Lets get planting!

Why is the weather man never wrong about rain in the forecast? It has been so crappy, I knew spring was teasing me...boo. We did get about an hour break in the showers today, just enough time to plant some bulbs. The kids and I were supposed to be helping Jason, but I'm afraid we weren't all that much help LOL.

Time to do some clearing.

Good job Dad! That's how you do it, huh?

Jericho managed to find a couple puddles...size really doesn't matter, as long as you can splash and make water fly.

Jason asked the kids to bring over the yard debris bin...this was quite the funny scene to watch. Xan and Haddie, with a little help from Jericho, did the heavy work...while Lily directed them which way to go.

She even picked up two sticks and did the whole bringing a plane in to land waving with them LOL.

Gangster was upset that he was stuck inside. He found his way onto the boys bottom bunk so he could watch us out the window. It is cold and wet out here dude, you would hate it.

Since no one was being of any help to Dad the kiddos pulled out their scooters and rode them around for a bit. Are yu ready for this Little Man?

Jericho got his own baby scooter...this kid, barely 3 years old and such a little stud muffin :)

Lined up to race...on your mark, get set, goooo!

All right, Dad got the bed cleared, time to get planting. Whoa dude!

Please stand back when you give a 3 year old a pick hatchet...yikes.

Jericho loved it, of course.

Dad had some close calls LOL.

Bugs turn to dig a bit.

Haddie wanted to do everything all by herself, and her own way...of course.

Trying to start a fire she said...she got pretty upset when Jericho came over and kept blowing in out.

Handing out the bulbs...hope we have good luck with these Gladiolus', it was a mixed bag...can't wait to see what colors we get.

So sweet :)

The kiddos had so much fun...they weren't ready to stop.

Grow little babies....grow!

Next up...Jason had to create a, hopefully, safe zone for some topsy turvy action. My little thieves munchkins can't be trusted with fruit...ripe or not, they don't care. This is our first time trying these things...I'm excited! We have 25 strawberry plants in there, we also plan to have tomatoes and cucumbers added in...but we have to start them and then transfer them over when they are big enough.

Alright...may you grow and give us lots of delicious strawberries, tomatoes and cucumbers! If the kids can't manage to get to them first that is.

Little funny from today. Most know we are a family of gun enthusiasts. We like to go target shooting, we have conceal carry permits, etc. Hayden took notice of Jason's gun today as he was getting out of his wet and dirty shirt (FYI all the kids have seen the guns before, they know not to ever touch them and to get an adult...but we also keep them out of reach at all times,) the following convo ensued. Jason: Are you going to learn to shoot when you get older?


Hayden: No Dad, I'm not really into guns, I'm into Hello Kitty.
Jason: Come on, you're going to let Daddy teach you how to shoot right?
Hayden: Nope.
Jason: How about Momma, Uncle Scott, Uncle Rick, Auntie Amber?
Hayden: No Dad, when I grow up my husband will do that. LMAO!!!

Movie and a dessert tonight! It is so nice that the bossy, remote hogging, mini wannabe dictators that live in my house are starting to give non-animated movies a chance. There are so many I haven been itching to show them :) Everyone seemed to enjoy watching Willy go through the chocolate factory, though Hayden did almost cry when Wonka went off on Charlie near the end...and she got freaked out during the spinning boat ride too LOL.

`
Homemade Strawberry shortcake, biscuit style...these rival Burgerville's!

You need:
1 qt fresh strawberries sliced
1 3/4 cups Bisquick Heart smart mix
2 TBsp sugar
1/2 cup skim milk
2 TBsp melted butter
Slow churned vanilla ice cream, 1/2 cup each
fat free reddi-wip
Chocolate syrup (opt)

Directions:
Heat oven to 425°F.
In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 2 tablespoons sugar, the milk and butter until soft dough forms.
On ungreased cookie sheet, drop dough by 6 spoonfuls.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool 15 minutes. Using knife, split warm shortcakes.
Fill and top with strawberries, ice cream and whipped topping.
Makes 6 servings, will run you about 267 calories and 8 grams of fat each.

Out with the old.

Our poor used and abused couch has been on its last leg for a year, and has been really beat up looking for the last two LOL. We finally decided it was time to replace it, yay!!! Since we still have our 4 man wrecking crew, who banded together to kill this poor couch on a daily basis, we didn't want to buy anything brand new and fancy. So I began my search on craigslist a couple nights ago to find something to replace this one with. The sectional really gave our large team plenty of seats, and the leather (even though the old one was only bonded) made for easy clean up...so we were hoping to find that again. We didn't find just what we were looking for, but what we got is awesome none the less.


Goodbye dear couch...we have had a lot of good times sitting on you, jumping on you, throwing your cushions off. We bought this couch almost exactly 3 years ago, and Hayden of course cried when it was loaded up and taken away. I posted it on Craigslist for free...totally honest about its condition, actually said it was good for nothing unless you have NO couch or the one you have is in even worse shape LOL. A lady snapped it up the next day, she had no couch...just moved here with her 2 kiddos, and needed something until she found what she wanted to buy. Perfect...the old girl gets a stay of execution, or landfill drop. It also made Haddie feel better that the couch was going to a family with kids that didn't have a couch, my sweet girl :)

Jason had to recruit some muscle...mostly for the new stuff, it is HEAVY, my nephew Tyler is always ready for a workout. The kids decided to escort the old couch out. That is probably 185 lbs sitting on that couch LOL...show offs :)

Eekkk...what's under your couch? Not too bad. It hasn't moved in a year, I do vacuum under there but with 4 kids and 4 pets it could have been much worse LOL.

