Hello Out There?

No one ever posts to this blog anymore. What gives? I just wanted to post and say hi. A quick update on us... Jason is working like crazy as always. He was working 80-95 hours a week in October (ugh) and has slowed down to 70-75 hours a week now (still ugh). But he did get a whole week off for Thanksgiving and we had a great time. We spent the holiday at my parents' house with Trisha and her family and Kevin and his family, a big group. We had a lot of fun.
Allary and I have been doing a lot of Christmas shopping and just hanging out and trying to think of fun things to do indoors. We are very excited for Christmas and it is fun to see Allary experience the anticipation this year. She is also understanding more about Baby Jesus and the whole reason for the season.
We are spending Christmas with Jason's side of the family this year. We have lots of family parties to go to this month and we should be very busy.
What are all of you doing for Christmas?

Love you all!
Brooke

Mandi's Email Address

Hey gals- I just noticed this morning that Mandi went private with her blog. Does anyone know her email address so I can email her and ask for an invite? If you have it, would you email it to me please?
Thanks!
Love you all-
Liz

Recipes Recipes

Yum-ola. Here are a few of my favorite quick and easy recipes, Katie! I was going to email them, but then I thought I'd put them here since I haven't posted anything here for a while. Here ya go!

PEANUT CHICKEN

1/2 cup water
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 pound chicken breast, cubed
3 cups broccoli florets OR 1 package frozen stir-fry veggies
1 tbsp cornstarch

In small bowl, combine 1/2 cup water, peanut butter, soy sauce, and brown sugar until somewhat smooth, set aside. In skillet or wok, stir fry garlic in oil for 30 seconds. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink. Add broccoli or veggies, stir fry until veggies are warm through and crisp. Stir in PB mixture, cook until sauce is smooth and broccoli/veggies are crisp/tender. Combine cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir until smooth, add to skillet. Cook for 2-3 more minutes. Serve over rice.


PARMESAN BAKED SALMON

1/4 cup light miracle whip
2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp paprika
4 salmon fillets
2 tsp lemon juice
10 ritz crackers, crushed

Mix miracle whip, cheese, and paprika, set aside. Put salmon in foil-lined pan, drizzle on lemon juice. Top with cheese mixture, then sprinkle with ritz crumbs. Bake 15-20 minutes at 400.



QUICK FETTUCCINE CACCIATORE
8 oz uncooked fettuccine
2 tsp olive oil
1 lb chicken breast, cut in thin strips
1 cup sliced bell pepper
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 can diced tomatoes (don't drain)
1/4 cup italian dressing
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella/parmesan cheese mix
1/2 cup fresh chopped basil leaves

Cook pasta as directed. Meanwhile, cook chicken in oil, add peppers and mushrooms. Stir in tomatoes and dressing when veggies are cooked. Simmer 5 minutes. Add to fettuccine. Sprinkle w/ cheese and basil.


QUICK TORTELLINI ALFREDO

1 can chicken broth
1 cup water
2 (9 ounce) packages of tortellini
4 oz fat free cream cheese
1 cup peas
3/4 cup shredded italian cheese blend
6 slices cooked, crumbled turkey bacon

Boil water and broth, add tortellini. Cook 8-9 minutes. Add cream cheese and peas.
Stir until cheese is mleted. Stir in shredded cheese and bacon.

I hope you enjoy!

Recipes

I hate to cover Melinda's adorable post! So this is going to be really short. Everyone... will you either post or email me some of your absolute FAVORITE recipes, the ones you couldn't live without? I am putting together a recipe book with friends and family and want you to be in on the action too. I will give a copy of the book to all of you too. The more I order the cheaper they are in price. Send me about five of your best recipes. They can be simple, basic, common, or anything you want. Be creative, but make sure they are tried and proven yummy, okay? I will put your name on them! Oh, Brooke, would you mind giving me that Salsa recipe too???? The one you were telling me about?? Love you all! Katie

and baby makes 4....don't forget harley!

So I just thought that I would post this since our poor little blog hasn't seen any action for a while. This was several weeks ago. We had planned to go home for a vacation the end of june. What we hadn't planned was going home to give our families such great news! Mind you this picture was taken at about 1 am after driving for 7 hours. It didn't take long for Jason's fam to figure out the shirt. And my dad we got him a little frame that said "Grandpa's pride and joy" to give him for father's day (yes his gift was late)! Needless to say they were all thrilled! I think my dad was especially shocked. It was pretty cute to see his reaction.

I just look at this shirt and feel ill. I went to a store to buy one and couldn't find one at the first store so I had to go to the mall. By this time I was not feeling well. I just picked a shirt off the rack and was out of there. Well checking out there was a lady in front of me...who was taking forever. The cashier was asking her all these questions. "Can I have your email" "Would you like to set up a college account for your baby"....blah blah blah. So now it's my turn. And she starts asking me all these questions. I just said "No, I just have to go." Barely getting home before I really got sick.

However I am feeling alot better now. Not really sick anymore...phew....I didn't think that would ever end. We had an appointment a few weeks ago and got to hear the heartbeat for the second time! Miraculous doesn't even begin to describe it! Anyway I am supposed to be preparing a lesson right now so I best go. The end!

Lizzy

I had to write and tell you about a dream I had the other night. I can't remember where I was but I was out to the mall shopping and turned to see you! We spent the whole day together and just got to hang out and catch up. Your kids were there too. Anyways it wasn't funny just nice to see you! See you in my dreams. Mel

The Bachelorette Finale!

So all of our anticipation and wondering have now been settled. Jesse it is. In some wierd way, I really like how it ended. I thought it was really cute how Jesse has been calling DeAnna "D" all along, and how he said he knew they were soul mates. I guess the bottom line is, even if you think you know what you want, or even need, sometimes you're surprised to find out that you didn't know at all who you were or what you needed. I think Jason was kind of exactly what everyone thought DeAnna needed-- the type of guy she should be with. But I admired Jesse because he didn't kiss her for the longest time, wanting to be sure they were good friends first. So it totally paid off in the end. They are best friends now! Even though we would get nervous, and has a kind of limited vocabulary, I think those things aren't important. How cute. What did you guys think?