Photo a Day April Challenge

My cousin Sheri did a photo a day challenge in March and I enjoyed looking at her pictures so much on her blog - I've decided to join in for April.  I also think my niece Cora is going to participate as well.  I look forward to seeing everyones photos.  If you'd like to join in as well - here is the list of photos to be taken each day in the month of April.



I'm not very creative so I have a feeling most of my photos will be very literal.  It should be fun though, check back to see how I'm doing.  Happy photo taking!

Friday Weigh-In

I'm terribly sorry to disappoint, but I've made an executive decision not to weigh today.  I haven't done horribly this week, but Rachel and her two little boys have been visiting all week and I didn't get around to exercising.  We walked to the park and walked around Ikea - but that probably doesn't count.  I feel bloated today and I just don't want to weigh.  So stay tuned for next week.  I expect good things!!

Last night for supper I made scalloped potatoes and ham.  Rather than my traditional scalloped potato recipe I decided to make one out of the "Eat, Shrink, and Be Merry" cookbook (see I made good choices this week too).  I forgot to take a picture when it first came out of the oven, bubbly and gorgeous, so here is a photo out of the fridge this morning.  Not as gorgeous!

But it is really delicious!

Darth Tater

Cheesy, gooey, roasted potato casserole - "May the forks be with you!"

2 1/2 lbs unpeeled, thin-skinned potatoes (red or white)

1 cup chopped onions

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp each freshly ground black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme

1 can (10 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp chopped fresh dill or fresh parsley

1/2 cup packed shredded light old (sharp) cheddar cheese - I used regular cheddar

1 green onion, chopped

Preheat oven to 425 F.  Cut potatoes into 1-inch chunks and place in a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Add onions, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme and mix well.  Roast potatoes for 30 minutes, stirring once, halfway through cooking time.  Remove from oven and let cool slightly.  Reduce oven temperature to 375 F.

In a medium bowl, mix together soup.  Parmesan cheese, and dill.  Pour over potatoes.  Mix well.  Sprinkle grated cheddar on top, followed by green onion.  Return potatoes to oven and bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and potatoes are golden brown around edges.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

I've enjoyed having my sister and her boys at my house this week.  I will miss them when they go home today.  Poor Rachel yesterday as she was coming down my stairs carrying Liam FELL - and fell HARD.  She is so sore today.

The picture doesn't do the bruise justice.

And you should see the size of the bruise on her "lower" back (aka her butt).  She wouldn't let me take a picture to put on the worldwide web.  But it is nasty!!



My weightloss goals this week are to exercise 5 times, track all my food intake and drink lots of water.  See you all next Friday.

Spring Break at Our House

This week is spring break.  My boys are off school and I'm not teaching lessons (other than a few makeup lessons).  So my sister Rachel and her two boys Liam and Jonas came up last night to visit until Friday morning.  We started our day this morning with pancakes.  Bowen and Ashton both had three pancakes and Liam ate a great breakfast too.  He could hardly wait to get at it.

After breakfast my nephew Dane that I babysit came over until his mom was done work at 3:00 p.m.  We decided to pack up the crew and head to the park for some fun.  We had quite the gaggle of boys.

The boys had lots of fun!

After playing at the park we headed over to the tennis courts so Ashton could try out his new inline skates and Bowen could ride his bike.  I think the boys had as much fun running around the courts as they did on the playground.

We came home and fed 5 hungry little boys and Jonas had a nap.

They spent the rest of the afternoon making crafts (in Iron Man outfits - whatever!)

And playing together.

That's how spring break looks at our house!!

As Big As His Head

Last week I got a little note sent home from Bowen's kindergarten teacher.  I guess she had a deal with him that if he knew all his kindergarten must know words she would buy him a slurpee.  The second list had come home and he didn't struggle at all - he is becoming quite the good little reader.  He had read all the little words to his teacher - so true to her word she had sent home a coupon for a slurpee.

This past Friday I took the boys to the school for their student-led conferences.  I had told them that if they waited patiently and quietly for each other while I was in with their brother at the conferences that we would stop for slurpees after and Bowen would be able to use his coupon.

They both had great conferences and they were so good about waiting for each other.  So true to my word we stopped for slurpees.  I had assumed that the coupon would be for a small slurpee.  Nope!!  It was for a 828 ml (large sized) slurpee.  I checked twice with the 7-11 staff.  Bowen and Ashton were so excited.  The slurpee was as big as their heads.  Good grief!  But I guess a deal is a deal!

11th Anniversary

Yesterday, March 24th, 2012 was Jason and my 11th Wedding Anniversary.  Money is tight so we hadn't planned anything big this year.  I actually enjoy a low key, laid back celebration just as much (well almost as much!)

We didn't buy any presents but everyday this past week I sent a little treat for Jason when he went to work.  On Monday I told him to check in the fridge as he was leaving.  I had left him a pop with a note that read "I Soda Like You", Tuesday I slipped some frog gummies into his coat pocket with a note "I'd Leap Over Mountains to be with You", Wednesday I left him a box of smarties with a note "I Love You Smartie Pants", Thursday was a pack of gum put in his shoes with a note that said "I Chews You", Friday was a bag of gummy worms with a note "I'm Hooked on You".  The last treat was Saturday morning, a Skor bar with a note that read "I Skor'd When you Married Me".  I stole the idea from Char and of course forgot to take a picture.  Jason enjoyed getting all his little treats - even though it was really cheesy!

