Ham and Cheese Lasagna

I tried this last night with leftover ham from thanksgiving and IT WAS AMAZING!  (in my humble opinion). 

 

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pasta/ham-and-cheese-lasagna/
(I halved the recipe).

Making Christmas

We had a good time last night for family home evening putting up our Christmas Tree.  The kids had such a good time putting up the ornaments.  They are so excited for Christmas.  It's fun that they are both at an age where they are appreciating the fun of the holiday. 

My Crazy Kids

Just some of what has been going on around our house. 

This is what happens when big brother helps you get dressed after a shower. 

Mommy! Look at i'm doing!

Maiya loves to play dress-up and by that I mean, trying on every single item in her wardrobe. 

'Helping' Mommy

"Look what we builded!"

Breaking the Blog Silence!

Wow it is so hard to break blog silence.  When I stop for awhile, it is so hard to start up again. But it is always fun to do an update on all of the things that have been going on.

Quincey has been going to Preschool, and has been making improvements as far as I can tell.  His teacher started sending home a behavior chart for him everyday, so that I could reward him for good days (and punish him relentlessly!!! for bad days)  1 star = not so good 2 stars =okay 3 stars = great.  At first it was a lot of 1 stars, but lately it's been a lot of 3 stars.  His main problems are just learning to adjust to the structure and transitioning.  Like when it is time to stop playing and sit on the carpet, he likes to keep playing.  Or sometimes he will randomly decide to start running around her house and 'search for clues.'  I am glad that I decided to start him this year, I think it will definitely help the transition into kindergarten go a lot smoother.  (p.s.  I realized pretty recently (to my horror) that Maiya and Quincey will only be one grade apart in school! Which means I could put Maiya in preschool next year.  (we will see, haven't decided yet.)

I continue to get my blood tested every month.... 4 down, 8 to go!  No problems so far. I have been spending more time with the molar pregnancy group online.  It has proven a GREAT help to me.  I have been able to get lots of questions that my dr. doesn't know the answers to.  To be able to talk with such a large group of ladies all over the world who have gone/ are going through the same kind of loss as I have.  Technology is truly amazing.  It makes the world seem small.

G is staying very busy with his calling as Bishop.  It has officially been one year now!  (since the week after conference).  It has been amazing for me to take a moment and sit back and watch the miracles that take place.  It has definitely been a challenge on our little family to adjust to all of the time that G gives to the church, but to be able to see how God strengthens us and how we are able to get through it all has been wonderful.  We have found a lot of support in ward members, friends, and family. 

Okay, that is all for now... I have been working on this post for a while now, so it is time to get it done! I will post pictures of Halloween soon.  The kids had such a blast with all of the festivities.  Now we can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Plans are for changing

Well, I just got back from a nice little vacation.  Geren and I had planned on traveling to Utah together on Friday after work to go to conference.  But then  I found out that he was driving up separately with a friend and decided to go up earlier, because I can! (such are the benefits of being a stay at home mom). 

So, the kids and I embarked on our journey on Wednesday morning.  It was so nice to be able to be in charge and the freedom of being able to do what ever my little heart desired.  I first headed to see my sweet former mission companion, the incomparable Darci, and her bundle of sweetie children.  Then I decided I would head north and visit my old stomping grounds in Ogden and visit some relatives there.  i was having a difficult time deciding who I would go visit.  I found myself praying that I would be able to know where I needed to go.  It was then, (about 15 minutes outside of Ogden) that I had an epiphany! I realized that my wonderful sister Jennifer lived only 2 hours away from Ogden (in Idaho)..... So, I kept driving! Even though I had left all of my luggage at my in-laws house in Utah, we stayed in Idaho until Saturday afternoon.  (I had to go to the store for diapers and extra clothes for the kids.... and a car charger for my phone.)  

Oh what a fun time we had.  It is fun to do fun things when they are planned. BUT there is something so exhilarating about random changes to plans that makes things even more fun and exciting!  (I think my husband would disagree with this opinion, by the way). 
Here are some pictures of our journey.....

 My lovely niece (one is missing in this picture) and nephews

 The Gorgeous Maiya (she has decided this on her own.)

 My sister and I (We never claimed to be super models... we just are naturally :)) 

 I thought it was funny how Scoob was resting on the back window. I took this while I was driving ;)

 We stopped at the Discovery Museum in Salt Lake and had lots of fun! Unfortunately Quincey got a rope burn from sliding down this rope.

 Pretty Maiya with the balls (her favorite)

 Q in the first aid room getting ice for his rope burn.

 Enjoying the helicopter with the ice pack.  Even though right after I took this picture, Q got hit with the helicopter steering lever in the face, and we decided to call it a day. 

I loved Conference.  My favorite talk would have to be President Monson's from the Priesthood Session.  I enjoyed learning more about the importance of agency and choice and Satan's desired role in my decisions.  I made a stronger resolve to involve the Lord in my choices. 

Well, so here I am back to our good ol' home.  (I do love our home).  And when I count my blessings it is high on the list. Also, I love my dog Scooby.  Okay, I can tell I am getting tired.  Until next time. 

Pumpkin Season!

One of my favorite things about fall, is.... it is Pumpkin Time! I found this recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins.  And they are SO EASY! Only 3 ingredients, and I thought they were super fabulous.  And apparently, if you leave out the chocolate they are just 1 WW point.  (But, the chocolate makes it super yummy... of course)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Makes 24 muffins

Ingredients:
2 boxes Spice Cake Mix
1 29 oz. can Pumpkin
1 12 oz bag chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix all ingredients together.
Spoon batter into lined muffin tins. (You can fill them all the way to the top, they don't rise very much.)
Bake for 22-25 min. or until an inserted toothpick comes clean.


Happy Fall every body!!!!

Swing Set!

We had a special swing set given to us from some friends in our Ward.  And it just so happens to fit perfectly in our yard and has 3 seats for all 3 of the kids!!! What a great addition.  The kids are loving it.