I am so excited about this next year for so many reasons! I will be turning 30 (gasp), financially we will be getting rid of alot of debt (FINALLY), possibly 3 fun vacations and just living another year with my amazing family :)
Here are my 3 New Year's Resolutions:
1) Become closer to God and find ways to help others.
2) Accept my children as they are and stop apologizing for their behavior (Anyone who knows my Asher knows why this has been an issue for me).
3) Change my life to become more healthy in diet and exercise. 2 years ago I was at my healthiest and will be back there by the end of this year!
If you want I would love to hear your NY Resolutions in my comments :) I find other's goals inspiring!
Happy New Year's everyone!!!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Just wanted to share:)
So I have been a couple of weeks behind on a Recipe of the Week and this week is no exception! Ha! However here is a little something I discovered this morning. I have been so not into breakfast lately...I guess you could say in a breakfast rut! To spice up my oatmeal recipe I made a few changes and the results were AMAZING!!!!
Click to see old recipe
Instead of the pumpkin I added smashed banana and eliminated the cinnamon. Can you say delicious! Then instead of the syrup I used honey and eliminated the raisins and just topped with crushed almonds. OMG soooooo yummy! It tasted like warm banana bread!
Click to see old recipe
Instead of the pumpkin I added smashed banana and eliminated the cinnamon. Can you say delicious! Then instead of the syrup I used honey and eliminated the raisins and just topped with crushed almonds. OMG soooooo yummy! It tasted like warm banana bread!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Christmas 2009
Our Christmas this year was really wonderful. The boys were so excited about Santa yet kept saying that it was Jesus' birthday. Every year just keeps getting better and I can't imagine anything more special then this year :)
We always attend mass on Christmas Eve and I really like to take a picture of the boys in front of the tree before mass all dressed up. The last 2 years it's been a breeze and I always get a good one...not this year. I took probably 20 something pictures and this was the best one I could get. They just weren't feelin it ;)
And this one just cracks me up!
We did however get a few cute ones of Cam and the boys and then me and the boys.
While we were in church Asher was getting fidgety so I took him outside to see it was snowing like crazy!!!!!!!!!!! It was hardcore, snow blowing sideways type of snow! By the time mass was over it had stopped but some of it stuck. It was really neat!
After church we came home, got in our jammies, ate dinner, watched some Christmas specials and then set out our cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
Everyone was so excited for Christmas morning. The boys woke up at the usual time (way too early) and I snuck into the living room to make sure the big man was gone! hehe! They ran in to find all the presents they asked for! We have a little tradition that Santa only brings 3 presents because that's how many Jesus got when he was born. Helps keep things in perspective :)
After playing with toys, Cameron cooking up an amazing breakfast and napping a little we headed over to my moms later that day. We ate dinner, exchanged presents, did a white elephant exchange and then headed home. It was such a great, relaxing Christmas spent with the people that we love and love us the most! I didn't take any pictures because I just wanted to lay around and do nothing! LOL! Plus sometimes I think my kids get a little annoyed with all the pictures I take so I am trying to scale back ;)
After all the Christmas excitement was over it was time to get the house ready for our friend's the Crissey's who are coming to spend a few days with us this week!!!! The boys and Cam headed towards the backyard where Cam proceeded to rake the massive amount of leaves that fall from our trees and the boys proceeded to jump in the piles! I just thought this was way too cute not to take a picture of!
We always attend mass on Christmas Eve and I really like to take a picture of the boys in front of the tree before mass all dressed up. The last 2 years it's been a breeze and I always get a good one...not this year. I took probably 20 something pictures and this was the best one I could get. They just weren't feelin it ;)
And this one just cracks me up!
We did however get a few cute ones of Cam and the boys and then me and the boys.
While we were in church Asher was getting fidgety so I took him outside to see it was snowing like crazy!!!!!!!!!!! It was hardcore, snow blowing sideways type of snow! By the time mass was over it had stopped but some of it stuck. It was really neat!
