DOUBLY BLESSED

Pajama Day

2012-01-27T13:45:00.002-06:00

Pajama day + stuffed animal + silly hat + Mommy visit for lunch = 2 very happy boys! Lots of hugs + kisses + smiles + "you're the best!" = 1 very happy Mommy!

Writing sentences

2012-01-25T12:55:00.002-06:00

The boys have been learning to write sentences in Kindergarten. This is what came home in Drew's backpack yesterday.

If you're having a hard time reading it, it says:

My Dad is fun to play with.

We like to play gun fittes.

We like to play sord fitts.

Pretty sweet, even though he spelled a few words wrong!

Crispy Kale Chips

2012-01-23T13:54:00.000-06:00

This is our new favorite, healthy snack. I know it sounds crazy, but kale chips are delicious! So inexpensive (about $1 a bunch) and so nutrient-dense. C'mon....give it a try. Here's to your health!!!

Baked Crispy Kale
Source: Steamy Kitchen
Ingredients:
4 giant handfuls of kale, torn into bite-sized pieces and tough stems removed (about 1/3 pound)
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
sea salt or kosher salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the kale leaves into a salad spinner and spin all of the water out of the kale. Dump the water and repeat one or two times more just to make sure that the kale is extra dizzy and dry. Use a towel to blot any extra water on the leaves. Place the kale on the baking sheet.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the kale leaves and use your hands to toss and coat the leaves. Bake in the oven for 12-20 minutes until leaves are crisp. Take a peek at the 12 minute mark - the timing all depends on how much olive oil you use. Just use a spatula or tongs to touch the leaves, if they are paper-thin crackly, the kale is done. If the leaves are still a bit soft, leave them in for another 2 minutes. Do not let the leaves turn brown (they'll be burnt and bitter) Remove from oven, sprinkle with salt and serve.

Neighborhood Nativity

2011-12-24T06:17:00.003-06:00

For the past several years, our neighborhoood has put on a live nativity performance. The mom's serve Christmas cookies, hot cocoa and then everyone goes caroling around the neigbhorhood...kids are towed in a trailer behind a golf cart, of course! This is our 1st Christmas here, so it was all new to us. Miss Paula asked if my boys wanted to be the Shepherd and a sheep, and much to my surprise (Bryce does NOT like to dress in costume!) they said yes!

The Wisemen

Joseph and Mary

The girls choir

The Angel, Shepherd & sheep!

They did a beautiful job telling the story of Jesus' birth. They sang a few songs and then at the end, the whole crowd sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. It was so sweet and very touching to see everyone involved. I'm very proud of our little children and our neigbhorhood for making this a tradition! Bryce & Drew are already talking about next year!

Spreading Christmas Joy

2011-12-20T11:53:00.001-06:00

The boys and I get 18 days off for our Christmas break. We are SO excited to spend time together without the rush of school, homework, jobs, etc!

One day this week we baked a bunch of different Christmas goodies.

And delivered them to our neighbors on the golf cart.

The boys loved running up to each house, ringing the bell and saying, "Merry Christmas...we're glad you're our neighbors!" They thought it was much more fun than trick-or-treating!!! I think we'll make this an annual tradition.

Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

Operation Christmas Child

2011-11-26T13:01:00.001-06:00

Bryce & Drew were SO excited to participate in Operation Christmas Child this year. They each chose to shop for boys in the age 5-7 category and both made very thoughtful and selective choices to fill up their shoeboxes. They commented that "This was one of their best days ever!"
Bryce & Drew helped to load up the 157 shoeboxes that our church had collected. Their smiles and enthusiasm were priceless!

My children have such a wonderful life - they are blessed with the love of so many and have so many nice things. It makes me very proud to see their desire to serve and help those that don't have as much! I'm thankful they understand what CHRISTmas is all about!

TOOTHLESS!

2011-10-24T08:48:00.000-05:00

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

My Little Monkeys!

2011-10-19T15:05:00.000-05:00

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!!!

Yummy Pretzel Treats

2011-10-13T14:49:00.002-05:00

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

Courtesy: Two Peas and Their Pod

Courtesy: Family Fun

Courtesy: Steamy Kitchen

Ingredients:

Pretzels

Rolos (unwrapped)

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

Pretzels

Hershey Kisses or Hugs (unwrapped)

M & M's

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.

Pasta Fagioli

2011-10-10T19:08:00.001-05:00

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.

Family Portraits

2011-10-09T13:40:00.001-05:00

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!!!

Everything Bran Muffins

2011-10-05T07:00:00.002-05:00

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!

OUR 1ST WIN!!!

2011-09-25T14:01:00.001-05:00

Until yesterday, our baseball team had gone 0-4. We've lost 2 players, had our best player out for awhile and lost our head coach. The majority of our team (including Bryce & Drew) has never even played baseball or t-ball before. Thankfully, Fall baseball is less competitive and more instructional...a good time for our boys and 1 girl to learn the basics of baseball & good sportsmanship! We may not be the best, but we have a lot of fun and lots of team spirit!

However, I don't know anyone that doesn't LOVE TO WIN!

This week, Jimmy took over as The Manager, we got our best player back, and we gained a "pool player"...Bryce & Drew's best buddy, Cole!

AND...WE HAD OUR 1ST WIN!!! SCORE = 13 - 6!

Bryce has really been struggling hitting the ball. The whole "hand/eye" coordination thing is hard for him. Last week, he finally started hitting, but he got thrown out at first base each time. THIS WEEK, he hit AND got on base...this smile says it all!

Bryce on base!

Drew likes baseball a lot more than Bryce and has been playing consistently well.

Brothers in the outfield!

Our team was SO EXCITED! They were jumping and screaming. Coach Jimmy was SO PROUD. Lots of Mom's were crying because EVERY player had a great game and improved greatly this week.

GO REDS!!!So glad Grandma & Papa Mike were here to see this game!

Little League

2011-09-25T13:20:00.003-05:00

Bryce & Drew started their first season of baseball about 5 weeks ago. They are on "The Reds" and Jimmy is able to be one of their coaches! Drew likes baseball but unfortunately, Bryce isn't so crazy about it!

At least they look cute in their uniforms!

Jimmy has always dreamed of coaching his children....he's having a blast!

(Jimmy pitching to Bryce)

(Jimmy pitching to Drew)

(Drew catching!)

First Day Of Kindergarten

2011-08-13T19:58:00.000-05:00

Our day went perfectly. Bryce & Drew woke before their alarms excited about their big day. They ate a good breakfast, we snapped a few pictures and then hopped on the golf cart for our 6 minute drive to school.

Jimmy made sure to get this day off!

One of the golf cart parking lots at school..such a funny sight!

The 3 Kindergarten classes met in the cafeteria, with each individual class and teachers at their own table. 18 kiddos with all their gear - backpacks, lunch boxes and nap mats and their parents! Once everyone was accounted for, they lined up in a single-file line and headed down the long hall to their classrooms. The boys said with big smiles on their faces...."Bye Mom & Dad. We love you!" No tears. No anxiety. No fits.

They are SO READY FOR THIS!

Unlike the scene 34 years ago when Jimmy and I cried and clung to our parents...HATING the idea of being stripped away from the comforts of our Moms & home!!

I am so thankful that our boys are confident, outgoing and very adaptable. I've often wondered if those are truly innate personality traits, or if it's becuase of the "twin relationship?" Regardless...as a parent, it is such a blessing!

And, I'm so thankful Mrs. Dunham and Mrs. Clarke are so sweet and will do such a good job caring for our precious boys 6.5 hours a day!

Off to Kindergarten!

2011-08-08T05:17:00.001-05:00

Today begins an exciting new chapter in the Richardson house. Bryce & Drew are starting Kindgergarten!!! Thankfully, both boys are excited and eager to start.

We got to "meet the teachers" the other night and tour the school. Mrs. Dunham and Mrs. Clarke are very nice.  The boys are also thrilled that their buddy, Cole, will be in their class.

Bryce & Drew are more than ready for Kindgergarten. They have been doing really well with reading and math for quite awhile. They love to learn. They are very social. And, they love structure & routine.

For months, I have been hearing other Mom's say, "I can't believe my baby is going to start Kindergarten." Or, "I'm so sad! What am I going to do all day?" Or, "It seems like just yesterday that I brought my baby home from the hospital.  How is this possible?" Hmmmm...I can't say I share those same sentiments! There is no sadness here!

I ADORE my boys. I think they are AMAZING children. They are so SWEET, FUNNY, SMART and an absolute JOY to be around. I CHERISH them and I'm so BLESSED to be their Mom. BUT...
This Mommy is excited for a little break!

