PLAYING OUTSIDE

It has been awhile since I have posted pictures of my kids. Yesterday it was almost 80 degrees (FINALLY), so we played outside and took some pictures. I had some fun editing them, they're nothing like what my sister can do, but they still turned out okay.

Cute little toes!

~Addi's new princess scooter.~

~Playing in mom's cupboard.~

(Yes, I know this one is not outside!)

~Addi pulling Hally in the wagon.~

~Hally, windblown.~

~Addi & her Strawberry Shortcake bouncy ball.~

~Not cooperating.~

~Hally squinting from the bright sun.~

TWILIGHT THE MOVIE!!!

They have started making Twilight into a movie! Here is a sneak peek! I am so excited! I am planning on going to the midnight showing when it comes out December 12th, so let me know if you want to go too! (Cheyenne, I expect you to fly out!)

Just push pause on my playlist at the bottom of this page to hear the Twilight sneak peek!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

BBQ Chicken Pizza

• 2 boxes Jiffy Pizza Crust
• 1 c. or more, KC Masterpiece Original BBQ Sauce
• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into small pieces, seasoned with McCormick Montreal Seasoning
• 1 large white onion, sliced and sauteed with the chicken and seasoning
• 2 c. or more mozzarella cheese, grated

-To make the dough, follow the directions on the Jiffy Crust box.  (Oven temp., baking time, and pre-bake.)  Press dough onto a circular pizza pan.  After done pre-baking, spread the BBQ sauce on as thick as you like, leaving about a 1/2" around the edge.  Then sprinkle with chicken and onions.  Finally, sprinkle with the cheese, as much as you like!  Bake according to the directions on the Jiffy Crust box.  (Be careful not to over-cook!  Only cook until light golden brown.)

*Feel free to add extra toppings; mushrooms, pineapple, etc.

"MUST-HAVE" MONDAY

I love this Pampered Chef Food Chopper.  It makes every chopping job quicker and easier.  You can chop things as small as you like and after you're done, just put it in the dishwasher!  If you don't have one, just click here to purchase one today!  It might seem pricey, but it's definitely something worth saving for.

KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS

Today we were outside playing and our neighbor, two doors down, came outside. The kids have seen him a few times, but not very often. Addi is so friendly, as soon as he came outside she excitedly said, "Hi!" He responded with a hello and a friendly smile. Then she came running over and yelled really loud, "Mom! That's Boozer!" Now, for those of you who don't know who Boozer is; he is Carlos Boozer, a power forward for the Utah Jazz. Yes, he's African American and so is our neighbor. I quietly said, "No Addi, that's not Boozer." Our neighbor was very nice and just smiled at us. Yeah, it was a little bit awkward. Afterward I just had to laugh at what Addi had said. I guess Tim's not the only one watching the Jazz games!:)

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Peanut Butter Bars

• 3/4 c. butter, softened
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 3/4 c. b. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 3/4 c. peanut butter

*Mix these ingredients together, then add:

• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1 1/2 c. oatmeal

-Spread onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake @ 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. (Do not overcook!)  Spread with 1 cup of peanut butter while still warm.

Chocolate Frosting

• 3 c. powdered sugar
• 3-4 Tbs. cocoa powder
• 1/4 c. melted butter
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1/3 c. milk (or less)

-Mix together and spread over cooled bars.

-Sometimes I use a container of pre-made chocolate frosting.

*This recipe comes from my sister in-law, Amy Hollingshead.  Thanks Amy!

**This recipe receives 5 stars!*****

"APPLE"LUTELY AMAZING

I have to show off these cute new home accessories that I purchased over the weekend. I found the apple at Tai Pan Trading Co. (My absolute favorite place to shop for home decor.) and the jar with apples at Rod Works. (My other favorite place to shop for home decor.)

"MUST-HAVE" MONDAY

I love the Swiffer WetJet for a quick and easy way to mop my floor.  All you do is push a button on the handle and the soap solution comes right out.  The mop pad is disposable and I love the smell of my house when I am done mopping.  I still use Pine-Sol and a scrubbing mop once in awhile for a deeper clean.  My cute little Swiffer just doesn't seem to clean deep enough, but I still love it for a quick mopping job.

UTAH JAZZ TRIVIA WINNER!!!

After two long seasons of answering Utah Jazz trivia questions EVERYDAY to win a prize.... HE FINALLY WON!! HIP HIP, HOORAY!! Tim won an autographed, authentic, Deron Williams jersey! On the Jazz website it says, "Congratulations to T. Stubbs, our trivia winner." Tim is so excited, I just had to post something about it. The only problem is, the jersey is extra large and it goes down to Tim's knees! LOL! That's okay, I told him we will frame it.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Steffani's Quick & Yummy Salsa

• 2 cans petite diced tomatoes (or 4 large, ripe tomatoes, diced)
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped
• 1 fresh jalapeno=mild; 2 jalapenos=medium; 3 jalapenos=hot; 4 jalapenos=flaming hot, finely chopped
• 1 hand full cilantro, finely chopped
• 3/4 can tomato sauce (add until the consistency is what you desire)

-Mix everything together in a bowl.  I love using the Pampered Chef Food Chopper, it makes everything easier and less messy.  Feel free to add more or less of anything to your liking.

