Samantha and Ree -2

Onion Strings. I chose these because it's Wednesday, church night, and I needed something quick and easy, although I must admit, I was skeptical of the easy.. but look...

Perfection! And all this from one onion! YUM!

So dinner tonight is garlic and herb pork chops, mashed sweet potatoes, and Ree's contribution.. onion strings! Em thinks they are french fries so she's excited!

I am very proud. Very proud indeed!

Move Over Julie and Julia...

There's a new cook and blogger in town!

My trip to the grocery store a few weeks ago was an extra long one, it might have a little to do with the fact that I was alone and enjoying my time away from my two little monsters, but I am claiming that it was because I perused each aisle looking for something different for the family to eat. I don't know about you, but we end up eating the same meals over and over again with the only surprise being what day of the week we might have each familiar meal.

So, I decided to spice things up a bit, try my own Julie and Julia experiment, only I won't be cooking from Julia Childs cookbook. Instead I'll be doing something easier and much more fun... cooking delicious recipes from the Pioneer Woman herself... we'll call this experiment, Samantha and Ree...

It will be fun for me, a treat for my family, as they get a much needed break from the monotonous dinner routine, and if I fail, I'm sure my three faithful readers will love me just the same! : )

So here goes... up tonight... Spaghetti and Meatballs... say a prayer, cross your fingers, and check back in to see my finished product...let the fun begin!

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One down, however many more to go...

Wayne called my first attempt a success!

This little one sure liked it!

Will You Be My Valentine?

My cute little Valentines...


My heart melts.

Record Snow

We got up to 10 inches in some places in our backyard!! Daddy stayed home from work today so you know we had to go out and play...

Emily on the trampoline...

Look at all the snow on the girls' picnic table..

Now that's a lot of snow!
Lila and Mommy made Snow Angels..

Lila and Daddy had a snowball fight..








And no snow day would be complete without a big snowman. The whole family pitched in to make this big guy!

Daddy...

Lila...


Emily...

Look at our cute little snow princess...

I love this little cutie! She's adorable!

Another Snow Day!

The girls woke me up bright and early this morning to announce the snow. They were very eager to get out and play in it, so after what seemed like thirty minutes of layering up and getting warm we went out to the backyard to play in the winter wonderland!


As usual Lila was out five minutes before she started complaining of the cold and wanting to go back inside.


And as usual Emily wasn't phased by the cold... She was busy throwing snowballs, eating the snow, and exploring the backyard.




We did manage to make some snowmen before we headed back inside and not a minute too soon, because now it is coming down in big flakes... Lila wouldn't have lasted long at all with these big flurries!

Emily wouldn't be still long enough to pose for a picture with her snowman, but here he is... complete with blue M&M eyes!

It's supposed to snow all day, maybe turn into a winter mix of snow and rain later this afternoon and then get back to snow this evening, so I'm sure there will be more fun in the snow later, after we warm up for a bit! : )

One Wild Child

These jammies could not be more appropriate. Emily is definitely our Wild Child. A few Sundays ago she hopped like a frog down the hallway from the auditorium to the education building... I got a few snickers from people but what can you do?!?! Such a personality!

Things I Love..

In honor of Valentine's Day this weekend here are a few of the things I love right now (in no particular order).

I LOVE...

...this man! Oh, How I love this man!

...Crazy Love, by Francis Chan! Rebecca and I are doing this Bible Study right now and I can't say enough about this powerful book! A MUST READ!

...painting these little piggies!

...Lila's jokes! Here's one she told me this morning, "How does a long neck eat leaves?" Answer: "WITH HIS LONG NECK!" Always followed by her hysterical laughter!

...the special bond between this Daddy and Daughter (photo taken by my FAV. Cindy Mills Photography)

Emily tells me multiple times a day (with the saddest face I've ever seen), "Daddy's workin'. I miss him."

...a warm fire in the fireplace (notice one of my ducks has lost her beak... thanks, girls!)

...spending time in God's Word, growing in my relationship with my Father!

...this little hand that I love to hold!

...this girl.. and her sweet boys! Life just wouldn't be as much fun without them!

...Clean Up time! Ahhhh...I love it when everything is put away in it's own perfect place! Again, Ahhhh....

...these pigtails on my little two (almost THREE) year old!

...Crabtree and Evelyn Nail and Cuticle Therapy. I'm addicted...maybe even obsessed with this stuff, I keep one in my purse, in the drawer by my kitchen sink, in the car, on my nightstand, at my computer desk,and several backups in my bathroom cabinet for instant replacement when I run out of a tube! I can't stand for my hands to be dry... I guess I can blame all that hand washing in hot water from our NICU days!

...the prayers that my sweet girls say at the dinner table... PRECIOUS!


(Yes, we do get in our jammies pretty early around here...)