One of the challenges I have as a Stay at home Mom is trying to balance everything I need to do at home while engaging and spending quality time with Bryce & Drew. Trying to get it all done is simply impossible. There is just not enough time in the day for laundry, cleaning house, cooking, meal planning, shopping, pool maintenance, appointments, errands, etc all while taking care of the boys - playing with them, doing learning time with them, speech therapy with Drew, play dates, swimming, sports, doctor appts, etc.   It is a really hard balance and something often "gives." SO, with 6.5 hours of Kindgergarten, vs. 2.5 hours of PreK, I think I will actually be a better Mom. I can better manage my day and get all of my "To Do's" checked off my list while they're at school. Then, when I pick them up at 2:30, I can simply focus on spending time with them.  With the hot Georgia weather, we will still be able to swim for at least 2 more months. Bryce & Drew will also be starting Baseball and AWANA at church. Our days will be full!

Of course, I plan to be very involved in their class and school, volunteering as much as possible. I want to see what they're learning. I want to see them interacting with others. I want to hear their conversations with friends and teachers.

With the hours left over, I am looking forward to quality time for ME and for JIMMY. I'm excited to get into a regular workout schedule at the gym. I'm looking forward to getting involved at church and starting a Bible study.  Also, looking forward to spending time building relationships with new friends.

When Jimmy is home, we are looking forward to spending quality time together. Coffee in the morning with uninterrupted conversation!  Going to the gym together. Kayaking Lk. Peachtree. Going on daytime dates! And getting home improvement projects done together.

My dear friend, Christy(also a Mom of twins) told me soon after my boys were born to "Embrace and enjoy each phase of life with your boys. Don't be sad to start a new one."

I am not sad. I embrace this new phase of our lives. It will be a positive experience!
Praying today for my little boys...that they will feel safe, secure and happy in this new place! Also praying for their teachers....for extra energy, endurance and blessings as they guide and teach 18 little 5 year olds!

Chicken Tetrazzini

2011-08-05T10:35:00.002-05:00

A yummy pasta loaded up with shredded zucchini & carrots. Drew said, "This is my favorite pasta you make Mom. I even want it for breakfast!"
Chicken Tetrazzini
Source: The Happy Housewife

1 box noodles ( I use Barilla Plus Thin Spaghetti - about 3/4 box)
2 cooked and chopped chicken breasts
½ cup shredded zucchini (I double up)
½ cup shredded carrots
½ cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 can cream of chicken soup
½ cup sour cream
½ cup milk or heavy cream
½ cup parm cheese
salt and pepper to taste

While the noodles are boiling, melt butter on a low heat in a frying pan. Add garlic, onion, zucchini and carrots. Saute for about 3 minutes. Add soup, sour cream, milk, cheese and chicken. Stir over low heat, until noodles are done boiling. Drain noodles and add to the mixture. Toss well and serve immediately.

EVEN STEVEN!

2011-07-28T20:45:00.005-05:00

At birth...
Baby A (Bryce) weighed 6# 11oz.
Baby B (Drew) weighed 7# 2oz.
Throughout infancy and young toddler-age Bryce weighed the most. However, Drew passed him in height and weight a few years ago and has worn a size bigger in clothing and shoes ever since. About a year ago, it became a huge topic of conversation and a source of competition...as is everything with twins! Of course, both boys want to be "the biggest twin!" Drew loves to point out that he weighs the most...Rubbing it in so frequently that Bryce would get really upset and even cry! When Drew topped the scale at 3# heavier about a month ago, I asked them to stop weighing!

This has prompted many conversations. "You are 2 completely different children - just born on the same day. God made you exactly how he wanted you to be. And, we do not judge someone on their size, looks, etc....."

SO...today when they pulled out my scale, you can imagine how thrilled Bryce was to see this number!

BRYCE

DREW

THEY WEIGH EXACTLY THE SAME. What a happy day for my Bryce!

MY "Brown Thumb" is turning Green!

2011-07-18T06:33:00.001-05:00

I have always LOVED the idea of having a garden, but HATED the idea of gardening!

There is nothing "green" about my thumb. I kill all things living...plants, that is. Even the little plants Bryce & Drew gave me for Mother's Day....dead!

Until now...

Dad and Shari planted me a small garden back in May. Several tomato, bell pepper and blueberry plants. ALL I HAD TO DO IS WATER AND WEED.

And much to my surprise....it's working!

I am so proud of my little crop and definitely motivated to learn more about gardening. Lesson learned...even brown thumbs can turn green!

SPRING VISITS

2011-07-17T13:08:00.000-05:00

Nana & Papa Richardson flew to Georgia to help us move from our rental house into our new house. Unfortunately, we had some delays so they graciously helped us work around the house. Cleaning. Working. Cleaning and more working! Not many pictures taken during that time! :(

We got to spend more time with the Richardsons later in May. Unfortunately, it was for Jimmy's "Grandpa Frank's" funeral. We were really glad we got to be there for Denise and her family. It also gave us a rare opporunity to have the whole family together.

We just love Stacie, Jeff's girlfriend. She makes a wonderful addition to our family!

The Richardson BOYS...

Later in May, Dad and Shari drove to see us and timed it just right to be our "first house guests" in our new home!

The boys got lots of attention and play time with Papa Rick & Gammie while we were still unpacking and getting settled in.

Jimmy and I are very blessed with 3 sets of loving parents and grandparents for our boys!

A New Chapter

2011-07-17T11:56:00.002-05:00

Sharing a room is all Bryce & Drew have ever known...

This is how it all started...

When they were born, they shared a "twin crib" in the hospital for 4 days.

When they came home from the hospital, they shared one crib

but we had to split them up after a few days. SOMEHOW, my little 7 pound Drew was able to "scooch" himself over to Bryce. He would be practically on top of him or covering his face. I had no idea 39 week old babies could move like that! Now I know why. Drew LOVES his brother and LOVES to be close to him. I guess after 38 weeks of sharing a womb, that's all you know!
After squeezing 3 1/2 years out of their cribs, we finally said goodbye to them and gave Bryce & Drew our queen size bed. I think Drew was thrilled to be able to sleep right next to his brother, again!

Soon it became clear that Bryce was needing his own space. Drew was always encroaching upon his space.. holding his hand, kissing him, wrapping his arm around him, hogging the bed, etc. And for a boy that is VERY SERIOUS about his sleep (like me!)...it's not fun! So, when we finally got moved into our new home, we decided it was time to split them into their own rooms. BRYCE WAS THRILLED. DREW WAS DEVASTATED!
Drew LOVES his stuffed animals so to help him get excited about his new bedroom, we told him he could sleep with 10 babies every night! THANK GOODNESS THAT WORKED!

Drew kept the queen size bed and Bryce got a whole new bedroom set. He is very proud of his new room and keeps it very clean and organized. The smile says it all!

So far, it's working out pretty well. Bryce is getting a lot more sleep. Drew really misses Bryce and looks forward to having "sleep overs" with him! The bond that twins share is TIGHT!

ONTO THE NEXT CHAPTER!

Who Needs an Ocean?

2011-07-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

I JUST LOVE THESE CRAZY BOYS!

My Little Worker Boys

2011-07-16T17:02:00.000-05:00

Life has been so crazy. Moving. Lots of visitors. Home repairs. Remodels. Life with twins...etc! As a result, I have fallen behind on my blogging and desperately trying to get caught up...

Prior to moving into our new home, we spent almost 2 months cleaning and doing some home repairs/remodeling. I was very proud of Bryce & Drew. They always had a good attitude about going to the "new house" and helping out. They both love to work...especially Bryce.

Today, I captured my quirky, little Drew helping Jimmy with some yard work!

I hope we can instill a good work ethic in our boys. I think the key is TO MAKE IT FUN!

The Best Homemade Salsa

2011-07-16T13:44:00.000-05:00

This salsa recipe rocks and goes really well with the Spicy Shredded Beef. I could eat it right out the bowl...no chip necessary!

Source: The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Restaurant Style Salsa

Ingredients

1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
1/4 cup Chopped Onion
1 clove Garlic, Minced
1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin (I omitted for my boys' sake!)
1/4 teaspoon Sugar
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/2 cup Cilantro (more To Taste!)
1/2 whole Lime Juice

Preparation Instructions

Note: this is a very large batch. Recommend using a 12-cup food processor, or you can process the ingredients in batches and then mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.
Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like---I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour.

Spicy Shredded Beef

2011-07-16T13:28:00.000-05:00

Another AWESOME new recipe I just tried. Just enough heat but not too much for little ones. Perfect for a large crowd.

Source: Short Stop

Spicy Shredded Beef
3-4 pound chuck roast, trimmed
1/3 cup vinegar
1/4 cup lime juice
1 can Hot Rotel (you can use Original or Mild if you like less heat)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup chicken broth
3 bay leaves

Place roast in crockpot.
Combine all ingredients except the chicken broth and bay leaves into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
Pour sauce over roast. Add chicken broth and bay leaves.
Cook on high for 6 hours or on low 8-10 hours. Once meat is tender, shred with two forks right into the sauce in the crockpot.

