Saturday's Dinner-Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells super easy-
1- Box stuffed shells (I use 1/2 box)- cook according to directions & set aside
1-jar your fav pasta sauce
1-container ricotta cheese
1-bag shredded motz cheese
Parm cheese

layer a 9x13 baking dish with half jar of sauce
Mix some parm the motz save 1/2 cup & ricotta in a bowl
stuff the shells
pour over rest of sauce sprinkle with more parm & remaining 1/2 cup motz
Bake 350 for 1/2 hour-45min covered

you can also use 1 cup motz cheese & add in spinach & sauteed zucchini to make it healthier we have done that & is amazing but I didn't have any zucchini on sat :(
Enjoy -Candice-

Im back. Finally Im back.

I purchased a ipad shortly after Christmas. It was awesome. Until I wanted to blog, and wanted to copy and paste, or post something exciting in our moms group. Wasnt happening. No keyboard, and all touch screen. Yeah- fail.
So I returned it, and went and bought a laptop. A Samsung. So far so good. Im up and running, posting a blog, and smiling while doing so.

Well, today has been quite an experience.

First off, I got up seen some not so nice and rude bashing going in the moms group. Candice and I talked and took care of that mess. Then met two awesome ladies for breakfast; Shannon, and Candice, then went to the mall to get a phone cover. While there I found something cute to add to the basket for Carsen; Candices new one who will be here in May. After that I went to verizon, and received shitty customer service. I ran out in the rain with Dailee from in there, made a phone call to there phone customer service about getting Ron a phone, and spoke with a awesome lady. Who told me to go shop around online. Well I did that, and ended up getting Rons phone for free. :) Yah!

Check back into facebook to find a bunch of mess going on in the group. Stuff we refuse to tolerate. Were all adults and we act like it. Minus a few women who have nicely removed themselves so we didnt have to do so. Apparently were no the ones who the problem if we dont have to remove them ourselves. Makes it much easier on Candice and I. We just want things to run smoothly and for everyone to get along. Our moto: To each its own. Its that simple.

So, Ive got the house cleaned this afternoon. Are having some girls over tomorrow to do hair, and will complete the weekend with Riley returning Sunday from his trip! :)

Tootles
Karmen

Gonna Lose It!!!

Today has been a day I mean a day! WOW! I have a few mins so I figured maybe if I vent I will ease some stress. I think I very well may lose my mind, my marbles my something today! I feel my blood pressure rising today that is for sure! I am being pushed to the limit!

 To start last night I slept like complete crap tossed & turned could not get comfortable, after about every hour of getting up to pee & blow my nose b/c i'm all stuffed up 3am rolls around & I am WIDE awake (really??) So I lay there desperately trying to fall back asleep no luck then Aiden comes in well Brandon herd him so he got up & tucked him back in! I just about fall back asleep at 4:50 am when beep beep beep Brandon's alarm goes off (jdgfsdfskjhk) That's how I felt! 

5:30am rolls around & Aiden & Brycen are up (oh freakin joy!) I laid in bed for a few mins hoping Brycen would go back to sleep no such luck so got up Brandon had already got Aidens milk & got Brycen's ready so into change him & give him his milk. Brandon heads to work & I get the boy's some breakfast, let the dog's out feed them vacuum quick ok so it's not so bad!

7am hits and hell breaks loose! Aiden has started with the attitude from well, hell! Screaming at me he wants to take a shower now! I'm like hang on I'm washing dishes I'll start your shower in a minute, he's screaming he wants to shower now & in my shower. I'm like no your shower & I will get to it in a minute mind you Brycen is now trying to climb the kitchen table the cat is trying to chew the computer cord & I just about want to scream! I really don't like being yelled at by a 4yr old

8:15 Brycen goes back to bed after a meltdown b/c he is tired & I am feeling like I am about to throw up, Aiden is playing nicely & I decided to lay down so I don't start barfing my brains out, well then starts I need juice, I want a snack, I want this, I want that arrrrrrgh!

