Chopped Challenge

My kids have become obsessed with watching food shows....chopped, cutthroat kitchen, cupcakes wars ect.  So for weeks now, KK has been begging us to have a chopped challenge as a family.  I have been putting it off for so long because the thought just sounds to messy but I finally gave in.  We went to the store and picked out our secret ingredients.  

We then each took turns picking our ingredients until we each had 4.  Then we set the timer and had 30 minters to cook and prepare a meal.  KK and I were on a team and Trev was with Aidan.  

KK and I ended up with a couscous shrimp stir fry with a pomegranate and banana fruit salad.

Trev and Aidan ended up with a teriyaki turkey lettuce wrap.  

They weren't half bad...good enough that it became what we actually ate for dinner that night....cereal was our back up. 

 It was actually really fun and something we will probably be doing again.

Trista's House

We love Trista's house.  It is like a gated park.  I can let my kids play and get dirty and not have to chase my kids every few minutes.  They love being outside.  It reminds me so much of what my childhood was like.

Corbin got so wet and muddy he spent most of the day in his undies.  Here is Corbin pulling the twins in the wagons we rigged together.

We then passed the job off to Ashley.

We always have fun at Trista's.

Christmas Day

I am so grateful for this season and how it reminds me of whats important and just how blessed I am.  We are truly lucky to have the family we do....our own little family and our extended.  I don't know how people survive life without family there to help.

My mom and brother spent the night Christmas Eve so they could wake up and watch the kids open presents.

Here's the family before the chaos started

At 10 my family came over and we had breakfast and then a gift exchange with the cousins.

Corbin getting his gift from Maddox

We actually do like each other

Then at 2 we went to Trev's parents house.  We ate a late lunch, opened presents, got kids in pj's and then we adults played a game while they watched a movie.

The kids with G Ma and Papa

It was such a good day and we truly are so blessed!

Christmas Eve

We had a really fun Christmas Eve this year.  We went to the movie "The Night at the Museum 3" during the afternoon with G Ma and Papa.  We then came back to our house for some pho with G Ma, Papa and my mom.  Trev makes the bomb pho....so delicious.  We ended the night with opening new pj's and watching the Nightmare before Christmas.  I love family and traditions

Sibling Love

It is rare these days to get us all in one place at one time but it really is nice when the planets align and we do. We all met at my mom's the Tuesday before Christmas and made treats (no pictures)  We left my mom with all the kids and the 6 out of the 8 of us siblings went to the best cheese steak place...Pop's.

Then on Christmas (2 days later) we again had 6 of the 8 (just different ones of the 8) so we took pictures again.

Of course it had to get real during the photo shoot...

Even though I don't see them all the time I truly to love each of them and so grateful to call them my family.

Random Pictures

Random pictures from the last month...

Corbin's selfies...

The twins pulling a chair over to get some chips...(Davyn standing on chair)

Davyn helping me sweep

KK holding "baby" Jade

Aidan and Dad drinking from a glasses straw

The twins hiding when we called them

Great Grandma and Grandpa's lights

The boys at the park huddling in a log because it was so cold that day.

Melted Crayon Art

I love trying new crafts that the whole family can do.  One of my young women told me about this new idea.  You melt crayon with a blow dryer.  I have so many broken crayons and now I have something I can use them for....

Trev helping Aidan melt it the way he wants

KK supervising

Corbin's masterpiece

Aidan's masterpiece

KK's masterpiece that she gave G Ma for Christmas

Trev's masterpiece

My masterpiece

Our family's collection that now sits in our bathroom

Classroom Helper

The kid's school requires 30 volunteer hours each school year per family, so I thought it would be a good idea to sign up to help in the kids classroom 3 days the week Trev was out of school but before he started his bar class.  I got sick so Trev was so the lucky one to help in the kids classroom that week.  They loved having him there and I loved getting 6 hours marked off.  

He helped in Aidan's classroom 2 days and KK's class one day.  In KK's class he was the ice cream hander outer.  

Here is KK with her friend....

When did she get so big?

Graduation Celebration

Since Trev was not going to walk for graduation his parents planned it so they took him out during the time he would be walking to help celebrate this wonderful accomplishment.

We ate some yummy food at Fo de Chao....delicious 

We then went to the Bellagio and saw the Christmas gardens.

We finished the night with some Luv it custard.  

It was a great night and we are so lucky and blessed to have Trev's parents in our lives.

Graduated From Law School

We have a Doctorate Graduate living in our house....a lawyer.  It has been a long process and so grateful it's over.

Trev getting home from taking his last final

Trev is not participating in the graduation ceremony so I borrowed my sister preschool graduation attire and made Trev wear it.  I wanted a picture in his cap and gown.  The robe was screaming at the seams but I got my picture. He is such a good sport.

We gave him cards

fat free muffins (since that is the closest thing to dessert he eats)

a picture of Christ from one of his favorite artists

 and that night we went shopping and he bought a professional watch he can wear to work

The family took dad to get some frozen yogurt to celebrate.

We are so proud of you!!!