Perfect for tacos, burritos, salad or nachos!

Don't forget all the good stuff...cheese, sour cream, homemade salsa, lettuce, olives, etc!

Healthy Three Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake

2011-07-13T19:18:00.001-05:00

IF YOU LOVE PASTA YOU MUST MAKE THIS RECIPE! It is delicious and gets 20 thumbs up from my boys!
Thanks to The Girl Who Ate Everything blog!

Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

1-1/2 cups multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked
1 pkg. (9 oz.) fresh spinach leaves
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp. dried basil leaves (I used 1/2tsp dried basil and ½ tsp dried oregano)
1 jar (14-1/2 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) Neufchatel cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded 2% milk mozzarella cheese, divided
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Heat oven to 375ºF.

Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water the last minute.

Cook and stir chicken and basil in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 3 min. Stir in spaghetti sauce, garlic, and tomatoes; bring to boil. Simmer on low heat 3 min. or until chicken is done. Stir in Neufchatel.

Drain pasta mixture; return to pan. Stir in chicken mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole or 8-inch square baking dish.

Bake 20 min.; top with remaining cheeses. Bake 3 min. or until mozzarella is melted

SILLY!

2011-07-08T10:12:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that my silly, little boys will be starting Kindergarten in exactly ONE MONTH! They are excited and so am I!!!

NOT AGAIN!

2011-06-24T21:19:00.000-05:00

OUR POOR LITTLE DREW NOW IS WEARING 2 CASTS!

We were playing at the park today when he fell off the monkey bars and landed on his elbow. He was crying & unable to hold his arm or make a fist. Jimmy took him to the doctor where the x-ray revealed a hairline fracture in his arm. UNBELIEVABLE! We were starting to count down the days until his leg cast can be removed and now he will be in the arm cast for a minimum of 4 weeks - up to 6 weeks! And, will be wearing 2 casts for 5 more days!

Waterproof!

2011-06-08T16:12:00.001-05:00

Last week we went to a "going away party" for some people in our neighborhood. All the kiddos were playing chase and tag in the yard, when Drew fell and started complaining that his foot hurt. He was limping a little but continued to play hard. I thought maybe he just twisted or sprained his ankle. We used ice for a few days but when he started walking on his heel and crawling up and down the stairs, I knew it wasn't healing. After taking him to the Pediatrician and getting x-rays, he diagnosed him with a "phantom break". A fracture in the foot that is too small to show up on x-rays. I was SO sad when he said he would have to wear a cast for 3 weeks. We have been spending 3+ hours a day in our pool and he would be devastated to have to sit on the sidelines for that long! Thankfully, the Dr. presented the option of a waterproof cast...well worth the cash out of pocket expense!

Drew swam today for the first time with the cast on. It is definitely heavy and slows him down, but he still swims into the deep end and dives to the bottom of the pool! I'm thankful that he is so tough, has a good attitude and a big smile!

Deep Sleeper!

2011-04-06T12:14:00.000-05:00

When I went to tuck the boys in last night, this is how I found Bryce...half on the bed and half on his nightstand! Good thing he's a deep sleeper!

God's Beauty

2011-04-04T17:17:00.000-05:00

We just love this beautiful Dogwood tree at our new house. Drew feels very lucky that he has a direct view from his 2nd story bedroom window. Perfect for my boy who loves and appreciates nature!

Go WOLVES!

2011-04-03T20:01:00.000-05:00

Bryce & Drew are playing their first "team sport" this Spring. Soccer is so much better when they only have 6-7 players on a team playing 3 on 3....brilliant! No big huddles of kiddos falling all over each other on the field!

Bryce

Drew

Bryce

Drew

Happy 5th Birthday!

2011-04-03T19:37:00.000-05:00

Bryce & Drew turned 5 on March 28th. We normally have a big party for them but we decided to postpone that for now...life is just too crazy with the recent purchase our new home, home improvement projects all while still residing in the rental. SO, we had a nice quiet birthday...just the 4 of us.

The boys started off their special day with their favorite breakfast...homemade blueberry pancakes.

At preschool, they thought it was pretty cool to wear their birthday crowns!

Their Nana had a bunch of really awesome decorated airplane cookies made to hand out to the class. They were so cute! Boeing 787 (the airplane Nana builds) and Delta (Daddy's airline.) Their Papa carried them as his carry on all the way from Washington to Georgia to make sure they got here safely! The kiddos loved them!

The class sang Happy Birthday to them and then they got to pick a special gift out of the birthday box!

For months, Bryce & Drew have been asking to see Star Wars. So, Star Wars it was!!!

They got Star Wars light sabres, pj's, Legos, sticker books and the DVD trilogy. They were SO into the movie and asked a million questions. Definitely lots of smiles, kisses and hugs from 2 happy boys!

So thankful for my precious family!

Uncle Eric Is Home!

2011-04-02T18:31:00.001-05:00

Eric got back from his year-long deployment to Afghanistan in February...thankfully safe and sound! Mom and Mike flew to visit him and the girls at Ft. Campell and decided to drive down to see us for a quick weekend. It was wonderful seeing them all and always fun to have my niece Jordyn here to play with the boys. We got possession of our new house that weekend so it was a little chaotic, but thankfully, I did have time to capture a few cute pics!
Jordyn is so glad to have her Daddy home!

The kiddos trying out the hot tub at our new house...

Jordyn looks so cute in her little bikini!

Grandma having "girl time" on the golf cart.

We celebrated Jordyn, Bryce & Drew's birthdays early while they were here. I took lots of video of Jordyn but I guess forgot to snap pics!

Thanks for making the drive to see us. We love you all and are thankful for our time with you!

Our New Home

2011-04-02T17:30:00.001-05:00

When we moved to Georgia 6 months ago, we decided to rent a home so we could have time to get to know the area. It's been a long, stressful, 8 month long house-hunting process but thankfully it has come to a close. With the help of our wonderful Realtor, Kristi, we finally found the house that is best for us. After moving 13 times in 16 years of marriage, we HOPE and PRAY this is the house we live in for a LONG, LONG time!

We are SO excited to break in our pool. The boys are going to have so much fun on the waterslide and are looking so forward to roasting hot dogs and marshmallows on the fire pit!

Looking forward to entertaining family and friends in the years to come!

Family Food Faves

2011-01-13T07:21:00.000-06:00

Bryce & Drew said, "Mommy, will you make this EVERY night for us. We give it 20 thumbs up!" That's always a good sign on our house!

Spinach & Mushroom Chicken Pasta - Adapted from I’m An Organizing Junkie

2 T olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced*

1 1/2 C diced chicken
1/2 lb. whole wheat penne pasta
1 1/2 C fresh spinach*
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tsp. basil (dried)
1 T lemon juice
3/4 C Parmesan cheese, shredded

Cook pasta according to directions and drain.

Add the olive oil to a stir fry pan. Saute the mushrooms and chicken in the olive oil. Add in the minced garlic toward the end so it does not burn. When chicken is cooked, add in the fresh spinach. Cook just a few minutes until wilted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Then, add in the cooked pasta. Stir in the basil, Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Toss in the stir fry pan over very low heat. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

*the boys' favorite was the spinach & mushrooms, so I'll be doubling up next time!
*for Jimmy & I we add crushed red pepper flakes for some "kick!"

SNOW IN ATLANTA!!!

2011-01-12T06:53:00.000-06:00

When we moved to the Atlanta area a few months ago, we told Bryce & Drew not to expect snow. Well...we had the FIRST WHITE CHRISTMAS in over 100 years AND enough snow/ice to pretty much shut things down this week! Today is the 3rd day of school closures and even Jimmy has had his flights cancelled. So how great that we can step out of backyard right onto the hilly golf course! It's perfect for sledding!

Family Food Faves

2010-12-06T18:22:00.000-06:00

I have a recipe for White Chicken Chili that has been a family favorite and crowd pleaser for years. BUT, not as good as this one! Just came across this YUMMY recipe at murraycrew.blogspot.com. This was a HUGE hit in the Richardson household tonight and it will definitely be replacing my old recipe!
Easy White Chicken Chili

Serves 12-14
Ingredients:
1 T olive oil
1 1/2 medium onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 – 4 oz. cans of chopped mild green chilies
2 t ground cumin
1 1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t cayenne pepper
2 – 16 oz. cans of Great Northern Beans, undrained
6 c of fresh chicken stock (or canned broth)
4 c of chopped cooked chicken (I used store-bought rotisserie chicken)
3 c of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 – 15 oz can of Gold and White Corn
Tortilla Chips

1. Heat olive oil in a large stock pan over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent (approximately 10 minutes).
2. Stir in garlic, chilies, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Add undrained beans and chicken stock and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and add chicken, cheese, and corn. Stir until cheese is melted and chicken is warmed through.
5. Serve with tortilla chips and get your Soup On!

