Pizza Buns

I have been adventurous in the Kitchen lately.
Yesterday I had a go at Pizza Buns.
Total Hit.
The kids and Justin LOVED them.

I ment to get more photos, but the kids were kinda crazy excited.. just staying on top of the pepperoni snacking and cheese eating was enough for me. Lets just say baking with kids is fun, entertaining, messy and sometimes challenging.

I got the recipe HERE from Rebecca at Simple As That.

I followed her bun recipe- then just kinda did my own thing. They turned out fantastic! Seriously try them!

Work + Play + Relaxing

What a great balanced weekend!

Work + play + relaxing… well- Justin did most of the work, and I did most of the relaxing. Just being honest.

We got the storage unit packed (again), a trip to the zoo, the storage unit moved into the basement, shopping trip, stake choir concert and popcorn and movie. It was such a good weekend- we even had 3 people comment on how well behaved our kids were in Sacrament! Which is a good thing….. right?

Now on to the fun- sorting through baby clothing- boy stuff to spread around to my cousins and girl clothing to be sorted into sizes and blankets to be made!

Snapshots

Brother got some new Dinosaurs- and when we got home for lunch, he insisted on lining up his Dinosaurs right by his lunch. So adorable!

A has a hard time realizing Mommy can't lift her into the baby swing anymore. Its rather hard growing up.

Brother LOVES the swings… his giggle is hilarious.

Sticker time passed the dinner prep away….

This is a very unflattering photo of me- BUT this is K snuggling with me!! NEVER HAPPENS ANYMORE :( I had to document it…

OH! And K came up with the funniest thing. She was talking to Justin on the phone before bed and she says to him "Daddy from now on when I want to say Good-bye I love you, I am just gonna say High Ho High Ho The Dairy OH! Ok Dad!"

Brothers Dinosaurs have found some great new play mates…

Summer Schedule 2013

Last years Summer Schedule worked really well for us.

And now that the weather is turning warm again- we are getting really antsy to be outside again!

Our favorite days were Monday's, Tuesday's and Wednesday's.
Although I found Tuesdays getting harder to plan as the summer went on- so for my future reference here are a just a few day trips we plan on doing!

Royal Tyrrell Museum (May long weekend)
RCMP Dog Training Center
Writing On Stone
The Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station
Fort Calgary
Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump
Calgary Aerospace Museum
Train Store in Nanton
TommyKplay

PLUS the more obvious choices-
The Zoo
Telus Sparks Center
Butterfield Acres
Calgary Stampede- maybe the parade this year?
Raymond Pool for a couple days

Make your own list of stuff to do this summer!

Banana Cream Pie

I have a special treat.

Well- its actually Grandma's special treat. Her fabulous Banana Cream Pie. Growing up, this pie was a exciting treat. I thought I would show my littles how yummy Pie can be.
So for FHE I made Banana Cream Pie.

Start out with a graham cracker crust, homemade or bought, and line the pan with Bananas. Then mix 1 pkg instant vanilla pudding mix, with 1 cup of cream cheese. Pour onto bananas, then another layer of Banana slices and top with whipped cream.


Sounds hard right? :)

I even had a helper… a really really cute helper- who screamed when he finished licking is his beaters, spatula and bowl clean. He screamed in excitement and screamed when I turned the beaters on. Did I mention I was on the phone (not just with a friend chatting) while this was happening. It was rather funny.

Anyways Its amazing. The kids were so looking forward to it. FHE went fantastic because I told them to listen nicely so they could have Pie.

And then- they all hated it.

Not 1 of those littles like it.

Oh well- Grandpa and I ate the Pie. Neither of us minded one bit.

Eating

The kids are going through a growth spurt.

Usually when I bake, it lasts between 1-2 weeks. 

In the last 2 weeks I made bread & cinnamon buns and Daddy even made cookies.

All gone- including the ton of fruit they have eaten!!

In fact last week when Daddy was making cookies with A and B. He asks if they are as good as moms? A "No. You need to go to learning cookies school. Like mom. Tonight maybe."

She is such a funny kid.

DIY Girls Shorts

This winter, the girls went through pants like CRAZY.

Seriously, it seemed like every time I did Laundry another pair of jeans had holes in the knees.

