Homeade M&M Brownies

So are weeks are starting to get busier, Aiden has preschool M,W,F he is starting gymnastics on Thursday, he goes to his Awana class on Sunday & soon he will be starting T-ball & that is looking like Saturday games. Busy Busy!!

Well since our weeks are going to be crazy for awhile Tuesday is going to be our really only down day! So I have decided Tuesday will be BUM day lol!! Were just gonna hang out at home play outside if  it's nice & do something fun together. Aiden loves to bake with me so today we made some Brownies from scratch.

Aiden loves to add his favorite candy M&M's so we did that & some chocolate chips!! They are so good I don't think we will buy box Brownies anymore!! I love baking with my son & teaching him while doing it, I hope one day far far in the future he has the great memories of us baking together & maybe he will bake with his kids. Anyways here is recipe let me know what you think :) -Candice-

Preheat oven to 350
1 1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. cocoa
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup M&M's candy
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Mix together flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder in one bowl

In a larger bowl mix eggs, melted butter, sugar & vanilla until smooth

Mix the flour mixture into the butter/sugar mixture then add M&M's & chocolate chips
Spread in greased 9x13 pan bake 20-30 min I started at 20 & checked by inserting a butter knife every 5 min till it came out clean! End result chewy soft center with crispy edge!! YUMMY!!!

Broccoli Cheese Soup

I made this for dinner tonight in the crock pot..
 soo easy & soo good it was very thick & creamy! It was a hit with the hubby & my Bff Kate :) I made some biscuits to serve along with it! Enjoy
-Candice-


2 Cans Campbells Cheddar Cheese Soup
2 Cans cream of Potato Soup
1 Box of Frozen chopped Broccoli thawed and patted dry.
1 Quart of Half and Half

Directions:

1. Put all in a slow cooker.
2. Cook on low 2-5 hours

What a whirlwind

I apologize for the lack of blogging, I have had a rough couple weeks I have lost 2 family members & been dealing with a sick child for a couple weeks now.

Last week I spent most of the week sleeping in the recliner with Brycen or on his floor b/c he had a terrible cough that kept waking him. When I took him to the Dr 1 1/2 weeks ago they told me it was lingering from a cold he had just gotten over, & that the cough could last awhile longer.

 Well I had his 15 months checkup Monday& we saw our normal Dr he said well Brycen has a nasty little cough doesn't he & I said yes & explained how I had been here recently, but I wanted his opinion. Dr listened & said it did not sound good he was wheezing & instantly wrote 2 scripts for inhalers for him. Brycen has to have each inhaler 3x's a day & he hates it. It is a fight but it does seem to be helping.
 
Well The Dr also noticed fluid in his left ear & told me to watch him the next 2 days for fever, pulling on the ear, or crankiness, which could indicate it turned into an ear infection. Sure enough Brycen was pulling his ear yesterday & running a low grade fever during the day & last night around dinner it went to 101 & I was alternating Tylenol & ibuprofen I made sure I went & checked him every 4 hours with med ready & sure enough he needed it as soon as med wore off his temp was back. At 4:30am he hit 102 I got him up striped him down gave him med, got him to eat & drink & held him he luckily is sleeping now & I am listening to his heavy breathing on the monitor. My poor baby just waiting for 8am when the Dr's opens to get him in.

I hate when kids are sick it is heart breaking, I also have felt bad b/c i have been so busy with taking care of Brycen I felt like I was neglecting Aiden, I did however take Aiden to 2 different birthday parties for his friends this weekend. Brandon had a long weekend so luckily he has played with Aiden the whole time, they have had what they call their "dudes time" they were outside all day yesterday playing baseball & jumping on the trampoline, It sure was nice to have Brandon home yest so I could focus all my attention on Brycen.

I feel bad b/c my Grandpa passed away Sunday & this is first parent my mom has lost I wish I could be back home for her, his viewing is this Thurs & Fri & the funeral is Sat. Unfortunately with a sick child & me being almost 10 weeks from due date (b/c I have had both boy's at 37 they anticipate Carsen then) there is just no way i can make it home. It pains me b/c I was very close with my Grandpa & spent a ton of time with him. My mom even told me she knows there is no possible way for me to come home but it still hurts.

