Price is Right

This past weekend was my wonderful Dad's 60th birthday. Turning 60 is a really big deal, so we wanted to do something really fun, and special. So back in December my sister Emily went online and got tickets for Price is Right. We told everyone in our family to get the day of if they could, so they could come. We planned ahead, and got babysitters for the kids. We read up on everything to learn on how we could get on the show. We made t-shirts for everyone coming. (You have to make t-shirts!) Instructions below.

 1st thing is go to Joannas with Coupons and buy T-Shirt Transfers. We decided to get Black shirts so I got the Dark T-Shirt Transfers.

Then just go on your Computer and print off whatever you want on your shirts. We did two sides to our shirts. The front we did a price is right logo. The back we had it was my Dad's birthday!

Once you cut around the words, you peel of the back of the transfer paper, and then place it on your shirt. There is a clear paper provided that you put on top of your word. Then you iron away! It is good to iron on top of a cutting board with a pillow case on it. That will make sure nothing wrinkles up.

 Here is the top mid process.

We were asked to be in Hollywood by 12pm to get on the show. There was a change of events when we got there. Never before had this happened, but they overbooked the tickets. They were sending away people. There are only 300 seats in the studio. They told us that we could come back another day. Well this was not going to happen. We couldn't come back another day. We took off work, and got babysitters. We waited till everyone around us left (they gave them tickets for a different day). Then we talked to the guy helping everyone. We basically would not take no for an answer! Finally he came back and said we could go in, but we wouldn't be able to sit by each other! We were fine with that! We still had such a fun time. We were the last people to get interviewed and we knew we would not get on the show, just because they had clearly already picked who was going to go up. But we were able to get some great ideas for next time we go. It was a lot of fun, and I recommend everyone going! Here is the link to get the tickets.

Here we are before we went to the show! the shirts turned out great!

                                          

Go get your tickets for the Price is Right!

Love is in the Air

Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I can’t help but think about the topic of love. Here are some fun questions to throw around with your special someone. I am going to answer them too!

How did you know you were in love with your special someone?

Even though I knew for a while that I was in love with Grant, it wasn't until we got back from a weekend trip to visit my sister that it hit me. I remember he dropped me back home to my apartment and I suddenly got this overwhelming feeling of the love I had for him. It was a feeling that I could not live without him and that I wanted to be with him forever. I never had that with anyone else I ever dated.

What is your favorite thing your special someone does for you?

My favorite thing is when we are watching a movie or one of our favorite shows together that he will grab my feet and massage them. I especially love this when I am pregnant!

What is your favorite date you ever had together?

My favorite date is honestly our very first date we had together. It was a simple date which entailed a summer night in the park eating snow cones, but yet seemed so magical. We talked endlessly and got to know each other well. It was the first time I felt 100% comfortable with a guy and could be myself. I just knew he was pretty special.

When did that special someone first spark your interest?

It was when I met him in Juneau, Alaska of the summer of 2007. I came home from that trip definitely interested in getting to know him more.

What was the first thing that attracted you to your special someone?

Well honestly I was first attracted to him physically, but after getting to know him more I was very attracted to his ambition in life. He had lots of goals set and I can't resist a smart, ambitious, genuine, handsome guy!

My special someone, Grant. Married April 12, 2008

Whole Wheat Bread

There is nothing better than homemade bread. I say this all the time because I do not know anyone that would disagree with me. So a way that I try to eat healthy is by making my own whole wheat bread. This recipe is from my mother in law and I love it. It is so fast and easy to make. 

Whole Wheat Bread: makes two loaves

1 Tbl- dry yeast 

1/4 C- warm water

2 1/2 C- hot tap water

1 Tbl- salt

1/3 C- oil

1/3 C- honey 

6  C- Whole Wheat Flour 

First start with adding yeast into your warm water mix together and wait about 10-15mins until it rises

While your yeast is rising, add the hot tap water and 3 cups of whole wheat flour into your kitchen aid ( or Bosch). Mix until blended on low speed so you do not have flour flying everywhere. 

