January 30, 2013

Need appetizer ideas for Sunday?

I've never done a food post before, but I thought with Superbowl Sunday coming up, I would give you guys a few of my favorite go-to appetizers.  As you may remember, I am NOT a cook.  I only make a few things (that are very easy).  So if they are easy enough for me, anyone can make them!

Buffalo Chicken Dip


I make this at pretty much every party or social gathering we have.  It is always requested and looked forward to. If definitely has a kick, but we can't stop eating it.

Ingredients:
3 cans of 10 oz. cooked chicken , drained
2 8 oz. packages of creamed cheese, softened
2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 bottle of Franks Red Hot sauce
1 1/2 cups Ranch dressing

It's so easy! 
Just combine all ingredients in the crock pot for 3 1/2 hours.

I serve with nacho chips.


 My Mom's Meatballs


My mom has been making these meatballs for as long as I can remember. People always request her recipe and talk about her meatballs. It's hilarious. Let me tell you why. It's so easy, it's stupid. She should probably pretend it's some really secret recipe that she concocted.

Ingredients: 
a package of frozen meatballs
1 bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce
1 jar of grape jelly
Salt and Pepper to taste

Again- it's so easy!
Just combine all ingredients in the crock pot for 2 hours prior to serving.

My Aunt Marty's Pizza Dip


My Aunt introduced me to this recipe years ago and when I make it, people love it!

Ingredients:
8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
1 jar of your favorite pizza sauce
1 can sliced black olives
1 T minced onion
sliced pepperoni
mozzarella cheese, grated

Spray a pie dish with Pam.
Spread the softened cream cheese evenly in the dish.
Add remaining ingredients in order shown above.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

I serve with those Baked Ritz Chips

What are your go-to appetizers?

January 29, 2013

Groundhogs Day Ideas!

Whether you are a teacher or a mommy, you may be needing some groundhog's day ideas to share with your little ones.  Here are some of my favorites I have found!
Enjoy!









Hope you all have a great groundhogs day.
And I sure hope that groundhog tells us spring is soon.
I'm so over this cold weather!

January 28, 2013

Randoms about Reagan

It's been awhile since I did a Reagan post.
And let me tell you, this kid never ceases to surprise me.
So without further adieu-
Reagan Randoms!


(1) 
Reagan has had a really rough time getting back into the school groove after Christmas break.  I kept him home for 3 weeks during the holidays and boy did he not want to go back to school. Bad idea. He cried and cried each morning, begging to stay home with me and the babies. (Which is hilarious because I know for a fact during that break, he wished he was at school.  While he was at home with us he kept asking, "Didn't you just feed the babies? You're pumping again? Can we go do something fun?) Last week he had 3 really good mornings before school! Hooray!

(2)
Reagan has had a pretty difficult time adjusting to the babies.  He was the only kid, spoiled rotten, for 3 1/2 years.  And then boom.  He gets two siblings who need a heck of a lot of attention.  His behavior went from good to bad once the twins arrived.  He acted up big time, threw tantrums, and was totally defiant. Another interesting thing was the creation of "Baby Rea Rea".  He always wanted to be called Baby Rea Rea. He started crawling everywhere,  wanted  to be carried, wanted to be fed pretend bottles, wanted to be burped, etc.  It was bizarre  But I totally know it was just to get some attention like the twins were getting. Poor guy.  So we've really been pushing the "big boy" talk and it's been working. Fingers crossed.  I finally told him last week that Baby Rea Rea can't be here anymore. Only big boys allowed. So now he is asking me to call him "Baby Tinguin" (how he says penguin). Oh Lordy.


(3)
Reagan has been a picky eater his whole life. Like literally would only eat mac and cheese, chicken fingers, or pbj sandwhiches for every meal. But this past week he has started eating our food. It's amazing! Last night he even said, "I'd like to try that tomato please." What has happened to my child.  I was grinning from ear to ear.  To which he responded, "I'm making your heart really happy, aren't I?" 
Love him.

(4)
Reagan has the best memory of any person I know. In fact it can be kind of creepy.  He recalls things that I said a year ago and can quote it.  He remembers the weirdest stuff. We've been talking about his upcoming Disneyland trip and he can already name every single ride when you show him a photo. Please Lord let this mean he will be a smart student. Mama and Daddy need him to get a scholarship.  We've got 3 kids to put through college! 

(5)
Reagan has such wonderful manners and social graces. It pleases my heart to no end.  I love hearing him say the normal "please" and "thank yous" but its the other things that really make my heart melt. For instance, "No thank you. I don't really care for that." "Thank you for taking me to the store with you. I like being with you."  