9:30am Brycen is back up all over the place pulls the kitchen chair on top of him, everytime I go to use the bathroom he is climbing the step stool & trying to climb the toilet.
Then we have Aiden instigating bringing out toys & teasing Brycen, which leads Brycen into a screaming fit, Brycen trying to climb his rocking chair & unplugging his monitor. YAY!

11:00-1130ish ok it's time to make lunch so we can have kids sitting & quiet or so I think, I make grilled ham & cheese what Aiden asked for & then I get I don't like this, I want cold ham, I said well when you eat 1/2 your sandwich you may have some cold ham, & the temper tantrum starts, finally I yell just go to your room if you can not be happy with what you have you get nothing. (because let me tell you at this point I have HAD it). I am sick of always giving into what he wants b/c he changes his mind! NO MORE! You get what you get & you don't throw a fit! Mind you I am having alot of pelvic pain today & siatic so I feel as though I am limping around, I am so over being pregnant! I need a fast forward button!

Needless to say Aiden is now in his room & being quiet I think he may have fallen asleep however I am to afraid to go in & see I don't want to disrupt this quiet & Brycen was playing nicely but now is smacking his toy hammer on the chair! Is it 4pm yet??? Because this tired preggo momma is ready for daddy to come save the day! -Candice-

Rainy Day Fun!!

Well it's raining today blah! It's cold yucky, and were trying to get over a cold (well Brycen & I) So I needed something fun to do hmm... I had to put my thinking cap on! My boy's have been up since 5:45 we needed a project Aiden loves to paint but Brycen tries to eat paint Fail! Or was it???

 I decided I was going to let my little man paint, like big brother but obviously I don't want him eating paint so I came up with an awesome soloution... PUDDING PAINT! Yep & I used food coloring to make it more fun & exciting...

I used vanilla instant pudding mixed it seperated it into serving dishes & added food coloring :)



                                    Brycen painting we had a plastic fork, plastic spoon & a little paint brush

                                                         Aiden thought it was cool!

                                          & then of course it turned into this as I expected :)

Aiden loved eating the pudding

But not as much as Brycen :)

But hey they are having fun painting/eating so it's all good

here are some of the creations....
it may be a little messy but messy is fun & hey they can eat it :)  -CANDICE-

Friends

When life throws you curve balls you always have your family and friends there to help straighten things back out. Although threw out time your life changes. Everyone starts there own families and has children and lives seems to get very busy. But threw it all the friends and family who take the 5 minutes out there day or week to call, email or text to say hello I'm thinking about you are the ones to keep! I'm so thankful for my amazing family & close friends!

Cranberry Potroast!

Ingredients:

1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast

1 (16 ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions:

1.Place onion soup mix in the bottom of a slow cooker.

2.Top with roast; cover with cranberry sauce.

3.Cook on low 8 hours, then remove roast and set aside.

4.Turn slow cooker on high.** I also added 1/4 cup water wanted to make sure there was enough liquid so wouldn't burn & I am glad I did :)

5.Whisk butter and flour in a bowl and then slowly mix it into the remaining liquid the slow cooker to make thick delicious gravy.

It was really yummy Enjoy -Candice-

My day

So I found this on pinterest & it kind of upset me maybe it's the preg hormones but I'll tell you why....

I'm a good mom but guess what? My floors are not sticky, my oven is clean & my kids are beyond happy! My 4yr old tells me everyday I love you mommy your the best mommy & my 14mo is a happy little boy. Some people think that by neglecting your house you have more time with your kids, I think the opposite. If I let everything pile up I would spend a whole day neglecting my kids & cleaning um no thanks! So I will tell you my secret for having a clean home & happy kids (yes you can have both!!)
 
Now I'm not bashing anyone who does not clean as much as me I'm an ocd neat freak sorry I am & I'm not saying anyone should be like me I'm not perfect by any means, but this is how I live my life & we are all happy.

