Sunday Family Dinners

We get togther with the Martin family about twice a month. Once to go swimming and once for a family dinner/FHE.

We live in Raymond, and I would guess to say that 40% of the whole Max Martin family LIVE in or close by Raymond. So we are a everyday-kinda extended family, well some of us are.

This month was our turn to host, and I got a few pictures. At the time I got them 1/2 of the family had left or got deleted from my camara (2 year olds LOVE my camara), so sorry if you are not in the pic.

These last 2 pictures are ALL the men, ok 90% of the men, cramming into the basement bathroom to offer opions and know-how on plumming a shower and tolite. LOL. They all like to be part of the conversation when it involves being manly and tuff.

I rather love being around family.

Growing up.

What do you think of when I say "growing up?"

This week, I think of this.

I finally caved and put K in panites on Saturday.

She did fantastic, and was trained after one full day of devotion and... stickers. 

We found the secret in Elmo Potty Stickers, 50% off elmo stickers at superstore if you are wondering.

These worked like a charm. It is now Tuesday afternoon and she has only had 1 accident. Sunday afternoon some of my family was over for dinner (37 of them anyway) and I kinda forgot to take her. I was super busy and she was playing with cousions. So that oops is 99.9% my fault.

I am so proud of you K!

I cant believe I have a child in panties. I love you K.

funny note: When K farts she says "Me farts!!" and laughs.

Mommy says " excuse me"

K says "No mom me fart.... szeez me."

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Cornflake chicken, sweet potatoes, corn and peas. Cornflake chicken is the cheaper version of shake and bake. So I use thawed chicken breast, dip it in 1 egg, 1 tbs mustard, salt and pepper, then dip it in crushed cornflakes with a bit of flour. Bake in oven at 350 for about 30 mins or till done. Here is a dipping sauce recipe for the chicken. I am going to do the sweet potatoes in the crockpot, on high for 2 hours or so, then peal them and mash them!
Tuesday- Tacos
Wednesday- BBQ hot dogs and chips.

Thursday- Rice mix. I do rice in the rice cooker, add cooked mixed veggies and cooked bacon mix all together. Serve with soy sauce. This meal is like fast and easy stirfry, if you have stirfry veggies just use those.
Friday- Crockpot. I am thinking Baked Beans and then serve with carrots, celery and dip. I have a recipe from my big cook cookbook but I think I will call my grandma Iris Chipman and get her recipe. It is fantastic. If I do get it I will try and rememeber to post it.
Saturday- Pasta?? I will be gone so I think Justin will do pasta.
Sunday- BBQ steak and baked potatoes.

The Potty

I have NO desire to potty train my 2 year old. I REALLY dont.

People around me have mixed opinions. She's not ready, your not ready. Your lazy, shes still too young.

I am sure you can imagine which side I choose to agree with.

However this is what we walked in on yesterday.

We have video but A (Lisas little girl) is moving around on the potty.... so just imagine they are dissucessing their poo and pee. A would say to K "now push!" and they would proceed to grunt and groan and push.

It is super fun to cousions close in age.

Meal Plan Monday

Monday- Stew. Yes it is gonna be hot today, but we have leftovers-so stew it is.
Tuesday- BBQ chicken or burgers. If I remember to marianate the chicken, then chicken... if not then burgers it is.
Wednesday- Grilled Cheese and Soup. This is a defalt meal, we are gonna be super busy starting at 600, so easy is as easy does.
Thursday- Tacos! We eat alot of tacos, we love tacos.
Friday- DATE NIGHT!!
Saturday-McDonalds most likely.. we have family swim that night!
Sunday- Family BBQ at my house! We are having the Martins (about 8 familys) over for a BBQ, so bring on the burgers!

Never a dull minute

We had a normal weekend in Calgary. To us this can mean.....

