Eight Great Years

I just had to post a picture of the BEAUTIFUL flowers Ryan brought home to Laralee and me for our anniversary. They are not only gorgeous but smell heavenly, too bad I can't share their smell. Thanks Ry, you're the best husband and Daddy ever!!!

Artistic Talent at Davis &Church

One of Ryan's co-workers, whose identity will remain unknown, created this little orange peel man. If the economy keeps going the way it is now at least this person will have something to fall back on. I think it is pretty cool and someone out there, I'm sure, has a desire to collect fruit peel artwork.

My Little Valentine

Last week we were blessed with beautiful spring weather that Laralee loved being out in. After church we couldn't get her to come inside. I have been meaning to take pictures of her in this jumper to show off my sister's talent. Lindsay needs some praise too for choosing the cute ladybug buttons. Everyone comments on how cute she is in it. Thanks you two!!!

Giving Daddy kisses. Just a side note Mommy didn't get one, so who does she like more?!

The two loves of my life! Tuesday will be 8 years for Ryan and I. We both can't believe how quickly time has flown by. I love you both so much.

Comfort Yummies to Share

I have needed warm, yummy comfort food yesterday and today. I don't know if it's because it hasn't got over 20 degrees outside (and we didn't have power yesterday) or that I'm 6 mos. pregnant and have strange cravings but these two recipes saved me so decided I must share.

I called my sister last night asking her for a recipe because I needed to make Ryan dinner at least once this week and I wanted a warm, baked casserole. She gave this Chicken Broccoli Noodle that was awesome. I had all the ingredients and was super easy to make. Sorry no pictures we ate it up too fast but boy did it look and taste good!!

Chicken Broccoli Noodle Bake

2-3 chicken breast cooked/ cubed, 3-4 Broccoli Florets, 2C grated cheese, 2 cans Cream of Chicken, 3/4C sour cream, salt and pepper to taste

3/4 bag wide egg noodles

Steam broccoli, cook noodles, cook chicken. Mix together in 9x13 or 3Qt dish. Bake at 375 for 30 min or until bubbly.

Then all morning I have been smelling cinnamon, who knows where from but it got me craving warm cinnamon something. I pulled out my Charleston Stake Cookbook and found these yummy Apple Streusel Muffins. I will change two things the next time I make them. 1) I only had Gala apples today but next time I'll use something more tart like Granny Smith and 2) more cinnamon!!! I hope the picture does them justice. (Daisy even drooled at them while I took pictures.)

Apple Streusel Muffins

2C flour, 1 1/4tsp. cinnamon, 2 eggs, 1C diced apples, 1C sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1C sour cream, 1TB BP, 1/2tsp BS, 1/4C melted butter

Topping: 1/4C sugar, 2TB butter, 3TB flour, 1/4tsp cinnamon

Stir flour, sugar, BP, BS, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. In small bowl, beat eggs, sour cream, and butter. Add all at once to dry ingredients along with apples. Fill well greased muffin tins 2/3 full. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 400 for 20-25 min.

You've got to get one of these!!

Laralee got a late Christmas present last weekend. (my bad for not getting an up-to-date address to everyone) She was so excited, funny enough she put that cute bow on her head before we went downstairs to open it. She wanted to look a little more dressy in her jammies.

I've got to say it has probably been her favorite toy ever!!! Sorry to all older toys but she has not stopped playing with it. She usually gets tired of things and moves on but this has caught her attention. I told Ryan before Christmas that I wanted to get her one because it is so hard to vacuum the house with her trying to get it from me. Well, Patti you hit the nail on the head. She totally loves it. She couldn't even wait for Ryan to get it out of the box. Thank you over and over. We even did a little vacuuming her and I and it was actually easier for me, minus the being exhausted by the time the house was done.

It's a awesome!

The little balls got her attention immediately.

Here let me get it out.

She's off.

Daddy even had to try it out.

Truck Day

So our Saturdays are filled with Ryan outside (rain or shine, freezing or sort of warm) working on his poor truck and Laralee and me outside giving him support when we can. This Saturday it was rainy but warm enough to be out in it. Laralee wanted to help out Daddy and did a pretty good job tightening the bolts on the heads. She is definitely gong to be a daddy's girl out working on the cars right next to him.

She wouldn't even let him help her hold or turn the socket wrench.

Checking out the new parts. Do we need all that?!

Neither of my girls would look at me so this is what you get. The two of them fought over this stick all morning. Laralee carried it around until Daisy would grab it out of her hands, Laralee telling her "NO, NO" the whole time.

Thirsty??