(6)
I also just love Reagan's word choice.  He uses "amazing" and "terrible" instead of good and bad. Really? I could die.

(7)
I've been keeping a journal of funny things he says.  Here are some of the latest:
"Roll-a-Paper" - instead of toilet paper
"Pick-able Me" - Despicable Me movie
"I got a weird groose at school today" - bruise
"Who has 2 thumbs and loves Cars? This guy!" 
"Nilla bar" - granola bar
"etticine"- medicine

(8)
At the zoo last week he was exhausted and had me so darn embarrassed   We were trying to see the otters and there was a ton of people in front of us, blocking them.  So instead of waiting patiently he started yelling at them.  "Move out of my way people! I can't see. You are big. Let me see!" I was so red. I picked him up and knew, yep, it was time to leave the zoo.

(9)
We've always known Reagan has a touch of OCD. I mean, he gets it naturally. Both Nick and I are pretty anal!  Reagan has to do things a certain way, it's just the way he is.  But a lot of it I think is also his age.  He thrives on routine.  His teacher has been getting frustrated with him because he gets upset over certain things and can't let it go.  (For example- he notices and tells her when they do activities in a different order- ie. "We are supposed to have circle time, not art now." He was also really upset last week when I sent him to school in a sweater and not a jacket. I guess he really wanted pockets and was crying because he didn't have pockets.  What are your thoughts? She thought I needed to see his pediatrician but I think she may be overreacting. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

(10)

(10)
Current favorites-
fave color- green
fave show- Jake and the Neverland Pirates
fave toy- his InnoTab  (specifically Jake and the Neverland Pirates game)
fave thing to do at home- bath time
fave person- his Mimi. He tells me daily she is his best friend, his girlfriend, etc. Too cute.

He is sure a stinker but I love him more and more each day.
It's had to think that a few years ago he was as tiny as the twins. 
And look at the little person he has grown into.

January 27, 2013

Our Weekend

This was a very wet and cold weekend in Arizona.
It has literally been raining since Thursday and has not stopped!
We are not used to this! But I must say, I'm liking it!

Thursday

The babies and I went to visit Nick at his work.
I had them wear the sweaters his boss knit for them - they looked so cute!


His co-workers fell in love with Harper and Hudson and the babies were definitely showing off!
Harper was pretty serious at the beginning but then began talking and didn't stop for 20 minutes.
She clearly had some big stories to tell!
Hudson smiled and flirted the entire time.
He is such a little ladies man!


Friday

The babies haven't been sleeping well lately and Thursday night was especially rough.  So Friday was a pretty laid back day for them and I.  We were supposed to go to another playgroup for our twins group but I bailed so that we could all have a good nap! 

That night Nick and I decided to get everyone to bed at somewhat of an early hour and try to just hang out together (one of my goals for 2013)! Don't laugh. It was pretty impromptu and totally not the "date night in" I had envisioned. We climbed into bed, ate ice cream, and watched a special documentary about the Casey Anthony trial. Wild Friday night. Let me tell ya!

Saturday

Saturday morning I cashed in my gift certificate for an "In home Mani/Pedi party for four" that my friend Alicia gave me when I was on best rest with the twins.  They had a 2 week cancellation policy and I was afraid to risk it and be out of the experience when I was pregnant, so I saved it for a little pampering now.

I invited my mom, sister Meg, and friend Sarah to join in on the fun.


It was very relaxed and nice to be at home.
But as you can see in the photos it was kinda crazy with Reagan bringing toys out and driving us all crazy!


I started the party out with Nick in the master bedroom with all three kids and our little dog Lily.
Poor Nick.
Lily and Reagan wanted to be out with us... so he was left with just the babies.



I used hot pink polish on my nails and toes with white polka dots.
Super fun!


After getting our nails done Reagan went to the ASU basketball game with my parents.
They won- Go Devils!


Saturday night I got some Valentines Day crafting done (Thanks for the inspiration Leah!)
And Reagan and Nick built a little race car together.
(The car was his reward for having good mornings and not crying before school. He has been having a very hard time getting back into the groove of school after Christmas break!)




Sunday

Sunday morning we got up and got ready for church (another goal for 2013). 
I couldn't believe we got all 5 of us ready and made it on time for the 8:30 am service.
Nick and I were definitely high fiving in the car. Nerd alerts!

Then my good friend Holly came over to visit.
I so miss working with her and chatting every single day.
It was so sweet of her to make the drive out to see us and catch up.
Life is bringing her some great blessings with her new job and personal life and I couldn't be happier!


