Monday, October 24, 2011

TOOTHLESS!

All I have to say is....I'm SO GLAD we got family portraits done when we did.  One of my children's smile looks DRASTICALLY different! 

TODAY

3 WEEKS AGO!
For the record, the "toothless count" in our house is:

Drew = 4
Bryce = 0


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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

My Little Monkeys!


Thank you God for 2 healthy, sweet, kind-hearted, thoughtful boys.  I am so blessed to be their Mommy.

I just love my little monkeys!!!


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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Yummy Pretzel Treats

My little chefs LOVE to help me make these.  No measuring necessary.  Just 3 easy steps!  And 3 yummy variations!




Courtesy: Family Fun


Courtesy: Steamy Kitchen

Ingredients:

Pretzels
Rolos (unwrapped)
M & M's (plain, pretzel, peanut...whatever floats your boat!)

OR

Pretzels
Hershey Kisses or Hugs (unwrapped)
M & M's

OR

Pretzels
Rolos
Pecans (or almonds, walnuts, etc)

Preheat oven to 350
Lay pretzels out on baking sheet.  Place chocolate on top.  Bake 3-4 min just until the chocolate begins to soften.  DON'T let it melt completely.  Take out of oven and top with M & M.  Eat warm or place in fridge to set up.

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Monday, October 10, 2011

Pasta Fagioli

This is a hearty Italian soup, healthy and high in fiber.  My boys LOVED it!  Will definitely make this again.

Pasta Fagioli (Pasta and Beans)
Source: Skinny Taste.com

• 1 tbs olive oil

• 1/2 onion
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 15 oz can cannellini beans
• 15 oz can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1 tbsp basil
• 1 tbsp parsley
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 (14 oz each) cans fat free chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarians)
• 2 cups water
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1-1/2 cups (6 oz) dry Ditalini pasta or other small pasta
• Grated Parmigiano or Romano (optional)


In a deep pot, saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat.
Add the can of tomato sauce, celery, carrots, chicken broth, basil, bay leaf, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Add 1 cup water and bring to slow boil. Let simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Add pasta and cook uncovered until pasta is al dente, according to package. Top with cheese.



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Sunday, October 9, 2011

Family Portraits

Here's a few of our favorite shots from our family portrait session this weekend.  Jae, with JaeBelle Photography is AWESOME!  She is so great to work with.  Very fun & silly with the kids.  She kept Bryce & Drew smiling, laughing and happy for almost 3 hours!  That's AMAZING!!!







Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Everything Bran Muffins

We are loving these new healthy, bran muffins.  The boys gobble them up and don't even stop to ask what the orange things are (shredded carrots!)  Works for me!

Everything Bran Muffins

Makes 15-18 muffins
Source:  Savory Sweet Life
Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup ground flax seed
3/4 cup oat bran
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup skim milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup applesauce
2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds
*optional – substitute 1 cup of shredded carrots for shredded zucchini

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees. In a medium-large mixing bowl combine flours, oat bran, ground flax seed, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Add eggs, milk, vanilla, and apple sauce to the flour mixture stirring until well combined. Stir in shredded carrots/zucchini, raisins, and chopped walnuts. Scoop batter into prepared (sprayed with non-stick spray) muffin tins until 3/4 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. Allow to cool for 10 min. inside tin before removing. ENJOY!

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