BE MY VALENTINE, Valentines Extended Weekend and Pres Day.

February 2020
 I woke up to a beautiful bouquet a flowers and chocolates on Valentines morn, and when I say morning it would be 2 am lol, Saydee was having achy legs and after rubbing her legs for a half an hour and her still crying from being is so much pain- I finally opted to go down stairs to get her some Tylonel in the middle of the night and was surprised to see these sitting on the counter top. Very sweet indeed!
Valentine Treats and Love for All.
Josh was the sitter for the younger kids that were set with pizza, popcorn and movie night in while...
 We took the older three kids out to a nice Valentines Dinner to make some special memories together.
A beautiful view from dinner.
Saydee had a fun Valentines party at preschool, these lil kids are the CUTEST!!!
Being a four day weekend, we took the kids to Triple XXX in Issaquah and got a hotel for the night to get away from reality for a small bit which was fun.
This place is the best, these rootbeer floats...oh my, I'm craving them!
And the burgers...the best!! The kids want to go back for a banana split, maybe for another special occasion!
Pool and Gym  time.
On Monday, the little girls got their nails done at the salon while dad took the older kids to the mountain to so some snow boarding.











Spencer has been hitting the gym since the new year, clearly he is proud of his progress, ha ha!!
 No more mornings like these!!
 BEFORE
 AFTER
Saydee had her first major hair cut from Ellie (she had many trims prior) but this is the first cut with length coming off. I have got to say, this cut was heaven sent. The daily snarls and rats in this girls hair, not sure how it happens but with a natural wave/curl and the texture in her hair, it gives her beautiful hair but makes for such a hard combing and brushing chore in the morns and after showers no matter what product we would use. She never wanted it cut before because she wanted to look like and be Elsa (Frozen) but one day after she was fed up with the rats nests in her hair and the patience it took to sit through mom combing through it all- so told Ellie she wanted it cut!!! IT IS SOOOOO MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE NOW!!! Love it!
Ellie and Dylan re-took and re-invented their early school years Valentine pic, :) they've (and their hair) have both grown a bit since then! Dylan had  a crush on Ellie back then but she wanted nothing to do with him other than a buddy/friend, he had to win her heart over through the years.
We saved a run away pig that we found running down the road of our neighborhood the other day. Luckily Josh knew where it's home was so (which really wasn't too close to our home, this pig had wandered quite far) we went to their home but no one was there. After stopping to talk to a few other close by neighbors (to the pigs home) wondering what we could do since night fall was soon (to keep the piggie contained until it's owners arrived home)...sadly, no one even seemed to care or to feel like they wanted the lost pig to be their problem. With a bit of creativity and help from some other friends, Josh and they made a trail of treats and lured the pig all the way back to it's home and locked him back up in his pig pen :) I wonder if his owners even know that he had gotten out? All is well that ends well, right?
Brooklynne got some highlights in he hair as well.
When we were out one night, Saydee decided to make a surprise for Matt and I to come home to and made a big cut out of her name and placed it on our bed with some balloons, pretty fun and creative Saydee!! A fun extended weekend for all.
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THE BIG TWO-ZERO

February 11, 2020
 Bre had a few surprises at college to show her love on her 20th birthday!
 A LASH cake for our Estetican and Lash Artist.
 Happy, happy birthday Gal!
 Bre can eat tacos all day, every day...literally, they are her fav!
We had a late dinner and birthday celebration for Bre's B-day which landed on a school day, she leaves the house at around 4:30 am and doesn't get home until after 7:30 pm so we had her dinner party at 8 pm to celebrate. Cheers to being in your twenties Miss Bre!
 With a work day the following morn, we took the morn off to do a b-day brunch for Bre's bday also.
 Now with a full stomach, this 20 year old was ready to conquer her future!
 Bre graduates next month and is excited to officially start her business in Sumner!

