Going Camping

We are headed out tonight to go camping for Thanksgiving weekend. Call us crazy! What can I say. We are deep frying a turkey with our friends and our other friends are grilling a turkey. Should be some Yummy yummy food!! I've never had a deep fried turkey before. I just hope the weather cooperates. It's been rainy last night. It's clear now but they say off and on all day. At least they took the rain out of the forecast for the weekend. =)

Wish us luck with the girls. They are at that age where they want to roam EVERYWHERE but I can't let them crawl in the dirt and they don't know how to walk yet. Well Emily is almost there but someone has to be with her at all times. Thankfully Bigi is coming with us this weekend. It will be crowded in the motorhome but hopefully we aren't stuck in there all weekend.

I finally uploaded pics from the Birthday Parties. I shared them all through e-mail so if you want a copy and didn't get it, let me know. But I had to share this ADORABLE dress that a friend of mine made for the girls for their birthday. They were supposed to wear them ON their birthday but our stupid postal worker delivered it to our neighbor who was on vacation for A WEEK and didn't get back until Saturday NIGHT! UGh. Oh well. Here is Emily in the dress:

I tried to get a pic of both the girls but Taylor was not cooperating. I have a hard time getting them both to sit still for a picture. Any advice, ideas etc???

Another Giveaway

Why do I think there are going to be LOTS of giveaways this year?? Anyway, in an attempt to be a better blogger I would like to start personalizing the blog with pictures and such. Some people have such cute blogs, I'd like to too. =) Well, Blogger Boutique is giving away a free basic design! WOO HOO! And I just checked out her stuff, it's cute. Check her Out:

Whomp 'Em Sticks

Ok, I've never heard of this. But check HERE and this blog is doing a giveaway of them. Being someone that camps I'm surprised I've never heard of this. I know Connor would LOVE it. I guess I'm out of the loop as far as "typical camping" goes since we don't do the tent thing (and I never will. Give me my direcTv and heat and a/c anyday!!).

Works For Me Wednesday

It's Wednesday again. =) And my latest installment for works for me is a cheap eye makeup remover I read about in SELF magazine once. Baby oil. Put baby oil on a cotton pad and rub (gently) over your eye. It removes mascara, eye liner, eye shadow and baby oil is CHEAP.

Check out more Works For Me Wednesday ideas at: Rock in My Dryer

Menu Plan Monday

So I'm trying to eat healthier and not go out to eat as much. What I've found is, if I don't have something planned, we head to the nearest McD's, Carl's Jr, Taco Bell to get dinner. Not great for the pocket book OR the waist line. So here is my menu for the week:

Monday - Nachos

Tuesday - Cheesey Pasta Shell Casserole

Wednesday - Subway

Thursday - Turkey

Friday - Hamburgers

Saturday - Grilled Chipotle Chicken

Sunday - Leftovers

Check out other people's menu's at http://orgjunkie.com/2008/11/menu-plan-monday-nov-24th.html

No time!!!

Ok, I'm not going to lie. I have NO idea when I'll get the first birthday party pics uploaded and shared. We are in the midst of preparing the motorhome to go camping for Thanksgiving and that is taking up all my time. Last night I was up until 11pm doing laundry, packing and going through the TONS of clothes we got for the girls birthday. PLUS, my friend Melanie gave me two boxes full of boys clothes for Connor (THANK YOU!!!!). I seriously don't think I'll need pants for three years now. WOO HOO!!!

I will TRY and get the pictures uploaded. Really I will.

In other news, I think I can say that Emily is walking!! She will now stand up and take three or four steps and then go back down. Watch out!! Her other new thing she loves to do is crawl onto her toddler chair, climb up it on to the couch. Crawl all over the couch. Then get down. And yes she knows how to get down off the couch! YEAH!!

Yesterday was Connor's birthday. It was fairly low key as we already did his birthday party the same weekend as the girls (yes I need to upload those photos too!). But we gave him our birthday present to him. We got him the 5 in 1 sportscenter by fisher-price. So far I really like it. It's perfect for the toddler who has the attention span of nothing. He can switch from all five sports at any one time. So far he's best at soccer. Basketball he doesn't quite get that he isn't supposed to be as tall as the hoop since mom and dad are that tall. LOL!

Well, hopefully I'll get a minute or two tonight to download those pictures. I'd like to get them off the camera so I can have an empty memory card for our camping trip. Ah, so much to do, so little time!

Fun Times with the Layout

Ok, so I'm a dork. Now that I've found this cool website with backgrounds that I can make my blog look pretty I like to change it when I can to suit the time of year or what is going on in our lives (hence the birthday theme for the last couple weeks). They better not block my access to this blog at work or I won't be able to have the fun that I have. LOL! I guess in hindsight I probably should have kept the birthday thing up since Connor's birthday is Sunday but since he was born the day before Thanksgiving I always associate Thanksgiving with his birthday. So there!

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap

I've been trying to be better about cooking most of the month and not eating out so much. Not only is eating out getting expensive, the service is usually bad and the quality of the food is eh. So anyway, about a month ago I found this recipe at http://www.recipes.sparkpeople.com/. Surbjit LOVED this and so did I. The marinade was acutally plenty for probably four breasts so next time I'll double the recipe and use it to marinade 8 breasts and then freeze the leftovers. ENJOY!!

Grilled Chipotle Chicken Breasts

A spicy marinade gives this chicken its kick!