First Day of Preschool

2010-09-20T19:41:00.000-05:00

I ADORE my children. I LOVE to spend time with them. I consider them HUGE blessings. BUT, I shed NO TEARS when I dropped them off for their first day of preschool today! They are ready...I am ready!

They will be attending 4 days a week from 9-12. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly at the school. I feel like we made a good decision to send them here.

Bryce is standing on his tiptoes to be as tall as his brother!

New house. New state. New school. And a huge favorite...new backpacks!

YAY! Daddy got to go with us on their 1st day!

Transition

2010-09-18T21:15:00.000-05:00

Bryce and Drew have done so awesome with all of this transition. Having our house on the market for 90 days, selling our house, movers packing up everything, 2 days of traveling and moving to a new home in a new state. I am so proud of them! I'm thankful that they are so adaptable!

I am also thankful that we had a moving crew pack us, move us and unload us...they were amazing!!!

The first night we moved in, I captured this precious moment...Bryce holding Drew's hand in bed!

Having a pool has definitely helped make this transition easier and more fun for the boys. They are having a blast!

Bryce chilin' with Papa Jim...this is the life!

Our New Home

2010-09-15T13:14:00.000-05:00

We arrived safely at our new home in Georgia a few days ago. So far, we are loving it.

My favorite thing about our new house...

A beautiful pool and hot tub looking out to the golf course.

The boys' favorite thing (in addition to the pool)...

The doggy door!

Better get back to unpacking!

New Camera

2010-09-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Life has been crazy busy the past 6 months. We are in the process of relocating to Georgia (more on that later.) Thought I would get a few recent pics uploaded of the boys, per the Grandparents, before we got on the road!!!

Daddy's Lil' Helper

2010-04-26T07:53:00.000-05:00

Bryce LOVES to help Jimmy mow the grass. They both put on their protective gear (we're a very safety-conscious family!) and he will sit with Jimmy for several hours driving the John Deer!

But, when this boy gets tired, nothing gets in the way of his nap!!! Bryce fell asleep for 20 mintutes so Jimmy just kept on mowing!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY!

2010-04-14T17:17:00.005-05:00

On the actual day of Bryce & Drew's birthday we enjoyed a quiet day at home...just the 4 of us. They opened their presents from us and then we just played together.

We got the boys their first LEGO sets and surprisingly they sat for 1 1/2 hours putting all those little pieces together...with our help, of course!

Nana, Papa & Teal were flying in the next week so we waited until they got here to do their birthday party. The boys picked out the Curious George theme and we invited all of our friends to come "monkey around" with us at Happy Kids - a bounce house place. We all had so much fun! I brought coffee for all the adults so we could visit while the kids played.

Thank you Grayson, Andrus, Liam, Lakyn, Keenan, CJ & Cannon (and parents!) for celebrating our birthday with us. We had so much fun with you and are so thankful you are our friends!

A Sweet Way To End The Day!

2010-04-13T20:02:00.003-05:00

These days, my boys are ~~pretty~~ extremely competitive. Bryce more so than Drew. They race on their bikes, they race to see who can pee first, finish eating first, brush their teeth first, and even fall asleep first! Bryce will stop at nothing to win - even if it means hurting Drew. He will hold him down, trip him or push him to win! It has been really ugly. Drew ends up hurt & crying. Bryce cries because he gets a time out and a spanking. Ughh...it's so frustrating and a huge time waster! It's making me crazy!

Tonight, after a long day of competition, I captured this...

Bryce & Drew layed face-to-face eating their popcorn and discussing their day. Each one said, "So...what did you do today?!" Even though they spent the entire day together they recounted the day's events! It made me smile and thank God for my little boys...even though we have these "tough twin times", I'm glad God gave me 2!

Letter To Drew

2010-03-28T08:59:00.008-05:00

Dear Drew,

Today you are turning 4 and you are super cranky about it! For months you have been telling us that "I don't want to turn 4. I wanna stay 3 foweva!" At times, you have even cried about it! I'm not sure why you are so upset about it. Maybe because you've heard us say that when you turn 4 you'll go to preschool? Or, we'd like to think it's because you've had an awesome 3rd year of life! Regardless, your birthday is here...there is no stopping it!
Your 3rd year of life has been so fun with you Drew. You got fully potty trained, you transitioned from your crib to your toddler bed and ultimately to sharing the queen size bed with Bryce. You've learned to ride your bike, phonics, how to swim, how to undress/dress and how to read & spell a little bit.
Drew, you have endured A LOT this year. You had ear surgery at Children's Hospital to remove a cyst. You are also recovering from having your tonsils & adenoids removed. You've battled with sleep apnea and breathing problems. Mommy & Daddy are so proud of you. You have been very brave, tough and patient through it all. Hopefully, you will not have to have anymore surgeries.
Drew, you have SO many favorites, I don't think I can list them all! This year you've added lots of new favorite babies. In addition to your "Baby D & Booger", you've added Freddy the Frog, Larry the Cucumber and Theodore the Chipmunk. You tend to rotate your favorites every few months. Your favorite colors are green & orange, although, you really love ALL the colors of the rainbow. You are a tv bug and have lots of favorites, but your top 3 shows are Curious George, Word World & Chuggington. You love to play outside - driving your car, riding bikes, playing with your remote control cars and exploring. You love nature and bugs! You love to play with your Daddy. He chases you, tickles you, tackles you , wrestles with you and boxes you...you just ask for more! You love to snuggle with your Mommy. You enjoy baking and making fruit smoothies with me. And recently, have enjoyed making crafts. You love to lay your head on Mommy & Daddy's shoulders at night to read books - your favorites are your Bible and Curious George books. Drew, you are very independent. You like to spend time alone and tend to be a "home body." Although, you do love to travel! You love your family and friends but don't have the need to socialize as much as Bryce! Your nickname has been "Drew Bug" for most of your life but recently you don't like your play name...you only like your real name!
We are so thankful we got you swim lessons. Drew, we are absolutely blown away at your abilitiy. You are truly a natural in the water. You can swim up to 30 feet and hold your breath the whole time! You also love to play your Wii, your marble run and your train track. You also love to play playhousedisney.com and pbskids.org on the computer.
You have lots of favorite foods Drew, but you are more of a picky eater. You like yougurt, fruit smoothies, fruits & vegetables, pasta, PB & J, muffins, and Mommy's homemade pizza!
Drew, you have such a sweet spirit. You are soft spoken, gentle & kind and are a caretaker. You are very sensitive - you get your feelings hurt easily but you are also sensitive toward others. You are playful, silly and quirky at times. You love to snuggle and be held but you are also independent. You like adventure and don't fear much! I love it when you tell me "Mommy, I love you and you're pretty." You are very kind to your brother and considerate to Bryce. You often think of him before yourself. If you two are fighting, Bryce is usually to blame. You like to be busy. Your attention span is not long so it's hard to have "learning time" with you. Thankfully, you learn quickly! When you get cranky, it's usually because you have low blood sugar. Usually a snack will perk you right up!
As you start your 4th year of life we are possibly facing some big changes. Unfortunately, you don't like change, but we know you'll adapt well. Daddy's job may be taking us to the Memphis area. We will probably be selling the home that you have been raised in and moving to a home in Tennessee. We hope that we can get a bigger home with a big play room for all of your toys. Daddy even said we may be able to built a fort outside and possibly even get a puppy! You will also be starting preschool in the Fall! Just know, that Mommy & Daddy pray everyday to God, that he would give us discernment in wisdom in raising you. No matter what changes come our way, you will always be loved. Mommy & Daddy love you so much. We will always love you, protect you, guide you and teach you. We always want you to feel safe & secure.
We are proud of you Drew and are so thankful you are our son!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Letter To Bryce

2010-03-28T08:59:00.007-05:00

Dear Bryce,
Today, you are turning 4 years old! Suprisingly, you are not in the least bit excited for it. For months you have been telling us that, "I don't want to turn 4. I want to stay 3 foweva!" I've never known a child that doesn't want to have a birthday and turn a year older! Obviously, you loved being 3 and that makes Mommy & Daddy feel really good!
Your 3rd year of life has certainly been a momentus one. You were fully potty-trained around your 3rd birthday. We transitioned you from your crib into a toddler bed and then ultimately moved you & Drew into a queen size bed. You learned how to swim, how to ride your bike and how to undress/ dress yourself. Bryce, you also have learned your phonics and how to read & spell a little.

