What a weekend!

Ok so I'm posting this without the photos I can't seem to get them off my camera. I think the software was taken off of the computer when it crashed a month ago so here is the wordy version of our weekend with the photos to be added later!
Austin went to his Jr. Prom and wanted it to be the best day ever. so here's the low down of how the day went down. I had to  make the corsages cause all the boys were short on cash, hope they didn't fall apart on the dace floor!  They left in the morning to pick up their dates to go skeet shooting. I know weird but the girls seemed very excited. One of Austin’s friend’s dad had all the stuff to do it. They went to lunch after and took the girls home around 3 to get ready for the dance. They then picked them up to eat dinner at Asian Star Yummy! Then off to the dance at the Capital, they danced took pitchers and hung out till 10:30 and headed over to one of the boys house to make pancakes and play apples to apples. Austin missed curfew which wouldn’t have been a big deal if he would have just kept calling us to let us know where he was… all in all a great night for Austin the big question is did he kiss Baylee? He won’t tell us.

Then we celebrated Tanners birthday, I can’t believe that 15 years ago we were trying to figure out how to raise a child with Down syndrome and well we still are. It’s been a long hard ride of ups and downs highs and lows, but I wouldn’t change a minute of it.Brayn took Tanner lunch from Burger King his favorite, everyone sang happy birthday.  Bry says hes quite the rock start at the school everyone knows him and loves hime, how greatful we are that his school is so kind.  Tanner has brought us so much joy and taught us so much about patience and love, what a blessing he has been in all of our lives. Happy Birthday Tanner.

New Port without the kids!

What a fun time I had in New Port with my mom and dad.  We had so much fun doing next to nothing.  All I wanted to do was to sit on the beach and listen to the waves, read my book and eat lots of fish!  The funnest thing happend on the way to New Port.  I was standing in this long line to check in and was hoping I wouldn't be late.  This Delta worker said if we were leaving from gates D or E (which I was)  we were to to go to the next building where they would be able to check us in faster. I had no idea that there was another check in point. Well I hopped out of line and whipped right over there. My big carryon bag went though just fine then came my purse, but I did have one more bag with me tote bag with my scrapbooking things in it, not too much stuff but glue and tape and scissors. What was I thinking Scissors??!! The security guard said mamm I need to see your scissors. I told him I’m so sorry I didn’t even think about bring a dangerous pair of scissors, when I was concerned about my eye makeup remover! He made a big show about the scissor and I started packing up and putting on my shoes when from across two checks in points he yells hey lady wait you might be able to still take them with you! WhAt??!!!?? He then processed to measure them and sure enough they are only 4 inch. Long that means I get to take those sharp long scrapbook scissors on the plane with me. I don’t get it you can only use 5in scissors as a weapon? The 4 in won’t work? Yet I can’t take my tinny pocket knife because that blade is only 1 1/2 long huummmm!

Needless to say when I got there I had a wonderful time looking for sea glass on the beach eating till I was sick and sleeping with my mom because my dad snores so loud he had to have the spare bedroom! We watched the Olympics till midnight shopped at cute fun stores in Laguna and ate at the Crab Cooker twice. I just love my parents they are so generous and good to me! Now If I could talk them into paying for my plane ticket next time JK.

OK so on the way back to SL I left my scissors and hand sanitizer with my mom to bring home and guess what they stopped me because I had a snow globe!!! Less that 2oz. of water but the catch was that it was sealed and they couldn’t test it for whatever they test it for. So I called my dad and told him to get Britton another one, he got off the freeway and came back to get it. I had to have an escort out the doors because it was and illegal substance, I think flying is not my cup of tea! Next time it looks like a road trip

Valintines parties

Valentines started on Feb. 1 for Bryan. I made him a valentine every day telling him something that I loved about him that I never tell him, like I love that he tucks the boys into bed every night with daddy payers. That he makes sure the house is locked up, and that he calls to tell me he loves me every day! It’s the little things that get missed and I don’t want him to feel like I don’t notice what a great Dad and Husband he is.