After church we came home, got in our jammies, ate dinner, watched some Christmas specials and then set out our cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
Everyone was so excited for Christmas morning. The boys woke up at the usual time (way too early) and I snuck into the living room to make sure the big man was gone! hehe! They ran in to find all the presents they asked for! We have a little tradition that Santa only brings 3 presents because that's how many Jesus got when he was born. Helps keep things in perspective :)
After playing with toys, Cameron cooking up an amazing breakfast and napping a little we headed over to my moms later that day. We ate dinner, exchanged presents, did a white elephant exchange and then headed home. It was such a great, relaxing Christmas spent with the people that we love and love us the most! I didn't take any pictures because I just wanted to lay around and do nothing! LOL! Plus sometimes I think my kids get a little annoyed with all the pictures I take so I am trying to scale back ;)
After all the Christmas excitement was over it was time to get the house ready for our friend's the Crissey's who are coming to spend a few days with us this week!!!! The boys and Cam headed towards the backyard where Cam proceeded to rake the massive amount of leaves that fall from our trees and the boys proceeded to jump in the piles! I just thought this was way too cute not to take a picture of!
Monday, December 28, 2009
In a week...
I will be here
(Jamaica)
laying on the beach enjoying a yummy drink, warm weather and my hot hubby's company. I cannot even describe how excited I am :) *And yes we will have a personal splash pool in our room*
(now I can get back to editing)
(Jamaica)
laying on the beach enjoying a yummy drink, warm weather and my hot hubby's company. I cannot even describe how excited I am :) *And yes we will have a personal splash pool in our room*
(now I can get back to editing)
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Trying to catch up...
I am so behind on my blog! I have tons of Christmas pictures I am currently editing but here are a few things we did last week before Christmas.
Monday evening we drove into Austin to see the Zilker Christmas Tree and the Trail of Lights. This is a tradition that my family has been doing since I was little! My dad was so excited to get to take the boys for the first time ever!
The thing to do is go under the tree and spin around while looking up. Ash loved it!!! We were so dizzy afterwards ;)
This nativity scene was gorgeous!
We had a great evening and the boys even slept in till 7am the next morning!
Then on Christmas Eve I decided to make my very first gingerbread house with the boys. The whole thing ended up being a huge diaster! LOL! We had fun so I guess that's all that matters :)
So there is our little update. I hope everyone out there had an amazing Christmas filled with love, family and friends.
Christmas post hopefully to come very soon...
Monday evening we drove into Austin to see the Zilker Christmas Tree and the Trail of Lights. This is a tradition that my family has been doing since I was little! My dad was so excited to get to take the boys for the first time ever!
The thing to do is go under the tree and spin around while looking up. Ash loved it!!! We were so dizzy afterwards ;)
This nativity scene was gorgeous!
We had a great evening and the boys even slept in till 7am the next morning!
Then on Christmas Eve I decided to make my very first gingerbread house with the boys. The whole thing ended up being a huge diaster! LOL! We had fun so I guess that's all that matters :)
So there is our little update. I hope everyone out there had an amazing Christmas filled with love, family and friends.
Christmas post hopefully to come very soon...
Friday, December 18, 2009
5 things that made me smile :)
1. The Sing Off!
I don't know if any of you watched this show this week on NBC but it was sooooo good!!!! Cameron and I loved it :) I am just bummed it was only a weekly thing. These were my two favorite performances!
2. A glimpse in my future!
What I mean is I babysat my niece Alexi for the week while my parents were in Mexico and Emily ran their stores for them. It was suprisingly easy watching 3 kids! We went on playdates, went to Target and the grocery store, went to the park and to Chick Filla one day! We had such a great time and I think I am slowly getting ready for a baby #3!
3. This picture!
My little Ash. Its amazing how crazy he can make me feel and then 2 seconds later he melts my heart :) I just love him and all his craziness!