Bryce, your favorite baby is still your long, red caterpillar but "Spot" the puppy runs a close second. Your favorite color is red and your favorite TV show is Curious George. You love to snuggle in your bed at night with Mommy or Daddy to read your Bible and Curious George books. You adore spending time with your Daddy and will help him with any project he is working on - washing cars, mowing the grass and building/fixing things. You love to touch buttons and learn how everything fits together and works so we recently nicknamed you "Gadget Boy!" Thankfully, you still love spending time with Mommy. You love to help me cook/bake and to help me clean house. Hopefully, you will always find it fun to help me make the beds, vacuum, dust, do laundry and the dishes! I love that you ask to have "special time" with me, especially if it involves shopping! You also love adventure and to travel.
Recently, we introduced you to playhousedisney.com and pbskids.org. You are so smart on the computer and really enjoy learning new games. You also enjoy playing in your ball pit, putting your marble run together, playing with your trains. and your Wii. Outside, you love to ride bikes, play with remote control cars and swim.

Bryce, you have an awesome personality. You are very outgoing, adventerous, inquisitive, happy and a joy to be around. You are very social. You love to be around people, to talk to people and to talk on the phone...just like your Daddy! You are a hard worker and you like boundaries - you like to know what the plan is and to know what to expect. You tend to have a little bit of a temper. As Daddy says, "Bryce loves BIG and gets mad BIG!" You can be very ornery to your brother and can throw some pretty big tantrums. Typically, it's because you didn't get your way or or you were not first...or, most likely because you were very tired

Thankfully Bryce, you are a pretty good eater. You love eggs, yogurt, fruits & vegetables, pasta, cheeseburgers, meatloaf, soups & quesadillas. There is not much you will not eat! I love it when you tell me, "Mommy this dinner is delicious. Thank you for making it for me!"
Bryce, you make me & your Daddy smile every day. We love your hugs & kisses. We pray every day that God will give us wisdom & discernment as we raise you. We are expecting some big changes in your 4th year of life. Daddy may get a job transfer to the Memphis area so we may be moving from Arkansas to Tennessee. We will be selling the house that you have been raised in and will be buying a new home in TN. Hopefully, we can get a bigger home with a huge play room for you & Drew to put all of your toys in. Daddy also said that maybe we could build a fort outside and maybe get a puppy?! No matter what changes come our way Bryce, Mommy & Daddy will always love you, teach you, guide you and protect you. We want you to always feel safe & secure.

We love you so much Bryce. We are so proud of you and are so thankful that you are our son!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Last Day as 3 Year Olds!

2010-03-27T12:59:00.000-05:00

I know that some people have anxiety about celebrating a milestone birthday like "40" or "60" or even "30". But my boys, for months, have been sad about turning "4!" They say, "Mommy, we don't want to turn 4. We want to stay 3 foweva!" What's up with that? I've never known a kid that didn't want to have a birthday! I think they have heard us say that they will go to preschool when they turn 4 and they are not ready to leave Mommy & Daddy!
Well, there is no stopping it...they will be turning 4 tomorrow! So, today, they are having a fun play date with their 4 year old buddy Keenan. Hopefully, this will make turning 4 a little easier!

ADIOS Tonsils & Adenoids!

2010-03-11T17:23:00.001-06:00

Thank you to all that have prayed and sent warm wishes our way for Drew's surgery. It was a success!

Everything went perfectly this morning. Drew was very brave & calm beforehand. He had just taken his "happy juice"...can you tell?

Bryce giving his brother some love...

Getting ready to be wheeled into surgery

We are so thankful we got this surgery done. He tonsils & adenoids were HUGE. The surgeon said on a scale of 1-10 (biggest) Drew's were a 9. It's no wonder he had sleep apnea and snoring!

After his surgery he slept for almost 4 hours. It was the soundest sleep he had in 3 weeks! It sounded so peaceful!

Gonna get my little boy medicated, rested & comfortable. Thanks again everyone!

Another Surgery for Drew!

2010-03-10T21:06:00.000-06:00

Our little Drew is having his 2nd surgery tomorrow.

We've known for awhile that he's needed his tonsils & adenoids removed but chose to have his ear surgery done first. The only time he has issues with his T & A is when he gets a cold/allergies. His airway becomes so obstructed that he develops sleep apnea and will actually stop breathing for up to 17 seconds before gasping for a breath. It's a horrible thing to watch & listen to. His little chest caves in & out but he gets no oxygen.

He got a cold/sinus infection while we were vacationing in Hawaii and this has been the worse it's ever been. He can sleep for 12 hours and wake up with dark circles under his eyes and still be exhausted. We've noticed that his demeanor has changed and even his voice has changed. His words are mumbled and difficult to comprehend.

Initially, we weren't going to be able to get surgery scheduled until late April but I've been calling the surgeon's office every day begging to get him in sooner. Jimmy and I are just so concerned about his health. Could he stop breathing completely? Will he have permanent damage to his heart or lungs? Also, his snoring has become so loud that it disturbs Bryce's sleep.

The surgeon's office called today and said they had a cancellation in their surgery schedule tomorrow so they are going to work us in! We will be at the hospital at 7:30am for and 8:30am surgery.

I hope & pray that he will be able to breathe with ease. Experience no more sleep apnea or snoring! We want to have our healthy, happy little Drew Bug back!

We're Going on a Trip in Our Favorite Rocketship!

2010-02-05T08:05:00.001-06:00

That's the theme song from the boys' new favorite show, "Little Einsteins!"

Speaking of trips... we are taking off on 2 trips back-to-back!

Jimmy has flight training in Atlanta next week so the boys and I are gonna tag along and make a little road trip out of it. We have several friends along our driving route that we'll get to visit with and several friends in the Atlanta area. During the day when Jimmy is in training the boys and I will go see friends and then meet back up with Jimmy in the evening. The weather has be cold, dreary, snowy and icy here so I'm looking forward to warmer temps and new territory to explore!

Since I've started blogging a few years ago I've "met" several Mommy's of multiples. 2 of them in particular have twin boys just a few months younger than Bryce & Drew. Both live in the area that we will be traveling to, so I'm hopeful we'll get to actually meet in person and see our cute twin boys playing together!

Then, just 2 days after returning from Atlanta we'll be taking off again....this time to HAWAII!!!

Mom & Mike are going to their condo in Kauai and had invited some friends to join them. Unfortunately, they had to cancel their trip so, as of just yesterday, we have decided to join them! Nothing like making vacation plans to Hawaii just 3 weeks out!

Oh my goodness...so much to do! Gotta go buy swimsuits, sun hats and flip flops!

Please Pray for My Brother

2010-01-28T19:35:00.003-06:00

Sadly, my brother will be deploying to Afghanistan on Saturday. He will be gone for one year. This comes after being stationed 3 hours away for the past year and spending the previous year deployed in Saudi Arabia. That's a lot of time away from your family...especially when you have a 3 year old!

Will you please remember Eric & his family in your prayers & thoughts? Thank you!

SFC Eric Egelstad
Platoon Sergeant 101st Airborne "The Rakkasan's"

Eric, we love you so much. We are praying for your safety and the safety of your guys. Anxiously awaiting your safe return!

Eric and his girls Logan & Jordyn

Eric & Donna

Fast Weekend

2010-01-25T08:36:00.001-06:00

Our weekend went fast. We met up with Eric, Donna & Jordyn Sat. afternoon in St. Louis and then departed late Sun. morning. The guys did a great job hauling Dad's car trailer and thankfully, all went smoothly!

"The triplets" (Jordyn, Bryce & Drew) were SO excited to see each other, and of course, to swim in the hotel pool!

The kiddos play so well together. They sat for over 2 hours at dinner just coloring, chattering with one another and playing quietly at our table...that NEVER happens with just my boys! It was nice to have fairly uninterrupted adult conversation! Sadly, our visits with my brother are infreqeunt because we live about 10 hours away, so we cherish our visits with them. Especially this weekend since Eric is deploying to Afghanistan in a few days.

We love you Uncle Eric, Aunt Donna & Jordyn. We had lots of fun with you this weekend!

Almost Time to Deploy

2010-01-22T10:19:00.000-06:00

My brother Eric is about to deploy to Afghanistan next week. He has asked if we would pick up my Dad's car trailer from him and haul it to our house, so... we will be driving to St. Louis tomorrow (1/2 way for each of us) and staying the night in a hotel. We are thankful to have an excuse for a little road trip and another opportunity to see Eric, Donna & Jordyn before he deploys.

Please be praying for Eric and his girls as they spend their last week together. It is extremely difficult! Thank you!

Family Food Faves

2010-01-20T15:59:00.000-06:00

Prior to having children I always said "I will NOT bribe my children with food!"

Well...I've changed my mind!

I spend a minimum of 15 hours every week reading new recipes, menu planning, grocery shopping and preparing meals for my family that are well-balanced, mostly healthy, and things I think they will enjoy. There is nothing more frustrating than to hear them say, "I don't like it" (without even trying it), or "My tummy is full" when I know darn well they are hungry! So, on those ocassions, I don't mind having a few treats on hand (like the cookies below) for bribing purposes!

I am happy to share our new favorite "healthier" Oatmeal Raisin Cookie recipe with you! I like to make a double batch of these and freeze them!

