Time for Baptisms!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gained 3 new fabulous members this month!

Jaidyn 

Aaren 

Mervin

It was a great month for the Moxley family, a niece and nephew got baptized and Mervin, Justin's dad, got re-baptized! We were able to attend all 3 baptisms and spent a wonderful month visiting, playing with cousins, eating and just enjoying each other company. It was especially nice to see Sherilyn, Mckenna and Peyton who came all the way from Victoria! 

It is such a blessing to have the gospel in our life and to have family that shares our beliefs. Kalia has talked about her baptism every time she sees these pictures. She says "me get baptized tomorrow?" we have explained she has to wait another 6 years but she sure wont forget! I am thankful for our family and the joy they bring to our life. 

Love you guys.

a day of bows

Bows, I make them all the time- to give away! but today Lisa and I sat down and made bows just for US! We spent 5 glorious hours being crafty, while our children played and ran wild! Here are just a few of our latest creations! Happy Crafting!

Who?

Tim McGraw

We had the pleasure of going to see this man in concert.

Oh. my. Heavens.

Best concert, hands down. Tim sang the whole time with little "bling", not a big light show, not a lot of talking.. he just preformed his music. He put on a great show and we had a fantastic time.

Savanna Marie Hardy

Congratulations Kim and Jeff Hardy. 

Kim had a beautiful baby girl last night at 12:25 a.m. Savanna Marie Hardy came weighing at 6 lbs 6 on.

Welcome to the family Savanna!

March...

March... in a nut shell.

What a busy month! We have been to Calgary 3 out of the 4 weekends! WOW. Soon I will post WHAT we have been doing up there, I am just waiting on a few photos. You see my sister in law Krista is a great picture taker, unlike myself. So when you see photos of my family at a big group function, they are most likely from her, or Karla or Kim or Sherilyn. 
So as soon as I can round up some photos, I will explain!

Tuesday Group

Trying new things? Or trying to get things done!!


Last month, as I was browsing the LOVELY internet (Justin says I am ALWAYS on it, I choose to ignore that), I came across this lady, Laura. I read her blog, and I pretend she is my friend. When I saw this post, I thought what a fantastic idea! BTW: I used some of her explaining to make it more legible!
So Laura's Friday Group became our Tuesday Group. Haller to Lisa, Kim and Dianne! 
Basically it's a group of friends who get together once a week to do home improvements, cleaning, crafting or whatever for each other.


So far we have:

• hung pictures
• sanded a outdoor play center
• re-assembled a trampoline
• and NEXT week I believe we are striping some outside doors.

 

I am SURE I am not the only one with projects that need to get done, but it NEVER seems to happen! And it's so helpful to have the input and skills of three other women to draw on.  AND in addition to all I get done because of Tuesday group, it is time set apart every week to be with three women that I think the world of.

Meal Plan Monday

First I need to be honest. Last weeks Meal Plan was a disaster. I missed 2 meals and could have cared less what we ate. So this week... back on the wagon, this is why you see repeats. sorry.

1. Monday- Veggie Stir Fry and Rice. Thank you Grandpa Moxley and Uncle Bob for the baptism leftovers you shared on Saturday (More on this later). We came home with broccoli,carrots,cauliflower, tomatoes, mushrooms and snap peas! MMM... looking forward to tonight!
2. Tuesday- Mormon Gravy. See last post.
3. Wednesday- Green Bean Casserole. I use left over ground beef add 1 can of tomato soup and green beans, spread on the bottom of a casserole dish. Then top it off with left over mashed potatoes and a sprinkle of cheese. Justin hates this dish, I love this dish. I eat pasta, bread and pancakes for him....Green Bean Casserole for me!
4. Thursday- Sweet and Tangy Chicken. Start with 4 chicken breast, add 1 small chopped onion, 1/2 cup Brown Sugar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup salsa. 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/8 tsp Mrs. Dash. Bake in oven for 1 hour at 375 degrees or for 3 hours on high in your crockpot.
5. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we will be in High River. I know the last 4 posts have said the same thing. But its true. 

Photo of the day. Poor A has been sick. All she does is whimper. Poor Baby.

How do you get a nice Sunday Picture?



If any mothers out there have figured it out... tell me!

T Shirt Dress 2 & 3

I am loving this pattern more and more!
I cut it out in front of the TV on Monday night, and then a hour to sew it up Tuesday night!



Although if I have sent you the pattern, the pattern is a SMALL 2T! A is wearing the 2T size, and it looks just a little small on K. So next time I will make a 3T for K and 2T for A.

Update: I made this dress a day later, this is a tribute to uncle Mark.
Remember: I have never professed to be a good photographer. In fact just the opposite!

