ABC's

A - Age: 31
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: scrubbing the bathtubs
D - Dad's Name: Len
E - Essential start your day item: coffee
F - Favorite actor(s): Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey and lots more
G - Gold or Silver: Gold
H - Height: 5 foot
I - Instruments you play(ed): claranet
J - Job title: Family Manager, Housewife, Stay at Home Mom
K - Kid(s): 2 daughters
L - Living arrangements: Own a house in the burbs - live with hubby and 2 daughters
M - Mom's name: Joyce
N - Nicknames: Annie, Hun, Babe, Mommy
O - Overnight hospital stay other than your own birth: When my daughters were born and when I had Kidney surgery
P - Pet Peeve: Not doing things to the best of your ability, laziness.
Q - Quotes you like: Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly and Leave the Rest to God
R - Right or left handed: right
S - Siblings: 1 brother (1975 - 2004) RIP Danny I love you and miss you terribly.
T - Time you wake up: When I get pulled out of bed.
U- Underwear: Comfy, Clean and colorful
V - Vegetable you dislike: Brustle Sprouts
W - Ways you run late: chaos getting the kids ready, lack of planning
X - X-rays you've had: several on my kidneys
Y - Yummy food you make: Chili Mac, Italian sausage with peppers and pasta, Magic Bars - there are too many to list.
Z - Zodiac: Virgo

Happy 3rd Birthday My Darling Kylie

Today my sweet little Kylie is 3 yrs old.

It feels like just yesterday that I held her in the hospital

and when we introduced her to her big sister.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of her ...

Jason's Surprise 30th Birthday Party

I am so happy how wonderful this party turned out. It was not easy keeping this from the man I share everything with. It was so worth every minute I put into it to see how happy it made him. I can’t say enough great things about Jason, he is an outstanding husband, father and friend and he truly deserves every happiness in the world. I am so blessed to have him to spend the rest of my life with.

Here is a very surprised, happy and teary hubbie!

Jason and his brother Scott

Jason and Mom

Jason with 2 of his childhood friend's, Dori and Justin

Paige, Annie, Abbie and Joe (Paige's fiance)

Jason and I went to high school with Paige and Abbie.

Siara (our neice) and Jason

Thank you Siara for helping decorate at the last minute!

Siara and I

HEPD Crew

This was the most delicious cake EVER (for real). Thank you so much Carri!

Jason blowing out 30 candles.

Jason still blowing out 30 candles

New Years Eve

The girl's had their first sleepover on New Years Eve. My friend Didi and her son came over and spent the night. We went out to dinner with the kids, came home, had dessert, snacked on munchies, and watched movies. Miranda and Matthew were able to stay awake till after midnight. Kylie almost did, she fell asleep at 11:15pm. Jason worked but was home at 11:20pm to ring in the New Year with us.

Kylie loved wearing Matthew's Car Slippers.

A Fun Gingerbread Party

After Christmas, but before the New Year, we hosted our first annual Gingerbread Party. Here are some pictures to show you just how much fun we had.

Brianna (the pro) had no problems at all, but in the bottom right hand corner you can see Amy is having a hard time keeping her's together.

Amy not giving up and still working hard to keep it standing. (Let me clarify, Jason started that Gingerbread House, he just jumped right in, not reading the directions, so he is to blame for that house always falling apart, but we forgive him.)

Kylie and Amy posing for a picture after all their hard work.

Morgan, Betsy, Miranda and Kylie hard at work.

The 4 little cousins (Morgan, Kylie, Miranda and Betsy)...

And the Gingerbread House that they made

A Recipe to Share...

Chili Mac

1.5 - 2 cups Elbow Macaroni
1 pound Ground Beef
1 can tomato soup
1/2 soup can water
4 oz tomato sauce
1 can kidney beans or chili beans
1 - 2 cloves garlic or garlic powder to your liking
1/3 cup Chili Powder (less or more depending on how you like it)
1 small onion
1 cup - 1.5 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Cook Pasta Till Done
While Pasta is cooking, brown ground beef and diced up onion together
When beef is no longer pink, drain grease
Add soup, water, tomato sauce, kidney beans (drained), garlic and chili powder.
Cover and Cook on Medium - High Heat until chili is less liquidy. Check and stir frequently so it does not burn on the bottom of pan.
Once Chili is done add pasta and cheese, stir and enjoy. We like to put oyster crackers on top.

I hope your family likes this recipe as much as mine does!

IM BACK IN BLOG WORLD

I am so sorry that I have not posted in FOREVER! I have gotten caught up with life. From Holiday Parties to planning Birthday Parties to Fun times with Friends to Organizing area's of the house and Playing with our new 4 legged friend. It's all coming soon - I promise, day by day I will update you on everything that has been going on here since my very unplanned break from blogging!