Healthier Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. unsalted butter, at room temp
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 375. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda & salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Mix in the brown sugar, then the egg, applesauce & vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients, then the oats & raisins.

Drop the batter by rounded teaspoons 2-inches apart on the baking sheet and use a fork to gently flatten the dough. Bake 10-12 min.

Family Food Faves

2010-01-18T20:20:00.000-06:00

As I searched Google for a healthy blueberry muffin recipe the other day I came across this wonderful blog and discovered our new favorite muffin! The boys have asked several times in the past week to make more of these...and I don't argue!

Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce Muffins
recipe from joythebaker.com/blog/2009/01/oatmeal-blueberry-applesauce-muffins/

Makes 12-15 muffins
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tbsp canola oil (I used the almond oil I had on hand)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper cases or spray with nonstick cooking spray. I simple greased and floured a muffin pan, saving the paper.

In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a medium bowl combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg. Make a well in dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture. Stir until just moist. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake for 16-18 minutes

Christmas 2009 - Favorite Gifts

2010-01-15T07:38:00.000-06:00

My boys were blessed with many wonderful & generous gifts from family & friends. Here are a few of their faves!

The Quadrilla Twist Set
105 wooden pieces, 100 marbles, dozens of construction designs

Nintendo Wii

Lite Brite Cube

Mommy & Daddy's Fave

$ for Bryce & Drew's College Fund!

Joey Magnetic Play Set

Mommy cleaned out old, broken crayons - now they have their own box w/ built in sharpener!

Christmas #3 & Happy New Year

2010-01-13T12:44:00.001-06:00

We decided to have the boys wait until the day after Christmas to open their gifts from Papa & Nana so they could enjoy their...

Wii!!!
Thank you Nana & Papa for the new Wii system and all of the accessories and games to go with it. We'll have lots of family fun for many years to come!

It's so cute watching the boys bowl, play tennis & golf, and knock each other out boxing! A great energy burner during the cold winter months!

After Christmas, Nana & Papa rented the condo in Branson for 5 days. We didn't spend much time outside - it was frigidly cold. Just long enough to do a little shopping and have a snowball fight!

We had fun playing miniature golf at a cool indoor, glow in the dark course. It was decorated with 4 differents themes, and also had laser tag and video games. We're thinking about having the boys' "4th Birthday" party here.

To bring in the New Year our Nana bought crazy hats, necklaces, glasses & horns that the boys, of course, thought were hysterical!

We had a wonderful couple of weeks with you Nana &Papa. Thank you for the sacrifices you make to travel so far, for all of your help & love! We love you so much!

Christmas #2

2010-01-13T10:04:00.002-06:00

Papa Jim flew down in mid December to help us out during Drew's surgery. Children's Hospital didn't allow siblings in the waiting room so Papa stayed back at the hotel with Bryce so Jimmy & I could both be with Drew. Thank you Papa for all of your help & love during this time!

This is a pic of the boys & their Papa Jim in the hot tub at our hotel the night before Drew's surgery.

Nana had to stay home to continue working so we were excited when she got to join us on the 23rd.

Bryce & Drew are slow opening their gifts. They like to open a gift and then play with it for awhile and we certainly don't want to rush them! So, on Christmas Eve morning we let them open their stockings from us and a couple of gifts from under the tree.

Our favorite tradition that we started with the boys on their 1st Christmas is to bake a birthday cake for Jesus. Bryce & Drew were SO excited to do it this year...it's the first year they really understood it all. We went to our Christmas service at church and then came home to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and eat the yummy cake!

Christmas morning we had the boys' big gift from us set up and wrapped under a big bag. We wrapped up the box so they could see the pictures of the gift and they we SO excited!

Christmas was so fun & relaxing. The boys were so cute opening their gifts and had so much fun playing with their new toys. Thankfully, they also got excited about GIVING gifts to others and loved to ~~help~~ unwrap them!

Christmas #1

2010-01-07T07:52:00.000-06:00

Grandma & Papa Mike decided they would have their own littlle Christmas with Bryce & Drew while they were here for Thanksgiving - afterall, why not see their precious, joyful reactions face-to-face! Even if it was a month early! Unfortunately, I hadn't finished shopping for Mom & Mike's gifts so they had to wait until Christmas!

Thank you Mom & Mike for all of the traveling you did to make this trip happen. We love you so much and are so thankful for you! Thank you for all of your help, love & encouragemnt.

A Kentucky Thanksgiving

2010-01-06T20:05:00.001-06:00

The next week, all 6 of us piled into our van and headed to Kentucky for Thanksgiving with Eric, Donna, Logan & Jordyn. It's about a 12 hour drive so we stopped 1/2 in St. Louis to stay the night. The boys were perfect travelers.

We had a wonderful time with my brother & his family. We had not seen them in about 1 1/2 years so it was really fun to see the little ones (Jordyn, Bryce & Drew) A.K.A "the triplets" together.
They got along so well and had so much fun together. They played amazingly well together and actually entertained themselves for hours at a time...something my boys NEVER do at our house. What's up with that?

Bryce & Drew had lots of fun playing with their cousins and Uncle Eric.

Most of all, we were just THANKful to be together for the holiday. Eric will be deploying again in just a few weeks to Afghanistan so it was good to spend time with him. It makes me so sad to think that he will have to leave his 3 girls for another year after just spending a year in Saudi Arabia. Hopefully this will be his last deployment before he retires.

We tried to get a cute picture of Mom &Mike with the 4 grandchildren. Logan & Jordyn look cute but look at my little monkeys!

Thank you Eric, Donna, Logan & Jordyn...we love you all!

Our Holidays in Review

2010-01-06T13:45:00.019-06:00

Life has been really crazy in the Richardson household the past couple of months so I will attempt to catch up, starting with our holidays.

Mom & Mike came to visit for 2 weeks in November. The first week they were here we thought it would be fun to decorate our house for Christmas. The boys definitely did not argue with that idea! They were so excited to decorate their little Christmas tree in their bedroom, set up their nativity sets and plug in their Christmas night lites.

Bryce & Drew "oohed and aawed" over all their ornaments and just as in years' past, clumped a bunch of ornaments together on one branch. My tree ended up being heavily decorated only on the bottom of the tree but I just didn't have the heart to change it! It won't be this way forever, right?

With Grandma & Papa Mike's help we snapped a bunch of pictures for our Christmas card. Here are a few funnies that didn't quite make the cut!

We got to enjoy Silver Dollar City with Grandma & Papa for the 1st time. It's a beatiful time of year with millions of Christmas lights and beautiful decorations.

Much to our surprise, we got Grandma to ride the elephants with Bryce!

Family Food Faves

2009-12-23T11:01:00.004-06:00

If you're looking for a super-tasty, festive-looking, last minute appetizer for your Christmas celebrations, this is a family favorite (thank you Gina!)

Mediterranean Cheese Ball

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 (8 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled

1/3 cup finely chopped ripe black olives

3 tablespoons red bell pepper, diced

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup pine nuts, toasted

Toasted pita wedges or crackers

Beat cream cheese and feta cheese at medium speed with electric mixer until smooth. Stir in olives and next 4 ingredients. Shape cheese mixture into a ball; cover and chill at least 3 hours. Roll in toasted pine nuts just before serving. Serve with toasted pita chips or crackers.

Christmas Card ~ 2009

2009-12-21T08:25:00.004-06:00

To our friends and family that we may not have addresses for..."Merry CHRISTmas from the Richardson Clan!"

Update on Drew's Surgery

2009-12-16T13:18:00.003-06:00

Thank you to ALL that have called, text messaged, emailed and left messages on facebook and my blog...we have certainly felt the love & concern y'all have shown our precious little Drew. It means so much to know that our family is loved by so many dear friends & family.

It has been a difficult and tiring day but God has been so faithful to give us peace. Our doctors, nurses & other staff were awesome and very professional.

The surgeon's concern with Drew's surgery is that his cyst was very large and that he could potentially damage the ear bones during removal. If that happened he would remove the damaged bones and put in an ear prosthesis.

Thankfully, he was able to access the cyst and remove it all in one piece WITHOUT damaging the bones...NO prosthesis necessary and NO hearing loss! Praise the Lord!!!

Drew did well in surgery but had a difficult time in recovery. He was very combative and uncomfortable for quite awhile. He did not like the protective cup covering his ear and he kept trying to pull it off. Once he was able to keep some juice down his nurse gave him some pain meds and he calmed right down.

Drew was an absolute trooper today. I am so proud of how he handled all of this. He did much better than I ever would!

We are currently in our hotel and planning to drive the 3 hours back home. Hopefully, Drew will just sleep!

Thanks again everyone for you prayers, love & concern...we greatly appreciae y'all

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Drew's Surgery

2009-12-15T18:52:00.003-06:00

Thank you ALL...your prayers, phone calls, and warm thoughts have truly encouraged us. It's so awesome to know so many of you are thinking of our precious Drew and his upcoming surgery.

