"THE" party!

Last night was Jacob’s “big” party. We haven’t ever had a birthday party. This was our first. Usually we just have family over and then go shopping with birthday money or something like that. Since Jake turned 16, we figured it needed to be special. We set the mood by having lots of Lava lamps all around the living room. We also got a stop light and a disco ball thing (you point a light at it and it spins and puts rotating lights all around the room). We also took out some of the lights from the ceiling fans and left on lights in other rooms. The lighting was perfect. The lava lamps/disco lights stood out but it was still light enough for no one to think about getting into trouble. Then Mike hooked his computer up to the big speakers we have. He used Pandora to find 80’s music and it worked out perfect. It was just like a dance club with better lighting. Haha
~~We didn't leave them on this table, this is just what all our garage sale lava lamps over the years look like.  haha

We had fewer kids than expected show up, but I was grateful. :) We had 4 guys (not including Jake and Josh) and 5 girls. We had a full house. :) Actually, we only had about 3 guys not show. :)

We had tons of food. I figured teenagers would eat more than they did. I was prepared. Haha I told Mike later that I’m not cooking the rest of the weekend, and I think we will fine! Haha

Jake and his friends had a good time. They spent time indoors then outdoors. We played a game with toilet paper and plungers. Once the game was over, Jeremiah (Jakes best friend) juggled with them. Haha

After everyone came back in, we had cake and ice cream. I was looking for superman ice cream and found this cake instead. It was perfect. I don’t usually buy birthday cakes, but this one was worth it. :)

Jake goes in tomorrow to have his interview with the bishop to become a priest. Can you believe? I am not ready for that. I shouldn’t be that old yet. Haha


Elaina also got dressed up for the party.  She put on her favorite dress and heels(!?!) and put a headband in her hair.  She was ready to party!  haha  She ended up staying in my bedroom watching movies that we rented from the library.  :) 
I’m glad this party is over and done. Now I just have to try to get Josh to figure out what he wants to do for his birthday next month!

Happy birthday, Jacob.

Today, Jacob turns 16. Man I feel old! It seems like just yesterday he was born. He was such a good baby. :) He had to stay in the hospital for a week but he was adorable with his red hair. At 8 lbs 12 oz he was the biggest baby in the ICU. :)

(17 hours of labor will do wonders for your hair)

He always loved Aunt Dana.

He usually had a big grin.

He always has had a love for homemade pizza.

His love of bugs has only increased over the years.

He is always stunning in his suits.

He was and will always be a COOL guy!

My morning View

I woke up this morning to a beautiful scene.  I looked out my bedroom window and this is what I saw:

This was how my street looked.  :)

Then Josh made a snowman.  I'm not sure, but Elaina might have helped him.  :)  Emma re-did her snowwoman from yesterday.  She gave it more of a rounded bottom.  I'm sure the snowwoman appreciated it.  :)

It's snowing again. YEAH!!!

What a wild and wacky winter this has been. It is snowing again. It’s hard to believe. It started snowing last night and it has been snowing nonstop ever since. The kids have been quite happy. Well, half the kids anyways. The girls are in a charter school. The boys are in public school. They have different school districts even though their schools are less than 5 miles apart. The girls had their schools cancelled. Actually, the towns to the north AND south of us cancelled school today due to the snow/ice. I was shocked that the boys actually had school. They are in a school district that is very dedicated. Any time there is a storm or something their school is in session. That also means they don’t have make-up days, so there is a silver lining. Haha

The girls and I risked our lives to go to the library. Haha Actually, it was all slush. Not too much ice. Lots of snow, but little ice.

Then Mike was let off work early. I had him go pick up Josh and Jake on his way home. I guess I was feeling sorry for them. I don’t know what I was thinking. Haha So, Mike picked up Josh and went to get Jake. Jake was having too good of a time at school, so he stayed and rode the bus home later. Josh, Emma and Elaina played in the snow. Emma made a huge square. Then she turned it into a snowman. It is really cute. It looks like a snowwoman with huge hips! Haha Josh and Emma made “forts”. Elaina made an “egg” that she carried around the entire yard. They had a good time, needless to say.

When I got them to come inside, they were dripping wet. Elaina talked Mike into making her a slushy with snow. She was happy.

I also tried a recipe. I have wanted to try to make this kettle corn, but have been too chicken. I should have tried it sooner. My kids, who don’t like microwave kettle corn ate this stuff hand over fist! Basically take a pot with a lid. Put 3 Tablespoons oil in the pan. Put the burner on med/high heat. While that is heating up, put 1/3 cup popcorn kernels and 3 Tablespoons of sugar in a bowl. Then go watch the oil. I watched for smoke (just like the blog suggests), then poured the corn/sugar into the oil. Stirred it with a spoon for about 10 seconds, and then put the lid on. I put a towel on top and held the lid while I shook it around a bit. Once the popcorn was done, I added a little salt and it was done. I put it in another bowl and the kids attacked it. Actually, I attacked it too. I don’t usually eat too much popcorn, but this stuff was amazing. I’m going to have to make kettle corn more often!

Remember The Bugaloos???

While at the library, I came across The Bugaloos CD. I have been telling Mike and the kids about this show. I remember watching it when I was about Elaina’s age. I used to love this show! I just couldn't help myself. I had to rent it.

I "tortured" Jake, Josh and Emma by making them watch it with me. Then Elaina was able to watch it. She likes it. Can you believe it? I've instilled the Bugaloos on a whole new generation. Haha

I always liked Benita Bizarre the best.  I guess I was pretty messed up even as a small kid.  :)

It's been 100 days already

Yesterday was the 100th day of school for the girls. Of course that meant pizza for lunch and fun 100 day festivities all day. Elaina had to wear a t-shirt that she created in honor of the 100th day of school. Here is what she came up with.

I printed off a“100” to use it as a guide for her pink 100. Then we got 100 sparkly pom pom balls and glued them to the shirt. I was shocked that most of them even made it home ON the shirt! haha
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The other day, I made up the chimichangas using the chicken I bought at Sam’s Club. It was super easy. I use an old weight watchers recipe I found a LONG time ago when I was disciplined enough to follow the weight watchers regimen. Haha


Take the meat and put it in a tortilla with some cheese. You can add salsa or anything else you want at this point. My kids won’t eat too spicy so I kept these pretty plain.

Then spray them with butter spray and pop them in the oven. I bake them at 350’ until they are nice and golden brown. Once they are cooled off, put them in zip-top bags and freeze them or just go ahead and eat them for dinner. Very easy and better for you than traditional chimichangas.

Yeah for Sam's Club

Today I went to Sam’s club. They have boneless skinless chicken breast on sale for $1.77 a pound. I had gotten some earlier and used them to make the Monterey Chicken the other night. Today I picked up two “family Packs” for $16 ($8 a piece).  First, I separated the packs into thirds. 

I cleaned the excess fat off of all the meat. I put the cut-off bits and pieces (along with 1/3 breasts) in the crock pot with some water-downed salsa in it. I plan on using it to make some baked chimichangas to freeze. I also have left-over taco meat to make some with as well for the kids who don’t like chicken. 

I took another third of it and put it in the freezer for a later use. Usually I like to boil it and cut it up and freeze it that way, but I wanted to have some whole breasts in the freezer.

Then I took the last third and marinated them in barbeque sauce to BBQ them for dinner. I’ll be honest. I am disappointed with how few leftovers we have. I will be lucky if it feeds two people. Haha Oh well. Live and learn. Haha  I guess that just means everyone liked it.  :}