Bits and Pieces

moving on over...

2010-02-09T06:53:00.001-06:00

So I think I have most of it set up... I am moving over to wordpress as I like some of the options over there. Here is the link. come check it out.

Lesson Learned

2010-02-04T21:56:00.003-06:00

I have been working on baking and cooking more and more. This week I made Calzones for supper. I made the pizza crust and set in on the stove to rise. At the same time I turn on the oven to begin preheating it. My mistake...I did not realize that I set the bowl on the burner that vents the oven. I came back 20 minutes later to check my dough and then went on the split it and roll it out and the dough on the bottom of the bowl was baked. I was able to save most of the dough and toss the baked stuff before others walked in the kitchen, but I have learned my lesson... make sure the bowl of dough that is rising is not on the burner that vents the oven.

I am fairly new to the kitchen and I am an over all klutz. Mishaps seem to fallow me every where, yes even into the kitchen. This is nothing new to my family, I was really glad I was able to save most of it. I also did not burn any thing that night. That is a trade mark for me, I am so afraid of under cooking something and getting everyone sick that I tend to make sure everything I cook is well done. I did not burn these... I was very proud about that.

If you want some great recipes go and check out Home Ec 101. I get 3-4 of my meals a week from that site, yes some are repeats, but when you have children and you find a recipe they love it is a great thing.

Laker Hockey- Gabriel

2010-02-03T17:03:00.006-06:00

This year we got the sew last names on their jerseys. This is super nice as you can better know who is playing. It is really hard to tell with their helmets on.

I just love this picture... it had to been a good play they were watching. Gabriel is the second black helmet from either side.

This was the Squirt home tournament. I am still working on getting some pictures on Logan. Gabriel has two more tournament, My dad and Todd will be taking him to Mitchell Feb 13-14 and then we are in Brookings March5-7. Logan also has two more tournaments, Aberdeen Feb. 7-8 and Watertown (home) Feb. 13-14. The season is so busy, but seams to go so fast.

Menu Monday

2010-02-01T20:32:00.003-06:00

Here is what is on the menu for this week...

Chicken Curry

roast w/mash and HM bread

Bacon Cheeseburgers

Calzones

Chicken Strips w/ fries

We will be gone this weekend for a hockey tournament, so I only need five meals and hopefully some left overs for lunches.

Menu Monday

2010-01-25T09:33:00.001-06:00

Here is my plan for the week... we got some help with food money so I am taking and planning some good homemade food for us. On to the list...

Thai noodles with shrimp and bean sprouts

Pizza

Country style Cube Steak

Chili

Chicken Curry

Taco Soup

beef roast with potato bread

We have hockey every day but Wednesday, so these meals are meant to be quick or slow cooked and we will be making the pizza Wednesday as that takes a little longer.

Christmas Makings...

2010-01-03T18:38:00.004-06:00

I could not show some of these before Christmas due to them being presents, but I though I would share some of the gifts I made this year. I for got to take pictures of all of them.

I made these for some of my gifts this year. They had different names and saying of course. They were 8x10s and put into a thin bordered frame.

Here we have 12 pairs of pajama pants, 8 appliquéd t-shirts and a high-chair cover I made for my sister. The pajamas were given as gifts and the high-chair cover was for an old wooden high chair that was in need of some cushion. I later made the second high chair cover for her other high chair.

I also made fleece I spy bags, crayon rolls and make-up bags to give as other presents (those were the ones I forgot to get pictures of). They turned out great. I used a mixture of tutorials, I found on the web. Pick out what I liked about each one, added my take on it and came up with some great presents. I will defiantly be making more of them and hopefully remembering to take pictures. I also whipped up some cup cozies, but those were more of a distraction job for me then anything. They also turned out great after a few changes.

Christmas Family Picture

2009-12-30T00:33:00.000-06:00

First Row: Mitchell (8 months), Nick, Christina, Milly (8 months), Chad, Caleb (11 months), Monica, Abigail (2 years)
Second Row: Gabriel (10 years), Stacy, Grady (18 months), Brendan (3 years), Kyle, Mom, Dad, Hailey (3 years), Logan( 5 years), Eric
Third Row: Me(Angela), Malia (16 months), Todd

We had a great Christmas and it was nice to spend time with family we do not get to see much.

Christmas Check List...

2009-12-20T17:23:00.003-06:00

As Christmas creeps closer and closer I thought I should make and list and check it twice. I feel good that I have completed enough and should not have a mad rush Christmas eve. I have also managed to make all the gifts given to Todd's side of the family and about half of my side. Next year I might have to try for 80% of gifts made, but I am going to have to find some more great ideas for that to happen or learn to knit.

All hand crafted gifts made-Check

All presents in SD wrapped- Check

All presents in MN wrapped- (Wed.)

Rolls made for school- check

Peppermint bark made for MN- check

House clean-

*bathroom-check

*entry-

*kitchen-

*living room-check

*kids room- check

*parent room- check

Dog bathed- Check

Kitty liter cleaned- (Tue)

Bags packed- (Tue)

Laundry done- (Mon)

Diapers washed- (Tue)

All gifts bought- Check

Truck Packed- (Tue)

2009-12-18T21:51:00.000-06:00

Mama Dog

2009-12-15T11:59:00.002-06:00

Todd and I were at the computer the other night, we looked back at that the and this is how we found her. She had found one of the girl's dolls and cuddled up with it. She was sleeping. I was able to get my camera and take a few pictures and she did not move. She is such a great dog!

School Program

2009-12-04T18:33:00.002-06:00

Gabriel had his school program this past Tuesday. There was about six songs and he danced in this one. He is on the very far left.

Animals!

2009-11-30T20:14:00.003-06:00

I was trying to get a picture of the dog and cat for our Christmas cards... this was the best I got. They were not happy with what I was doing and Malia was not happy I was not taking a picture of her. I got a good laugh after the fact, but it did not make it to our card.