We sart our day at 6:30am this is when my kids wake I get 2 cups of milk ready every morning for my boy's they have their milk & we sit on the couch & cuddle. Then a few mins after they are ready for breakfast so I start breakfast somedays I make them pancakes or Belgian waffels, or eggs, somedays it's a cereal bar or pop tart. While they are eating I  clean my counters & vacuum yep that's what I do I vacuum the 3 bedrooms first & then I vacuum my hardwood floor & my kitchen. It does not take me long at all bc I do it everyday so its not very messy :) Every other day I run my swiffer through to mop, I like that the best.

Then the kids p & I play for a little bit or we may decide to get showered & dressed right away depends on the day. M,W,F Aiden has preschool from 9-12 so we drop him off I come home with Brycen & he is usually ready for his morning nap by 9:30am I lay him down, I unload the dishwasher & wipe down the bathrooms & then sit down with my clean laundry to fold while I catch up on a dvr'd show! about 10:30-11 Brycen is up & guess what my house is clean yay!! I have the rest of the day with my kids, we play & sing & read books.

I pick Aiden up at 12 come home make lunch we sit & eat & talk about his day & then we play a game or play with his toy's. When Brycen lays down for his second nap Aiden usually has quiet time he does not take naps anymore but he still needs some chill time this is when he is allowed to watch tv or play quietly whatever he chooses sometimes we build Lego's or we play his new fav game candyland & he kicks my butt everytime! Somedays we go grab lunch with friends somedays we go to the park. But I assure you I make the most of the day with my kids they are happy & never neglected. Usually during this time I also prep dinner unless it's a crock pot recipe then I throw in as soon as I'm back from preschool morning drop off.

We like to eat dinner around 5 so we eat shortly after the hubby has come home & then he plays with the kids while I clean up dinner then it's bath & jammy time, then we hang out & play till bedtime.
Some people may feel that my life is stressful, but I feel stressed if things are not clean (I get it from my mom) She was a clean freak & she passed it down but guess what I had an amazing childhood & have so many great memories. This is just my routine I like routine it's what works for me :)

I also have 2 dogs & 2 cats & hair drives me crazy I don't want my kids covered in hair so this is another reason I clean everyday if I didn't have all my pets maybe I would not clean as often, but I've had my pets since I've been married & although they drive me crazy & I'd rather not have them most of the time they are not going anywhere till they pass so I need to keep the hair away lol :)  I'm anxious to see how I will have to adjust my routine when we throw Carsen into the mix in May. Oh the challenge but I'm up for it!

So yes maybe I'm a little crazy for my cleanness but it's what works for me & my family to each is own. -Candice-

And this is life

Well last night was not fun! Not only did I have a sick husband breathing his ick on me, I had a 4yr old wake up whom had to be put back into his room & then little man woke up screaming. I went in his room to find him sitting on the floor with a stuffed puppy so I tried to lay him back down & leave he was not having it. I ended up in the toddler bed with him for an hour & my back is not liking me today. This is life!
  This morning we met up with a friend & fellow preschool mom at gymnastics it was bring a friend day, Aiden had a blast. Brycen watched & loved to see big brother. I think we will sign Aiden up for gymnastics to give him something to do that will burn energy. Well after our play date had to come home to give Brycen his nap. Aiden had quiet time in his room & was allowed to watch tv, while I folded laundry & caught up on one of my fav. new shows Revenge (super good)! 
  When Brycen woke up he was & still is crabby  on & off he's currently running around with my sweater babbling & the next whining, Aiden was playing nice with him & then he turned into yelling at him, again this is life! LOL I have a pot roast cooking in the crock pot & if it's yummy (new recipe) I will share with you all :)
 Tomorrow is no preschool for Aiden & I have alot of running around to do, so of course there wouldn't be school so I have to take both kids right? This is life. I'm sure Aiden will tell me how bored he is, he is a character. Soon I need to start my mashed potatoes to go with dinner & then the hubs will be home he texted me earlier to let me know his voice was about gone & he was going to get medicine so I'm sure he will be a pure joy this evening, I swear men are worse than kids when sick! This is life!
  But... I wouldn't change it though things may get crazy & hectic & I may have children that are fighting one second, whining the next, & happy the next they are my life & I love them & their craziness :) -Candice-


