Monday, June 13, 2011

Marvelous Monday

We had a marvelous Monday.  We spent the day at home enjoying time together except for a quick trip to Target and a neighborhood walk (which of course Hannah fell asleep during despite my trying to keep her awake).  Jordan and I had fun this morning with playdough.  He loves playdough and I must say it is fun, especially with lots of assorted cookie cutters with which to play.
Isn't playdough great, Mom?!?

Jordan digging the playdough out with his knife
 This afternoon we were in the kitchen when Jordan found the masking tape.  In the past we have made roads to drive his cars on with the masking tape.  Jordan wanted to make a road.  So, we headed upstairs to make one.  Somehow in the process we ended up with a ball of tape.  We had fun throwing and rolling the ball of tape.  I didn't know a ball of tape could be so fun.  As you can see, Jordan thought it was great. 
Look, Mom--this is so fun!!

Look at my ball of tape!!

June Fun

Can I just say that Jordan loves watering the grass?  Who would have known that a water hose could be so entertaining!?!  He might be the only 2 year old who asks about watering the grass!!  Got to love it!!
Last week Jordan and his best friend John David had a blast playing together in the water...



Thursday and Friday we enjoyed having Wendy, Meredith, and Taylor Woolard come visit us.  We wernt to Goodberry's and Falls Lake.  Everyone loved the frozen custard at Goodberry's.  And, the lake was beautiful and the girls and Jordan had a great time.  However, Hannah was not a big fan of the heat and bright sun.  She and I spent some time sitting under the picnic shelter with a group of senior citizens, but she was much happier there.
Isn't that Bumbo seat a little small for you, Jordan?!?

Isn't that playmat a little small for you, Taylor?!?

Aren't Hannah's toys fun?!?

Too sweet--Jordan reading to Hannah :)

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Great Memorial Day Weekend

Thursday, June 2, 2011

What a blessed Memorial Day Weekend we had in Tennessee.  We had a great time with Philip's parents and with Uncle Pat and Aunt Melissa.
Aunt Melissa, Philip, Uncle Pat, Laura
We spent the weekend relaxing and enjoying time together with family and friends.  Unfortunately, Jordan got sick but it didn't slow him down too much thankfully.
What a great dad--feeding his precious little girl :)

Jordan loves his daddy

Too precious!?!

Pop, Mimi, and Jordan making homemade ice cream

Laura with her precious Hannah

Love it--love it--love it!!

Aren't those beautiful eyes?!?

Enjoying the simple moments in life

As you can see, we had a great weekend.  Philip and I even had the opportunity to go out on a date.  We enjoyed some great crab dishes for dinner and then had fun shopping.

My recipe for this post is one we enjoyed this weekend at my in-laws: 

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup Confectioners' sugar (powdered)
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

1)  In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
      Mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.  Stir in
     chocolate chips.  Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
2)  Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball.  Wrap with plastic, and
      chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3)  Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving.
Serve with crackers.
It is super good and my mother-in-law says it is super easy to make.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Life is a Blessing and Crazy Busy!!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day!!  Thank you to all those who have served and currently serve in our military--thank you for protecting our freedom!! 

It has been a long time since I have posted.  It has been a busy and challenging month but as always the Lord has been faithful!!  He has given us two beautiful children.  This month Hannah has learned to take a bottle again--YEAH--and we are currently transitioning her to formula.  Breastfeeding was more difficult for me this time, but all are doing well and Hannah seems more satisfied with this transition--YEAH!! :)

One of the highlights of the month was the opportunity to have our families come for our dedication of our precious Hannah.

Jack & Cathy Gardner, Jordan, Hannah, Laura, Philip

Laura's Aunt, Uncle, & Cousin & Family

Precious Hannah & her beautiful grin :)

Everyone helping plant our flower garden--finished project to follow in future post

Aren't the cousins preciuos!?!

What a beautiful family God has given me :)

Ruth Geiger, Hannah, Jordan, Greg Geiger

The Family after Baby Dedication

The Family after Baby Dedication


Mother's Day weekend we also enjoyed some great food including a wonderful pork loin recipe that came from my mother-in-law.  Here is the recipe from my mother-in-law.  The key is to not overcook the pork roast.  You should take it out of the oven at app. 150 degrees on the meat themometer.  It will finish cooking in the pan after you take it out and let it sit.