2009-11-26T10:49:00.003-06:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

The list would be a mile long on things I am thankful for.

This picture about sums it up though.

2009-11-21T22:27:00.002-06:00

Malia stole Gabriel's hockey stuff while he was trying to get ready the other night, instead of taking it back he decided to take a picture. How cute is this little hockey player? When we are at hockey if the doors to the ice are open she seams to always spot it and bolt for them. I or some one else has always caught her though.

2009-11-20T22:07:00.002-06:00

This was taken back in September on our way home from Minnesota. It was a great sunset, too bad the bugs were so bad. This is on Hwy 212 I think right before the South Dakota boarder.

up for discussion...

2009-11-11T19:26:00.003-06:00

My husband and I are in constant discussion over this. He would like he hair cut so she has bangs and I want to to grow out, like our other daughters did. I think it would be more work to have to trim her bangs all the time and he does not like to see her hair covering her face. If only berets accutauly stayed in her hair for more then 30 seconds.

Image of Me

2009-11-07T13:39:00.003-06:00

My parents have a few pictures of me like this, I found Hailey like this and flashed back to those pictures, so I had to take one of her.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T22:26:00.002-05:00

Making a Spider...

2009-10-29T22:09:00.003-05:00

Logan has been telling me what he has wanted to be for Halloween for many months now. The only problem, it has been something different each time. Earlier this week I asked him and he said a spider, so I got to it and made him a spider costume before he could change his mind again. I hope he still likes it Saturday. My mom gave me a bunch of fabric a month ago and in that bunch of fabric was some nice black sweatshirt material. I used this for the pants and the hat. I bought the t-shirt on clearance and the socks were Todd's (he does not dress up much, so we put them to better use). I also had to buy the Googley eyes for his hat, but his costume came to less then $4.

2009-10-19T21:03:00.005-05:00

We spent some time outside enjoying the nice fall weather.

Swedish Apple Pie

2009-10-18T19:10:00.012-05:00

The first weekend of October the boys went out hunting and us girls stayed back and made a great Swedish Apple Pie.

Swedish Apple Pie

-apples -1T sugar -1t cinnamon

Topping:

-3/4 cup butter, melted -1 egg -1 cup sugar -1cup flour

Fill pie plate 3/4 full of peeled and sliced apples. Sprinkle apples with sugar and cinnamon. Mix topping ingredients and spoon over apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

Dear Malia,

2009-10-15T23:16:00.003-05:00

I do love you so, but you need to start sleeping on your own and not attached to me. Thank you very much for your understanding in this matter.

Love,

Your Very Grateful Mom

Hailey All Dressed up

2009-10-12T22:36:00.020-05:00

Thought I would just some of the pictures I took Saturday at a beautiful wedding. Hailey was one of the flower girls. What a great day that was!

T-Shirt Quilt

2009-09-30T16:25:00.004-05:00

One of my projects this summer was to make a t-shirt quilt for my little brother. He graduated from High School this year and for his gift I made him a quilt for his bed at school. I used about 19-20 t-shirts and then some fabric. For the backing I used fleece to make it nice and warm. There is medium weight batting inside, so that along with the fleece there is a little poof to it. I hand quilted it as sewing around the outside was too much of a work out for my sewing machine.

Out of two of the t-shirts (they had smaller logos) I made the girls skirts. To do this I cut the t-shirt from the bottom up to the length I wanted it+1.5 inches. After that you measure down 1.5 inches and fold it in and sew it up, leaving an opening to put the elastic in. I also sewed around the top of it before putting the elastic in. I used 3/4" elastic. Sew the hole shut and sew a few places verticaly and you have a cute little girls skirt.

out of the mouth of Logan...

2009-09-24T18:23:00.002-05:00

This afternoon I was trying to get Logan to do something for me. I had asked him a few times and it was just not happening. One last time I asked him to please listen to me and do what I asked. He looked me in the eye and said, "Mom, I have to listen to my teacher all morning, do you really expect me to come home and have to listen to you, too?" I informed him that he indeed did and he was not very happy about that, but I got him to do what he needed to do. It is also good to know that he is listening at school.

Fearless Friday- Cold Press Coffee

2009-09-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

I tried Cold Press Coffee at a coffee shop a few months ago. I liked it a lot and thought, hey, I can make this. I hopped on the computer and was suprised by all the results of my search. Here is what I came up with, that worked for me...

Fill a large jar with 3 cups of water and 2/3 cup ground coffee beans.

Then give is a good shake and put it in the fidge over night.

In the morning you will want to run the coffee mixture through a filter/sieve. I just take my coffee maker and run it through there without it on.

note: I did not unplug my coffee maker the first time and it turned on and kind of heated up what I wanted cold. I make sure the coffee maker is unplugged now.

I then rinced out the jar and filled it with the now coffee concentrate.

This will be three cups worth. I take one cup of the coffee to one cup of milk and then add 2-3 tablespoons of a flavored syrup. It is great and it lacks the bitter taste you usually get from hot coffee. I have one glass a day, so it last me three days, well unless I am having one of those days. The third days cup of coffee taste as good as the first, which was something I was a little afraid of.

Grandma's Thunder Cake

2009-09-16T21:30:00.002-05:00

This cake was in the back of a book Logan read at school and he brought home the recipe. Of course we had to try it and I was very nervous about that. Who puts pureed tomatoes in their chocolate cake? I did, yes I did and it turned out great. I don't know what they did, but you could not taste them and it gave the cake a cool color. My little helpers were very proud of their cake too.

Malia's failed attemt at walking outside...

2009-09-05T18:59:00.003-05:00

I tried to get malia to walk outside. She took a few steps but gave up.