                                Crazy boy with my sweater he is a drool mess working on more teeth

                                                            Trouble ;)

Some more chicken crockpot recipies

Sorry if some think I post to many recipes just trying to help out busy momma's this way you can still eat good but you don't have to spend hours prepping cooking :)

BBQ Bacon Apple Chicken
3-4 chicken breasts
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (add more other wise it's dry) I learned from when I made :)
1-2 apples, peeled and grated
1 lemon, juiced
6-8 slices bacon

Directions:
1. In small bowl, combine BBQ sauce with grated apple and lemon juice.
2. Place chicken breasts in base of crock pot, pour BBQ/apple mixture over the chicken. Wrap 2 pieces of bacon around each chicken breast. Set to low and cook for 8 hours.* I would only cook 6-7 I did 8 & chicken was dry!
 serve with sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes or rice.


Creamy Chicken & potatoes
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 tsp poultry seasoning
8-10 small new (red) potatoes w/ peels
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz sour cream
* I would also add a little garlic powder, onion powder & pepper for some more flavor :)
Sprinkle chicken w/ poultry seasoning and place in sprayed slow cooker. Arrange potatoes around chicken.
Combine soup, sour cream, and a good amount of pepper in bowl. Spoon over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Serves 4.
Enjoy -Candice-

Ranch & Bacon Chicken(CrockPot)

I made this for dinner last night it was soooo good! You serve with egg noodles & FYI: Don't add salt it has enough! Here is the recipe:

3-4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 tbsp real bacon bits ( I used real bacon I cooked 6 pieces & cut up small)

1 tsp minced garlic

1 pkg

Directions:

 ranch dressing mix

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

egg noodles

 Directions

1. Combine bacon, garlic, ranch dressing mix, soup, and sour cream; mix well.

2. Pour over chicken in the crock pot.

3. Cook on high 3-4 hours.

4. I then shred the chicken and put back in the pot and add the egg noodles; mix together

What you appreciate when your older

Its funny as a teenager how your view of things is so different! I never realized how lucky I was till I was in the process of wedding planning! I am the oldest of two I have a younger brother we are 4 1/2 years apart. I had the spotlight till he came along lol or that's how I used to look at it. When I was little I was daddy's little girl we danced to music, sang songs together, my dad was in a band & played guitar & he would take me to his practices with him I loved it. I would dance & sing I thought I was something else. My dad even made my birthday cake one year :) Him and my mom have been married almost 30years now (I can't wait to say that I have been married that long!) My dad & mom always gave me such fun birthday parties they were very creative they would come up with fun games & my mom usually made my cakes she is seriously so crafty (I'm jealous). My dad & mom worked their butts off to provide for us we always had great Christmas' my brother & I were very loved!
  As I got older my dad & I grew apart all we did was fight or we just would not even speak to each other. I always felt like my dad was harder on me than my brother, I felt my brother was the favorite. I can't even tell you how many times I slammed doors on my dad told him I hated him & went ignoring him. My dad would say well if you hate me then move out or I'm just doing my job, oh the anger I had towards him. There were times he'd ask me to go out to breakfast with him & I'd say ok we would go & sit there & eat & not talk we had nothing to really say to each other our relationship was not good.
 Then I met Brandon (my hubby) I was 18 funny thing is my mother actually did not like him at first, but my dad liked him right away weird! Brandon could see the tension between my dad & I. I remember one time while Brandon & I were out to dinner & we started to talk about my dad, Brandon said you know he loves you & you need to try to talk more with him, I thought oh what does he know. Well little did I know hubs knew alot & I feel because of him my dad & I are once again close he helped us patch our relationship back up.
 Two years after meeting Brandon we were engaged to be married my mother was skeptical my dad was so excited (what??) My dad helped me plan my whole wedding yes my dad. We started talking & picking stuff out it was so much fun, we would have breakfast dates & talk the whole time. My wedding day was one of the greatest days of my life, I married my best friend & my dad & I had our old relationship back, he was so proud of me as we danced (we both broke into tears) I remember wiping my dads tears I had my daddy back & he had his little girl again.
 The day I moved out was the day I moved to NC to go be with Brandon he was in the Marines & that is where & still where we are. It was so hard to leave my family, my dad wrote me a letter told me not to read till I was half way to NC so I listened that was the hardest letter to read I never cried so much. My dad had told me how proud he was, how much he loved me & how he knew Brandon & I would be so great he wrote " Looking at your wedding pictures, I can see how much he loves you". It was so sweet & reassuring that my dad saw great things for me. He was right!
   I think the hardest thing for me with my dad was 2 years ago he had a heart attack I was so scared I'd lose him I finally had my daddy back. As soon as I found out I was on the next flight out, Brandon took a week off work & stayed with Aiden. I went to be with my dad, I cooked for him & we just hung out & talked it was so great & I am so happy I was there for him, he had told me he was fine & I didn't need to come but I had to see for myself that he was or would be ok. He was very lucky, I still get on his case about eating better & such so he does not have another.