Meal Plan Monday

1. Monday- Stew. We had roast last night, so I will cut up all the leftovers and let it simmer in my crock pot. It is a good way to eat leftovers, with out eating "leftovers".
2. Tuesday-Ranch Style Chicken. OOOOH. Got this recipe from Pioneer Women, so excited to try it!
3. Wednesday- Tacos. We love tacos.
4. Thursday- Mormon Gravy. This is a hamburger gravy served on potatoes. My family just called it mormon gravy, not sure why, but now that's what we call it.
5. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday- gonna be in High River or Calgary!

Have a good week!

BTW: Does anyone have a good Hummus recipe?

So excitied....

I am so excited.

I bought a PURSE. I know what so of you are thinking, oh she must mean another diperbag. NO. A. PURSE.

Not just any Purse... A MICHE BAG!

Oh ya, do my happy dance. I got the bag with 3 shells. These 3 shells.

The only thing is the zebra one dose not have the pink on it... just zebra.

Have you seen these? I am so PUMPED!

Meal Exchanges.

Every so often, I participate in a freezer meal exchange. I have been doing it for a couple of years and have gained a VAST amount of knowledge, expertise and know-how. HA HA HA

Any who we have had meals that are GREAT, and meals that are not so great. Meals that get 3 bites and then we eat sandwiches, (not me cause bread is gross, but I do eat the meat and cheese).

So this time around we did something a little different.

We pretty much TOLD people what they were making. Have you heard of this book, the BIG cook? I bought it on a whim, 4 years ago at Costco for $10 and it was a GREAT move on my part. The meals are user friendly and for the most part, very tasty. I have been cooking from it for years, and then Lisa went and jumped on this band wagon. She mentioned that a great way to test all the meals effectively, would be to use this book for our next meal exchange.

So we got together with 6 ladies and each chose a different recipe from the book and then swapped. One of the reasons this worked well, is this book is laid out just for ladies like US!

Every recipe is written for 1, 4, 6, or 8 meals. So instead of cooking just for 1 night you can make up to 8 freezer meals in one go!

I have yet to try all the meals we swapped, but even if my family does not like that meal, it has nothing to do with the cook! I will just mark in my book the rating my family gives it, and I can either serve it again, or not.

This is not our last great idea for Meal Exchanges. In fact in 2 weeks Lisa and I are going to put another idea to the test. A saucy idea, if you will.

How many ladies out there are doing stuff like this??

What has worked, and not worked for you??

Hockey Game

Last Friday night Justin and I went to a Calgary Flames game. I had never been to a NHL game, or even a hockey game. We were a little on the late side, and my husband refuses to pay for parking, likes the fresh air so we walked. and walked. and walked. and walked. 20 mins later we arrive. As we were walking through the crowd, I am getting more and more apprehensive. I am not a big crowds person, I am not a fan of walking so close in a big group of people, where strange people are so close they are TOUCHING me. EEEWWW. GROSS. AWKWARD.

So we finally make it to our seats, GREAT seats by the way- Thanks Dad! The game is going along rather nicely, and then it got really exciting. The Calgary Flames won 5-3 and there were like 4 fights and lots of checking! It was fast and exhilarating. I did make Justin nervous when I would jump up BEFORE the puck would go in, consequently frustrating the couple behind us, not just once but numerous times. It. was. fun.

Then the hockey game came to a end, and the crowd, that I thought was already big, grew to ginormous size. People so close, right behind me, beside me, and around me. I told Justin under NO circumstances was he to let go of my hand. After 3 hours of walking we made it back to the van and had a relaxing drive home, stopping to get Wendy's and then hoovering our supper.

*Have you ever been to a game, do you KNOW how expensive the food is? We were starving, but not hungry enough to pay 18$ for a burger. NOPE. never gonna happen.

Good times, fun date.

Mommys Pepper

I drink Dr. Pepper.
Yup, everyday.
This lady drinks the Dr.
And my kids know that its MINE.
I dont share well.

Am I Alone?

Justin bought me this frame 2 1/2 years ago.

It has sat in that spot with no pictures in it the whole time. I really have nothing to say about the matter, other then the fact I was waiting for a nice family picture to put in it. That is not even a good excuse, but for 913 days it seemed perfectly logical to me.

Till day 914, as I was folding laying on laundry piled high on my bed. I decided enough. So I dragged my lazy bones off my bed and did something about it.

Am I Alone in not doing the easiest thing... just because??