First Day of School

2009-08-25T19:15:00.004-05:00

Today was Gabriel and Logan's first day of school. Gabriel is in 4th grade and Logan in Kindergarten. What a fun and exciting year for both of them. Gabriel is excited to have his little bother at school with him in the morning, I do hope that last.

Happy Birthday Malia

2009-08-22T00:00:00.003-05:00

Malia is ONE today. I have put together a college of her first year. Just follow it around clockwise. I can not believe my baby is one. What a great year it has been, she is such a strong willed joy. I love you Malia and you can turn my worst days into good ones by just a smile, a little giggle never hurts either.

newborn (wrapped in blanket), one month (blue background), two months (green background), three months (pink shirt), four months (tutu), five months (pink stripes), six months (purple outfit), seven months(beach/ocean), eight months (lite pink shirt), nine months (orange dress), ten months (outside in rocks), eleven months (white/ pink shirt) and One year(flower dress in rocking chair)

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T10:08:00.004-05:00

There are some talking in there but mostly giggling.

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Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T08:58:00.003-05:00

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Bramble Park Zoo

2009-08-10T09:01:00.007-05:00

Last Monday we went to the zoo with Todd's Grandma and Grandpa and his Aunt and Uncle. The kids had a blast there feeding the many animals you can throw food at.

Malia trying to feed the ducks and geese.
My full nest... aren't they cute.

The two bear cubs born in January of this year.

Right before feeding time... they were looking for their food.

Logan Rides His Bike

2009-08-09T14:21:00.004-05:00

Logan has been working on riding his bike for about a month now. Last night he did great and seemed to just take off and ride. It was amazing to watch and he was so proud of himself. I could not get him off his bike last night and he was back out there again this morning.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T09:03:00.002-05:00

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Back on Track, Well Getting on a Track

2009-08-03T08:36:00.002-05:00

I was making a list of gaols for the week over at Home-ec 101 and decided I should put it up here too. School starts in three weeks and one day. There are many things I need to get done and get on a good track.

1) I need to get back running, I left my shoes at my parents, but now they are back so I need to get out running again
2) Get back to only eating out 0-1 time a week, this last weekend we got a little carried away.
3) I did not do laundry all weekend and with 6 people in the house I have a ton to do and diapers to wash.
4) try to reorganize the toys… seriously too many of then for this house.
5) Three sewing projects -brothers quilt, sippy-cup leash and a marker roll

There is much more, but this is the stuff that is the top of my list.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2009-07-31T14:30:00.004-05:00

to: ME

Yup, today is my Birthday. I use to love birthdays, they were great as a kid. My mom did day care and my birthday was in the summer.

When I lived closer to my family I would always at least get a cake or pie for my birthday and one or two presents... I love presents!

The last two years my little brother has been out here over my birthday. This was two fold...

1)a great babysitter so my husband and I could go out

2)a great person to hang out with on your birthday, he is a great guy

3)it was a fun little two year tradition

This year has kind of been a let down. My 5yo told me it most not be my birthday because no body made me a cake.

I'll let this year slide... my next two birthdays are big ones and I am expecting big things, even if I have to do it my self.

I will take this as a somber birthday and it kind of is. My last year being 20 something, yikes... I never thought this kind of stuff would effect me like it is, maybe it is just all in my head.

It is just a same old day with nothing different... I was really hoping for a coffee delivery this morning, I do not think my husband got the memo. I do hope he is well enough to take me out tonight, I am just asking for dinner, so I do not have to cook... that is all.

Many people did think of my today, which is very nice... I guess I am just bitter... heck I turned 29 today, it really does creep me out. I think of my self as young still, sometimes I have to remind myself I am not 18 anymore and I am a grown up. "shivers"

UPDATE: My husband took me out for dinner, without children, gave me a GC to get my tattoo and then we met up with our neighbors. It was a fun filled evening and I can not wait to get my tattoo, I have wanted one for many years. I just didn't get a b-day cake, I bet my Starbucks had just about the same amount of calories in it though.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-29T09:02:00.000-05:00

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Gabriel Baseball

2009-07-28T09:09:00.006-05:00

Gabriel is in his 4 summer of baseball. Last year he took a liking to pitching and is has continued this year. Tonight is his last game of the year. This means summer is ending and we have to start thinking of back to school, yikes!

Fun at Baseball

2009-07-27T08:10:00.007-05:00

While Gabriel plays baseball we have a little fun of our own. Logan is only in one picture because he found to other little boys to run off and play with. Hailey was being a little camera hog. Malia was making sure her frog diaper cover was showing in both pictures, at least it matched her outfit.

Logan's T-Ball

2009-07-25T15:51:00.008-05:00

Logan played t-ball this summer. They played every Tuesday, 1.5 hours in the afternoon for 6 weeks. He had fun, even if playing in the dirt on the field was what he did more of.

Standing in the out field... day dreaming I think.

Waiting to bat. He liked going last for some reason.

Up to bat... The tee was a little tall for him, so he hit it a lot.

Fearless Friday- Angel Food Cake

2009-07-24T07:14:00.003-05:00

This week was my husbands birthday and his favorite cake is angel food cake. I did not have a box of it on hand, but did have all the ingredients to make it from scratch. I have tried this one other time and it was a flop, well not even a flop as it did not even rise to the occasion. This time I made it while a few of the kids were down for their naps and really took my time. It turned out wonderful this time, I would have a picture, but it was gone before I knew it. It was the type of spongy cake that melted in your mouth. My one son ate four pieces, without the cream... he has never eaten cake with out cream or frosting.