                                                      My dad & I on my wedding day

  I have come to learn that yes my dad may have been hard on me at times but he made me strong, he made me independent. He helped me grow into woman whom can take care of herself & her family, he taught me alot & I am so grateful I have him in my life. It's funny b/c now we talk on the phone for hours, text each other. We have the most amazing relationship. My dad is actually going to come stay with us a few weeks before Carsen is born so he can be here for the boy's when I go into labor!! I can not wait for him to be here, he is such an amazing Papa, the boy's adore him, & it makes me happy he can be here to help out & visit for awhile. I am so happy to have the amazing parents I do & now my very own amazing family -Candice-
 
                                          My dad, mom, brother, Brandon, me & the kids

So, have you hear the saying.. "when life throws you lemons, make lemon aid? Well, threw out life you come to a lot of rocks in the road when you just dont know to jump over, or try to push threw. At least I know I do. We are so blessed  and I am so fortunate enough to have such an amazing husband. This man would bend over backwards for my children and myself. He is amazing. & God made him just for me. We celebrated our 6 wedding anniversary in November. It hasn't been a smooth ride, but its been worth every rock in the road that we have gotten past.

We have been threw basic training, a 8 month deployment, and much more I have no time to list. It has made us so much in love, and appreciate each other that much more. His current job now has him gone alot. So when he is home we enjoy every second as a family!

I AM SO BLESSED!!

Karmen

Beware of the food monster!

We have to laugh at our house Brycen can pack the food away! This little 14mo old can eat 2 pieces of pizza you'd think he'd be a chunker he's in 25% for his weight, he must have one high metabolism! He eats way more than my 4yr old he will eat a 1/2 of a Pb&j sandwich & Brycen will eat a whole! That little piggy is going to eat me out of house & home when he's a teenager. We have to hide food from Brycen like our sweets b/c if he sees you eating something he points & yells till you let him have a bite, & in all fairness if he sees it we feel obligated to let him have a bite I feel bad if I eat something in front of him.
  Well we love ice cream in this house, my hubby & I have been on a chocolate Pb fix lately I guess he's feeling sympathy pregnancy symptoms lol so anyways our favorite grocery store Harris Teeter had their ice cream 2/$5 so we had to buy some (had too lol)  hubby always eats a little after dinner, well he has to share his with Brycen cuz Brycen throws a fit otherwise & will try to climb the recliner to get to my husbands bowl.
  Tonight Brycen was playing nicely in Aiden's room so Brandon (hubby) thought he was safe & could be sneaky & get away with eating his ice cream. UM NO! I swear that boy can sniff out desserts lol (must be like his momma) he came out & was looking around I whispered to him daddy has ice cream he took off & went right up to the recliner stared at Brandon pointed & yelled. We were dying laughing & so Brandon had to share his ice cream yet again, if only he was smart like me (I eat mine when everyone goes to bed :) I don't want to share hahaha) -Candice-