4. Aiden wrote his name!!!
I have been working on this since the summer time but he just never seemed that interested. The other day we sat down and I wrote it and he said he wanted to so he took the doodle board from me and just wrote it like he always knew how to! I was beyond excited!!!!! My little boy is growing up :)
5. Christmas is a week away!!!!!
I am beyond excited about Christmas this year!!!! The boys really know whats going on with Santa and they are ready for him to be here! Plus we are just hanging around the house most of the day and spending time together which I am really looking forward to. I am going to make the 4 of us something really yummy that we love and then after dinner we are going to head over to my parents to open presents that evening. I think this is going to be the best Christmas :)
I don't know if any of you watched this show this week on NBC but it was sooooo good!!!! Cameron and I loved it :) I am just bummed it was only a weekly thing. These were my two favorite performances!
2. A glimpse in my future!
What I mean is I babysat my niece Alexi for the week while my parents were in Mexico and Emily ran their stores for them. It was suprisingly easy watching 3 kids! We went on playdates, went to Target and the grocery store, went to the park and to Chick Filla one day! We had such a great time and I think I am slowly getting ready for a baby #3!
3. This picture!
My little Ash. Its amazing how crazy he can make me feel and then 2 seconds later he melts my heart :) I just love him and all his craziness!
4. Aiden wrote his name!!!
I have been working on this since the summer time but he just never seemed that interested. The other day we sat down and I wrote it and he said he wanted to so he took the doodle board from me and just wrote it like he always knew how to! I was beyond excited!!!!! My little boy is growing up :)
5. Christmas is a week away!!!!!
I am beyond excited about Christmas this year!!!! The boys really know whats going on with Santa and they are ready for him to be here! Plus we are just hanging around the house most of the day and spending time together which I am really looking forward to. I am going to make the 4 of us something really yummy that we love and then after dinner we are going to head over to my parents to open presents that evening. I think this is going to be the best Christmas :)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Walking in a winter wonderland!
Well as much as a winter wonderland can be in Texas :) Sunday evening Cameron wanted to take the boys walking around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights. So after dinner we bundled up and went walking. It was beautiful and so much fun :)
This house is the Griswald family of the neighborhood!
This house is the Griswald family of the neighborhood!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Recipe of the Week!
Risotto with Butternut Squash
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup basmati rice
2 cups boiling water
5 oz butterut squash, peeled and chopped
3 ripe tomatoes (about 8 oz), skined, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Saute the onion in half the butter until softened. Stir in the rice until well coated. Pour over the boiling water, cover, and cook for 8 minutes over a high heat. Stir in the butternut squash, reduce the heat and cook, covered, for about 12 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.
Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a small saucepan, add the chopped tomatoes, and saute for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the cheese until melted. Add the tomato and cheese mixture to the cooked rice and combine.
This recipe is from my healthy todder cookbook but it's oh so yummy! I cook it all the time as a side dish or for lunch for the boys and I.
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup basmati rice
2 cups boiling water
5 oz butterut squash, peeled and chopped
3 ripe tomatoes (about 8 oz), skined, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
Saute the onion in half the butter until softened. Stir in the rice until well coated. Pour over the boiling water, cover, and cook for 8 minutes over a high heat. Stir in the butternut squash, reduce the heat and cook, covered, for about 12 minutes or until the water has been absorbed.
Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a small saucepan, add the chopped tomatoes, and saute for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the cheese until melted. Add the tomato and cheese mixture to the cooked rice and combine.
This recipe is from my healthy todder cookbook but it's oh so yummy! I cook it all the time as a side dish or for lunch for the boys and I.
Monday, December 14, 2009
A little chef in the making!
Saturday evening while I was cooking dinner Aiden insisted that he helped me. Unfortunately he really couldn't help with what I was making. So I just got out the flour and put a little water in a bowl and he went to work!