We are at our hotel in Little Rock and have an early 5:30am show tomorrow. Drew's surgery is scheduled for 7:30am and will take about 2 hours. Thankfully, he is the surgeon's first patient of the day so he won't have to go long without food & drink!

If I have computer access I will try to update from the hospital tomorrow.

Thanks again for the love you've shown us...all over the country!

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Please Pray for Drew

2009-12-14T16:33:00.004-06:00

Would you please pray for my sweet little Drew? He will be having surgery Wednesday at Children's Hospital in Little Rock to remove a cyst in his ear. The cholesteatoma is a serious condition that can damage the delicate ear bones and cause hearing loss, facial paralysis and even meningitis. Thankfully, our Ear, Nose, Throat specialist caught it before any of this occured. The surgeon will have to cut the entire length of his ear to access it so it will be a large incision. Drew won't be able to get his ear wet for 3 weeks so for my boy that likes to swim in the bathtub every night, this could be a problem!

Children's Hospital doesn't allow siblings in the waiting room due to lack of space and the influenza risk so thankfully, Papa Jim flew down from Seattle to help out. He can hang out in the hotel with Bryce so Jimmy and I can both be with Drew.

I will post some updates and thank you in advance for praying for our Drew.

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Conversations

2009-11-06T11:26:00.006-06:00

My days have been so busy lately, it has been difficult to find the time to blog.

I just have to take a minute though and blog about some of the funny conversations we've had lately!

Prayer time before bed last night...
Drew: "Dear God, thank you for lollipops, candy & m&m's"
Bryce" "God, we are not thankful. Those are not healfy for us!"
Drew: "God, I still love them anyway!"

Yesterday, the boys were talking about having a baby sister.
Drew: "Mommy, I want to have a baby sister. I will share my toys with her."
Bryce: "Mommy, I want to have a baby sister, too. But I DO NOT want to share my toys with her."
Drew: "Bryce, you will too share...we need to love our baby sister!"

Just for the record, there is no baby sister or brother in our plans! Life is VERY busy and tiring with these 2!
They sure are cute little boogers though!

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Summer Vacation - 09

2009-09-16T20:23:00.003-05:00

We are just returning from an awesome 3 week vacation in The Pacific Northwest...and are exhausted! I'll be back in a few days with some new posts!

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Family Food Faves

2009-08-13T16:39:00.011-05:00

My 14 yr. old niece Teal is visiting us from Seattle this week. One of our traditions is to spend time in the kitchen together trying out new recipes. We both love to cook and love to eat! Today we made this new yummy recipe I came across on this awesome blog Live.Love.Eat

Greek Pasta & Chicken Salad
1 Carved Chicken Breast, Original Roasted
1 cup grape tomatoes
1 6oz jar marinated quartered artichoke hearts, drained & coarsely chopped
1/2 medium cucumber, quartered lengthwise, seeded & cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, drained & halved
1/3 cup coarsely chopped red onion
1 cup coarsely crumbled feta cheese
Freshly ground pepper for garnish

For the pasta:
6 ounces (2 cups) penne pasta

For the dressing:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tblsp finely chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 tsp pepper, or to taste
1/8 tsp salt, or to taste

Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Meanwhile, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in the chicken, tomatoes, artichokes, cucumber, olives, onion & feta cheese. When the pasta is done, drain well. Rinse with cool water; drain again. Add to the salad mixture & toss. Taste & adjust the seasoning.

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More Family!

2009-07-22T19:15:00.017-05:00

A few days after my mom flew home, my cousin Marcy and 3 of her 4 kiddos came to visit us! We were so surprised & excited that they would make the drive all the way to our house.

The first 2 years we lived here, she and her family only lived 4 hours away in the Kansas City area. After living thousands of miles away most of our adult lives we were shocked that our husbands' jobs would bring us within 4 hours of one another! We were so blessed to be able to see them several times during those 2 years. It was great spending time with The Turners - getting to know their children, meeting their 4th child Dane and introducing them to Bryce & Drew. When Steve's job recently relocated him to the Chicago area we were so sad. They now live about 11 hours away! So, since her oldest son Trey had a baseball tournament in Kansas City she figured she would make the trek to see us since they were so close.

We met up that afternoon at the waterpark in Branson. It was the perfect way to chill out on a scorching hot & humid day!

Ellie soakin' up the rays! Something Marcy and I did a lot of at her age!
The boys playing in the water

Dane

Cy

Reading a Curious George book to the 4 extremely tired little boys!

Cy & Dane playing in our pool

Ellie driving the boys' truck

The boys watching Curious George together on my bed

Marcy, Ellie, Cy & Dane,
Thank you so much for making the huge sacrifice to come visit us. I know it was a lot of driving in a short amount of time. We had so much fun playing with you and making fun memories even though we only had 24 hours with you! Bryce and Drew were SO sad when you left. They kept saying, "I miss my cousins. Why do dey live so fa away? Come back to our house!" We sure wish you still lived in KC. We miss spending time with y'all. We love you all so much and can't wait until we can be together again. We are so glad you are our family!

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Moving Into June!

2009-07-08T19:22:00.076-05:00

A few days after Jim & Denise left, my Mom flew in! Five of the six parents/grandparents visited in May! Mike was unable to come on this trip due to some prior commitments.
Bryce and Drew are always excited to go to the airport, especially when it involves picking up a grandparent. This day was no exception!
They waited patiently for Grandma behind the security check point
and immediately started YELLING her name as soon as they saw her!
They were so happy to have someone else to love on them and to play with!We had beautiful weather while Mom was here. We spent a couple of days at the river...

We played with some other children that had little fishing nets...the boys had so much fun catching little minnows!

Grandma bought the boys inflatable turtles and buckets for the next trip...they were a hit!

The boys being silly with my sun hat!

Mom was very happy that she got to see the boys' last 2 swim lessons and of course, they were thrilled to show Grandma all of their moves!

Mom was here for 2 weeks so Jimmy and I got to get away a few times (we just don't do that enough!) and leave the munchkins with Grandma! They had lots of silly fun together!

WE love you Mom & Grandma and had so much fun with you. Thank you for all of your love and help. WE look forward to spending time with you and Mike later this summer creating lots of fun memories!

Family Food Faves

2009-07-02T16:53:00.009-05:00

I came across this oatmeal-raisin type cookie on one of my favorite shows on The Food Network..."Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger"

Even though they have more of a muffin-like texture than an actual cookie texture my boys love them and I feel better about offering this as a snack than a sugar/fat-filled cookie. And, they love to make them with me! The only thing they don't add is the pureed carrots - I just don't want them to know that there is a vegetable in there!

Breakfast Cookies

3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (I used regular whole-wheat flour)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup (1 small jar) strained carrot baby food
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup bran cereal flakes (I use Kashi 7 Whole Grain Cereal)
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted in a dry skillet for 2 minutes, until fragrant and chopped
Directions
Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Whisk together flours, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Combine butter, oil and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed, scraping down sides if necessary, until sugars have dissolved and mixture is light in color, about 1 minute. Add egg, carrot puree and vanilla and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add oats, flakes, raisins and walnuts and mix over low speed just until incorporated. Dough will be slightly sticky and less cohesive than traditional cookie dough. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using between 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter, form a ball and place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining batter, leaving about 3 inches between cookies. Wet hands and use palm of hand to flatten cookies until about 1/4-inch thick. Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are fragrant but still soft. Let cookies cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

More From May

2009-06-27T07:30:00.004-05:00

Soon after Dad and Shari left, Jim and Denise came for their visit. Jimmy and the boys picked them up from the airport and enjoyed one of their favorite places...Red Robin!

We had a very relaxing time while they were here. We rented a condo in Branson for 5 days and had beautiful weather. We spent a lot of time just hanging out by the pool.

We went to a fun show at our condo - 10+ entertainers came to preview their shows. It was lots of fun!

We had fun miniature golfing...

And had lots of sweet lovin' for Nana and Papa!

My silly boys thought it was funny to play with Papa's CPAP machine!

Nana and Papa bought the boys a new bike with training wheels and all of the protective gear. Bryce and Drew love their bikes and do very well on them. Thankfully, they take after their Daddy when it comes to athletics and not me!

Thanks Nana and Papa!

The Springfield Zoo

2009-06-27T07:29:00.003-05:00

While Nana and Papa were here, they took the boys to the zoo. I had to do a separate post because there are so many cute pictures!

This was especially fun for Drew because they have an area where you can feed crackers to giraffes. They just stretch down and gobble up crackers right out of your hands! Drew's favorite "babies" are his giraffes - one is named "Baby D Booger" and one is named "Baby D!"

Drew with his baby - 17 months old

At this age, he would suck on his ear and carry it around with him everywhere he went!