I saved them all and stacked them in the top of their closet. Then last week, I had the urge to sew, and I figured if I didn't get my butt in gear, I would never get it done before summer hit. I dragged them all down and got busy. Turns out there was 12 pairs up there!! Ridiculous right?

I took my time, and enjoyed the process. Did 3 pairs that matched, the purple and yellow ruffles, lace and just cuffed. Then just played with ribbon, fabric and lace.

The girls have been wearing them since. They have changed more in the last 3 days then they have all winter.

At least now they are set for shorts, 12 homemade sets PLUS the ones that still fit from last year (at least 6 pairs)! And if you signed up with Children's Place online- today is free shipping and clearance Tshirts are on for $4 each. So after today- Summer shopping is done!

Snapshots

Visited Grandma Chipman while we were in Raymond putting our house up for sale.

While in Raymond- stopped at stay and play to get the wiggles out before we visited all the grandparents. Brother had a great time, I need to take him more often- the girls are getting a bit old- and school seems to be enough. But maybe its time I take brother….

Brother and Mommy

Daddy took some shots while I was at TOFW and kept me up dated!

In the last month I have only gained 1 lb with this pregnancy! Which is GREAT! Going to a new doctor for your fourth- explaining over and over again in the first 3 appointments how I gain weight in the begging, level off and then at the very end gain more… anyhow- at least now they have stopped asking me to see a nutrients- HOWEVER- if I keep wanting candy I may get myself in trouble.

Daddy took brother off the bottle- it only took him till 22 months and numerous tries by mom- but Daddy did it effortlessly and now he eats like a monster!

Daddy came home from slave lake for a couple weeks!  It is still not 100% sure definite, but we are LOVING having him around, he will be back and forth for a while yet. NOW we are just waiting for our life to settle a bit (steady work, journeyman test done)- and our house to sell so we can make another step in this CRAZY journey called LIFE!

Tiny Army

I saw this a while ago on Facebook, and reposted it there.

It is truly funny. Really Funny.

Truth is my tiny army, made by yours truly, is seriously fantastic.

Truth is, I can't wait for my tiny army to grow bigger.

grandma bought me a book at TOFW- the title caught my eye as soon as she showed me and I can't wait to read it.

Time Out For Women- Lethbridge

This weekend was fabulous.

Time Out for Women came back to Canada! I bought tickets months and months ago- and have been counting down since!This time Laura and Grandma came, and my MIL and sister-in-laws and Aunt Dianne sat with us too.

Higher was the theme.
From Isaiah 55:9
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts that your thoughts."

My favorite presenters included Kris Belcher, John Hilton III, Jenny Oaks Baker and Chris Williams.

Kris Belcher closed the conference Saturday with funny stories and a message centered around going forward. You can only go forward. You can't always laugh, you can cry- but you still can only move forward with Heavenly Fathers help.

John Hilton III presentation was based around this quote from Richard G Scott.
"With all my capacity I encourage you to discover who you really are. I invite you to look beyond the daily routine of life. I urge you to discern through the Spirit your divinely given capacities. I exhort you to prayerfully make worthy choices that will lead you to realize your full potential."

Jenny Oaks Baker played the violin- she was fantastic!

Chris Williams shared his life story and showed us how trials bring love, forgiveness and happiness is possible if approached through the Savior.

It was a great weekend, saw lots of old friends, and I feel ready to live Higher.

Wicked Recipe Pins

Yes I still say WICKED.

Not often, but occasionally.

Most days, I find joy in making Dinner for my family. Ok- joy might be a strong word, satisfaction might be a better term. Any who. I enjoy it.

The kids are not picky (usually) and making something new and healthy is always fun. I tried 2 new recipes last week. Both received rave review from all.

1)Good Old Fashion Potato Salad.

When it was +17 outside- I figured a BBQ would be perfect. Picked up some pork chops- and saw the 4 boiled eggs in the fridge. It seemed like such a good time to make my first potato salad.

This recipe was fantastic!

Here is the link- but I stuck the recipe on so I've got it for later!

