Happy 10th Birthday, Ashley!

APRIL 8, 2009

Happy 10th Birthday, Ashley! We love you so much & are so happy you're part of our family. We had a great time celebrating your birthday with you.

For each of our kid's birthdays, we let them pick their favorite restaurant to eat at for dinner. When they were younger, it was usually McDonald's. Then, most of them would choose Olive Garden. This year, Ashley picked Tepanyaki, one of our favorites. We'd probably go there more often if it wasn't so expensive. We all love their delicious food.

Our cook demonstrating the famous onion trick. Even though we've seen it many times, it never gets old.

APRIL 26, 2009

We had a family birthday dinner at our house to celebrate Ashley's birthday. I made sweet & sour chicken, one of our family favorites. We gave Ashley a pink IPOD, which she's been wanting for a long time. She was excited to get a itunes gift card from Steve & Margo, Jake & Josh.

Grandma (Jason's mom) made her some clothes for her American Girl Doll. Jared & Marize gave her a cute bag with lots of lotions and lip glosses. Ellen & Angie gave her a card and will take her for a "day of fun." Grandma (Michelle's mom) gave her several shirts and $ to spend. Jeff & Missy gave her a magnet board with darling magnets to hang in her room. Joe & Michelle gave her a photo factory to make different projects with.

Ashley with her birthday cake. Thanks to all of our family members for coming over to celebrate Ashley's birthday with us.

Logan Dance Recital

APRIL 4, 2009

We spent all day on Sat, 4/4/09 at a dance competition in Logan. Ashley & Abbey's teams did great. Abbey's group took 1st on their jazz dance and received a judge's favorite choice award for choreography. Ashley's group took 1st on this dance (lyrical) and 2nd on their jazz dance. I always enjoy driving back to Logan & reminiscing about the good old college days at Utah State. Plus it was a great excuse to eat lunch on the way up at Maddox, one of my favorites, in Brigham City.

Abbey, 2nd Grade Animal Fair

MARCH 26, 2009

Abbey's 2nd grade class had an animal fair. Abbey picked the polar bear to write a report about. She also created a display board and clay sculptures of the animal. Great job, Abbey. We enjoyed coming to your school to see you!

Happy 38th Birthday, Jason!

MARCH 10, 2009

Jason & I have the tradition that we take the day off for our birthday. We figure one of the perks of being self-employed is having a flexible work schedule. Every year I try to talk Jason into celebrating his birthday on a different day, since his birthday is March 10th (right in the peak of tax season & a few days before the corporate tax deadline of March 15th). We still celebrate every year on March 10th, which every year it ends up being a great break & really helps to recharge my batteries. This year I surprised Jason and we drove to Midway & spent the night at the Worldmark timeshare. My mom has a membership, which works out great for us. We can reserve time with her "bonus time," which the rate is usually much less than a normal hotel. My sister, Melissa spent the night at our house and watched all of the kids except Ava, who came with us. We had a great lunch at the Homestead in Midway and then went shopping at the outlets in Park City. Thanks again, Melissa, for watching the kids for us. We had a great, relaxing day!

Champion Dance Competition @ Roy High School

MARCH 7, 2009

Abbey & Ashley had their first competition this year at Roy High School. Their teams did great. Abbey's group took 1st place in their age division for their jazz dance. Ashley's group performed two dances, jazz & lyrical. They took 1st place on lyrical and 2nd place for their jazz dance.

Abbey with dance friend, Alexa

Ashley with dance friend, Sierra (in lyrical outfit)

All dancers received these trophies at the end of the competition.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

MARCH 4, 2009

I walked into the family room and saw Aliza pretending to nurse "Baby Sparkles." Sparkles goes everywhere Aliza does. She tucks her in bed every night and is such a good little mommy to her.