This adventure was all good and dandy, but now what do I do with the 12 egg yolks in my fridge? I went through a few cookbooks and looked on-line and then well decided to just wing it. I made some Oven French Toast. I started it in the morning by cutting up a loaf of French bread. I then melted a stick of butter and poured it into the bottom of the baking dish (I could have gotten away with 1/2 of a stick, will know for next time). I them mixed together the 12 egg yolks, about 1.5-2 cups of milk, a cup of sugar and about 2 teaspoons of vanilla. I dipped each slice of bread into the egg mixture and placed it in the pan. After I poured the rest of the egg mixture over the top of the slices, covered it with plastic and put it in the oven. About 40 minutes before we wanted to eat I took the dish out and let is rest on the counter while the oven was preheating to 375 degrees. I then let it bake for 30 minutes and served it with hot syrup. Again no pictures, it just did not look pretty.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-15T06:53:00.003-05:00

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What the garden looks like.

2009-07-14T07:15:00.010-05:00

As of July 14Th, 2009 this is what our little garden looks like. We planted radishes, green beans, oats and sunflowers. They all have a long way to go, but hopefully we get something.

Our Beans are starting to flower and the radishes should be ready within the next week or two.

Our oats are doing the best. Gabriel got them from an Ag Fair he went to with school and insisted on planting them. I have no idea what to do with them, but hey, they grew. Our Sunflowers are getting there. They are just above knee tall, I should weed them our a little though.

My Lilies

2009-07-13T08:53:00.007-05:00

My parents gave me this plant three springs ago. That first summer it had bloomed, last summer I put it on my front steps and it did not get enough sun, Then this summer I put it by my garden and I was so excited waiting for it to bloom and this morning it was beautiful. When I have a house I own and can plant stuff in the ground I will have lots of flowers, then I will not have to wait for just two flowers.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-08T09:56:00.002-05:00

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Malia Eating Spaghetti

2009-07-06T14:20:00.003-05:00

I made spaghetti for Malia last week. My mom gave us some gluten free rice noodles and I made up a meat sauce. She loved it and it was nice that she could eat a meal with us and she did not break out from it. She ate most of the food on her plate. I know need to find more meals like this or she needs to grow out of this allergy of hers.

After 6 Years of Marriage

2009-07-05T12:34:00.003-05:00

I have been married to my husband for 6 years today. We have known each other for 13 years and started dating about 11.5 years ago. We met at church camp when we were 14 and 15. We were from different states and only talked for 4 days before going back to our young lives in the states we had come from. We kept in contact for a few months and even thought of ourselves as dating, then the calls and letters got fewer and fewer. Then about a year and a half after we had first met I wrote him a letter. Things were happening and well I have no idea what brought me to writing that letter, but I did and 4 days after writing it I got a phone call. We talked a lot on the phone and 6 months later he came to MN to spend the weekend with us. My parents were adding on to our house and he got put to work right away. 16 months later we had our first child. Todd was a senior in high school and I was a freshmen in college. About three months before our son turned four we married. We were young when our journey started and we waited to get married because we wanted to make sure things were going to have there best chance of working out. Nine months after we married we had our second child and a year after that I graduated from college. Since then we have moved out of MN and to SD. My husband grew up in SD, not the part we live in, but we moved to the middle of where our families are. We have also had two daughters and a lot of adventures. We had different plans in the beginning of all this, but choices and decisions have brought us to where we are today... still happy and still very much in love. Happy Anniversary, Todd. I love you and thank you for putting up with me and my crazy ideas.

I have yet to get my wedding pictures scanned in, so here is the most recent picture of the two of us... I really need to get those pictures scanned in, they are much better then this.

Birds in My House

2009-07-02T20:02:00.007-05:00

These little birds are pretty cute. They would be cuter if they did not make there home in the corner of my house. This corner is also very very close to my bedroom window. This window I like to keep open becaue I have not turned the air on yet and like the breeze through the house. They may have not picked the best spot, but it is our fault for not fixing the corner there after the first time they nested there. Maybe this year after they move out we will get to fixing it. I just hope we don't forget till next year and we are faced with the same thing. This is the third or fourth summer we have had them here.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-01T06:32:00.003-05:00

Laundry Day

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Little Green Guy

2009-06-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Logan loves to impersonate everything. His best one is being electrocuted. He insists on doing that when I am trying to yell at him, err, I hate when they make me laugh when I am trying to be mad. In the pictures below he is a Little Green Guy. This is off a computer game that is played by the male side of the family.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-24T09:30:00.001-05:00

My brother's gatuation

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From the 12th Floor

2009-06-22T14:57:00.004-05:00

This the the view I had from my hotel room while I was in MN. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn(HGI). It was a great stay. I loved the views, I took them on Sunday and Sundays in St. Paul are pretty dead.

Can you name any of the landmarks/building in the pictures?

Fearless Friday- Shredded Pork

2009-06-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

I have been slacking about this FF thing... being out of town and then majorly unmotivated. I'll be back next week with something though, my husband will be out of town and I will not have the extra kid running around. I did made Chimichangas with shredded smoke pork and I tell you, they were the best, I am not a pork eater and they were better then when I make them with round steak ( shhh, please don't tell) Also if you do not want to make chimichangas you can use the same insides and make a great quesadilla.

In the Pool

2009-06-18T07:19:00.009-05:00

As You can tell Malia was loving the water. It helped that it was nice and warm.

After a very long Friday and finally getting some sleep Friday night, we woke up Saturday and went swimming. This swimming session only lasted about an hour as Hailey and Logan did not want to get in the water and Gabriel was tired from holding Malia, as she loved the water. After our swim we headed off to find breakfast, even if it was almost lunch time. I love Bruegger's Bagels, so that is where we went. The kids loved walking around St. Paul and loved trying to walk while looking up at the tall buildings. While in the bagel place I learned that Logan does really remember things. I had a spinach omelet that look like green eggs and I was trying to get him to try a bite. To that he responded, "I will not try them with a fox, I will not try them in a box." I started laughing of course and he goes on... "I will not try them here or there I will not try them anywhere. I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam I Am." I was so stinkin' funny and proof that he does listen to those stories I read him. I like this kind of reassurance.