Jason surprised me Saturday with an hour massage.  It was very relaxing and I enjoyed it alot.  I've only gone for one other massage before and it was only for a half hour.  Having a full hour was fabulous even if I am a little bruised and sore today.  Totally worth it.

The rest of the day we just hung out and relaxed and then took the kids to the Olive Garden for supper.  We hadn't been in a long time.  I love the Olive Garden.  The breadsticks and salad are still delicious and I had a delicious dinner of parmesan crusted steak with rigatoni pasta.

It was great to spend the day with my little family.  I am so grateful for Jason in my life.  He is a wonderful husband and always treats me with respect and love.  He is very supportive and does more than his share.  I never take for granted how lucky I am to have him and hope I make him feel as loved as I feel.    Happy Anniversary to my love!  Thanks for a great life and a wonderful day!

Friday Weigh-In

I know everyone has just been sitting on the edge of their seats to hear how I have been doing with my weightloss battle.  I know many of you must have been disappointed last Friday when I didn't blog.  So I won't keep you in suspense any longer.

Last Friday I woke up with a miserable cold and the worst headache I've had in a decade.  I was so sick.  So I didn't weigh.  I could barely see straight.  I've spent the entire week not feeling very well.  I attempted to exercise a couple of times only to have a hack attack or feel nauseous.  My eating wasn't too bad but I didn't track anything.  So I was a little nervous weighing in this morning.  Over the last two weeks I lost ...

.5 lbs

It is not much, but I'll take it.  I usually gain weight when I am sick.  Since I started this journey "months" ago I have lost 10 pounds.  So I'm going to start as of today to track my next 10 pound loss so I can buy myself a reward. 

I am feeling alot better today and am excited to get back to exercising.  I hope to be able to accomplish big things over the next week. 

A Special Birthday

Ashton is our St. Patrick's Day baby!  When I was pregnant with Ashton, Jason said that I was not to have Ashton on March 17th.  He was worried he would be a red head and he'd be called a leprechaun and get green presents for the rest of his life.  So of course, I had him on St. Patrick's Day.  I was never very good at being told what to do.  He doesn't have red hair, has never been called a leprechaun and never gets green presents, but his Uncle Steve called him "wee little Ashton" with an Irish accent when he was born - I loved that!!

Well that little baby turned 8 years old on Saturday.  In our religion turning 8 years old is very special.  That is the age that children are baptized official members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Ashton has been excited for this day for months.  As luck would have it his birthday fell on a Saturday this year so Ashton decided that he wanted to have his baptism right on his birthday.

We talked to our Bishop and the Bishop in Champion and got permission to baptize him in Champion where I grew up.  It wouldn't be as far for family to travel, and we could focus on just Ashton and not have to share his day with other children in the stake.

After the date was set I sent out invitations.

Days leading up to the baptism I prepared the programs.

Ashton called everyone that he wanted to participate at his baptism.  I planned a menu and started working on the food.  At first I thought I wanted to make cake pops.  I tried them one weekend when mom was up visiting - they were a collosial failure.  So I decided to make brownie pops instead.  I made brownies in mini muffin tins, inserted sticks and then dipped them in chocolate.  They turned out cute and were very yummy!

Saturday morning we packed up the truck and headed to Champion with one very excited little boy.

We made it to Champion early and got everything set up.  Ashton and Jason got changed into their white clothes prior to the service.

The baptism service was really nice.  My brother and mom gave wonderful talks and we sure appreciated their efforts.  Despite a lousy cold I was able to sing and Jason conducted and gave some really nice comments.  After the baptism when Jason and Ashton were changing I handed out little cards for everyone to write a message to Ashton.  It will be a nice momento for him to keep from his baptism.  The YW in our ward also have made special baptism books for the primary children and there is a perfect spot to hold the cards.

After the baptism we invited everyone to stay for a little luncheon.  We served barbecue beef on a bun (mom made the delicious buns), veggies and dill dip, fruit, Char brought a delicious lettuce salad and Rachel brought a yummy pistachio salad.  For dessert we had rice krispie squares (Jason's mom brought), and cupcakes and brownie pops.

He looks so grown up and handsome in his new suit!

Some great friends made the trip from Calgary - we love you guys!

After the luncheon Ashton opened presents.  Everyone gave him such nice things, he was so spoiled.

A new tie pin from Grandma and Uncle Mitch

It was a beautiful day and one I'll always remember and I'm sure Ashton always will too!

We headed home and Ashton opened up presents from us. 

His favorite presents of the day were a pair of inline skates, and a guitar.

We are so proud of Ashton for the young man he is becoming and the good choices he is making.  He is such a thoughtful, tender hearted boy.  He loves babies, he is adventurous and fun, clever and inquisitive.  He is a joy to have in our home.

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY ASHTON!! - WE LOVE YOU!!!