One of my good friends told me maybe it's God's way of distracting me & showing me that it is impossible for me to be there with Brycen being sick, so I should not feel guilty. She may be right just wish it could be a better distraction than a sick baby :(

Well I hear Brycen stiring so duty calls just wanted to let everyone know why the lack of blogging sorry & I will try to get a recipie on here tonight if I have time -Candice-

Pizza roll-ups

Tonight's dinner compliments of pinterest!! First can I just say I freaking love pinterest it is awesome & addicting!

 Well this week I have been lazy, I have had a sick lil boy & have not felt like cooking like at all. Going on 3 days of no sleep b/c my poor lil guy has a horrible cough that keeps waking him & he then wants momma!

Tonight I needed something really quick & easy for dinner I had come across this cute lil recipe a bit ago I had figured I'd make it for the kids for lunch one day & I had all the ingredients so I decided this was tonight's dinner...

What you need:
1-2 cans Pillsbury crescent rolls (depending on how many your cooking for I only needed 1)
1 pack string cheese
1 pack peperoni
1 jar pizza sauce (for dipping)

Unroll the crescent rolls individually place 4-5 slices of peperoni at bottom top with 1/2 a string cheese & roll up :) That simple!! Bake according to directions on package. Use pizza sauce to dip them in!
Super easy super yummy!!! Enjoy!! -Candice-

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone :)
  We kind of celebrated last night I get too excited to give the kids their stuff & didn't want to wait till Brandon came home this evening. So last night we went & got take out from Carolina grill & gave the boy's their gifts!

 Aiden got 2 tag books & a spelling puzzle to go with his tag reader, I love educational stuff & helps to prepare for kindergarten.

Brycen got a remote control car for 18 months up so he will leave Aiden's cars alone & I don't have to hear a fight lol. & they both got a couple sweet treats.

Aiden had snack at preschool yesterday so we made mini red velvet cupcakes & homemade icing & colored it pink & had valentine sprinkles festive for Valentine's day right? He also had his Awana class Sunday night so we made sugar cookies on a stick. Aiden loves to help me bake it's something we enjoy together & well of course his favorite part is getting to lick the spoon lol.

Today I had planned to take the boy's to lunch at their favorite place Cow Cafe but the floor people called me & they are coming to install the new carpet for Carsen's room. Luckily I never told the boy's we were going to go to lunch. I never tell them things unless I am dead set we are doing it I don't want to ever disapoint them. That was one thing my mom & dad were great about too, if they told us we were doing something we did it! So Brandon & I both decided we would do the same with our kids If we tell them we are doing something well were doing it :)  So I plan to take them Friday Aiden gets out of preschool a 1/2 hour early so it will be something fun to do after. Well I hope you all have a great day with your loved one's. -Candice-

get up and go give away

Were hosting our second giveaway for all our wonderful active members of Just2Moms. 

Things will be done a little differently this time then it was last time. We will require you do a little more then just comment on our blog. You HAVE to be a active member of Just2moms facebook group! You will be required to post 3 photos on our facebook page; you will need to go to the Just2Moms page and click "add photo/video"; next you will see on the right "create album", post your photos in a album. Along with commenting on a status we will post on the last day of the giveaway from the times of 9am to 9pm. This giveaway will last for 3 days. We will have 4 items that ONE person will win. At 9pm on Feb.15th we will take all the names that are commented on the post and use random.org and pick a winner. You may only comment on the post 1 time with your name. We will explain that again when we post on Feb.15th. 

You need to take a photo of the following things.  

1. The silliest/favorite photo you have of yourself, your little one, or your pet.

2. Your favorite drink.

3. Something you have made yourself; a craft, a picture frame, anything that has been handmade. :) 

First gift in the basket:

Handmade burp clothes :)

Your choice of "1"either the girl or boy set.