The munchkins loved the ride.

It was passed their bed time, but they had to say goodbye to the old, and hello to the new before they would go to bed.

Right out the door.

There were no sectionals, in our price range and design taste, so we ended up with a couch and a chair from one person...and the EXACT same couch from someone else...what are the odds of that LOL! Be nice to this stuff kids...there will be no more climbing and jumping I can tell you that! I'm looking at you Jericho Miles.

Jason was putting pads on the legs, but the kids couldn't wait to test it out.

OK to bed with you!

It is a little over full in here now, but it will do. The couches are real Italian leather...so they should hold up much better. They are in great shape, a few scuffs and wear here and there but no rips or tears. We got an amazing deal from both sellers...came to $525 for it all together!

It is a beautiful set, I love it...and best of all, the cushions DON'T come off!!! No more replacing couch cushions 100 times a day :)

The boys got some new digs in their home too. Jason made them some rope ladders to add some fun and exercise to their days.

They seem to enjoy it!

Mmm dinner tonight, it was awesome...and one of those increasingly rare meals that EVERYONE LOVED, even my picky girls! The kids ate 3 skewers each LOL.

 Skinny Filipino BBQ skewers.

Just a heads up, this one does marinate over night.

 















You need:
2.5 lb pork country style ribs, all fat trimmed, cut into 1" x 1" cubes. (we just used pork tenderloin and it was fantastic)

For the marinade you need:
6 oz 7-up
1/2 cup soy sauce...we use low sodium
1/2 cup white vinegar
juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup brown sugar
6 cloves of crushed garlic
1 tsp black pepper
crushed red pepper flakes (opt.)
We added some bell peppers and mushrooms to our skewers.

Mix all ingredients in a large non-reactive bowl and marinate the meat overnight.
If using wooden skewers, soak in water at least an hour so they don't burn on the grill.
Thread the meat onto skewers and grill. Discard unused marinade. Enjoy!!

Makes about 16 skewers, 4 oz of meat, about 2 skewers, is 4 WW pts. 


The marinade was really good, strong, but good. We will be making this one again, and hoping the kids tear into it like they did tonight!

Our own pre-school class.

It has been GORGEOUS the last three days...today actually hit 70, but of course the rest of the week is calling for rain, rain and yup, more rain.

We decided to get together with some friends and enjoy the outdoors while we can. Our first plan was to hit the Zoo, I totally spaced that it is spring break here right now. When I got to the Zoo it was literally a ZOO, the parking lot was full and they were running shuttles. No thanks! So, we had 2 moms, 2 sets of 5 1/2 year old triplets, a 3 year old, a 13 year old and 8 month old twins....where do you go?!
Why Pittock Mansion of course.

None of us had been there before, it was a pretty spot. The mansion was cool, even though we didn't do the indoor tour, just too many little kids... ain't nobody got time for that LOL. We had a great time spending a couple hours running around the grounds, having a little picnic lunch, and checking out the views though.

Of course the wee acrophobic (though I don't see being afraid of heights as irrational in the least LOL) in me got a bit panicky when my kids wanted to check out said views...even with the tiny in ill repair fence meant to save them from a fall.


My kiddos with our trio friends...we haven't gotten to see these kids in almost 3 years, though you wouldn't know a day had passed. We couldn't believe how they took to each other, it was so sweet.

Learning something new.

More "great" views...I hate heights, I really do.

Trying to get a picture of my monkeys, but no one was really in the mood to cooperate.

The trio loved the baby twins.

My friend, her trio and her oldest daughter...it was so great spending time with you guys, must do it again soon!

He tried so hard to get in this tree.

Cuties!

Lunch time! As we were walking around the mansion today we had a lot of questions...everything from "Are these ALL yours?" to "Is this a pre-school class?" LOL Never get tired of strangers commenting on your family...not.

Not a bad picnic spot, eh?!

Done...and back to playing tag.

So fun...what a beautiful day!

Getting the babies parents a couple photos...Lily Bug of course standing guard.

The 4 girls were just too cute. Xander loved that there was a boy his age in the mix for once too.

My wuss kids finally got in the tree...Hayden was not pleased.

OK so maybe it kinda sorta looks like a pre-school class Hahaha.

These were too funny...and totally not directed by us. I love when great shots just happen.

After we got home we still hadn't had enough of the beautiful day...so we played out back for a couple more hours. Now this is what I am talking about...almost 8 hours of outside time!

My kids wanted a turn to take some pictures LOL.

Trampoline fun...even for Mom.

Closing with a kid funny from the other day... I love all the laughter we have at dinner time. Tonight we ordered in pizza...pretty rare for us since we love making our own so much, so we also ordered the cookie pizza dessert thing. After everyone was done eating we told the kids about the dessert. Hayden promptly acted like she fainted (from sheer happiness...it is not like we never have dessert around here so I am not sure what triggered this response) Lily gets in her face and said "Hayden are you dead? If you're dead can I have your cookie pizza?" Hayden sprung to life and we all busted out laughing.