Igloo

Here is the igloo that Scott made with all of this snow (6 inches) we have had. I think it took us more time to dress the girls in their "snow clothes", than the time they actually spent playing in the snow. There may have been some screaming invloved, (by the girls of coarse) :). They all went outside intending to make a snowman, but it was not the right kind of snow. Instead Daddy built an igloo. It was a great day.

White Chili recipe

HI Everyone,

I love easy recipes, and this is about as easy as they come. I thought I would share, and if anyone has any other recipes a kindergartner could make, then pass them this way! This one seriously takes about ten minutes start to finish. Thanks to my lovely MIL, Jeannie!

White Chicken Chili
1 can cooked chicken (I get from Costco, it's the best.)
1 can chicken broth
2 cans Great Northern Beans (White beans found at Albertsons)
1 t salt
1 t cumin
1 t oregano
1 can green chili's
1/2 t pepper
1/4 t cayenne
1/4 c milk
Cheese, optional

Mix it all together while cooking. It is ready to go right then and there, but is best the next day. This soup tastes like a chimichanga. YUM!

Note to Self

So I have been thinking a lot lately about how I need to make more time visiting loved ones. It seems like there is a generous amount of our family that live so close by, and yet it is so hard for me to make it to their house to see them. Especially grandparents. Last week we went to visit our Great Grandparents in Bremerton. They have lived here for approaching a year now, and I have only been to their house two times! That is so lame! So many times, I think visiting with my three noisy kiddos would completely stress them out. Not to mention the screaming bloody murder fits, or the wanting to touch all of the (breakable) sparkly glass pretties.

Something last week made me change my thinking. I offered to help line the cupboards in the kitchen with cabinet liner (Is that what you call it?) , and I was thinking to myself the whole conversation, who am I going to get to babysit the kids so I can get this job done? Then Grandpa said, "make sure to bring the kids, grandma loves to play with them." That really stopped me in my mental tracks. My life is so CRAZY/busy right now with three kids 4 years old and under. When I am similar to their age, all I can hope is that my family will make time to see me, and provide some excitement in my life. I am thankful for the life stories that our grandparents so eagerly tell. And this is my note to self that I want to know them and for my children to hear them and become closer to their grandparents. I think how wonderful it must have been before children spent endless hours watching t.v. shows, video games, and cell phones. I remember my childhood as building forts, wading in the creek nearby, climbing trees, playing catch until dusk. Those are memories are so important to me! How many people will look back and say "Remember when I beat this video game or watched that t.v. show, what an awesome experience!" Lame.

Crafts for Kids

This is made from empty paper towel rolls, with fabric glued on to the card board.

I came across these rainy day projects, and thought I would share!

Livie Talk

So my sister and I were trying to coax Livie into helping me clean her room the other day. Here is what was said.

Auntie Jessie: "Livie, don't you want to help clean your room?"

Livie: "Nope."

A: "Livie, do you know who's watching you?" ((Santa))

L: (With a serious face) "Jesus."

How to Crochet Mary Jane Slippers

This is for MAG. :)

Love,

Jen

Snuggles

Olivia Jeanne

So... Olivia is now four! I am so thankful for her. I know Heavenly Father sent her to me as my first child for a specific reason. She is so willing to help me with her sisters, and loves them as they are her own. Its hard to comprehend that the mothering instinct is so naturally intact at such an early age. So many times before I can get to the scene of one of her sisters crying, she is hugging them and repeating "don't cry... mommy's here." Livie wants to wake her sisters up when they are napping just so they can play with her. The second she can hear them awake in their beds, she is chomping at the bit to be the first to open their door and come to their rescue from nap time. I really appreciate her help when it comes to finding Ava's blankie (frequently reported missing), or sorting the spoons and forks in the dishwasher. Here are some tid bits I want to remember to tell her when she grows up:

When Livie was 4:

Favorite color: hands down pink.
Absolutely loves: to color and learn new things (especially practicing letters and words),going to the park, camping at the beach, daddy's song, aj's song, shopping, dance class and eating "egg in a holes" with daddy.
Favorite Food: pancakes with peanut butter and syrup, chocolate milk.
Wants: to go to Las Vegas on an airplane to visit our family, to go to Disneyland with Grandma Jeanne, to make jewelry with Grandma Di, and Hawaii with daddy and mommy.
Does not like to: clean her room, eat her dinner (most of the time), wear clothing.

Time is flying by so fast, and I love having her so close to me and watching her grow.

Some Ideas I <3

Love, Love, Love this pillow.
I am a shawl girl.

it's weird, but since having children, when I see a cute bag...I don't think purse; I think diaper bag. I wish it were the other way around, oh well :)

These are so sweet! I even have enough material for this project (shrunken sweaters!)

Hey, a girl can dream...

I am going to do this soon. Let me know if you want "in". We will make a girls night out of it!

This is called an egg warmer. This only applies to the pregnant women who want to wear their cute, pre-pregnancy clothes as long as possible.

The person who did this must not be raising toddlers.

ALL CALL!

This post is for everyone who lives in Port Orchard with children. Come to the library for story time on Wednesdays at 7:00pm. My kids love it, yours will to. Let's make it a big deal!

Picky Eater?

So Ava doesn't like to eat bread. That's fine. Something I don't understand is how she can snub her little nose at a slice of carbohydrates, but then I will catch her over and over munching on crayons. She eats more crayons when I am not looking than carrots at dinner time. It's the neon waxy grin that gives it away. Sheesh!

Pumpkin Patch

This is my sister, Jessica. The girls love their Auntie, she really spoils us!

Here are some pictures of our Pumpkin Hunting Adventure. Well, it was only an adventure for me, as taking three kiddos 3 years old and under out of the house (at the same time) is still something I am progressing with :) . The kids loved it! How can you top a ride in the stroller, pumpkins, farm animals & dirt? They were in heaven...

Pictures of Makayla Rose

We adore her!