2 passports applied for = 2 soaked through wet diapers

family outing at the park= 2 conked heads leaving the park in tears

moving a washer and dryer= a heavy moving Dollie landing on baby

afternoon date to mall= grandma and grandpa worn out

wedding reception with candy bar= 2 year old melt down

wanting to sleep in our own bed late leaving after said weekend= extremely grumpy 2 year old on Sunday

I love my life, it never ceases to amuse me.

Thinking of...

Lately Justin and I have been thinking about selling our house and building again. Mortgage rates are still really low and we are feeling the itch.

So I found this fantastic house plan that I am OVERLY excited about like.

1289 square feet.

Change to plan: We are adding a walk in pantry in the kitchen, it will be 5 feet wide and run the length of the kitchen. So it will look like it is in the smaller part of the garage in this plan. Does that make sense?


I am really wanting feed back people, I know from experience that ALL house plans have flaws and I would love your ideas and comments about this one.

Meal Plan Monday... late

I kinda thought I would stop doing this, thinking no one really cared... but it turns out some of you actually read and even get ideas from me. Therefore I will be your guide, your meal planner hero, your cook in shinning pots and pans, your hostest with the mostest, your..... ok you get the idea.

Tuesday- Beef Dips. I thought I posted this recipe but I cant find it. So I use crusty buns, or leftover hamburger buns work great, sliced roast beef from the deli and Au Jus packets done by Club House. I heat up the roast beef in the boiling Au Jus sauce and then place it on buns and put gratted chedder on top, melt in under the broiler for 2 mins and serve hot with Au Jus dipping sauce. Super easy yet super yummy.
Wednesday- Breakfast or Pancakes whichever I am feeling like.
Thursday- Freezer Meal in Crockpot. I have talked about this before here. Justin and I are going to the temple to see a good friend go through for the first time. I will put the frozen meal in the crockpot at about noon and we can quickly eat before we have to leave at 5:15p.m. I have 6-8 different frezzer meals in my freezer, here is a recipe for one of my frezzer meals.
Perogie Casserole. Place large onion chopped in bottom of casserole pan, spread 2 kg of perogies on top. Mix the following and pour over perogies: 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 2 cups milk 2 cups shredded chedder cheese 500 ml of sour cream 1/2 cup melted marg. Bake for 1 hour at 350 deg F.
Friday, Saturday- High River and Calgary.
Sunday- Roast with Carrots and Potatoes in the crockpot.

ta ta for now!

More sewing

Lisa and I hang out a least once a week. So this last week we decided to do something a little more productive.... like sewing!

Between the 2 of us we got three dresses finished and ignored our children were perfect mothers all day! ha ha just kidding, kinda.

I have posted about the pattern in this and this post, and the dress is really easy to make. K and A love these dresses and I think Lisa will now have to make them for her other girls too!

Looking back.

4 years ago this month, Justin said "I love you"to me for the first time.

We started looking at wedding rings this month 4 years ago.

I cant believe how time flys. 

This is us on our Honeymoon!

I love you Justin!

Easter!

Wow, its been a while since my last posting!

Easter is always crazy busy around here. This year we spent Good Friday with the Moxleys! We went to Henderson for a picnic (in the van) and played at the park and water, we colored Easter Eggs, held and fought over new baby Savanna, Justin built a picnic table for the girls, the photo wall was almost completed... and all with cousins! Thanks for the great weekend, ya'll!

We celebrate Easter usually Saturday or Friday morning,and my children get toys... and MAYBE 1 or 2 little chocolate eggs. I think it is fine to give your children treats.... just not a whole basket. but hey, thats just me! So this year they both got little backpacks. K has been asking for one for WEEKS. One of her little friends had one, and she thought it was just the neatest thing. She has played with this backpack nonstop!

And just a quick thank you to Ana over at Knock off Wood. All of her plans are free and Justin just threw this children's picnic table together for the girls. It was a fast, simple and heartfelt Easter gift for them. 

Hope everyone had a great Easter!