Pork Roast with Peach Sauce
Family Circle - Jan. 2007 issue

 (Below I’ve typed it as given in the magazine.  Rather than using a slow-cooker, I baked it in the oven and added the sauce in the latter half of the baking time.  Adjust baking time according to size of the roast.  I used a pork tenderloin.)


1 boneless pork loin roast (about 3 lbs.), tied
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (15 ½ ounce) sliced peaches in heavy syrup
½ cup chili sauce
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
cooked egg noodles, optional

Coat a 6-qt. slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.  Place roast into slow cooker; season with onion salt and black pepper.

Drain peaches, reserving the syrup. In a bowl, whisk syrup, chili sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and pumpkin pie spice. Pour over meat; scatter peach slices over the roast.

Cook 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low.

Remove meat and allow to rest for 10 minutes.  Spoon out peach slices and reserve. Place liquid in small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds until sauce thickens.

To serve, slice meat and scatter reserved peach slices over the top. Serve with sauce on the side and egg noodles, if desired.

(The magazine photo showed the roast on an oval platter with the egg noodles surrounding the roast.  Sometimes I make it this way and toss a little butter and fresh chopped parsley in with the noodles.)

The other fun event (on a much smaller scale) is a mother-son outing to the grocery store and Dunkin Donuts.  Jordan had fun taking me on a little date to Dunkin Donuts and then he accompanied me for a shopping trip to Kroger.  What a blessing to enjoy the little things in life with your kiddos.

Have a great Memorial Day,
Laura

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Lord is Good

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The last two weeks with the Tots:

Well, it has been a busy and eventful two weeks.  And, once again, the Lord has proven Himself so faithful.  Saturday, April 23rd we enjoyed celebrating Katie and David Norwood's wedding.  And, our sweet kids joined us for the reception.  Jordan and Hannah did great at the reception.  Jordan had fun eating great food, coloring with Jenn Hare, dancing with Gigi and with Mommy and Daddy, and just being with people.  Hannah enjoyed hanging out with Mommy and Daddy and relaxing and sleeping in her carrier.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Norwood!!

Jordan dancing with Mommy and Daddy

David & Katie, Laura, Jordan & Philip

Gigi & Jordan dancing
What a blessing to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Easter.  And, as Jordan would say, "He rose from the dead!!"  Sunday afternoon we were invited improptu for an Easter Egg Hunt and birthday celebration with the Vances.  Thanks, Monica for a night off from cooking. :)
Jordan and the Vance & Dorman families before the Easter Egg Hunt

Now, where is the next egg?

Here's an egg!

Look at all my eggs!!
Jordan had another fun outing last Friday with his Aunt Caitlin.  She and Jordan travelled around town delivering meals.  As soon as they got on 540, she told me that he reminded her that I fell off the road.  Don't you love how well our kids remember things!!  Thanks, Aunt Caitlin, for loving on our little man so much.  He enjoys spending time with you.

Jordan also enjoyed playing with Peter and Kathy Byram last Saturday night while Philip and I went out on a date.  They read and enjoyed a fun evening together.  Jordan liked Mr. Peter so much that when he left during his bath for a moment, Jordan asked Kathy, "Where is Peter?  Where is Peter?"  Jordan was even telling me today that he liked Peter and Kathy--how cute!?!

Last Sunday we went to pick strawberries again.  This time Hannah joined us--of course, she slept through the whole experience.  She even slept through me carrying her all over the strawberry field looking for strawberries.  :)

Tuesday, Jordan had surgery on his eye.  Everything went well, and Lord willing, this will fix his tear duct problems.  What a reminder Tuesday was of how blessed we are by our family and friends--thank you all for your prayers, your encouraging words, and your caring actions!!

Today Jordan and his best friend John David made chocolate covered strawberries together today--or should I say made and immediately ate.  They also made cards for their grandmothers.  What a fun morning the boys had together--and what fun for the moms and their precious sisters.
Jordan and John David preparing to make chocolate covered strawberries

As Jordan would say, "Yummy in my tummy!"

Wow--this is so good, Mom!!

What chocolate?!?

This is so much fun!!