Post on our blog what your favorite item is from this shop! :)

From: Embroidered Treasures 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/embroideredtreasures?ref=seller_info

Please go check out this shop, and add them to your favorites circle on Etsy! :)

LittleJoeyDesign etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlejoeydesigns?ref=seller_info

The set includes one reversible bib and two burp cloths. The fabrics are from the Valorie Wells for Free Spirit Collection. The bib secures with a pretty pearl snap in a coordinating color. The sets sell for $15 in the shop

Please go and add this shop to your favorites. 

Post on our blog what your favorite item is from this shop! :)

KBP Designs

Description

Handcrafted…adorable…unique.

Perfect for Sunday best or special occasions, KBP Designs presents a special line of handmade ties for little guys. Each tie is individually made from quality fabric and crafted with the love and skill that makes them one-of-a-kind.

Adorable designs come in many different colors created to look like the ties dad or big brother wear. Need a baby shower gift? Handmade ties are a great alternative to more predictable offerings from the local department store.

Order your little guy a special tie for family portraits. Easter and Christmas are the perfect reasons to add to your little boy’s tie wardrobe. Match with a coordinating diaper cover for an outfit that redefines the word “adorable.”

Description

Ties are pre-tied, no trying to figure out tying a tiny knot.

Handcrafted ties are made from 100% cotton fabric and

feature a Velcro closure to resemble.

Navy, blue, white and Yellow striped.

Toddler Sizes

• Typically fits 9/12 months to 2/3 year-old boys.

• Measures 10 inches from knot to tip

• Features a 13 inch neckband.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kbpdesigns

Please add this shop to your favorites. Post a comment on our blog letting us know your favorite item from this shop.

NatalieJCollection

http://www.etsy.com/people/NatalieJCollection?ref=ls_profile

Personalized Happy Birthday Cupkake Plate in Your Choice of Name and Color in Blue, Purple, Pink and Green Children's Birthday GiftFrom NatalieJCollection

This colorful Personalized Happy Birthday Cupcake Plate comes in any colors you would like! This makes a great children's gift that they can use to feel "special" every year on their birthday

Please go add this page to your favorites and let us know in a blog comment your favorite item from NatalieJCollections.

You can pick any colors you'd like for this! :) 

2-3 week shipping on all!!!

7 years & many more to come

So on February 5th my husband & I celebrated our 7 year anniversary! How time flies when your having fun! Although I must say life was not always cupcakes & rainbows!!

9 years ago I walked into a tanning bed in western NY, my friend worked there so she was going to give me a discount :) Well I went in & her manager happened to be there along with this ghetto looking thug of a guy lol some crazy white boy dressed in Echo clothing with a big silver chain around his neck! I thought to myself oh please do not let him talk to me! (I was quite a snob back then) Well he did try to talk to me & I was not having it I gave him a snotty attitude & went back to tan! When I came out they were gone the phone rings & my friend answered it was Brandon (Mr. ghetto as I called him) asking why I was such a stuck up snob! So I got on the phone & was like I don't know you & you don't know me, & left it at that!
  
 Well about a week later I was at my friends the one who worked at tanning bed she was coloring another friends hair. Her cell rang & she told me to answer.. I said hello & I heard a guy say Jen? I said no this is Candice he said hey it's Brandon I met you last week (oh lord here we go again)! He asked if we wanted to come hang out at his apartment well we were bored so we we went & I don't know what it was but my opinion changed of him we talked & I saw something I liked, so we hung out more started dating and blah blah lol!

A couple months of dating & well I was pretty sure I was falling in love with Brandon crazy so fast right well the one day I go to his apartment & he says's we need to talk..(oh great he's breaking up with me,well it's been fun) He says to me I joined the Marine Corps today! I laughed (ya right!) He said no I'm serious & I want to know if your willing to stay with me & try long distance, I know it will be hard. I said yes I will, well we both ended up telling each other at that point that we loved each other.