Ingredients:
5 chipotle peppers, seeded and chopped by hand (I couldn't find these so I used the canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. I took out five and seeded and chopped. Just be careful because the sauce and seeds are HOT.)
1-3 cup cilantro leaves
2 cloves garlic
2 medium sized shallots
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
juice of 2 limes
2 chicken breasts

Directions:
1. Put the peppers, cilantro, garlic, shallots and vinegar in a food processor or blender. With the machine running add the oil slowly and then the lime juice. This will be the marinade for your chicken.
2. Divide the marinade into two portions- one to marinate your chicken and another (in a separate container or bowl) to baste your chicken later while it cooks.
3. Marinate the chicken for approximately 1 to 3 hours or overnight. Remove chicken from marinade and grill slowly over medium fire. Discard marinade used by the chicken (for food safety) and baste the chicken with excess marinade that was set aside. Makes 2 servings.

For more great recipes (including a homemade windex recipe) go to the Grocery Cart Challenge Blog.

Family Portrait

So remember we had our family portrait done November 1st?? Well I finally got the file today. Enjoy!!!

We have STEPS!!!

Emily took three steps yesterday!! We were in the living room. I was sitting on the chair with the ottoman in front of me and Surbjit was sitting on the couch. Emily was standing next to him in front of the couch. She was facing the ottoman. She looked at the ottoman, kinda crunched down like a football linebacker and took three steps to the ottoman!! WOO HOO!! I bet she's up and walking within the next month. Taylor will still be a little while I'm sure. But she's standing all the time now and I'm sure once she sees her sister running after brother, she'll feel left out and it'll push her to start walking!! =)

Happy 1st Birthday Taylor & Emily!!!!

Wow, One year ago today, Mommy and Daddy were in the hospital waiting for your arrival. And now look at you! Both of you have grown into little independent strong-willed ladies! And you're only ONE! LOL! I Love you both VERY MUCH and look forward to the next years as you grow and become your own little persons. I LOVE YOU TAYLOR AND EMILY!!!!

Works For Me Wednesday

Wanna hear what works for everyone else...head on over to Rocks in My Dryer!

Americangreetings.com I never have to go to the store to pick up a Birthday card, an anniversary card, a thank you card. An any card!! It's a small yearly fee but I print out so many cards that I've saved hundreds of dollars every year just printing out my own cards. This month alone, I have three kids birthday's, Surbjit's birthday, six friend's birthday's PLUS a baby shower. That's 11 cards this month alone. Even if I went to the dollar store and paid $1 that $11 dollars and I get to customize these cards and not use any gas to get to the store. So check it out!!

Knott's Berry Farm Today

So I took the day off of work today and took Connor to Knott's Berry Farm. We met our friend Melanie & Dylan there and spent the whole day at the park. I was a little apprehensive at first. I will be the first to admit my child is a chicken. At least he has been in the past. Today, he surprised me. =) We rode the ferris wheel, the boat, the race cars, the tractor trailers, the roller coaster and MANY more. Here are some pictures:








And here is a video. I didn't know if Connor would actually like this ride but he said he'd go on it as soon as we saw it and were going in line. He never said he didn't want to go on it so I just figured I'd let him and see what he did! His friend Dylan is to Connor's left (looking at them on the ride he's on the right of Connor):

Busy Week Coming Up

My weekend is going to be crazy busy but I have a four day weekend! YEAH!! Tomorrow we are taking the kids and going to Day Out With Thomas. Then Connor and I are headed up to Victorville for two birthday parties. Lisa's twins turned four and their birthday party starts at 3pm. Then Melanie is having Dylan's birthday party at 4pm at Chuck E. Cheese.

Sunday Surbjit has to clean and get our backyard ready for the girls birthday party! He also needs to paint our new back door and he wants to move the subwoofer and speakers for our surround sound so we can push the TV back against the wall and give ourselves more room in the living room. I think I'll be keeping the kids busy!

Monday I am taking Connor to Knott's Berry Farm with Melanie & Dylan. I'm planning on spending the whole day there. Let's see if Connor will be able to hang without a nap! I'm sure he will. I'll be interested to see how well he does this time with the rides. Then on Tuesday (Veeteran's Day) the girls daycare is closed so I'll have them all day. Thankfully Connor's daycare is open so he'll go to daycare.

Wednesday I'm working. I know I know. Originally I was going to work Monday and take Wednesday off but then Melanie and I decided to take the boys to Knotts! Oh well. Thursday I'm running around getting last minute stuff bought, buy the food/drinks for the girls birthday party. Friday I have to pick up Connor's birthday cookie, get anything else done that needs to be done and clean the house. Connor's bday party is then at 7pm at Chuck E. Cheese (gee twice in one week fun!)

Then the busy/hopefully fun day. Saturday wake up, go pick up food, get everything set up, have the girls bday party and then maybe relax?? I can't wait until this next week is OVER. And I can't believe in one week and one day the girls are going to be ONE! Where did the time go??

Potty Training Progress????

Last night as Surbjit and I sat down to eat, we were letting the kids run around and play (yes we feed the kids first while making dinner and then eat). Connor proceeds to tell us, he pooped! YEAH!!! Now if only he would tell us BEFORE he pooped. Baby steps.

Halloween

We had a good halloween this year. As we were walking with our friends, I realized this was the first year I've been trick or treating!! Connor's first Halloween he was in bed by 7pm before any trick or treaters even showed up to our house!! Last year, I was on bedrest so I sat on our front porch handing out candy while Surbjit took Connor trick or treating. So this year was my first time I got to go trick or treating. =) The girls did awesome! They were up until 9pm and really didn't complain at all (but were VERY cranky the next day). Connor got quite a bit of candy. Anything more than one piece is quite a bit to me. We threw it all out except for the goody bag our neighbor gave to us that we knew was ok and that is just fine with me!!

Here are some pictures: