Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

3 cans whole kernel corn, drained

1 c. milk

1 T sugar

1/4 tsp salt and pepper

8 oz cream cheese, cubed

1/2 c. unsalted butter, cut into thin slices (I have also used salted and just omitted the salt above).

Place corn into a slow cooker. Stir in milk, sugar and pepper until well combined. Without stirring, top with butter and cream cheese. Cover and cook on high heat for 2-3 hours. 

Uncover and stir until butter and cream cheese are well combined. Cover and cook on high heat for additional 15 minutes.

Mary Ann's Hawaiian Chicken

Mary Ann's Hawaiian Chicken

Chicken (thighs are delicious)
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 T chopped onion
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/4 c. corn starch

1/4 c. margarine
2 1/2 c. unsweetened pineapple chunks and juice
2 T lemon juice

Place chicken in bowl. Combine soy sauce, onion and ginger and pour over chicken.  Let stand at least 30 minutes. Turning to coat all sides.

Drain chicken, reserving sauce. Coat with cornstarch.
Place margarine in bottom of large shallow pan and place in 425 degree oven to melt. Place chicken in pan. Bake 30 minutes or until bottom is well browed. Turn the chicken over.

Combine pineapple chunks, lemon juice and reserved sauce and pour over chicken. Bake 15-20 minutes longer.

Cilantro Ranch

Cilantro Ranch

1 jar La Victoria Green Salsa
1 pkt. ranch dressing mix
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. mayo
1 c. fresh cilantro, stems removed
2 cloves fresh garlic

Pour everything into the blender.  Blend until well mixed and cilantro is finely chopped.  Good right away, but better if it stands for a day.

Sweet Rice

Sweet Rice

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cups White Rice
3 cups Chicken Broth
1 TBSP Vegetable Oil 
1/2 White Onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 bunch Fresh Cilantro chopped (remove stems)

Directions: 
Heat up the oil in a medium sized pot. Saute onions until almost see-through. Add in the cilantro and cook for 1 minute.  Add in rice, sugar, salt, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.  When the pot is boiling, turn down to low or medium low and cover. Cook 20-25 minutes until the rice is fluffy and has absorbed all the liquid.

Grammy's Rolls

Grammy's Rolls
1/2 batch (makes 3 1/2 dozen rolls (give or take))

2 C scalded milk
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C margarine
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 T yeast
6 C flour (approximately)

1/2 - 1 C butter for after rolls are rolled out

Put margarine, sugar and salt in the mixer. Scald milk in microwave (cook for 3 1/2 - 4 minutes until there is a skin on top). Add milk to mixer and mix.  Add 1 C flour and then yeast, then the rest of the flour. Let raise in greased bowl until double. Roll out and cut circles.  Dip in melted butter and fold roll in half on cookie sheets.  Can freeze.

Bake at 390 degrees for 9 minutes.

Pizza Dough

Pizza Dough

Recipe from Brigette Bailey

1 T instant yeast

3 1/2 - 4 cups flour

1 1/4 cup warm/hot water

1 tsp salt

2 T olive oil

Mix water, salt and yeast and let sit, then mix in flour and oil.  Knead for 2 minutes and lightly cover with oil, then a towel and let rise to double in size. Roll out and make pizza as desired.  Fork holes to prevent bubbles before adding topping.  Will make 2 small/medium pizzas.

Cook at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

March 2019: Instagram

Sydnee is 9 months old! Out as long as she was in! Sydnee army crawls all over the house and is always following her mama or a sibling to see what the fuss is about. She is eating baby food so much better and still enjoys nursing. Sydnee takes 2-3 naps a day. The first two for two hours each and the third if she needs it for an hour. She goes to bed at about 7 each night and then likes to see her mom 2-3 times between then and 7 a.m.  She is such a happy baby during the day. We all adore her and complete to make her laugh and smile.

It's March! Time for another 30 day reading of the Book of Mormon. I am a few days behind already but determined to make it happen anyway. Every year I am blessed when I make time to do this and I'm sure this year will be no exception. Join me!

Our sweet Sydnee is living her best life. Ruling the floor all over our house and tasting ice cream for the first time. She was a big fan!

Grandma came to visit from California for a few days. We loved our time with her!

It was really considerate of DDP to print what I chant to myself every time I open a can, right ON the can so I don't forget.

Brynlee loves her once a week gymnastics class. I rarely go into the gym to watch her as the other two girls are busy in the play gym next door, but I caught some balance beam work this week. (She is in the black leotard and teal pants).

I was able to push hard this year and finish the entire Book of Mormon in the month of March, even with my late start. I love this book. I know that it is the word of God and that it was written for us many years ago and brought forth in these days so that we could have guidance in these turbulent times. It has given me direction, peace and has deepened my relationship with my Savior. I know that it can also change your life. I would love to send you a copy or have a conversation anytime, anywhere.