Couple months later & off to boot camp he went, I wrote him everyday to reassure him I was still there & when I got his letters my heart melted I was going to marry him I just knew it. Graduation approached & I flew to see him for the first time ever! Seeing him was amazing to have him hold me again was like he'd never left! He came back home for a couple weeks then off to Pensacola Fl. he went to school I went & visited him twice & he would come back home for the holidays we talked every night. Well one night he called and asked me to marry him, he said when I come back in a couple weeks we will go pick out rings!! Ahhh my heart melted I knew I was going to marry him. Brandon asked to talk to my dad to make sure he was ok with it & my dad agreed (my dad loved Brandon they got along great).

Because of the Marines we had 4 months to plan a wedding so we planned Feb 5th because Brandon was done with school & would be at his permanent station Cherry Pt. NC. Now Feb in NY is usually horrible weather cold lots of snow well by a miracle it was georgous sunny & warm. I had the perfect Feb wedding, & I married my best friend my soulmate!

Our first 6 months of marriage were anything but blissful in my opinion we fought alot & I was depressed from being away from my family the whole first month I moved to NC I cried every night. Poor Brandon asked If I even wanted to be with him, I did I loved him but I missed home. He was a big partier still & I always had marines at my house drinking, I had puke to clean & spilled drinks & mashed food, was not the life I envisioned! But guess what marriage is work, it's not easy & I made a vow for better or worse so I sucked it up lol.

Well after 6 months Brandon got deployed to Iraq I moved back home. It was then I realized I was a big girl I didn't need my mommy & daddy I needed my husband, I missed him terribly & it was so hard! I moved back to NC a month before he was due back to set up our new apartment I had a way better feeling this time about being alone. I could not wait to share our new home with him again oh & at this time we had a male boxer Valo & a orange kitty Nemo (we still have them they are now 7 & 10). The day came when I went to pick up my husband my heart was racing I was so excited!! I didn't know this till a little later but apparently Brandon did not see me for a few min & thouhgt I was not coming :( poor thing! But I was there when he got off that bus we ran to each other & we didn't want to let go, best feeling ever I knew that even though we would still have tough times we were meant to be I loved him so much! Things improved so much after that Brandon was not as party hardy, I found work which really helped me not be bored. We bought our first house, and about a year yr and 1/2 later we found out we'd be having a baby!! (Aiden)

So 7 years later 3 deployments behind us we have 2 dogs, 2 cats, a 4yr old a 15month old & a new baby on the way! I could not be happier. I truly believe in fate & that everything happens for a reason, life is not always perfect but don't give up you have to work for things!! It's funny now b/c Brandon and I finish each others sentences or one of us will say you know what I was thinking & the other is thinking same thing, it's crazy how well we know each other. We have a great bond, we never fight, only a small argument but we both realized we both can be wrong took awhile for that lol. We have great communication & trust (those are key in marriage). So here is a couple pics of me & that crazy man I love <3
 -Candice-
                                                         Our wedding 2-5-05

                                             Disney trip with Aiden 2010

                                                      Welcome Brycen 11-2010

                                                              Marine Corp Ball 2011

I love this man I'd be lost without him! Thank you god for bringing us together!!

Boy's Closet Redo

So yesterday while Aiden was at preschool I redid his & Brycen's closet. Since they will soon be sharing a room  I needed to be able to fit both kids toy's & clothes organized in the room. We used to have a 3 tier of shelves in Aiden's room & a small wire shelf for toy's.

The hubby & I were browsing Target last week & we came across a white book shelf he said to me he thought it would be great for the closet well he was right!! We took down the 3 tier shelf & went back to the original 1 shelf across the top to hang clothes from.

Then I stacked the bookcase with bins of their toys & I had a plastic 3 drawer organizer that was in Brycen's room that is now containing his pants, diapers & books & puzzles. Luckily their new beds came with the option to buy a 3drawer under storage so we did, that is where we have pj's socks & underwear.