Add salt, oil, and honey and mix until blended. Add 1 cup of whole wheat flour to mixture and blend. 

The add your yeast mixture to the flour and blend on low speed. 

Add about 2-3 cups of whole wheat flour. You will know when to stop adding flour once the dough stops sticking to the side of the bowl. 

Knead for 10 minutes 

Take dough out and put on an oiled counter and split dough into two sections for two loaves of bread. 

Form into bread loaves and lay them into bread pans. 

Cover with a damp towel until they rise. About 30-35 minutes. 

Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Take out of bread pans and rub butter on top for a softer crust and then let it cool. 

Valentines Craft Day Party

With Valentines Day coming near, I felt the need to make something for my house. So I got in touch with some of my super crafty friends, and invited myself over for a craft day! We decided to make an inspired Pinterest craft. Everyone brought over their paint, and brushes. My friend Megan bought the wood, and cut it down into four pieces, which made it super cheap. Then we just started sanding, and painting. It was really fun! 

So get your friends together and have a fun crafting party. Here is what you need to do:

1) Invite people

2) Figure out all the materials you need and divide it out.

3) Set a time, and a date.

4) Make some yummy treats, or a simple craft for the kids to do while you craft.

5) Do it! You won't be sorry, and then you will have lots of fun things for your house DIY.

Here is how we did our craft!

 Start by sanding down your wood.

Here is Megan and I sanding. (and I came straight from the gym fyi)

Pick your color to paint the wood.

Red is going to be the color of the word. Color preference is up to you! 

Start painting. You can see the kids in the background snacking.

Here are the different colors we chose. 

Now let the paint dry.

 While the paint was drying we had the kids make some yummy sugar cookies!

 Make some plain sugar cookies the night before, and just buy some frosting and sprinkles.

This will keep the kids busy for like.. 5 minutes! lol

 After it is dry, then transfer the word onto the wood.

 Don't worry about the color, because you take it off after you paint over it.

Now you paint the wood again. I chose white paint.

Once the paint is a little dry you peel off the letters.

Here is how our boards turned out!

Bethany did her word at the bottom, which turned out really cute too!

Once it dries, you sand it again, to give it a distressed look.

Here is Bethany's cute sign!

Here is Megan's cute sign!

Here is how mine turned out!!

I am not much of a crafter, but it is so much fun to do a craft with friends. We are already planning our next craft date!

Fun Activities with the Little Ones: Part I

Out and About

- The Library: Libraries are awesome for children! They usually have a story time, which at our library includes a story, music, and a craft. We usually meet up with our friends there too which always makes it more fun!

-Home Depot: Check out your local Home Depot because often they offer a workshop one Saturday a month sometime in the mornings. The workshop consists of a project for your child to build. I have not hit this one up, but I hear it is a lot of fun.

- The Zoo: My son LOVES the zoo and petting zoos. We traveled a lot this summer for my husband’s job and every city we visited, we always went to the zoo. In fact, we were in Arkansas for only a month and bought a family year round pass to their zoo just so I had something to do with my son. We went at least twice a week! I think my son knows the name to every animal possible now and the sound they make!

-Grocery Store: My local grocery store offers mommy and me cooking classes. This is another one I have not tried yet, but I definitely plan on it. It’s worth it to call up your local grocer and find out if they offer something like this.

-Children Museums: No matter where we live, I am always on the lookout for children museums or indoor playgrounds, perfect for days with bad weather. I will usually go and check it out first and see if it is worth it to buy a family pass for the year. These are great places to have admission to when you just want to get out of the house.

-The Mall: Most malls have a children play area. It’s another great place to meet up with some other mommy friends and let the children play. It doesn't hurt either that there is shopping there too!

It’s good to get your child trying something new every once in a while. I like to get my children out of their comfort zone. It is good for their growth and I believe it is essential for making well rounded kids. Next week I will explore fun activities that you can do at home!

My Healthy Eating Plan

I personally do not believe in any diet plans out there and have never felt that they have worked for me. So I want to explain what I have been doing to lose my baby weight... and it has not been easiest thing either. 

