Fun Night of Pumpkin Carving...

We had a fun night of pumpkin carving with friends on Monday night.  This year, Colton and Cannon scared me to death.  They wanted to use sharp knives all by themselves.  After watching them almost spear their hands a few times, we convinced them to use the knives that are more kid friendly that come in the pumpkin carving kits.  

Times I Can Treasure...

In this decade where technology is so accessible, it is so easy to hear of tragic and hard times that other people in this world face on a daily basis.  Trials are actually a hard thing because some people's trials are things that can't be hidden from the outside world, and other people's trials can be kept very private.  But, for everything I either hear and have to go through on my own, I am thankful for the chance I have to become a better person.  This past weekend, we had our own scare within our family.  I was able to see the close bonds that I have within my family.  All of my siblings and my parents were able to spend some quality family time together this weekend.  I cherish the time we all get to spend together.  It is not often enough because we all live in various parts of the United States.  I know that my family and friends supports me in all that I do.   I love you all and hope you know how much you mean to me and my own little family! 

Crew & Cannon's Black Eye...

A few weeks ago Crew got a black eye. He was standing by a chair, lost his balance and hit the corner of the chair. His eye immediately started to swell and the next morning he woke up with this beauty. I took Crew and Cannon to the gym nursery that morning. When we got in the car, Cannon said, "That lady in the nursery kept asking me how Crew got his black eye." That night, we went to Colton's football game and a kid Cannon was playing with punched him right in the eye and he immediately had a black eye too. Good thing I didn't take him to the gym nursery till it started clearing up or I am sure someone there would have called Child Protective Services on me.

Cannon at Preschool...

If you are a parent of a preschooler, you should be totally frightened and paranoid about what comes out of their mouths at preschool.  Cannon was at preschool on Monday and the whole lesson that day was on fire safety and 911.  The teacher was asking them questions about these things and was asking them things they should never play with... Cannon raised his hand and said, "My mom says I should never touch my ding-a-ling (private part) totally serious and Karla didn't want to tell him no because she figured this was something we had talked about, so she said yes and MATCHES.  Then she said, "What happens when we touch these things?"  Cannon totally serious again says, "My mom gets really mad."  Well a ding-a-ing is kind of like a fire hose right?   You can tell I live in a house of all boys and I say this statement a lot.  

Cannon singing Stacey's Mom

Colton and Cannon now change the name of Stacey to their friend's mom's names and sing the song.  

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas...

This recipe is so good! It is my new favorite enchilada recipe.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:
• 6 Tb. Honey
• 5 Tb. Lime Juice
• 1 Tb. Chili Powder
• ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 Lb. Chicken, cooked and shredded (I used 3 chicken breast) or you can use a Rotisserie Chicken
• Flour Tortillas (Small Size)
• 1 lb. Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese, Colby, or Monterey Jack (I used Pepper Jack)
• 16 oz. Green Enchilada Sauce
• 1 Cup Heavy Cream (optional but makes it really yummy)

Directions:
Mix the first four ingredients and toss with shredded chicken. Left-over rotisserie chicken works great. Let marinade at least 30 minutes or longer (I have put it together and let it marinate in the fridge all day). Pour about ½ cup enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 9X13 pan. Fill flour tortillas with chicken and shredded cheese, saving about 1 cup of cheese to sprinkle on top. Mix the remaining enchilada sauce with the cream. Pour sauce on top of the enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover for the last 5 minutes to brown the top.

Serve with a side of black beans and these two yummy dips and chips. Yum!

This Pineapple Salsa is so tasty!

This is to die for good too!

Crew is 11 months...

Crew is officially 11 months old.  I can't believe that in less than one month we will celebrate his first birthday.  We still love him so much and he is definitely one spoiled little guy.  Here are a few new things he is doing...

-He loves anything with sugar.  He is turning into a picky eater, but if anything sweet is offered to him, he will eat it up.  Today he ate 3 kiddie cones from Artic Circle in about 10 minutes.  

-He can stand alone and takes a few steps, but most often will stand and think about walking and then sit on his bum and crawl.

-He is finally starting to sleep through the night again.  Yeah!

-Besides Dada, his first word was Stop.  My sister taught him that word one weekend when we were in Utah visiting.  It is so cute to hear him say it.

-He loves to wave Hi.

-He loves when we clap for him.

-He loves juice in his sippy cup.

-His favorite breakfast food is waffles or pancakes with syrup and Nutrigrain bars.

-He still loves to be held all the time and cries whenever we set him on the floor.

-His cry sounds like he is really hurt when all that is hurt are his feeling.  It is so sad :(

We love you Crew and can't wait to celebrate your birthday next month!

Blogging Slump...

I am in somewhat of a blogging slump.  It has been one of those roller coaster weeks.  Last week my family found out that my 55 year old aunt had passed away unexpectedly.  We attended the funeral yesterday and it was harder than I expected.  She was a wonderful lady with strong values.  My heart is broken for her family (my cousins and uncle) and the grief they will have to bear in the upcoming months and years.  We will also miss her at family functions and events.  I know when things like this happen, it is a good time for me to  look at my own life and do an evaluation check.  

Conference Weekend...

We went to Utah this weekend for conference and a quick visit.  I was lucky enough to be able to help with my sister's baby shower we threw for her on Saturday night.  My mom should be posting pictures on her blog soon.  I didn't take one picture :(  When we got into town Friday night, we ate some pizza from our favorite pizza place in town and then just hung out and relaxed.  Greg took Colton to the Utah State vs. BYU game and they had a blast.  Saturday my mom, sisters, and I cooked and got ready for the shower.  It was fun to spend the day in the kitchen with the girls I love!  The shower was a blast and we can't wait for cute little Paisley to get here so we can spoil her and love on her.  Sunday we spent the day between Greg and my parents house watching conference and visiting.  I was lucky enough to get this picture of me and my boys.  It rarely happens to get all 3 of them looking at the camera at the same time. Although my house is full of noise, wrestling, throwing balls in the house, etc.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

Double Layer Pumpkin Pie...

Double Layer Pumpkin Pie...

4 ounces cream cheese softened

1 TBS. milk

1 TBS. white sugar

1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping thawed

mini graham cracker pie crusts

1 cup cold milk

2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix

1 can solid pumpkin puree

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

In large bowl, whisk together cream cheese, 1 TBS. milk, and sugar until smooth.  Gently stir in whipped topping.  Spread into bottom of crust.

Pour 1 cup milk into large bowl, and thoroughly mix in pudding mix, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.  When thickened, spread over cream cheese layer.

Top with spray whip cream if desired.

Refrigerate for 4 hours or until smooth.

Tithing...

Here is an article that a financial website I read featured today.  It was very interesting about how people have to face their finances with these trying times in our economy and how tithing plays a part in making some decisions with our finances.  

Anyways, it is just thought provoking and thought I would share...