I'm in the process of trying to wean Ava. She'll be 18 months May 30th and I am SO ready to be done nursing her. Lately, her favorite thing to do is to nurse & eat together. For example, if I give her a string cheese, she'll take a bite and then nurse and then eat another bite and then nurse. I've never had a baby do this before. Now whenever she wants to nurse, she'll chase me around the house and calls for "na-na's". Okay, writing this is giving me a serious wake up call, that it's time to be done! My kids have never taken pacifiers or bottles. I truly have felt like a human pacifier the past 12 years! I just did the math. I have been lactating for 86 months-that's over 7 years! (ok, not straight, but combining all 5 kids), probably too much information!!!

I truly have enjoyed nursing. It's amazing to read of the benefits for both the baby & mother. I have been so lucky that it's been such an easy thing for me. In fact, one of the best skills I've mastered is being able to nurse and sleep at the same time. I've had many clients laugh at the fact that I can nurse a baby and do their taxes at the same time. Of course, I'm covered up! But there really isn't enough hours in the day to take a break. I'm usually multi-tasking when I'm nursing, whether it's returning phone calls, emailing, catching up on a reality TV show or cranking out a payroll.

I served a LDS mission to Uruguay and saw so many interesting things with the women & nursing. I remember a little 6-yr old boy who ran up to his mother and lifted up her shirt and took a drink from what looked to be a water hose, because it seriously was at this lady's waist. (She was pretty overweight) I couldn't figure out what he was doing until my companion told me the mom still nursed all of her kids. Another time, a lady was nursing a baby and I told her how cute her baby was and she told me, "This isn't my baby, it's my neighbor's," which is really common for them to nurse each other's babies. It's so interesting how different it is here in the United States.

So if you ever hear Ava yelling for "na-na's", it's not bananas she's after! WISH ME LUCK!

Best Banana Bread

1 c. margarine
2 c. sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp lemon juice
4 eggs
3 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 c mashed bananas
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 c sour cream

Mix all of above ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes. Makes 4 medium loaves. This recipe is also good with chocolate chips.

* This is seriously one of my favorite banana bread recipes. It's super moist because of the sour cream. ENJOY!

A day with Grandpa Max

MARCH 4, 2009

I always look forward to preparing Grandpa's taxes. It's our yearly tradition that Jason picks up Pace's Drive In food after we finish. We always get a kick out of my Grandpa Max. Grandpa just turned 90 last August and he always keeps us laughing. When Jason brought back the food Grandpa said, "Ohhh, baby." He took one look at the chocolate malt (his favorite) and said, "Wow-ee." Jason asked him if he had enough food and he said, "I won't have to eat until a week from Sunday."

A few highlights from Grandpa's visit:

* Grandpa said, "My dad never drank unless he was alone or with someone." There was a billboard that said, "Drink Canada Dry." Grandpa said, "My Dad tried to."

* Melissa & I love to hear Grandpa tell us that the "Good Lord loves us."

But of course, the all-time classic Grandpa comment is:

* When my brother, Jared wore sweat pants that were a little too tight, my Grandpa said, "Jared, are you smuggling some grapes."

Grandpa's two cars are a "Screamin' 8" which is this lovely Brown 1978 Ford LTD and the "Buckskin" which is a 1971 Ford Truck (I can't believe his still owns a vehicle from the year I was born!) I guess they called vehicles "Screamin' 8's in 1936 when the V8 engine first came out. Grandpa says his paint job has lasted so long because he keeps this car in the garage and the paint has lead in it. As Grandpa says his "Screamin' 8" purrs like a tomcat in a creamery."

Ben's 1st Birthday Party

FEBRUARY 21, 2009

We celebrated my nephew & kid's cousin, Ben's 1st birthday at Gymboree. Here's Melissa & Kate, Gymbo the Clown, Marize & Benny, and myself & Ava. It's been so fun to have cousins so close to the same age.

The kids had fun playing with the parachute that we lifted up & down and went underneath. It took me back to the elementary school days. Very cute. Aliza standing in the middle & quite proud.

Sweet baby Kate! We had so much fun with Melissa & Kate while they were here and miss them so much! The six weeks they were here went by way too fast.