March 2019

Brynlee packs diaper bags and plays house all. day. long.  This day she was so proud of how this bag was sitting on her shoulder just the way she wanted it to.

On March 13th, the blizzard/bomb cyclone/whatever giant storm hit Cheyenne.  They cancelled school ahead of time (which they NEVER do here) so we hunkered down and got ready to ride it out.

When I woke up at 7 a.m. it wasn't too bad outside, snowing, but no real accumulation.  Then the winds picked up and I couldn't see the neighbors house for the majority of the day.  This is the view out my back window as of about 9 a.m.

The next day, we had bare ground in some areas and then 4-5 foot drifts in others.  They say we got 14 inches of snow throughout the storm, although how they could measure that with the insane winds we had, I will never understand.

A few days later, it was warm enough for the kids to enjoy it all!

Sydnee in the high chair as photographed by Hallee.

Videos: March 2019

Hallee started potty training this month - she had to tell Grandma all about it.  The way she says "Cinderella" is the best.

February 2019

Devynee had my camera one day and caught cute Sydnee and her crazy tongue.

And a selfie, of course.

Kendree got this sweater for her birthday.  It reminds me so much of sweaters I wore in elementary school.

Cute Sydnee eating some baby food.  She is finally getting good at eating it.

Hallee and her backpack that is as big as she is.

My birthday, anniversary, Christmas, etc. present arrived this month! An Amish made table that is beautiful and I love it! We ordered six chairs and the table expands from 5 to 9 feet long.  We also got an expandable bench that goes from 5 to 9 feet as well.  The kids are getting used to treating this different than the old table.  It's so nice to be able to all fit and eat together.

Videos February 2019

Instagram: February 2019

Kendree had her friend party this weekend. She loved having her friends all together to paint some pottery. The girls seemed to have a ton of fun creating their pieces and being together. We loved getting to celebrate Kendree!

Brynlee, Hallee and their cute little friends had a valentines play date today. I made a few dozen sugar cookies (I hate making them so much) and the kids loved decorating and eating them. Even Sydnee enjoyed the party. Although her smile in this picture looks a little forced.

Easton finished up a season of elementary school basketball today. He loved every minute, even if they were 0-5 on the season. The kid plays with so much heart no matter what he is doing. He works so hard and continues trying no matter what. I hope he can realize that drive and passion in so many other areas of his life.

Happiest of Birthdays to our Kendree! 9 years old and the best big sister! She had a great day seeing friends at church and having family over for a party afterward. We love her friendly, go-get 'em attitude and all she contributes to this family!

Ronnie and I were able to celebrate 14 years of marriage! He surprised me with 14 gorgeous roses and we got to eat delicious food. (Real life: we ended the night grocery shopping because acts of service are totally my love language and anytime I don't have to take 3+ kids to the store is service to me). I am so grateful for the man that Ronnie is and the life we have together. Here's to eternity!

Instagram: January 2019

54 degrees in January means target practice with a Christmas gift.

Easton and Ronnie had the opportunity to go do some family names at the temple last night. Easton was baptized for his great-grandpa! He asked if we could go again today, so I guess he had a fun time.

Grandma Lopez was able to visit after Christmas and stayed for Easton's ordination. We loved having her with us!

On the way home from running errands Thursday, I heard a "clunkity bangity" under that car and thought, "I hope that doesn't cause a flat." A mile later the low pressure light came on and we were close enough to home to make it. I pulled in and saw this... What are the chances of this happening? So crazy. In good news, the tire was fixed easily and we got a new set of pliers out of the deal.

Sydnee is SEVEN months old! (A few weeks ago) We are a little slow on the uploading over here. Sydnee does not like solid food. She gags like you are trying to feed her poison no matter what food it is. We just keep trying though! She is a content baby and is rolling all over the floor. She uses her pivots and strategic rolling to get wherever she wants. Sydnee loves to see anyone in her family and always has a smile (non-family members are not always so lucky). She is napping well but enjoys seeing her mom 2-3 times a night. Uggggh. We love our happy Sydnee girl!

We had family pictures done over Thanksgiving and they could not have gone better. The weather was perfect and the kids did great!

Another trip to the temple with my love, another selfie. Love being in the Lord's house and the spirit that is felt there.

Super Hallee!!!

Sydnee at 8 months. 8!!! Sydnee is still the happiest and most content baby during the day. She will roll around and army crawl all over the family room for an hour or more if she is rested and fed. Sydnee takes 2 solid naps a day and goes down awake and puts herself to sleep. The 3rd nap is a hit or miss depending on what we have going on. At night, she continues to get up 2-3 times a night. Sydnee is starting to enjoy baby food and is getting better without her mama to put her to bed at night (when I have YW, etc). She loves her siblings and will kick and kick and kick if they pay attention to her on the floor. Sydnee is starting to explore outside of the family room and it won't be long until the baby gate goes back up.