This video is really cute! You have to watch it :) (Turn off the music at the bottom of the page)
This video is really cute! You have to watch it :) (Turn off the music at the bottom of the page)
Friday, December 11, 2009
5 things that made me smile :)
1. This little bird!
The other morning I was cleaning up the kitchen and heard the most beautiful sound. I walked to the dining room window, looked out and saw this little bird standing on the mirror of my car singing to me :)
2. Making my Christmas list!
I have to admit that I have only bought 2 presents so far. With that said I sat down this week and made my Christmas shopping list! It was so much fun :) I cannot wait to give all the gifts and see the smiles I hope they bring.
3. My neighbors!
We live on a a cul-de-sac and the first couple of years we lived here everyone on our street decorated the outside of their homes. Then it all went away and we were the only ones still decorating. It was really sad. But this year, for whatever reason it's back! Just about every house is decorated and it looks beautiful!
4. Christmas music!
Love it and could listen to it all day :)
5. My health!
I know that might sound weird (especially since I am currently battling a chest cold) but for the last couple of weeks I have been dealing with a little health scare. After a few test it all ended up being a false alarm. However I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. This little experience has opened my eyes and helped me to change certain aspects of my life :)
The other morning I was cleaning up the kitchen and heard the most beautiful sound. I walked to the dining room window, looked out and saw this little bird standing on the mirror of my car singing to me :)
2. Making my Christmas list!
I have to admit that I have only bought 2 presents so far. With that said I sat down this week and made my Christmas shopping list! It was so much fun :) I cannot wait to give all the gifts and see the smiles I hope they bring.
3. My neighbors!
We live on a a cul-de-sac and the first couple of years we lived here everyone on our street decorated the outside of their homes. Then it all went away and we were the only ones still decorating. It was really sad. But this year, for whatever reason it's back! Just about every house is decorated and it looks beautiful!
4. Christmas music!
Love it and could listen to it all day :)
5. My health!
I know that might sound weird (especially since I am currently battling a chest cold) but for the last couple of weeks I have been dealing with a little health scare. After a few test it all ended up being a false alarm. However I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. This little experience has opened my eyes and helped me to change certain aspects of my life :)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Our playroom had a little facelift...
So I have been sick all week and really have nothing interesting to blog about sooooo I will just show you pics of our playroom! The Wednesday before Thanksgiving I decided to paint out playroon because the orange was really starting to get to me! LOL! I also wanted to rearrange a few things and take the rocking chair out to make room for the new toys the boys will be getting from Santa. So here you go :)
Before
After
Before
After
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Recipe of the Week!
This is an all time fav at our house! It's super easy and DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! And yes it's Rachael Ray ;)
About 15 minute Soup with Spinach, Artichokes and Tortellini
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 baby portabello mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
Salt and ground black pepper
1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
6 cups chicken stock or broth
1 12-16 ounce package fresh refrigerated tortellini, any variety or flavor
1 pound fresh triple-washed spinach, stems removed and leaves coursely chopped
Grated parmigiano-reggiano or romano cheese
Crusty bread, to pass at table
Heat a medium soup pot over medium high heat. Add the EVOO, mushrooms and onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, add the artichokes and stock, raise the heat and bring to a boil. Add the tortellini to the pot and return to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the tortellini floats and is cooked through. Fold in the spinach until it has all wilted into the soup. Turn off the heat and serve up the soup. Top shallow bowls of soup with cheese and pass bread at the table.
About 15 minute Soup with Spinach, Artichokes and Tortellini
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 baby portabello mushrooms, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
Salt and ground black pepper
1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
6 cups chicken stock or broth
1 12-16 ounce package fresh refrigerated tortellini, any variety or flavor
1 pound fresh triple-washed spinach, stems removed and leaves coursely chopped
Grated parmigiano-reggiano or romano cheese
Crusty bread, to pass at table
Heat a medium soup pot over medium high heat. Add the EVOO, mushrooms and onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, add the artichokes and stock, raise the heat and bring to a boil. Add the tortellini to the pot and return to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until the tortellini floats and is cooked through. Fold in the spinach until it has all wilted into the soup. Turn off the heat and serve up the soup. Top shallow bowls of soup with cheese and pass bread at the table.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tis the Season...