I've never seen so many bubbles. They had a bubble blower that continually blew bubbles.

Company Carrots

2 bunches whole carrots (2 ½ pounds)
¼ cup of carrot cooking liquid
½ cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp onion, minced
¼- ½ Tbsp prepared horseradish
Salt and pepper to taste
½ cup saltine crackers, finely crushed
1 Tbsp melted butter
Parsley, chopped
Paprika

Peel carrots and cut in half or thirds. Cook in salted water until tender (reserve ¼ cup of cooking liquid). Cut lengthwise in narrow strips. Arrange in 9x9-inch baking dish. Set aside. Combine cooking liquid with mayonnaise, onion, horseradish, salt and pepper. This may be done ahead and put in the refrigerator.

To serve, pour sauce over carrots. Combine cracker crumbs and butter together and sprinkle on top. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Serves 8

Optional: Add grated cheese before baking.

Delicious side dish! Thanks for sharing, Missy!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

8 chicken breast halves
8 slices ham
8 slices Swiss cheese
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. bread crumbs

Pound chicken until flat. Roll with ham & cheese in center; secure with toothpick. Roll in butter and dip in bread crumbs. Cook, uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

SAUCE:

1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. sour cream
1 tsp lemon juice

Microwave sauce and serve hot over chicken.

* Delicious dinner. Personally, one of our family favorites!

Mom & Duane turn the big 6-0!

FEBRUARY 2009


Mom & Duane both turned the big 6-0. Mom's birthday is 2/9 and Duane's birthday is 2/11, so we had everyone over to celebrate. I cooked Chicken Cordon Bleu, one of my favorites. Happy Birthday, Mom & Duane. Hope you both had a great day!

Ava, Abbey, Aliza, Ashley with cousin Ben

Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

1 small onion, finely chopped
2 pkgs (10 oz) each frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry
1 pkg (8 oz) fat free cream cheese, cubed
1 container (8 oz) reduced fat sour cream
1 can (14 oz) water packed artichoke hearts, drained & chopped
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 to 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 c shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
Bread or crackers for dipping

Cook onion until tender in frying pan. Add spinach; cook and stir over medium heat until heated through. Reduce heat to low, stir in cream cheese and sour cream. Add the artichoke hearts, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Transfer to an ungreased 1 1/2 qt microwave safe dish; sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with bread or crackers.

Delicious dip & great appetizer. Love it with baguette-style bread. Thanks Angie for sharing.

Pistachio Salad

1 small pkg pistachio pudding, dry
1 regular size container of cool whip
1 regular size can of crushed pineapple with juice (15 oz or larger)
2 cups of miniature marshmallows

Stir & mix all ingredients together. Chill before serving.

Super easy recipe & great salad! Thanks Margo for sharing!

Science Fair Projects

JANUARY 2009

2 more science fair projects down! Only 11 more to go! I'm really tempted to "recycle" these boards and have my younger kids use the same project boards. At our kid's elementary school, they are required to do science fair projects in 4th, 5th and 6th grade. So this year when I thought of helping 5 kids with 3 science fair projects, that's a grand total of 15 science fair projects. Science fair always hits at the worst time, when we're busy with taxes, W-2's and year end payroll & sales tax returns. Oh well, I guess there's never a perfect time.

Thank goodness for the internet. I had both Alex & Ashley use the internet to search for ideas and try to find an easy one.

Ashley picked "How much salt does it take to make an object float?" which we used various objects like an egg, rock & paper clip. She actually was picked as the top 3 from her class, but didn't advance to the district level.


Ashley with friends Kaitlyn & Hannah who were all picked as their class top 3 projects.

Alex's project was super easy, but interesting to test water & see which types of bottled water had the least amount of particulates.

Cabin Retreat

JANUARY 18-19, 2009

Our good friends & neighbors invited us to their Midway cabin. We all had a great time......

sledding & tubing (Abbey the little dare-devil)

singing karaoke-style (Abbey with Kaitlyn, Lexi & Brock)

& keeping our babies happy (random shot of Ava).