Class parties are always so much fun. This year Britton’s class had a baking party. We had little cake stand made from Valentine plates and cups and dishes to look like cake stands then we put on the chef hats and started cooking. We had the kids dip chocolate coved strawberries, decorated cookies and I brought those huge Costco chocolate muffins that we frosted and decorated with conversation hearts. Then we wrapped them all up in cellophane and sent them home with them. I know that most of the kids were going to eat them on the bus on the way home, even though they were for their mothers. (I was there and I still didn't get to eat mine) I think they had a great time but it seems that next year we need to teach the kids what Valentines is all about, showing love to others not eating as much chocolate as possible. (Don’t get me wrong I would definitely get behind a holiday that about eating chocolate!)

That night I had my dinner party. It was a lot of fun to eat and catch up with friends.

I have explicit directions not to post Julies photo on Face book but I have to put it on my blog she is my best friend and she has the best hair out of our whole group! This is what was on the menu. Chicken Pillared with a whip cream sauce, green beans, parmesan risotto, salad and bread sticks, and Heidi’s yummy squash soup (so good). Then a dessert bar with Crème Brule, mint chocolate cups, chocolate coved strawberries, raspberries bars in a letche sauce, last but not least Dear lizzy cup cakes! YUMMMY!

Then to top off the week we went to Bridgette Servers Chinese New Year’s party. She made everything from scratch. She learned authentic cooking from a Chinese lady met at Harmon’s. I wish I could be so outgoing and daring! Any way it was a great night with amazing food and desserts. I love having such great friends who are such great examples to me and my family, we are truly blessed to live where we do and have so many people who love us! Happy Valentine’s Day.

The end of one sport the start of somthing new!

Austin is done with swim and none too soon. He has been without a car since he broke the axel on his car Christmas break, which means I was running all over at 6am and 5pm, tring to find friends houses where he had been droped off UUGGHHH!!! now he has Lacrosse practice 3 days a week and still his new car mind you is not running, it doesn't help that we bought him a piece of junk we should know better than that!!!!  anyway on to more important things.

 Austin did so well this year in swim and keeps getting better, he will be on Swim USA this May so that will help him train for next year.  But for now we are concentrating on Lacrosse and praying for warm weather so we wont freeze watching them play.

this was Austins time in the 500 I think his second time ever doing this race, second place we were so excited for him!

T

Taylor showing off his very hot skinny legs that havent seen the sun in 5 months!

Taylor was so excited to finnaly make some baskets this year in Basketball.  It was his first year so it took him the whole season to get the  hang of it, Finaly in that last few games he was getting into it.  Now we have to talk him into Baseball he is not to excited to start that up, but like everything eles he will love it when he is playing with his friends..... he better after paying $130 to get him signed up what a racket!!!!!

Dinner again!

I have such dilemma over dinner.  My kids love noodles and chicken so how many recipes can I come up with that have those two things as the main ingredients?  wells hears one more it way less fatting than the last one and my kids loved loved loved it!!!
Chicken Spaghetti

take one package of Costcos all ready cut up  rotesary chicken and mix it with 1 small diced onion, 1/2 dieced green pepper, (I used a whole one)  2 cans cream of Mushroom soup ( I think cream of chicken would work just as well)  21/2 cups chedder cheese ( I used half motsarella half chedder) 2 cups chicken broth ( I had some home made in my freezer yummy)  One jar Pimientos and one can of green chillies.  salt pepper, cayenne pepper to taste.  mix mix mix.  then add cooked spaghetti broken into bit sized pieces before cooked.( I used whole wheat and my kids didn't even know)  pour into a 9x13 pan and cover with more cheese (1 more cup, I used parmasan as well)  cook till bubbly 35 min on 350 it was so yummy we didn't have any left overs, I will make this again.  Its from the Pioneer Woman Cooks shes awsome!

Tay loves Basket Ball?