Hannah is so smiley and so fun :)
Jordan sayings to make you smile:

What did I hear last night?-Jordan; What did you hear last night?--Mommy; Mommy fell off the road.--Jordan(This was repeated for several days--never mind my tires only went on the shoulder of the road once and briefly at that)

Pop fixed the swing set so that it wouldn't squeak.  So, Jordan told us at dinner that the swing MAY NOT squeak anymore. :)

And, my favorite, Mommy, move Hannah by Jordan.  (What a sweet big brother. :))

And an update on the Taters:

I have learned something new about making smoothies in the last two weeks.  If you have fresh strawberries, cut them up and put them in the freezer for a couple of hours before you want smoothies.  They make super tasty smoothies.  Also, I have tried using a mix of vanilla and strawberry yogurt.  SUPER TASTY also!!  I used mostly vanilla yogurt with a small bit of strawberry yogurt.

I will also include another great recipe that is a staple for our family and easy if you keep cooked chopped chicken ready and available in your freezer.

Poppy Seed Chicken
2 chickens, boiled and deboned(See chicken note below)
    1 can cream of chicken soup           
    1 C. sour cream                             
    ¼ C. chicken broth
    1 stack pkg. of Ritz Crackers, crushed
    1 stick butter (I only use about ½ stick butter)
    Poppy seeds

Heat oven to 350ยบ.  Mix all ingredients except Ritz crackers and butter. Pour into 9 x 13” dish.  Top with crackers and melted butter.  Sprinkle with poppy seeds.  Bake 30 minutes.

I rarely ever use whole chickens deboned-too much trouble.  Instead, I usually buy boneless chicken breasts on sale and then cook them and chop the chicken and freeze it in 3 cup portions.  I takes approximately 2 of these for this recipe(4-6 chicken breasts depending on their size).

We are looking forward to a great weekend with visiting family as we celebrate dedicating our precious Hannah and as we celebrate our moms this Mother's Day!!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Friends, Fun, & Food

Well, this has certainly been a busy week but a great week.  Last Sunday was definitely one of the highlights of the week.  A huge thanks goes out to the YM1 Life Class for putting on a great Easter Egg Hunt for the Tots.  Jordan had an absolute blast hunting Easter eggs.  In fact, we have had several Easter Egg Hunts this week!!

Jordan and Philip trying to recover the eggs overflowing Jordan's basket.

 Philip & Jordan showing off their dyed Easter Eggs.

 Hannah enjoying the Easter Egg Hunt with Joy.

Later in the week we were privileged to spend time with Jenelle & Leiana.  Jordan and Leiana had a great time playing, and Hannah had fun being held and entertained by Jenelle.  She especially enjoyed Jenelle's baby exercises.

Jenelle & Hannah

Laura & Jordan playing together

Leiana & Jordan having a blast playing in the tunnel
 Friday morning Jordan and Laura went to pick strawberries.  Everyone who knows me knows I love strawberries and I really enjoy picking them.  It's never too early to instill the same love in your children, right!?!  Well, let's just say that Jordan should not be too much work. :)  He loved picking strawberries, carrying the buckets, and eating the strawberries.  And, for him, I think the biggest highlight was just being in the field.  He kept commenting on us being in the field throughout the experience.  What a great time I had with our sweet son.
Jordan in the strawberry field

Jordan picking a strawberry

Jordan eating a strawberry--Um Um Good!!

Laura & Jordan enjoying the sweet strawberries

Look, Mom--it's a TRACTOR!!
Well, I must share one final tidbit about our strawberry picking.  On our way home, I accidently let my right tires go off on the shoulder of the road momentarily.  Of course, they made an odd sound and Jordan asked what it was.  When I told him I went off the road, he told me that I fell of the road.  So, after we were home, he told his dad that mom fell off the road.  Great--doesn't that make mom sound like a good driver!?!

And the Taters--my thoughts on food for this week pertain to strawberries, of course.  If you love strawberries, I would recommend slicing up some and freezing the slices individually on cookies sheets lined with wax paper.  After they freeze, take them off the cookies sheets and store them in ziploc bags in the freezer.  They are great for smoothies.  We make our smoothies with frozen strawberries, yogurt, and a little orange juice.  Philip also likes bananas in his--no need to freeze these.  Just cut them up and mix them in the smoothie.  Also, I tried some blueberries, strawberries, and yogurt for a smoothie recently--very good.  Smoothies are great snacks--they are healthy and tasty.

In closing, May each of you have a Blessed Easter celebrating our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! And, may we teach our children and those God has given us to influence to love Him!!