We also took pictures of the babies who turned 4 months old today!
I can not believe they are getting so old! 



Happy 4 Months Sweet Babies!


How was your weekend?
I hope it was a great one!

January 25, 2013

Twin Talk


I have a girlfriend who recently found out she is expecting twins (yay Erin!)
And I've been slacking in getting her all the info I promised her about twins.
So, I thought I'd do a blog post for her and any other expectant twin moms.

Blogs

I learned a lot about expecting and having twins through reading blogs!
I have also become blog/twitter/instagram friends with many of them!
After reading their stories and seeing their pictures I realize that "Wow. It can be done!"

Here are some of the twin blogs that I follow.
Check them out look back through to see what you need.
They have all posted on pregnancy, registries, birth, and life after!

Blessed with Two - She is such a sweetie and has become a great support
The Howard Bunch - We have so much in common and she has also become a great support
A Sarti Party - Rachel is a sorority sister of mine who had twins shortly after I did
The Making of a Full Time Dairy Cow - My childhood best friend who just recently had her twin babies
What's The Scoop - She is also a great Mama who has supported me
Walk with me by Faith 
The Momma Bird  - We were pregnant with our twins at the same time and she is another great support for me! We literally go through the same things at the same times!
Books

I was super nerdy and read a ton in preparation for the twins.
Here are some that I read:


Random Tips

(1)
Start buying diapers and wipes now. 
You think I'm kidding. But really, do it.
You will be shocked at how many you go through with two bottoms!

(2)
Find and join your local Mothers of Multiples group.
I have met some really sweet women who give me advice and help me feel sane!
See if they have a "buddy" system so you can make a new friend to teach you the ropes.

(3)
Don't count out a c-section.
I had 2 friends recently pregnant with twins who really wanted vaginal births. (God knows why!?)
But both ended with c-sections for one reason or another.
I chose a c-section from the minute I knew I was pregnant and I wouldn't change it for anything.
Easiest birth ever.

(4)
When you feel like you are so large and all you want is for your babies to come out, enjoy it. It will be the last time you will be alone without two babies. Life was so much easier! I wish I could go back to a pregnant day just for a day. And nap all day if I wanted. Oooh the life.

(5)
Chill out. 
I will admit it.
 I seriously was the most uptight and wound up girl before the twins. 
But now, I'm surprisingly laid back and go with the flow.
 Twins did it to me. I didn't really have a choice but I'm liking my new chill-axed attitude!

Good Luck!
Twins are an incredible blessing and I wouldn't trade them for anything.



January 23, 2013

Charlotte's First Birthday

Sunday was my niece Charlotte's First Birthday Party.
My sister Meg did a great job with the theme (Cute as a Button) and everything!
It was a small, family party but perfect for our little princess!


How adorable is she?



Cute as a Button decor and food

Love the chalkboard art and smash cake!


Reagan helping to open some presents.


Cake time!



I just love babies and their first experience with cake!


We got Charlotte this pink Cozy Coupe for her birthday.
It was a hit!


Meg and I with our little princesses.
Yes, we both dressed in polka dots to match the theme.
No we did not know the other one was doing it! 
We are such dorks.



Happy Birthday to my sweet little niece.
I love you! 

January 22, 2013

Our Saturday

Saturday morning I signed Reagan up for a golf class through the Junior Golf Association.

It was a free event at a local park and looked right up Reagan's alley!

It was called the "Itty Bitty Open" in preparation for our city's huge golf tournament, The Phoenix Open.  It was for 3-5 year olds.  They gave them each a  set of kiddie clubs and had pros there to teach them the names of each of the club, how to correctly hold the clubs, and the basics of how to play.  It was pretty darn adorable.  Reagan is still playing "golf" around the house asking us to "bring him is driver" and reminding me to put "the hot dog in the bun"- how to hold your fingers around the club.  Looks like we might have a future golfer on our hands.  I know nothing would make my dad happier!




So adorable!



The babies and I just enjoyed watching.


Reagan and one of the pros.


After the class Nick went to grab some Subway for lunch and I decided to take some pictures of the kids (umm what else would I do?) It was so hilarious. I had the 3 kids sitting on the couch and all of a sudden our little dog Lily jumped up to sit with them. It was like she was saying, "don't forget about me!" I'm so glad I captured it on film!



Such rosy cheeks! 
It may have been a little to warm to be wearing these outfits!


I love Hudson's face- like- "whoa- a dog!"
And Reagan is scolding Lily here. She drives him nuts.


Hilarious!