Time doesn't stop

Since New Years we have been pretty busy. I just had my best friend since 8th grade come with her little baby boy and spend a week with us. It was sooo nice catching up. I'm even more excited that we only live about 2 hours and 15mins from one another. We had Dailees party last week. It was so nice to have all our friends and family together. She sure is one special girl. Ron went back to work this week, after being off for A week. I'm sad he's gone back due to me and Dailee both being sick this week. Finally feeling some better. Mom is coming to visit this weekend. Going to do her hair and out to lunch! So long for now. Btw keep Candice and baby Carsen in your rayers. Check previous post about her situation she has going on right now. Any experience with any of this would be helpful to her! Tootles

Worry or not??

So I was unsure if I was going to share this or not but I decided that for some it may help to know & if you really want people to feel comfortable with you you have to share moments when you feel upset, not everything in life is always grand!! So my story begins yesterday, (Some stuff may be too much info for some so sorry if it bothers anyone, but then again I am not forcing you to read this)
 
  So yesterday I woke up I am 20 weeks preg with my 3rd baby now this may be gross to some others it's not a big deal but most women have discharge well when your pregnant it normally increases, I have delt with this before no big deal well yesterday it was so bad it was running down my leg I don't wear underwear to bed cuz it's uncomfortable (TMI sorry) to me so I had on my baggy pj' bottoms & it was the most gross feeling to have this running down my leg. I immediately got in the shower b/c I just felt gross!
 So I showered got dressed & ready for the day well the discharge continued everytime I went to the bathroom & wiped I felt I'd need to use a whole roll of TP! Where the hell was all this coming from????
  Later I went to the bathroom again this time I freaked after I wiped & there was this clear blob YES BLOB it was thick like jelly & the size of a quarter... The only time I ever had something like that happen in pregnancy was 1 week before I delivered my boy's what they call the "mucus plug". I panicked was it my plug omg was I going to be in labor soon?? I called my ob nurse & she said I should come get checked to make sure.
  So called my best friend whom luckily lives across the street! Kate your a life saver b/c Aiden def did not need to be exposed to the inside of my vagina, Brycen is too young to realize anything so I took him, they got me in at 10:30. They had me give a urine sample and then went to the exam room the dr comes in listened to Carsen's heartbeat that was reassuring his heartbeat was strong!
 Then came time for the fun of the exam oh joy! Well first the Dr said I need to use a bigger speculum b/c your inside walls are more caved in, (Awesome I have a caved in vag!) So he looks inside then goes to feel, I was closed off my cervix was not open phew! I'm in the clear right?? Well then he says to me what I think it is.... Is cervical mucus, as you have more babies your cervix gets floppy, and the mucus that helps protect tends to shed & come out more often then with a first baby where ur cervix holds it tighter until close to the end in return you get the "mucus plug"
 Ok so now I have a floppy cervix & a caved in vag (I'm feeling great about myself at this point & thank god my husband was not there)! So the Dr. then goes on to tell me I don't want to tell you your fine b/c whats to say that tomorrow you don't go into labor (FREAKIN AWESOME) he then says I could put a stitch in your cervix but people would think I'm crazy (WHY???) He said basically there is nothing I can do, but the baby is high up so that is a good sign. (REALLY REALLY?)
 How in the hell is any of this comforting to me cuz you basically said well you could go in to labor or you couldn't & there is nothing I could do! (THANKS FOR THE REASSURANCE) I felt like I completely wasted my time & that now it's like well wait & see if my baby stays or goes (MY HEART HURTS).
  Luckily I have an apt on the 31st with my normal Dr. whom I trust & he is amazing he has delivered both my boy's & he makes me feel so comfortable so I am looking forward to talking to him about all this & I also have a US that day so I figure if anything they should be able to tell if all is ok or not. (AND NOW I WAIT).
 I have been trying to take it easy & put my feet up just incase don't really know b/c I got such wishy washy info, but resting is hard with a 4yr old & 14month old, so I guess we will see what happens. I just figured I'd post this for other women incase they have had similar experiences they could offer advice. I will keep everyone posted, & yes it's ok if you laugh at my crazyness, with how I express things! -Candice-

Some more recipies my friends!!!