This is so funny. Taylor begged to play basketball, for weeks thats all we heard about.  So Bryan decided to put a team together and coach. We had such a great turn out, everyone wanted to play.  Tay was so excited to play he could hardly stand it.  He had his friends his dad and basket ball what more could he want?  Well.... there is one problem Tay is not agressive on the court, he runs up and down, back and forth and never gets the ball.  He never grabs it from the other team, his team (which is a little older) never really pass to him cause he is just standing in the back ground talking with kids on the other team or trying to figure out what way they are running.  Its so cute but funny when at the end of a game he says I never get the ball.  I tell him to go out a get it, Bry says just have fun.  I think he will turn out more like Bry when he grows up, just out for fun, what happens will happen and hey you get snacks and juice boxes every game what's better than that?

Dinner!

ok so you know that I love to cook right?  ok I don't love it but I love love love cookbooks so I got out some of my favorites and am getting ready to pick out my new recipie for the month.  I need to get away from chicken every night!!! so here is what I'm planning to  have tonight.After all that serching in cookbooks last night I found this recipie on good things utah or was it studio 5 can't remember.  It chicken artichoke chesse bake YUMMY!  here's the recipie if any of you want to try it.
8oz. pasta cooked
2 chicken breast cubed
2t. veg oil
1/2 C. onion, diced
2 cloves garlic
salt and pepper
1 T butter
1 can artichokes shopped
1 C. packed chopped spinach
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 c. cream cheese
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 c chicken stock
1/2 c half and half
6 oz. parmesan cheese grated
2 T hot sauce
cook onion and garlic in oil till translucent add chicken  and cook till done, add butter and artichokes, spinach and tomatoes.(I used tomatoes with chillies I would use plain ones next time)  stir in Cream cheese, sour cream and cook untill they are melted and incorporated into the mixture..
add the chicken stock, half and half, parmesan cheese, and hot sauce.  simmer for about 5 minutes.  pour inot a large casserole dish, top with additional parmesan cheese and bake at 350 till top is golden brown 10-15 min.  Yummy!

ok you know that I made it with fat free everything and it was still tastey. ok It could have used more cheese I only used half, but still a low fat version that was not half bad I bet the fully loaded one is Double D-lishous!!!

Happy New Year!

I love new years, I don't know why its late we eat too much and the kids are so naughty the next day!  But for that few hours on the 31st we have so much fun with our neighbors.  For the last 3 years we have partied at the Smarts house.  They are so darling to open up their house to us and all the kids. (mine fell asleep while we went out to dinner, so we didn't take them so funny poor things).   We played the funest games this year.  Jack A__ and Mine is?  so funny we were laughing so hard that today it feels like I did a hundred crunches last night, (great workout)  This is what I'm going to work on this year!

1. to say I love you to my family every day!
2. to read the scriptures everyday.
3. to cook 12 new recipies one a month.
4 . to clean out my scrapbook room.
5. to get a new couch upstairs.
6. to save enough money to go on a vacation for my 40th b-day and 20th anniversary.
7. to lose this last 10lb (this is my year, we are starting B.L. this sunday)
8. to keep up the gym 3 days a week, with yoga and wii filling in the other days.
9. to listen to my children better.
10. to keep up with my scrapbooking.
ok so it might not happen but its great to have a goal.  Heres to a great new year 2010

Christmas Day

What a great day! ok when I look back on it a week later  I did seem to forget about all the fighting and whinning and tired little boys!  I hope that my boys felt the Christmas spirit this year.  We went Down Town to stay at the Raddison across from the Delta center on the 23rd.  We ate at Applebee's and watched the Utes play their bowel game.  Then the kids decided it was too cold to go see the lights so they went swimming instead and I got to sink into a king size dreamy bed with my magazines and 8 pillows and a chirtmas movie on the t.v.  The next day we went to the Planetarium to see the new Chirstmas movie, then off lunch at Rumbies, then to see Alvin and the Chipmonks the Squeekal.  So cute. 

I was in charge of the hat and glove tree this year at the school and we recieved over 500 hats and gloves!  We took half to the road house, it was humbling to see all the cold homless people. I felt so blessed and ungreatful for what I have.  We took the rest to the Chirstmas box house, where there were 7 to 20 orphans with no where to go for Christmas.  My kids have no idea how blessed they are.