What a weekend!

2009-06-15T14:13:00.004-05:00

I went to MN on Wednesday. I had one goal and two events that were planned while I was there. The goal was to find a car and the events was my little brothers graduation and open house. That was it, lots of playing outside, swimming in the hotel pool and playing with cousins. The drive there was great, we left about 6 am and did not have to stop for the four hour trip. About an hour after we got there I heard the cry of my oldest daughter, my first thought was, oh, now what, she cry A LOT. After meeting her at the door I learned that she was crying for a legit reason, she was bleeding from the part of her nose between her eyes. Her brother was swing a stick and Hailey got in the line of fire. After cleaning it up we found the source of the blood would need a trip to the ER to put back together. This trip was short, only taking 1.5 hours. On Thursday my little brother graduated and as that night went on Hailey cut looked like it was getting a blister under the glue. I call the ER and they told me to bring her back in, so at 11pm, after we got the other kids back to the hotel and calmed down with their aunt, we headed back to the ER. We were seen after sitting there for 3 hours and were out of there an hour later. It turned out that there was something still in the cut and it was infected. The glue was peeled off and the cut was sliced back open and allowed to drain. We are hoping for not a huge scar. The rest of the weekend was just busy. Saturday was Eric open house and Sunday was Brendan's birthday party. There was no car bought this weekend, but my car made it back home and hopefully soon I will have a new to me car (OK, big SUV that fits the whole family and drives through snow)

There will be more post about last weeks events, there are a lot of pictures.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

This big guy turnrd three yesterday. Happy Birthday Buddy!

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DO NOT FEED THE MONKEY!

2009-06-08T14:21:00.003-05:00

I need this saying on a shirt for my youngest daughter. She is a begger and trys to get anyone and everyone to feed her, but she is allergic to wheat, oats and milk. At this point in time she can only have gluten free food that does not have milk in it. Right now breastmilk works best for us, she does not react to it, unless I over do food intake in one of those catagories, and it is easy for us. My kids are learning that if you feed sister something that you did not ask mom first, sister becomes very crabby and you miss out on that attention. I try to keep Malia friendly snacks in the house and so if some do get on the floor they will not hurt her. It is much harder when we go to other peoples houses and other people hold her.

I have never had this before so this id new for me. There are so many things in it that have wheat, oats or milk in it. I am hoping this weekend I can make it out to Whole Foods and get her some Malia friendly food.

Rain Rain Go Away!

2009-06-06T16:09:00.003-05:00

It is cold cloudy and rainy out. While changing Malia's diaper this morning she peed all over my bed. I have to wash the quilt and blanket and washing I do not have a problem with, but my dryer is still broken. I have to hang them outside, but as mentioned above, it is raining. I hope it stops long enough to dry them, it is not sunny, is very cold (~50) , but it is windy. Wind is the only thing I have going for me right now. I have had my heat on, I am seriously debating on whether or not to turn the heat on or not. It is freezing in my house. If I did not have a baby to be chancing around I would be snuggled up in bed with Logan and Hailey, I am so jealous right now. This rain, cold and wind is suppose to last till Tuesday. That mean now laundry till Tuesday and I am leaving for Minnesota on Wednesday... I really hope they are wrong and I am able to get some laundry done before them.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-03T08:38:00.003-05:00

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Done with Third Grade

2009-06-01T14:32:00.003-05:00

Friday was Gabriel's last day of third grade. He finished off the year great, too bad it took three quarters to figure out what worked best for him. We both agree that we are going to talk to his teacher before school starts and set things up the same way we did this last quarter. We have a goal of all A's and B's this next year, his dad says C's are passing, but I would like his striving for A's. He is amazing and I know he can do it, he just needs to not get discouraged.

Today he gets to go to a pool party. It makes me very nervous, I have never left him at the pool by himself and I know he is a great swimmer, I am just having a hard time letting him grow up. He is a great kid.

Fearless Friday- Beef Stroganoff

2009-05-29T08:35:00.006-05:00

This week I made a great beef stroganoff, well it was better the second day, but the next time I make it there will be some fixes. My day started by making some cream of mushroom soup. It turned out great and I was able to make it for the beef dish by making it with beef stock instead of chicken broth. Here is how I made my beef stroganoff.

(all these dishes did drive me nuts!)

Beef Stroganoff
2-3 lbs stew meat
olive oil

1 med. onion
4-6 fresh mushrooms

11oz. beef stock
11oz. cream of mushroom soup

1 cup sour cream

brown or white rice

Dust meat with flour and fry in olive oil. Remove from pan and add the diced onions and mushrooms. Add the meat back in and pour in the beef stock and soup. Simmer covered for about 30 minutes. While that simmered I made the rice. I stired in the sour cream right before serving. Next time I will mix the same up to the point of simmering and at that point I will put it into the crockpot and leave it there on low for a few hours. The meat was very tough and need more time cooking to tenderize it. I loved serving it over rice because the rice soked up all the sauce. I also cooked the rice in half water half beef stock, so there was extra flavor there too.

I do need some ideas for the rest of the cream of mushroom soup. I am pretty sure I will not be buying canned cream of ______ anytime soon. It was very easy to make, even if you do not follow the directions exactly (one of my down falls) and mix the butter, mushrooms and flour together right away.

Yes, there was some downfalls to this dish, but all in all it was a great dish that could have been better by either using a more tender cut of meat or cooking the meat that I had longer.

Side note: I do not cook with fresh onion ver often. I did with this recipe and I had the whope house in tears. My husband and boys were whinning that they were not going to eat this if it tasted like onions and that their eyes hurt. It was funning and made me realize that I really need to start cooking more often using fresh stuff. Also they loved the dish and you could not taste the onion at all.