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January Sunday Family Themed Meal with a few recipes

February 1, 2020
Happy Goal Setting 2020
As a GOAL for the new year, I decided I'd put a bit more effort into a my food preparation...be it a meal, dessert item, appetizer or just a special food planned for my family each month to make it special and fun. I figured what's a better way to bring the family together than FOOD?! I decided to do a themed Sunday meal for the month of January. With the new church time of 9 am for our ward and fam this year, Sunday gave me more time to put a fun twist on and a little extra time, creativity and love towards the fam into play. With January being the The Chinese New Year Holiday, I decided to do a Chinese Food theme. Now note, I can't get too terribly creative in the food dept since we've got many picky eaters in the fam, but I'm gonna do my best on a more basic playing field. These aren't new meals to our fam but they are new recipes for them so I decided to tried them out! I also found some chop-sticks along with some authentic Chinese themed desserts to spice things up to add that special touch of fun. Not so cool or fun that China is going through such an awful sickness epidemic of the Corona virus right now but here's to shining some light on the positive and happy aspects of China in the yummy food area.

 Spencer took on the role and task of the ORAGAMI KING making a fun place setting for all the family members. Jarom requested the three headed dragon which Spencer whipped out, he's quite talented in the tiny creature making dept. 
Can't forget the Egg Rolls.
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Sweet and Sour Chicken with crispy chicken, pineapple and bell peppers that tastes just like your favorite takeout place without the food coloring.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Keyword Sweet and Sour Chicken
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts cut into 1” chunks
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • canola oil for frying
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1” chunks
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into 1” chunks
  • 1/2 yellow onion cut into 1” chunks
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 4 teaspoons reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

  1. To make the sauce, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic into a small bowl.
  2. Pour enough canola oil into a dutch oven or frying pan that is comes up from the bottom about an inch to an inch and a half.
  3. Heat the oil on medium high to high heat, you’re looking for the chicken to cook and brown in about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add the cornstarch to a large ziplock bag.
  5. Add the chicken pieces to the large ziplock bag and shake until all the pieces are well coated.
  6. Dip the pieces into the egg, then into the flour before adding to the hot oil.
  7. Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes, until cooked through and crispy.
  8. Remove to a cookie sheet (no paper towels!) and continue cooking all the chicken pieces.
  9. When done cooking remove all but a tablespoon of the oil.
  10. Add the bell peppers, onion and pineapple and cook for 1-2 minutes, until crisp-tender.
  11. Add the sauce back in and stir to coat the pieces and cook for 30 seconds to help the garlic warm through.
  12. Add the chicken pieces back in and stir until the sauce has thickened and bubbling.
  13. Serve immediately, with optional garnishes of sesame seeds or green onions.

Fried Rice

This classic fried rice recipe takes leftover white rice and turns it into a delicious dinner with carrots, shrimp, and more!
CourseSide Dish
CuisineChinese
Keywordfried rice
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time14 minutes
Total Time19 minutes
Servings4 servings

Ingredients
  • 3 eggs
  • 4 tbsp neutral oil
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 cup frozen peas thawed
  • 1/2 cup sliced scallions
  • 4 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 4 cups cooked leftover rice preferably a day old
  • 1 cup cooked baby shrimp thawed from frozen
  • salt

Instructions

  • Whisk the eggs in a bowl with a tablespoon of water and a pinch of salt (or 1 tsp of soy sauce), until blended.
  • Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat, and add the beaten eggs. Let the eggs cook for a couple minutes, not moving the egg around the pan, but just letting it sit until it sets into an omelet.
  • Remove the egg to a cutting board, and chop into big pieces.
  • Add two tablespoons of oil to the skillet over medium high heat, and add the carrots, peas, and scallions.
  • Add 1 tbsp of soy sauce, and cook for about 5 minutes, until the carrots soften slightly.
  • Add the leftover rice, and toss around for 1 minute, trying to break up any clumps of rice.
  • Add 2 tbsp of soy sauce and the remaining tablespoon of oil, frying and tossing the rice for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the shrimp, egg, and remaining tablespoon of soy sauce, and toss for 2 more minutes, until the rice looks evenly brown. Enjoy!
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