Meal Plan Monday

Meal Plan Monday

1. Monday- Tin foil Fish. I meant to this 2 weeks ago and it never got done! I use 2 frozen fish fillets from Walmart, Pam the tinfoil. Place 2 tbsp of butter on top of both of them, then on 1 fish I sprinkle Lemon Pepper on top, on the other I do garlic, paprika and pepper. I cook it at 400 degrees for 15-20 mins. I serve the fish with Bens Spanish Rice and peas, I figure this meal cost $7.25 for 4 people.
2. Tuesday- Taco Soup. 1 can kidney beans, 1 can black beans, 1 can corn, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 lbs cooked seasoned ground beef. Place in Crock pot for 4 hours on low. Serve with taco chips and cheese!
3. Wednesday- Pasta! Mommy is gone, so Pasta it is!
4. Thursday- Hearty Beef Casserole (from the BIG COOK COOKBOOK). 1 1/2 lbs cooked ground beef, 3 tbs onion soup mix, 1 cup frozen corn, 1 can kidney beans and tomato soup, 1 cup grated cheese, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1 tbsp chili sauce, 1/4 tsp salt and pepper. Cook 2 hours on high in Crock pot. Next week I will tell you my rating! Serve with a salad or buns.
5. Friday- Leftovers. We are doing 3 meals this week were we will have leftovers, so I am not COOKING! WA HA HA HA.
6. Saturday and Sunday- family will be down, so most likely eating with them.

Cows and Zits.

I need to remember all the funny things 2 year olds say. Some are just dang cute.

Daddy: K what do cows eat for breakfast?
K: Chewys (Cheerios), Milk and Sugar.


K to Mommy. Mommy has a zit on her chin.

K, pointing to my chin: Mommy owie
Mommy: Yes, Mommy has a owie.
K: Uncle Mark give you owie?
Mommy: No not Uncle Mark.
K: Daddy or Lolo (Laura)?
Mommy: No not Daddy or Laura, just a owie.
K: Oh.

How well do you know me?

Which cookbook do you think I use regularly in our house?

Choice A:

K has the best smile in this photo!

Choice B:

A has her normal face saying... "MOM I am reading this STOP putting the camara in my FACE!!"

What did you have for Dinner?

I win most interesting meal tonight!

In a previous post, I mentioned that tonight K and A were helping with Dinner. We made a different, kid involved spaghetti. First things first, cut up hot dogs into 1 inch pieces.

Then your children insert the spaghetti noddles into the hot dogs..

As you see, my 1 year old had no idea what was happening. However she did like the hot dog chunks.

Here K is carefully inserting the noddles. This took her 30 mins to do this, granted she had to be reminded to not eat ALL of the hot dog pieces, and she only put 1 or 2 noddles in and would yell DONE. She kept saying "me cook daddy dinner!" not so much saying but screeching!

This is our work in progress...

and our finished product.

It was quite the interesting meal, and lets just say Justin was less then impressed. The girls ate it ok, however for those of you interested in trying this with your children, do it early. Don't have them do this right before dinner, K and A pretty much filled up on raw hot dogs.

Parents rates this meal 1/5 stars
Girls rate 4/5 stars

What did YOU make for dinner?

FUN Tuesday MORNING

Tuesday Morning... I find Tuesdays to be kinda boring. Nothing ever is going on, no preschool, no stay and play, no erronds. Boring.

NOT THIS TUESDAY!

Grandma, Dianne, Keria, Rylee, Aylish, Lisa, Kalia, Annaliesse and I got together and made a aquairum.
With markers, paper, tape, a sheet, sissors, and
extra stickers.

Oh thats right, be very jealous. The girls had a great time, mornings like this are fun, unproductive and memorable.

Thanks for the fun morning!

Family Swimming

Every month, the Martin family rents the Nicolous Sharron Pool. We get together and just chill and "play". Uncle Curtis brought a camera and captured some cute photos this month.

I mean sure, sometimes living this close to LOTS of family can be hectic, involving, meddlesome, and frustrating. But it can also be really great. I love having family around, and this includes Justins family that lives close by. I LoVE you all and it is really special to raise my children around lots of extended family.

Meal Plan Monday

1. Monday- Leftovers. We are going grocery shopping, so if it goes fast it will be leftovers, if not McDonalds on the way home!
2. Tuesday- Beef Dips. It is getting warmer... this means start breaking out our summer menu!
3. Wednesday- Hot Dogs, Carrots and Spaghetti. I saw this adorable project and supper for little ones and I know my girls will LOVE it. Mom and Dad, well... maybe we will pick out our hot dogs!
4. Thursday- Potato wedges covered in Shake and Bake (thanks Jeni) and Hamburgers. If I buy a dozen buns for Beef Dips I try and do another meal with the rest of the buns, waste not want not (my Mother in Law invented that saying I am almost positive).
5. Friday- Abby's. YUP. We are driving to High River, so grab and go.
6. Saturday and Sunday will also be in Calgary or High River so it is a short meal week.

Ok, so often for the next little while I am going to include a meal rating. Lisa reminded me the other day about The Big Cook Cook Book, so every time I use a meal out of there I will rate it. So yesterday I didn't feel like making what I had planed so instead I made

Curried Chicken pg. 70

This chicken contains butter, honey, mustard, salt and curry powder. I thought we would really enjoy it, because most of the time we like curry. However the chicken came out really dry and sweet. The recipe calls for 1 cup of honey, in my head that seems like alot! The girls did not like the sauce and only ate forced bites. I cooked the chicken for 5 hours on low and it dried right out.

We rate this recipe 2/5 stars.