On My Mind

2009-05-28T07:46:00.004-05:00

There have been many things on my mind the last few days, OK maybe longer then that. Sometimes when I write something down or tell some one answers arise and well I could really use some answers.

It is my husbands dream to start a hunting lodge somewhere. I would not mind that, but I do not want to be super old when that happens. Also I would have to learn to cook really great food or find a really good cook I could handle working with, yikes. I know your are thinking what the heck, you don't even have land yet. I think of crazy things and really is cooking going to be the biggest factor in a hunting lodge, most likely not.

I need a new car/van/truck/SUV and well I am so afraid of picking the wrong one and dreading it for the next 8-10 years. I need a car that fits at least 6 and that has room for cargo. I have a mini-minivan right now and it works, but it SUCKS in the winter and trying to get in and out of the ally where we live. Since our winters last about 6 months of the year I am thinking of something in the AWD or 4WD category. We are looking into a 2003 Yukon xl right now and it is turning my stomach. Praying lots about this one... it would be a big purchase.

I want to start my own business. I know what I want to do and I know how to do it. I guess this one all comes down to money and if I want to take yet another chance at something that could not be as profitable as I am thinking it would be. Yes, I have failed at a few other attempts and am really thinking this one through and not just jumping in blindly.

My dryer is broke. It will not even turn on any more and that leaves me to hanging my laundry outside. I live on the corner of two very busy streets and everyone that drives be can see where the line is, I guess I will have underwear and socks hanging every where in the house. This also limits the amount of laundry I can do. I only have 30 feet of line and well that holds maybe 2 loads if I hang it right. If it is windy and sunny it drys fast, but as of lately is has been cloudy and calm, not the best drying conditions. I would tell the landlord that his dryer is broke, but I risk having our rent raised and I do not want that. I could really use that emergency fund we have been trying to start, hehe.

It is finally getting nice outside and well I love to be outside when it is sunny and nice. I have lots of sewing projects though and I am having a tough time getting started on them. I guess I should say my time management is struggling. I have so much to get done and instead of just doing it I sit on the computer secretly hoping it will just sew itself.

Those are just a few of the things on my mind that need a place to go. Here is hoping to a sunny day so I can get lots of laundry done and we can play outside, maybe even at the park.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-27T08:12:00.003-05:00

Gabriel and Logan at 5.5 and 1 years.

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Spring Kids Pictures by the river and Kemp Bridge.

2009-05-26T09:20:00.013-05:00

Gabriel at 9.5 years old. He is a great helper and is playing baseball this summer. We start the second week in June.
Logan is 5 years old. He loves to play outside and he gets to play t-ball this summer. He also starts the second seek in June.
Hailey is 3 years old and loves to keep up with her brothers outside and try to hold her little sister.
Malia is 9 months old. She loves the grass and trying to eat it. She is getting so big. She is working on her 4th tooth, crawls, climbs and tries to stand by everything.

Fearless Friday- Glutten-Free Donut Muffins

2009-05-22T03:40:00.003-05:00

We resently found out my youngest daughter reacts to food with wheat and oats in them. She is still young enough to eat mostly baby food, but is starting to eat some of our food (I like to grind up food I make). She is also starting to eat finger food and breads. My attempt to make something I could eat with her I found a donut muffin recipe. The only thing I did differently is substituted the all-purpose flour for Glutten-free all-purpose baking flour.

After baking these muffins they turned out very light and airy, like the combination of a popover and muffin. The kids loved them and asked me to make more. The little one loved them too, but I think next time I will not put powder sugar on hers as they were quite messy.

Mallard in the Yard

2009-05-20T11:07:00.006-05:00

I was hanging diapers out on the line and I heard a "quack, quack, quack" looked on the other side of the line and here a Mallard had landed in the yard. He walked around a little and then laid down and watched me finish hanging the diapers. He even stayed long enough for me to go get my camera and phone and take some great pictures and tried to call my dad.

I think this one...

and this one lured him in.

Garden

2009-05-20T10:27:00.002-05:00

We planted our garden last night.
28 days= radishes
58 days= green beans
68 days= butternut squash
we also planted oats and sun flowers that Gabriel had gotten from school.

The only way we will get anything is if the rabbits don't eat it first. There is many of them around here.

Line Drying Laundry

2009-05-19T11:16:00.009-05:00

I love the look of diapers on the line. They just look so colorfull and cute. Even their shadow is cool looking.

Hailey is my little helper. She loves to hand the clothes pins to me and carry in the empty basket.

Malia- the video

2009-05-18T14:04:00.003-05:00

Do not mind the noise in the background. Yes, I confess I watch soaps, can you name the one in the background? Malia is crawling all over the place now and loves to follow her siblings all over the place, even into the bathroom. She will be nine months old on Friday.

Malia's New Talent

2009-05-15T09:44:00.005-05:00

Malia was practicing standing last night. She would get up on her hands and feet and then put her head between her legs, start laughing at herself and then try walking toward the car. Too bad only her hands would move. She is getting so big and adventurous. She is always on the move now and loves to chase after her big brothers and sister.

Fearless Friday- Meatloaf Addition

2009-05-15T08:18:00.004-05:00

Meatloaf, I always despised it as a kid. I there was just something about the look of it that made it unappealing to me. At some point I decided to try making it, let say about 5-6 years ago (yes that is the time I had to start cooking on my own). I first, second and well many attempts went terribly wrong. They did not have any flavor and well I found out you can not had cubed bread to replace bread crumbs. Also found out that you have to flavor that stuff or it is just ground meat, egg and cubed bread, YUK! Another one of my troubles was that I thought it needed to go into a loaf pan and well all that grease on top was just gross and often spilled over into the oven. Yeah, partly the cause of Oven Fire 2004.

