandkids getting their own digital cameras.  

What a hit!  

However, the nude photography sessions that quickly ensued between the boys 

quickly landed them all with a few rules for their cameras.  

Stinkers.

 

Not the best photo, but I love it.  Auntie J and Miss E.

Maddelyn and Elliott.  So, so fun to have them in town for Christmas.  We don't get to see sweet Madde enough.  Elliott adores her.  How could he not?

We hit the Charlie Brown House one night to take Madde to one of our little tradition spots.  

 Me, Ede, E, and Madde.

Dear Ede and Dave's Neighbors, 

Thank you for purchasing snow it your front yard for your children for Christmas.  Thank you for purchasing snow in your front yard for our children for Christmas.  You have outdone yourself!  Let's keep up the tradition next year, ehh?

Love

Craig and Carly and all of our family.

 Love them too.

 It was SERIOUSLY a treat.  Can you tell we live in SoCal?  E in his crocs barefoot.  Burrrr.

Love her!  Sweet K.

Mom, Craig and I.

Need we say anything?  The picture says it all.

E really wanted this bug factory.  It is really cool.....IF you have a patient kid.  E is pretty patient with the little thing- however, I get ancy.  It kind of bugs (no pun intended) me that they aren't ready a little faster- and once one is ready and it's squished- we still are waiting on the next one, and the next one, and the next one......

Love her too.

Uncle Spenny, Shelly and Mom.

Well, as much as I desire and try to use my camera- this is about it.  They aren't even that great- but a memory goes with each, I am grateful for that part.  
Christmas was a good memorable time.  Busy, busy but lovely and wonderful.
I have the best family.  That includes my own and my married into family.  I can't think of life without all of them!