Lizard Hunting Season has begun

One of the joys of spring....the lizards are back, which I completely forgot about until I heard the door open yesterday and Alex scream, "Mom, look what we caught!" This little lizard was kinda freaking me out. It kept opening it's mouth like it was wanting to eat or chew at something so after a few hours hanging out in the lizard cage, I talked Alex into letting this one go.

Alex enjoys taking his friends to the mountains (which are a few streets behind our house) to hunt for lizards. We have a cage in our basement that he keeps them in and feeds them until he decides to release them in the wild.

I have some serious catch-up to do with my poor neglected blog. For my few faithful readers, keep checking back to see what we've been up to the past few months. Hope you all enjoy this lovely Spring weekend.

And the winner is....

Thank you, thank you to all of you who took time to vote and comment on my blog! I used the "random number generator" and the winner of my $100 scraptastic, blogtastic giveaway is.....

Congratulations! Come over anytime to get your free stash of scrapbook stuff!

And, I'm feeling generous today, so for anyone that left a comment and/or voted for Aliza, come on over and you can have $10 worth of scrapbook supplies. Can you tell I'm wanting to get rid of our excess inventory? $10 will get you plenty (especially since we've been selling the paper at a mere 10 cents/sheet and stickers at 25 cents/sheet). If you need my address, email me at payrollplus@msn.com. Thanks again!

Thanks to all of you!!…ALIZA won the Nick Jr Super Fan of the Year Contest!‏

A HUGE Thank You to everyone who voted for our 4-yr-old daughter, ALIZA! We want to personally thank each of you for taking the time to vote and getting your friends & family involved in this contest.

Aliza was so excited to be named the winner…..She was smiling and running from room to room. She doesn’t realize what she has won, but we are excited to see her reaction to whatever arrives from Nickelodeon.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

We truly are amazed at how many people jumped on board to help Aliza win. Whether it was the competitive nature of the voting process, the fact that she’s a local girl or just how close the race was, you all stepped up and made this happen and we hope you had as much fun as we did throughout the process.

We’ve been flooded with emails & stories about people who went to public libraries, to friends & neighbor’s houses and people who went to their local schools to vote. There were several teachers who involved their students in computer labs who voted at school and then from their home computers, and people who called all of their friends & family members to encourage them to vote. A special thanks to all of you who forwarded emails to your contacts. We received votes across the nation from Washington DC, Wisconsin, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Alaska and likely others we don’t know about.

As Dora the Explorer always says, “ WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT! HOORAY!”

Click here to see the results:

http://www.nickjr.com/home/super-fan-contest.jhtml

We’ll keep you posted about the par-tay!!!

* For being named "Dora's biggest fan" in October, she received $80 worth of Dora merchandise including: Dora princess dress, computer game, stickers, Dora doll and the walking Pegasus horse.

VOTE for ALIZA! + BLOGTASTIC GIVEAWAY!

Aliza is one of 30 finalists in the Nick Jr Super Fan of the Year contest. Aliza is truly a huge fan of Dora the Explorer and we were thrilled when she was selected! She now has a chance to win a $4,000 grand prize, which consists of a $1,000 party (yes, we'd invite all of you!) and a $3,000 bedroom makeover.

I am asking a HUGE favor! Please vote for Aliza each day from now until March 24th. You may vote once per day per computer. (So if you have more than one computer at your house or work, please vote from each computer every day).

Click here to vote. This will take you directly to Nick Jr's site. Scroll through the pictures until you see this picture.

When you see this picture, click on it and then press the vote button.

To give you an extra incentive to vote, if Aliza wins the super fan of the year, I will randomly pick a winner from comments left on my blog and I will send over $100 of scrapbook products & supplies to a lucky winner. And if you pimp me out on your blog, leave a comment for a 2nd entry to win.

So for each time you vote, please leave a comment. THANKS a ton! Please pass this on to all of your family & friends.