The way I look at it, is that it is not a diet that I am on but instead it is eating healthy which has to be a lifestyle. I have found what works for me and figured out what I can't eat a lot of to be able to maintain the right weight for me. 

My healthy eating plan: ( I also eat a meal/snack about every three hours) 

*Morning- steel cut oats with a piece of whole wheat toast

*Morning snack- one of my ten easy snacks 

*Lunch- turkey sandwich, orange, and a cheese stick

*Afternoon snack- one if my ten easy snacks 

*Dinner- chicken, vegetables, side salad

Find what works for you and what healthy foods you like and get creative because it can make it more fun eating different food then just eating the same old boring thing every day. 

Also during the day, I try my very best to drink a gallon of water. Some days I do better at it than other days but all I ever drink is water. 

Most days I can stick to this plan but sometimes I am craving a sweet tooth which I let myself have but in moderation and not every day.. Well I try to not to eat it everyday but you got to live a little! 

Sunday Funday

In my house Sunday is a very important day. We go to church services and honor God, and we watch football. My family has always been big 49er football fans, and my husband is also a HUGE 49er fan. Sadly, as you know they didn't make it to the Super Bowl.  Even so, we still watched the Superbowl. Here are some fun things to make your Sunday's extra yummy and fun. It doesn't even have to be for the Super Bowl, it can be for any football or sporting event. It is a great way to make friends. The boys always end up watching the game, and bonding, while the women end up girl chatting in the kitchen! I like to be by the food, I will admit! We usually end up having a Super Bowl Party every year.

Here are some great tips:

Invite a lot of people, because only about half will come (lots of people have things with their families).

Make tons of food! (start cooking!)

Make Game predictions. ( make sure they write it down at the beginning, so they don't change it!)

Have everyone bring one treat appetizer to share. (less stress for you, and you get to try new things!)

Here are a few pictures from past Super Bowl Parties!

 P.S I would never make Packer's cookies, my husband would kill me! Our good friends are die hard Packer friends!

 Get fun drinks, and put shaved ice over them! We like Old Fashioned Soda drinks!

Now looking at these pictures we all look like babies here!!

This year just moving into our new house we decided to invite a few people over for a Super Bowl party. Everyone knows the best thing about a Super Bowl Party is the FOOD! So, since we were hosting, I always like to make a lot of food!  My number one goal is not to kill myself. I think that is important for everyone to know. It is fun to make lots of food, but you are taking a lot of time away from your family. So, I make a few really yummy things and then I usually buy a few yummy things too.  I made BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Pizza, Peanut Butter Balls, and cookies. Then I bought Trader Joe's Spinach dip, (which is amazing) Red Vines, the Hawaiian rolls (sometimes I make rolls, but this year I bought them), and sweet potato fries. Everyone that came to the party also brought things! We had every thing from wings, crab cakes, fruit, muddy buddies, and tons of drinks! The party was a lot of fun, even though the game wasn't a very good game, or much of a game at all!

The night before I start the pork. I buy the biggest Pork Butt Roast I can, and put it in the crock pot.

Then I pour root beer until it is completely covered.

Put it on low.

I also do the peanut butter balls the night before. They are really easy and delicious!

Melt the chocolate with some Coconut Oil in the Microwave.

Get ready to dip, dip, dip.

I put them on a cookie sheet.

Then I drizzle white chocolate all over the top, to make it look fancy! Then put it in the fridge over night.

In the morning get up and pour the root beer and pork out.

I put the roast on a cutting tray and take off all the fat.

Shred it up in the crock pot that has been cle!

I add some purple onion, and lots of BBQ Sauce.

Here is the Spinach Dip.

Here is the BBQ Pork Sandwich mixture.  It is so delicious!

Here are the Peanut Butter Balls!

Here is the pizza I made!

We had a nice spread going on, and there was not much left!

Everyone enjoying the game!

                           

My little daughter decided to watch Little Mermaid on her mini DVD player.

Here I am with some of the girls!