I am feeling so good about the new organization & now I have more room in Carsen's closet so that his floor will not be covered in toy's I really do not like clutter so I am pleased with how things have turned out. I guess I have hit my nesting phase lol! Here is a pic of what the boy's closet looks like now! -Candice-

Tonights Menu

Tonight for dinner we are having Chicken Parm in the Crock Pot :)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 t Italian Seasoning
1/4 t black pepper
1/4 t kosher salt
1 T olive oil
1 egg, beaten
Sliced mozzarella cheese (I used a bag of shredded what I had)
Favorite jarred marinara sauce

Directions:

1. Coat the bottom of the slow cooker with olive oil. In a separate bowl, whisk egg.
2. Mix together bread crumb, seasonings, and Parmesan cheese in a separate dish.
3. Dip chicken into egg mixture; then into bread crumb mixture, coating both sides.
4. Place the chicken in slow cooker and top with 2-3 layers of mozzarella cheese.
5. Cover with entire jar of marinara sauce. Cook on low 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Serve over pasta. (cook pasta separate)

I'm excited for this I love me some chicken parm & now it's even easier -Candice-

Busy Busy

So the past couple of days have been crazy here at the Schurr household! We had to have a guy come out to do an estimate to replace carpet in Brycen's bedroom soon to be Carsen's nursery. We had fostered a dog awhile ago she shut herself in the room somehow & clawed the carpet up by the door trying to get out 1 reason why dogs annoy me lol!

So we got that done ordered our carpet & are waiting for it to come in so they can install it. In the meantime I had to get the room painted so that I don't have to paint & worry if I drop paint on the brand new carpet so last night I painted 2 coats of light blue paint in soon to be Carsen's room. Well I could not let Brycen sleep in a room that smelled like paint.

Luckily the boy's new beds came & yes Ik I posted before I was against bunk beds but Brandon persuaded me into them lol! Aiden's previous bed could have had a trundle put underneath but of course they discontinued it so one reason we decided on the bunk beds! The boy's LOVE them!! Aiden thinks he's soo cool getting to sleep up top & Brycen sure enjoyed being a big boy last night. I had ordered a comforter set for the lower bunk it comes in next week, I hate having to wait!  So I slept in the room with the boy's last night the bunk is a twin over a full so I had enough room to lay with Brycen.

Aiden did great I was worried about him trying to come down the ladder in the middle of the night if he had to use the bathroom but he slept through the night. Brycen woke up at one point I think around 1 or 2am & thought it was party time he was running around on the bed & jumping on me I laid him back down about 3 or 4 times & told him no it's nite nite & finally he snuggled with his blanket & fell back asleep. Today however I had him nap & go to bed in his own room. I don't plan to move him into Aiden's room permanently until it's closer till Carsen comes.

I also cleaned out & reorganized Brycen's closet & tomorrow is a complete re-do of Aiden's I need to make room for Brycen's clothes & toys to fit in there I have the idea in my head so I'm hoping it pans out tomorrow I will show pics of that tomorrow :) Here are a couple pics of the bed & paint -Candice-

                                                          Crazy boy's

                                                             Aiden is one happy kid!

                                                   Carsen's new color this is only one coat

Cake/Bake Pops

So since I have a few mins while my boy's are eating their lunch I decided to post what Aiden & I worked on earlier we made Cake/Bake pops :)
 Sorry it's been a few day's since I posted I have been so busy dr apt monday ( I will post about that later :) & preschool running all around town!

 So I'd seen that commercial the Bake pop pan one I wanted one well I was at CVS today & they had them so I bought one. Aiden was super excited we bought diff kinds of cake mixes & 1 thing of frosting

Ik normally they are made with melted chocolate but I wanted to try frosting well i'm sure melted chocolate is less messy because the frosting was quite messy lol but Aiden insisted on the frosting that had the rainbow chips in it & we also had to get sprinkles lol.

Were heading back out to the store shortly so we will get chocolate to melt & see how that goes! But making the cake pops is so SUPER easy the directions they give are great minus one thing which I will show you how I solved in picture :) -Candice-

Ok so when they came out of oven & cooled u can see a ring around them they look like Saturn lol

 So I took my cheese grater the side with those little bumpy holes & I shaved the ring off it worked great

 Then frosted & put sprinkles on Aiden was pretty happy :) & no funky ring lol