Our Week

We had a pretty mellow week last week. Some going out, but mostly staying at home. Yesterday we got another big snowstorm and the kids were loving being able to dress warm and go out to play. I don't think Bart really enjoys all the shoveling. :) Church was canceled again, which is kind of nice to enjoy a day together.
Sadie trying to pull Jayda

Cole ready to help shovel snow

Cute Sadie

Cute Jayda. Her hat always cracks me up.

Jayda taking off all the stickers on the oranges and putting them on the watermelon.

Sadie and Jayda playing at the mall playground.

Sadie making a "hat"

Jayda's "hat"

Jayda loves Sadie's rain boots. She found this wrapping paper tube and played with it for hours.

So They Say....

This afternoon, Bart and I went to have the ultrasound for our 21 week appointment. It was fun to see the baby moving around and to make sure it was healthy. Then, we were told that we are having a GIRL! I was feeling like we would be having a girl, but I was secretly hoping for a boy... alot of that being for Cole (who am I kidding, it would've been nice to get the boy clothes out again). In his prayers this morning, he even mentioned "Mom getting pictures taken of the baby and please make sure it's a boy..." But, after the lady froze the frame and printed it out... we noticed it's the exact same picture we have of Sadie's ultrasound... and Cole's..... both claiming it was a girl. :) So, nothing against the lady doing the ultrasound, we will still be taking a boy outfit and a girl outfit to the hospital for the delivery. Because, as WE know, crazier things have happened!

Yumminess!!

I had the most wonderful surprise find in Costco this week! When we lived in CA, we were introduced to the Granola Snack Mix in Costco's bakery section of the store. It is completely divine. When we moved here, the Costco didn't sell the Snack Mix. I was SO disappointed. Well, they just brought it back! I bought a container and it is half way gone. It's crunchy, chewy, filled with all different kinds of nuts, raisins, craisins, pumpkin seeds.. you get the idea. Packed with flavor, you can't go wrong. So, if you live by a Costco, check it out and see if you can get some of this delicious Granola Snack Mix!

Pretty Hair

In the store, I noticed some pink, soft curlers that brought memories back from my youth. My younger sister, Suzanne, used to have LONG hair. After baths Saturday night, we would braid her hair in tons of little braids and put the curlers at the bottom. It would take us forever, but the time went faster as we watched "Walker, Texas Ranger" or "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." :) So, I thought we would try it with Sadie... even though she has gorgeous hair with some natural curl in it. She was so patient while I did the braids and she thought it turned out really pretty.
All braided!

Read for church.

Nice and full!

Fun Times

The girls have been having so much fun together this week. They crack me up! I love that they are getting along so well.
Cole wanted a picture with his sisters before church.

Playing on the couch cushions.

Just playing... Jayda had spilled a bunch of water all over her shirt.... Sadie was loving her braids.

Dressing up! Sadie has been wearing that cowgirl outfit all week. Don't you love the Home Depot apron over Jayda's tutu!?

Gratitude

Today I am grateful for wonderful friends and health.

Today I got to bead with my friends, which we haven't done in so long. It was such fun to visit and just be with them.

I have to say how grateful I am for my health... I have felt better today than I have in about 19 weeks. I'm not nieve enough to think that it is going to last, but I will enjoy this day to the fullest. ;)

Since this has been a better week, I've actually cooked and did a little baking... pulling out the mixer, pots and pans that haven't been used in several months. Things today actually tasted good... again, something that I won't take for granted.

Here is a new recipe that I made tonight that was so delicious! I just wanted to share.

Pasta Primavera

3/4 lb. linguine
1 TB olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
1/2 lb thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
1 c. grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 c. sliced button mushrooms
1 TB flour
1 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 large carrot, peeled and ribboned (use a peeler to create long, thin strips
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/2 c. shredded basil

Bring pot of water to boil. Add pasta, cook until al dente, according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 c. of the cooking water.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-heat. Add garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add bell pepper, cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes.

Drop in the asparagus, tomatoes, and mushrooms, and cook until tender. Stir in the flour; cook for 1 minute more.

Add the chicken broth, milk, salt and pepper and bring to a boil; reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the liquid has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the carrot strips.

Toss the pasta with the vegetables and sauce, adding the pasta water, if necessary, to loosen the mixture. Serve garnished with the parmesan and basil.

Ideas: I added zucchini and cooked it with the asparagus, etc. I used frozen asparagus because the store didn't have fresh. The next time I do this recipe, I will add the tomatoes with the carrot at the end... they were to mushy for me.

My Husband, My Hero

With the snow days and the awesome closure of Bart's company during the holidays, we were able to have Bart home for a couple of weeks over Christmas. It was so wonderful! The kids, especially, can't ever get enough of their Dad.

We decided to renovate the half-bath on our main level. Bart has done the remodel, quite literally from top to bottom. It took so much of his time for a whole week. Bart is quite handy when it comes to home improvements. What he doesn't know, he studies online to learn. He thought it would be cool to texture the walls and ceiling... something he didn't know how to do, but after watching demos online, he did it. And it looks awesome! Now, we want to texture our whole house... but I think we'll hire someone to do it. :) Anyway, Bart tore everything out of the bathroom (nothing like tackling a vanity with a sledgehammer), textured, primed, painted and laid tile. Sometime this week, he'll do the grout and then we'll be able to move in the new vanity and toilet. We are super excited!

Thanks, Bart, for being willing to sacrifice so much to make something beautiful in our home!

(Pictures to come.)