We then got to enjoy dinner up in Bountiful with my dear 85 year old Granny and my relatives.  We love playing the white elephant game and catching up with everyone. (I got to call out the numbers this year) Good day!!!

On Christmas mornning we tell the kids that they cant come upstairs till 7:00. The problem with this is that Bry and I wake up every morning at 5:00am so our minds just wake up at that time.  We decided to watch Family Man and wait for the kids.  It was so fun snuggling with bry in our warm cozy bed no kids screaming yelling or making a mess!  It didn't last at 7:30 the kids had enough waiting and paged us to get up!!!! We had a great time opening all our gifts and eating homade cinnamon rolls.

Then we left for Inkley's and then Rippon's.  what a day, I'm so glad that we have so much family around us. The day after Christmas we celebrate boxing day.  The kids have to give away all the toys they don't use or play with (we do this before Christmas) then they get to open family games. (we play games every Sunday).  I love Christmas and hate to see it end but excited to see what the new year will bring!

The first week of Christmas

On the first week of Chirstmas my true love gave to me.....a concert for the Entire family.  But first we had to do this.......

Mon, we went to see the tree lighting in Draper at the city hall.  Brittons choir group sang and was so cute!  we saw the most delightful Santa I swear he was the real one!!  he chatted and laughed with my kids for at least 3 min, he didn't seem to be in a rush!  He told Tanner that he loved him and to be good in school, and that he was truly a wonderful little boy, I did start to tear up alittle, I don't know if it was from truly being touched or from holding back my laughter cause Tanner was a little stinker in school that day and got a naughty note sent home with him, (with things to work on).

Tues.  this was again such a wonderful experence for our children we went to the live nativeity.  Our darling neighbors who adopted 4 little black babys had one of there babies (Rider) as the baby Jesus so tender to see them there with their little baby and not even notice that Jesus isn't realy black. The spirit was so strong and it manafested to me that love doesn't come in colors!!! It comes from the heart!!!

Wed.  The anual downsyndrom party.  It was so cute. They had a DJ who played music all day and you should have seen Tanner bust a move.  He was also picking up on all the cute girls who were there to help.  It was an egeal prodject why didn't we think of that?  They too had a darling Santa who huged and loved every child.  They had great prizes like teddy bears and coloring book for all the kids and the best chocolate brownies coved in chocolate chips pepermint icecream and homemade hotfudge,  just looking at it I gain 5lbs. Delishous. 

Thursday. Tay didn't feel well the boys had Special needs mutual bry was gone so I  just stayed in a read my book now that was lovely!!!!

Friday  we went the the concert in Alpine. Every year we take the kids to a fun chirstmas concert.  we thought this one was going to be great. They had 6 diffrent performers so we thought we would get a great varitity NOT!  Now dont get me wrong I loved it but the whole thing was violin and piano solos and duets with some of the preformers singing my 4 boys were so  bored!  I did feel alittle bad for them, they are use to rockn out with ryan shupe Tay fell asleep and brit was almost out, Austin had a head ach and Tanner was so wiggley but a little culture never hurt anyone, I hope they are better for it!

Saterday was Bry work party.  Its so funny I spent the whole 1st hour taking photos of every couple who came so that they could have a georgous chritmas photo for there scrapbook or blog or whatever and in the end Bry and I didn't even get ours taken I was so buged when I realized that!!!!!  The food was to die for and the choclate mint cake was fantastic.  The entertainment was ok nothing fabulous, I could have done as well.  I felt bad for them cause everybody was talking or texting and not paying attention, the music was too slow.  They did have some high points so I shouldn't be too hard on them, again I liked it and could have listend all night Chirsmas music is my favorite.

So now the week is done and next week is even busier I have to work 2 days at the gap 2 days tending and 1 up in bountiful with Granny, not to mention I have to be at the school 2 days pta lunch and a nouther 2 parties. Kurt Bestor was last week and it was so lovely, we ate at the Lion House and it was divine!  I love the hollidays!