Yummy turkey meatballs!!! (we love these in our house they are delicious) we eat them with spaghetti & pour the cheese sauce over it all ready here you go:

What you need:

1-10oz box spinach I use half sometimes I don't use any it's your preference
1lb- ground turkey
1-medium onion, finely chopped
3-garlic cloves, chopped
1-large egg
1 3/4-cups milk
3/4-cup bread crumbs
1/2-cup grated parm cheese
salt, pepper, olive oil
2-tbsp butter
2-tbsp flour
1-cup chicken broth or stock
1-10oz shredded bag of Italian blend cheese
1/2-tsp nutmeg

Directions:
defrost spinach & wring out, in a big mixing bowl combine: turkey, spinach, all but 3-tbsp onion, all garlic, egg, 1/4 cup of the milk the rest u need for sauce, bread crumbs, the parm cheese salt, & pepper. Mix & form into 12-15 meatballs put on a cookie sheet & drizzle with the olive oil bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 mins

For the sauce:
heat a small sauce pan over medium heat add a lil olive oil & the butter, once melted add the 3-tbsp of remaining onions & cook 2mins, whisk in flour & cook another min, then whisk in remaining 1 1/2 cups milk & the cup chicken broth, bring to a boil, then stir in the Italian blend cheese add a lil salt pepper & the nutmeg, stir till cheese is melted & serve over the pasta & meatballs!!! Yummy :)

Chicken Rice & broccoli bake (a one dish dinner)

3-4 chicken breasts cut up into chunks
1-can cream broccoli soup or cheddar broccoli soup
1-pack shredded cheddar cheese
1-cup cooked brown or white rice
1/4 cup milk
small bag of frozen broccoli (defrost)
crackers for crumbling
butter

Mix all ingredients together minus crackers & butter place in a baking dish, crumble crackers on top & add a few thin slices of butter to top bake covered at 400 degrees for 30-45mins super easy & you have a healthy meal fast with little clean up!! Enjoy --Candice

A couple crockpot recipies :)

Hey ladies here are 2 quick & easy crockpot recipies we love at our house :) Sunday night I made a Pot Roast & tonight I am making Chicken & Dumplings so here you go...

Pot Roast:
1-5-6lb roast
1-can golden mushroom soup
1-envelope liption onion soup mix
1-can of water
Onions & Carrots for bottom of crock pot

Layer onions & carrots on bottom place roast on top sprinkle with salt & pepper sprinkle over the onion soup mix, then spread the can of soup over, add 1 can of water & set to low for 8 hours!! This is so yummy then when done strain the juice into a pot add a little flour & water & you have delicious gravy, we eat this with roasted green beans or asparagus & some form of potatoes enjoy!!

Chicken & Dumplings:

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons of butter

2 (10.75 oz) can of cream of chicken soup

1 (10.75 oz) can of cream of celery soup

3 1/2 cups of chicken broth

1 onion, finely diced

1 cup celery, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

Chicken boullion seasoning or cube

salt & pepper

*As for the dumplings... You can make your own dumplings, or use 1 (10 oz) package of refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces :)

1. EXCLUDING THE BISCUITS put all ingredients in...

2. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours.

3. About an hour (give or take) before serving, remove chicken and pull into pieces and return to the soup mixture, place the torn biscuit dough in and cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center.  ENJOY!! -Candice-

Big Time!!