A few years pasted with no meat loaf in sight and last year I decided to try my hand at it again. This time I started with this recipe and after making it exactly like that and it turning out fabulous I started to add other things. It is impossible for me follow recipes exactly, it is in my genes not to, watch my dad cook. We eat meatloaf often now and I have found that you can play with the flavor of it much like your can play with the flavor of hamburgers. Yes, I know they are practically the same, but I struggled with meatloaf, but could make amazing hamburgers, go figure.
My Meatloaf:
2 lbs ground beef
2 eggs
a shake or two of bread crumbs
about 2-4 T of steak/hamburger seasoning
few squirts of Ketchup and Mustard
cheese (I love cheese in everything and if I have it I will put it in there)
I mix everything but the cheese and split it in two. I take one half and put it on a cookie sheet (I think that is what it is called, the one with little sides) and shape it like a loaf with a little canal running down the middle. In the canal I put the cheese and cover with the second half, so you can not see any of the cheese. On top I put layer of mustard and a layer of Ketchup. Pop it in the oven for 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees and I get very tasty meatloaf. I know you looked at the recipe I started with and the one I just wrote down and they are nothing alike. I just needed and place to start and that was a great one and from there I made it my own.

Sorry there are no pictures, I mean really... meatloaf, not very photogenic.

Malia

2009-05-15T07:45:00.007-05:00

We tried a pony in Malia's hair. It was hard to put in, but made her look a lot less like her brother, Logan.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-13T07:17:00.002-05:00

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Randomness

2009-05-12T09:55:00.003-05:00

-I want to plant my garden... I get one this year and need to get it going. It will be little as the landlord has allowed a little part of the yard to be used. Just need to get it tilled so I can get planting.

-I have many sewing projects
*curtains for sister's basement
*blanket for Malia
*blanket for Grady
*quilt for Brendan (I need to find Yankie fabric that is cotton)
*baby wipes
*a t-shirt quilt for my brother

-We have one computer in the house. A few months ago that was fine. I had the computer during the day while Todd was at work and Gabriel was at school, but times have changed and Logan has started playing and summer is coming. I now have to sneak my way on the computer and hope nobody notices. I really need to start saving for another computer, like a laptop that I could take outside with me:)

-Malia in the last week has reached so many milestones. My baby is growing and it kind of makes me sad... no more little baby stage:(
*she crawls with speed
*she stands up to anything she can get her hands on
*she has three teeth (two on the bottom and one on top)
*she is eating baby food twice a day

-I started reading again. I am hoping Gabriel sees this and starts picking more books up himself. I think it would help more with his dad also read as he loves to do anything Todd is doing. I love to read and it drives me crazy that he is neither of them are more into it. I am reading books by Terry Pratchett right now. There are many books by this author, so I will probably be reading them at least through the summer.

The Schlemmer Grandchildren

2009-05-07T15:16:00.002-05:00

Last year at this time my parents had five grandchildren... in a year they doubled.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-06T06:25:00.003-05:00

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She Stands...

2009-05-05T06:53:00.004-05:00

She was suppose to be sitting by my bed while I folded laundry, this is how she ended up. She stood there for a while, then freaked when she wanted to get down and she could not figure out how.

She then again tried it on the couch. This was a little easier because it was a nice soft landing and she was very proud of herself. She was trying to look out the window with the other kids, she is almost there.

(She is wearing a supper cute Bum Genius 3.0 Fleece in Clementine)

Mitchell and Milly Quilts

2009-05-04T14:29:00.004-05:00

I finished the quilts in time to take them when I went to MN this weekend. I think they turned out great. I love how they are they same, but yet different enough to be able to tell the girl one from the boys. These were both crib size quilts, made with 5 inch squares all of flannel.

I am now starting to work on a full size quilt for my nephew (Brendan). He is in to baseball and we are in search of Yankie fabric, might have to find some pants or t-shirts and cut those up. I am finding nothing but fleece right now that has NY on it. I also have a set of curtains and two other quick sew blankets to do. After that I have a t-shirt quilt that I need to start working on. I just need my brother to find me some t-shirts. He is going off to college this year and a t-shirt quilt would look really cool.

Well that is about it here. Lots of projects and not ehough time:)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-29T00:30:00.003-05:00

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Cleaning

2009-04-28T16:37:00.002-05:00

We were cleaning the kid's room today, here is a conversation between my 5 yo and me.

Me: Please come here and help me clean up.
Logan: Me don't like cleaning.
Me: Do you think I like cleaning?
Logan: yes
Me: What?
Logan: Well you do it all the time.

If only he knew, if only he knew...

Milly and Mitchell

2009-04-25T12:39:00.002-05:00

My new niece and nephew were born on Thursday, April 23. They were born by c-section to my sister Christina. Milly Stephanie was born at 12:49, 4lbs 15oz and 18 1/2in and Mitchell Alan was born at 12:50p, 5lbs 9oz and 20 1/2 in. Congrats, Christina and Nick!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-22T07:00:00.004-05:00

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Random

2009-04-21T14:10:00.003-05:00

I have figured out I need to loos 45 lbs by the end of summer. To me that is July 31, 2009. I have started running every other day and trying to walk on the off day. I also need to start eating less. I love carbs and could snack on them all day long... time to stop! I have all this great cloth that I can not wear and would love to wear again. I am done having children and it is time to get back to a size I can feel comfortable about.

When I am done BFing and the size I want to be, I will be making this dress for myself. Now I will be finding fabric and what not for it... I think it might be my simple black dress?

My sister went in the hospital today. She is 35.5 weeks along with her twins. Her BP keeps creeping up so they want to keep an eye on things. I just pray they are safe and baby Mitch flips back around and is ready to come out. She wants to try to avoid a c-section and I pray she can do that. EEK! I am so excited for her.

Yup, that is about all that has been on my mind today.