So imagine how cool it was to see one up close and personal!

Nana and Papa,

Thank you for all of the sweet times and memories. We love you so much and can't wait to see you again in a few weeks!

Love,

Bryce and Drew

Family Food Faves

2009-06-26T10:49:00.006-05:00

Perfect for summertime grillin'!

Grilled Flank Steak with Rosemary

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

4 1/2 Tbls. honey

1 Tbls. fresh rosemary

6 cloves minced garlic

1 1/2 Tbls. pepper

1 1/2 Tbls. salt

2# flank steak

Mix all ingredients together, pour over steak and marinate for at least 8 hours. Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium rare. Let meat rest for 5 minutes before slicing. ENJOY!

Still Catching Up...

2009-06-12T21:06:00.042-05:00

Dad and Shari came to visit in May. They drove their Corvette all the way here from Seattle! They drove through some horrible storms and tornadoes close to our home delaying their arrival. So, after the boys asked at least 100 times where Papa and Gammie were we finally dressed them in their rain coats and rubber boots so they could wait outside for them!Papa and Gammie got here just in time to see the boys in their first 2 swim lessons.
Bryce and Drew were good students and really liked Miss Lannie especially when she gave them lollipops! Jimmy and I took advantage of free babysitting and enjoyed a day together. Papa & Gammie and the boys had fun together, too. They are still talking about the bunny cake they made together!

The weather wasn't very nice while they were here, so there was a lot of time indoors and lots of special snuggle time!

Bryce and Papa were inseparable!

On the 2 nice days we had fun going miniature golfing...

The boys helped Papa wash his Corvette...

And we enjoyed a sunny day at Table Rock Lake - the fish hatchery, a picnic and playing in the water!

Papa and Gammie,

We look forward to more SWEET times with you this summer.

We'll be looking for you in August! :0)
Love,

Your Grandsons

Family Food Faves

2009-06-05T18:59:00.003-05:00

Another yummy pasta dish!

South-Of-The-Border Chicken and Pasta Skillet
kraft.com

Ingredients
2 cups medium-size pasta, uncooked
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 lb.), thawed, cut into bite-size pieces
16 oz. salsa (about 2 cups)
10 oz. frozen corn, unthawed (about 2 cups)
4 oz. (½ of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed
¼ tsp. ground cumin
1 cup KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese, divided

***I also added sliced black olives***
Directions
COOK pasta as directed on package.
MEANWHILE, cook and stir chicken in large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 6 min. or until done. Add salsa, corn, cream cheese and cumin; simmer on medium-low 6 min. or until corn is heated through and cream cheese is melted, stirring occasionally.
DRAIN pasta; add to skillet with half the shredded cheese. Simmer 3 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining shredded cheese; cover. Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

So Much Blogging...So Little Time!

2009-05-26T16:49:00.036-05:00

I have fallen SO far behind in my blogging. It has been a busy 2 months with lots of family visiting. Someday I plan to print my blog into a book so I want to make sure I capture all of our precious memories with family.

So...I will rewind to March!

We live thousands of miles away from our parents, so we always look forward to our visits with them. This one was extra special because Mom & Mike came with my Grandma and Grandpa! They drove half way across the country to stay with us and other family and friends along the way.

Of course, the boys were thrilled to have 4 grandparents to love on and receive lots of attention from!

Bryce and Drew were well behaved and fairly calm. They just enjoyed crawling up in everyones' laps to read books, play with puzzles and watch tv!

We enjoyed a few shows in Branson together

We also got to celebrate Mom's birthday with a little sweet treat from TCBY!

And, we were so excited they got to join us for the boys' 3rd birthday party. I think everyone had fun!

Bryce and Drew loved their Diego hop balls from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa!

3 GENERATIONS! Each of us 25 years apart!
Mom, Mike, Grandma and Grandpa,

Thank you for driving all the way to see us. We had a wonderful time with each of you and are so thankful for our precious memories! We love you all!

BYE-BYE!

Family Food Faves

2009-05-12T08:16:00.005-05:00

This is a "keeper!" A pretty pasta dish for summer.

Lemon Chicken Spaghetti

recipe: Taste of Home

Ingredients:
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips (I dice it)
2 green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
8 ounces uncooked thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta 1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup chopped seeded tomatoes
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1/8 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning (I omitted)
Directions:
In a large skillet, saute chicken, onions and garlic in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken with a slotted spoon; keep warm. Add broth to the skillet; bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half. Reduce heat; add cream. Cook and stir for 5 minutes. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Add peas, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and chicken to the cream mixture; heat through. Drain spaghetti; toss with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with lemon peel and lemon-pepper. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-10T22:21:00.013-05:00

I had a wonderful Mother's Day today.

Jimmy had planned to make me breakfast in bed...with the boys' help! As I was laying in bed trying to rest, I could hear that Jimmy was frustrated and having a bit of a struggle trying to make blueberry pancakes, bacon and fruit with the boys! So, I got up to help him out. The breakfast was yummy even if it did take him an hour to make the pancakes! Thank you honey!

Then we went to church together and out for Mexican food with some friends.

Bryce and Drew wanted to take a nap with me today so I let them talk me into it...twist my arm!

After naps we spent lots of time together just reading books, doing puzzles and playing together. Tonight we got on the web cam to wish our Mom's a Happy Mother's Day. And then the boys gave me a sweet homemade card and a gift card for a massage. I can't wait to get that scheduled!

Thank you Bryce and Drew (and Jimmy) for making my day special. I love being your Mommy and I am so blessed to have you!

Happy Mother's Day to our mom's too. We love you and are so thankful for you!

Papa Rick & Gammie

2009-05-01T07:05:00.007-05:00

My Dad and Shari are on their way here from Seattle. They are driving and should be here tonight for dinner. We are all looking forward to our visit, especially the boys. We haven't seen them since last May! I think they will be amazed at how much they have grown!

I am resorting to bribery. I told Bryce and Drew that if they don't have a good nap, Papa and Gammie are not going to come! We'll see how it works!

Happy Birthday to Jimmy

2009-04-23T08:50:00.016-05:00

Yesterday, we celebrated Jimmy's 37th birthday. He enjoyed turkey hunting with a friend from church the day before so when I asked him what he would like to do he appropriately answered, "just spend a fun day with my family!"

The weather was a beautiful 85 degrees so he wanted to get outside and enjoy "World Fest" at Silver Dollar City. He received a Happy Birthday ribbon to proudly wear around the park...needless to say, it didn't stay on for long!

The boys had a blast playing in the kid's area. It was a 3 story building with foam balls everywhere. You could shoot the balls with air guns, suck them up with long vacuum hoses or feed them onto a ladder that traveled up when you turned the steering wheel. Our boys were fascinated by this.

Then we enjoyed the "Feet of Fire" show. Amazingly, Bryce was able to sleep on my lap with all the loud music playing!
Of course, no Silver Dollar City day would be complete without rides...my least favorite thing! Someone has to take pictures, right?

Jimmy's birthday dinner didn't quite turn out as planned. Drew fell asleep in the car so Bryce and I ate while J stayed in the car with Drew. Then we "tag-teamed" Jimmy so he could eat a nice "quiet" dinner. Then Drew woke up and wanted to eat, so we all sat together. It was kind of a crazy, long meal, but thankfully, our server was patient and we tipped her well!

We ended the evening with some yummy Marble Slab ice cream.

Happy Birthday Jimmy & Daddy. WE all love you and appreciate you so much. WE are so blessed to have you. You are the BEST!

A Wonderful Visit

2009-04-18T15:25:00.009-05:00

This past week, Jimmy's childhood pastor/family friend and his wife came to visit us. Donny and Diane recently retired, bought a beautiful trailer, truck and motorcycle and have been touring the US for the past 7 months...it's a pretty sweet setup! They parked their trailer in a nearby RV park and enjoyed riding their motorcycle hundreds of miles throughout the Ozark Mountains. They came to our house for dinner 2 nights and then Donny and Diane took me and the boys out to dinner one night since Jimmy was out of town. We had a wonderful time visiting and catching up with them and of course, it was extra special being able to introduce them to Bryce and Drew! The boys enjoyed the attention and love they were shown! They seem to feel right at home with other grandparents!

Donny and Diane are very special to us. Fifteen years ago (this Aug) Donny married us. We also did pre-marital counseling with them both. Jimmy and I still remember a lot of the advice they shared with us and have had many opportunities in the past 15 years to put it into action!

Donny and Diane,

Thank you for driving to see our family and for spending time with us. We thoroughly enjoyed it! You are both generous, loving and servant-minded individuals. We love you and appreciate you and look forward to seeing you on your next road trip!

Easter 09

2009-04-15T07:51:00.002-05:00

Saturday night the boys enjoyed coloring Easter eggs. We got the decorating kit that had stickers so that was a big hit, of course!

Their finished products...