So I have come to realize that my baby is not a baby anymore sigh :( he is officially a toddler or as we now tell him he's big time!! He is walking & talking like crazy he is counting to 3 all by himself & he repeats & mimics what we do or say. When did this happen??? I feel like I just brought him home from the hospital & in a flash he is almost 14months! He really picked up on alot in NY while home visiting family we came back home & Brycen has amazed our friends that have not seen him in 2 weeks. It's crazy that in 2 weeks time he could learn so much but he is a smartie like his big brother!!
 
Well my husband decided today that he was offically big time & converted his crib to a toddler bed, I almost cried I was like no I'm not ready but he reminded me that in 4 months baby Carsen will be here & Brycen will be soon sharing a room with Aiden untill our house sells & we find a bigger one. Aiden has a captins bed with drawers underneath so what we have decided to do is remove the drawers & get a trundle bed to put under for Brycen. Bunkbeds scare the poop out of me so that was a def no no in this house my boy's move way too much & I am so scared one would tumble off the top.

So we decided to convert the crib give Brycen a couple months to adjust & then move him into Aiden's room where he will have an official big boy bed. Again sigh :( it makes me sad to think Brycen is growing so fast before my eyes but he really has grown & changed so much & I do feel he is ready I'm just being a mom who does not want him to grow up! We all sat in Brycen's room while he played in his new bed he was so excited & happy laughing & climbing in & out, he knows he's big time now! He even has took his first nap in it he acted a little scared at first but I reassured him gave him his blanket & he has been asleep for an hour now!! Here is a pic of Big Time in is new bed, with big brother letting him know it's awesome.
-Candice-


I love these boy's

Happy 2012

Happy 2012 Everyone!! Let's hope we all have a great year!! We have some big things happening for us this year a new baby coming in May, putting our house on the market, possibly moving back to NY for a little while or may be permanent lots of things to figure out but I'm excited for change!
  Normally on New Years Eve my husband & I are bums & in bed before the ball drop lol this year we had a couple friends over to ring in the New Year. Brycen woke up at 10:30 & stayed up to ring in the New Year with us & Aiden was a party animal & was up till almost 2am wow! Lol but hey once a year whatever goes haha! It was nice to stay up & enjoy some company but I tell you we have been paying for it sleep wise lol finally today I think we have caught up on our sleep my hubby & I joke were getting old but I think were just so used to the family life we just can't handle the party hours.
  I made some simple h'orderves stuffed mushrooms, bacon cheddar pinwheels & pizza Stromboli also mini cheesecakes get ready here are the recipes:


For the mushrooms all I did was use stove stop stuffing to stuff them super easy & yummy!!


Bacon Cheddar pinwheels:

INGREDIENTS

1) can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe 2

tablespoons ranch dressing

2) 1/4cup cooked real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled

3) 1/2cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)

4) 1/4cup chopped green onions (4 medium)

DIRECTIONS

1 Heat oven to 350°F.

2 Unroll dough; press each into 12x8-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; press each into 12x8-inch rectangle.

 3 Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, Cheddar cheese and onions.

 4 Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.

5 Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Stromboli: Ingredients:

 1/2 cup pizza sauce

1-cup mozzarella cheese

Peperoni

Pizza dough (ref in a can kind)

Directions:

Unroll dough, spread sauce but leave about an inch around all sides sprinkle parm cheese then mozzarella then layer with peperoni fold to make a seam in the middle & pinch closed also pinch ends closed bake 15-20 mins @ 400 degrees

 

Mini cheesecakes

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
• 12 bite-size peanut butter cups

Filling:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract
• 2 eggs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place a paper cupcake liner in each cup of a standard muffin pan.

To make crust, in a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until crumbs are moistened. Press crust into bottom of each muffin cup. Put 1 peanut butter cup into the center of each crust.

Beat cream cheese with a handheld electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar, flour, and vanilla, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Spoon cream cheese mixture over peanut butter cups and graham cracker crusts. Bake until just set, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Enjoy!! -Candice-