Guest Post

2009-04-18T09:45:00.002-05:00

I got to guest post over at Clothdiaper Whisperer. I wrote about the Moby type wrap that I made. I will explain how I made it here. The material I used was a jersey cotton. It came 60" width which I cut in half to make two 30" X 5 yard strips. I then used my stretch stitch and sewed all around the edges on all four sides. Sewing the edges is not necessary because it will not fray, but for me I need to finish it off. You can head over to Here and Here to see the different ways of wearing the wrap and some of the pros and cons of it.

While you are over here, sign up for her weekly giveaways... she always has wonderful prizes.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-15T06:56:00.003-05:00

(she was mas she could not be in the tree)

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Easter Sunday

2009-04-13T09:01:00.009-05:00

Gabriel (9.5 years old)

Logan (5 years old)

Hailey (3 years old)

Malia (7.5 months old)

Syhre kids Sunday morning before church. We went to church and then to Todd's Grandparents for dinner and a Easter egg hunt. We also celebrated Logan and Hailey's Birthdays with them.

Gabriel wanted to take a picture, so her is the three younger kids with me. He even got us all lokoking at him, what a great job he did.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-08T03:21:00.002-05:00

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Logan is 5!

2009-04-07T14:44:00.008-05:00

My second born is 5 today. I do not have a newborn picture of him because I did not have a digital camera yet and they are all on film.

One year with Aunt Stacy at Rainforest Cafe. Aunt Stacy's Birthday is tomorrow.

Logan at 2 years. That year we moved to South Dakota, he got his first set of stitches and a new baby sister.

Three years!

Four years... yeah this is not in April like the rest of them, but I do not have those pictures on this computer and we are really hoping for warm weather.

This is in South Carolina this past March... he is showing off a shell he found while crabbing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!!

Hailey is Three!

2009-04-05T17:05:00.006-05:00

One Week

One Year

Two Years

My third born is three today... she was born on 4/5/06 at 7:08pm.

Vacation Pictures

2009-04-03T05:42:00.016-05:00

I figure since my album is done and being sent to me this very minute... OK it wont be here till next week, but I thought I would share some of my pictures. I made my album using Blurb, I won a free book from them through MomAdvice. I had so much fun creating it and plan on making more. Anyway, My husband and I took our family to South Carolina for a week. We had a blast and getting back home and trying to get back in the swing of things has been its only down side, I think the blizzard the beginning of the week and the snow that is coming this weekend just is not helping.

Malia-7months

Looking out from the look out tower

At the SC Aquarium. Logan was having fun with this penguin, every time he put his hand up to the glass the penguin would dive down and touch it through the glass.

This would be grass sliding/surfing at Wannamaker Park, we loved all the county parks around Charleston.

Gabriel with the lion in the back round. This was at Riverbanks Zoo.

The Boys (Mark, Aidan, Gabriel and Logan).

Gabriel, Hailey and Logan

Hailey walking down the beach, she could have stayed there all day.

Gabriel, Logan and Todd looking for shells, they found quite a few.

Ms. Malia just loved the sand. She would dig her little feet down into the sand and then wiggle her toes together. She also loved trying to eat the sand and we had evidence of that for a few days after.

These are just a few pictures, there was many many more.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-01T09:10:00.002-05:00

For more WW go here

Panel Skirt

2009-03-30T14:19:00.005-05:00

I made the skirt yesterday, it was so easy and turned out so cute. Now the weather needs to get nice so my daughter can wear it. I got the pattern for this skirt off of Grace Violet and tried my hand at it. For my skirt I used and old pair of riped up jeans, bias tape for the hem and quilt binding for the waist. It turned out so cute and I am making more, one for my other daughter and my niece. Here is the pattern and directions, it is really easy and turns out so cute!

First Airplane Ride

2009-03-17T20:23:00.000-05:00

My kids had their first airplane ride today. They loved it. The first part of the trip Gabriel slept the whole time and Logan and Hailey stayed awake and good. Malia slept the first of both trips. The second part of the trip Gabriel was awake the whole trip and he got a row to himself and Logan and Hailey slept the whole time. There was a lot of terbulance the second part and the two slept right on through it. Once we got to Myrtle Beach we had a little miscommunication with how was supposed to pick us up, so we ended up spending 3.5 hours in the airport waiting. We made it though and so far the kids are loving it. I hope our trip home is as good.

Malia

2009-03-14T16:51:00.003-05:00

Here is a post I wrote about what I won from The ClothDiaper Whisperer. How Cute does Malia look in her winnings?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-11T14:49:00.002-05:00

Best Friends

My Phone

2009-03-08T12:50:00.002-05:00

My phone is dead... I have had it three weeks and it up and died on me. I am very sad:( I have had a cell phone for a while, I get used to them. Well three weeks ago I upgraded to a Blackberry Curve, I fell in love with it. I could be connected while my husband used the computer. I went to get my pictures off of it yesterday and put the battery back in a got a nasty error message. JVM error 102 is not good and after spending 4 hours on the phone with tech support they are sending me a new phone, but I do not get it till Tuesday. That is a long time to wait when you are used to having a phone. Right now I just have a phone that won't turn off and says, JVM error 102 reset... urgh...technology!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-04T07:13:00.003-06:00

For more WW go here, here, and here.

Quilty Weekend

2009-03-02T12:13:00.002-06:00

On Thursday and Friday I finished Malia's quilt, on Saturday and Sunday I cut out squares for two baby quilts and made the top for one of them. Today I finished my big quilt... it is kind of a full/queen size. Here is the picture of it...

It is made out of left overs of PJ pants I had made for Christmas a few years back.

Malia's Quilt

2009-02-27T20:28:00.004-06:00

Last night I finished her quilt... I started it last spring when I did not know what I was having and had just the binding to finish. I had done the binding once and it looked horrible, so I ripped it and and this week I got the courage to try it again... six months after my daughter was born. It looks great, yes I could pick out its mistakes and there are many, but that is what makes it unique.