Seriously how cute are 2 little boys in hats and mittens!
The news talked all week about how we were going to get 2 days of snow. Well in reality it was about 5 minutes! LOL! The first time it snowed it was literally nothing. But the boys were excited anyways :)
This is how excited a crazy Texan gets from a few snow flurries! LOL! (My sister Emily...I think this is where Asher gets his craziness from)
The second go around of snow we had Asher was asleep. So Aiden and Alexi ran around and played. Aiden loved it! He was yelling and running and falling on the ground. It was so cute!!!
We went to the mall around 10am this morning to see Santa to avoid a long line. It worked! We only waited about 30 minutes. The boys were so good. They never once asked to get out of their stoller. They were just looking around at all the decorations and all the kids.
By this point they were so excited! We were lucky that the little girl that went before them did not cry. I was worried if they saw another kid crying they might change their mind about the whole thing!
I was so proud of the boys! They went up to Santa and sat in his lap...they were not scared at all! Aiden sat there and told him everything he wants, Handy Manny repair shop, train table and a dino castle. Asher told Santa the only thing he wants this year, a cupcake maker! LOL! I swear if it has to do with food Asher wants it :) Then Santa told the boys what he wanted for Christmas, milk and cookies. Aiden was so excited and promised him that we would leave him some!
Instead of giving out candy canes Santa gave out bell necklaces. Asher loved his and wore it all day!
After seeing santa we stopped at Macy's for some shopping and to write Santa a letter and drop it off in the Santa mailbox.
All in all we have had a great couple of days!!! The boys have been acting so well lately. Cameron took Friday off and we painted out stairway walls. It was quite the adventure as we have very tall ceilings in our stairway. With that being said it was worth all the hard work! Our house looks so good this new color!!!! Now only a few more rooms before we are done and can start getting ready to work on the front and back yards :)
Happy weekend!!!
The news talked all week about how we were going to get 2 days of snow. Well in reality it was about 5 minutes! LOL! The first time it snowed it was literally nothing. But the boys were excited anyways :)
This is how excited a crazy Texan gets from a few snow flurries! LOL! (My sister Emily...I think this is where Asher gets his craziness from)
The second go around of snow we had Asher was asleep. So Aiden and Alexi ran around and played. Aiden loved it! He was yelling and running and falling on the ground. It was so cute!!!
We went to the mall around 10am this morning to see Santa to avoid a long line. It worked! We only waited about 30 minutes. The boys were so good. They never once asked to get out of their stoller. They were just looking around at all the decorations and all the kids.
By this point they were so excited! We were lucky that the little girl that went before them did not cry. I was worried if they saw another kid crying they might change their mind about the whole thing!
I was so proud of the boys! They went up to Santa and sat in his lap...they were not scared at all! Aiden sat there and told him everything he wants, Handy Manny repair shop, train table and a dino castle. Asher told Santa the only thing he wants this year, a cupcake maker! LOL! I swear if it has to do with food Asher wants it :) Then Santa told the boys what he wanted for Christmas, milk and cookies. Aiden was so excited and promised him that we would leave him some!
Instead of giving out candy canes Santa gave out bell necklaces. Asher loved his and wore it all day!
After seeing santa we stopped at Macy's for some shopping and to write Santa a letter and drop it off in the Santa mailbox.
All in all we have had a great couple of days!!! The boys have been acting so well lately. Cameron took Friday off and we painted out stairway walls. It was quite the adventure as we have very tall ceilings in our stairway. With that being said it was worth all the hard work! Our house looks so good this new color!!!! Now only a few more rooms before we are done and can start getting ready to work on the front and back yards :)
Happy weekend!!!
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