-Serve with chips!

*This recipe receives 5 stars!*****

"MUST-HAVE" MONDAY

Extra Large Ziploc Bags

I love these giant Ziploc Bags!  They're perfect for storing anything.  Before I found these, I put my kid's clothes in big plastic bins.  They were awkward and took up too much room.  Now I use these handy Ziplocs!  I put different sizes in different bags and then label them with a marker.  They are airtight, inexpensive, and don't take up nearly as much room.

SNOW SNOW GO AWAY, COME AGAIN ANOTHER.....

WINTER!!!!

This is what we woke up to this morning! Blah!!! My pretty purple and orange pansies were covered in SNOW! I am so ready for, well, I would say SPRING, but it is already SPRING!!! I am just ready for it to be continuously warm! Good thing pansies are frost hardy!

THE OFFICE

Just a reminder to all of you Office fans. It's finally on again tonight after the long break due to the writer's strike! I am so excited! YIPEE!!!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Meatball Pie

• 1 Pillsbury refrigerator pie crust dough
• 18 cooked meatballs, thawed (I buy frozen)
• 1 can corn
• 1 c. thick & chunky salsa
• 1 c. grated cheddar cheese
• sour cream

-Mix meatballs, corn & salsa in a bowl.  Spread and flatten the dough on a cookie sheet.  Place the meatball mixture in the center of the dough and fold dough up and press together making the shape of a bread bowl.  (There will be an opening at the top.)  Then sprinkle the top with cheese.  Bake @ 375 degrees for 40-45 min. or until golden brown.  Cut into slices and serve with sour cream.

*The Pillsbury pie dough comes in a red rectangular shaped box with 2 rolls of dough.  You will only need one roll of dough for this recipe.

*This recipe receives 3 stars! ***

MOTHERHOOD

Recently I signed up for a Facebook account. I have been able to see all of these people from my past that I went to high school and college with. Looking at their profiles, I have been amazed at their successes! Some have their graduate degrees, others have traveled the world. Some of the women have incredible paying jobs in corporate positions. Many of these people aren't married and most of the people who are married don't have children. Looking at all of this has honestly made me wonder about my own life and accomplishments. I haven't traveled the world and I didn't even finish college.... I am a mom.

Elder M. Russell Ballard

~Listen to his talk here.~

The talk given by Elder M. Russell Ballard yesterday at General Conference, is exactly what I needed to hear. (Every husband should read this talk!) He gave his talk on the importance of being a mother. He says, "No role in life is more essential and more eternal than motherhood." His talk was very funny and oh so true. He made me feel appreciated in what I am doing with my life.... being a mom. He says, "The family is central to the creators plan for the eternal destiny of his children."

At the end of Elder Ballard's talk he spoke to the children, telling them what they can do to help their mothers. He told them to pick up their toys, make their bed, help do the dishes and other chores, remember to say thank you after dinner or a story book is read, and always hug your mom and say, "I love you." Addi actually listened to this part of the talk. She was very excited that the man on the T.V. was talking to her. All day today she has been reminding me of what he said, "Mommy, remember what the Apostle said yesterday? He told me to pick up my toys and make my bed and say thank you and I love you." She knew that the man on the T.V. was an important person and without question she has been doing what he told her.

Indeed I have felt a little insignificant surrounded by so many successful people, but I do know that the choices I have made for myself are correct.... in God's eye and in my own eyes. I love being a mom and wouldn't trade it for the world! My kids means so much to me, I can't help but tear-up while writing this entry. No job, travel, or physical possession will ever bring me greater joy than being a mom. This is confirmed to me everyday when I look at my two beautiful and precious little girls.

"MUST-HAVE" MONDAY

Yes, I know that it is not Monday, but my sister has been bugging me to post because, oh no, I haven't posted in 4 days!!!  In that case I am posting this early.  I have decided to try and post my "must-have's" (maybe not every Monday, but sometimes).  "Must-have's" could include house-hold items, favorite apparel, and what ever else I decide is "must-have."  

Definition-

"Must-have:"  An object that I can't necessarily live with out, but makes my life just a little bit better, easier, or happier.

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap

I don't know what it is about this product, I just love how it smells (many different scents), how it looks sitting by my sink & how it feels on my hands.  I have to have it... it is a "must-have."