Ingredients

• 5 pounds small Russet potatoes
• 6 large eggs, hard-boiled & peeled & diced (toss 3 of the yellows, use 3 or mash and stir)
• 4 celery stalks, fresh chopped
• 1 jar (4 oz) diced pimentos, drained
• 1 cup diced sweet midget pickles (sweet Gherkin from Heifetz, if you can find them)
• 2 heaping tablespoons pickle relish
• 1 1/2 cup Miracle Whip or Mayo preference
• 1/4 cup prepared French’s yellow mustard (don’t go fancy or Creole or grainy)
• Heaping 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• Heaping 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)
• Finely ground kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
• Smoked hot paprika for garnish

Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes, skin on, for about 20 minutes or until a sharp knife easily pierces them easily. Drain the potatoes and soak in ice cold water, then peel them with your fingers under running water (as if you were peeling a hard-coked egg).
2. Hard boil your eggs 1 minutes turn off heat and let set 15 minutes then soak in cold water till ready to peel. (tap the large end of the egg and roll get under that little layer of skin and it should slide right off).
3. Put the potatoes and eggs into a chilled bowl, then chop to about 1 inch squares. (doesn’t have to be perfect) Add the other ingredients except the paprika garnish. Stir good, make sure everything is covered. Should not look dry, so if you want an extra spoon of mayo or relish add it. Learn to trust your instincts that’s what’s your Grandma did.
4. Taste it for salt and a hint of sweet, (if you didn’t find the right pickles add a tablespoon or more of sugar) shape into a pretty mound with a spoon or spatula. Make a day ahead let set overnight, cover with plastic wrap or lid and chill. Dust the top with the smoked paprika before serving. Serve cold.

2) Bourbon Street Chicken

Hutterites Chickens- we use them 2 or so a month… Sunday Dinner and then we have enough chicken to go for another 3 meals or so (they are the size of a small turkey). I like to change it up, so I thought I would try this new Bourbon Street Chicken Recipe. All the ingredients, is stuff you have on hand…. Well JUSTIN LOVED it. (I can't often say that) In fact- we only had a bit of chicken left- and I wasn't expecting Grandma and Grandpa for dinner, cause they were driving home from Seattle- but they showed up. Every single speck of this was GONE. Everyone wanted more- but they had to fill up on after dinner snacks cause I didn't make enough. It was super easy and such a hit. This has become a new, leftover Hutterites chicken, recipe!

Here is the link

2 poundsboneless chicken breasts; cut into bite-size pieces

1 tablespoonolive oil; (1-2)

1 garlic clove; crushed

1/4 teaspoonginger

3/4 teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes

1/4 cupapple juice

1/3 cuplight brown sugar

2 tablespoonsketchup

1 tablespooncider vinegar

1/2 cupwater

1/3 cupsoy sauce

1 tablespooncornstarch; (if thick sauce desired)

Preparation

Heat oil in a large skillet.

Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned.

Remove chicken.

Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium heat until well blended and dissolved.

Add chicken and bring to a hard boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes uncovered.

Serve over hot rice.

Haircut

His hair is CRAZY.

Seriously it fluffs up everywhere.

Good thing he is super handsome either way!

General Conference weekend

I LOVE General Conference weekend. 

8 hours of nothing but pure doctrine! I feel completely refreshed and ready to face the world again!

On Sunday we made a stew in the crockpot and FRESH BUNS during the lunch break! Dear future husband of Laura- we are trying to teach her how to be domestic…. she did form 4 buns out of the 3 dozen! More then she has ever done!

The rest of these are snapshots of the weekend during Conference!

Here are some great inspiring quotes from this weekend. If you haven't had the opportunity to watch General Conference I HIGHLY recommend you watch it.

Halfway!

We made it! 20 weeks!!

For a while there at the beginning- I was pretty sure time had stood still.

Luckily that was just the nausea and exhaustion talking- and thats been done for a couple weeks!

One of these days- I will have a clean the mirror first. 

20 weeks down- 140 days left!

The girls are ecstatic to have another Sister!! Poor Brother isn't gonna know what hit him!! 3 Sisters!!!

Snapshots

Sissy Selfie

Playing at the park- the slide is pure JOY!

Brother LOVES his puppy- drags it around everywhere!

Mommy, take a picture of me!

Trains are a major source of entertainment lately.

If you ask Brother to raise his hand, he does it obediently everytime…. even when you just tickle him!