Play Doh

 The other day I let my boys play with Play Doh. I wasn't sure I wanted to, but we did. We went in the kitchen so it wouldn't get on the carpet. I let them mix the colors, try all the cookies cutters, and just play. This my not sound like much, but it is. When Summer was little I use to be messy with her. I wasn't a very good housekeeper back in those days. We were messy all the time. When I started keeping better house and cleaning up I didn't want to play those "messy" games anymore. I worried about the mess. I wasn't fun anymore. So back to playing with Play Doh, I got messy. The boys had so much fun and I didn't worry about it. I miss that Marya. I'm sure I can play a little messy and keep up with the house. It was fun and my boys helped clean up. :)

Twins & Company Christmas Party

On Thursday I joined my fellow mama of multiples for a great evening of food, cookies, laughing (lots of that), and all around good time. Hosted by the lovely Cindy at her house in Post Falls. It's always good to get together with these ladies. I've missed them the past couple of months due to being crazy busy and not going to meetings. I laugh so much when I am with them, and we all know how much I like to laugh. :)

Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Before baked

4 slices whole wheat bread
3/4 lb sausage, cooked & drained (we used ham)
3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup sliced zucchini
1/2 cup chopped tomato
(we also added green and red pepper)
1 cup grated chedder cheese
6 eggs
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

1. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
2. Tear bread into small pieces and arrange in the dish.
3. Spoon meat over bred.
4. Arrange veggies on top of meat and sprinkle cheese over veggies.
5. Beat eggs, milk, mustard, salt, and peper in a mixing bowl or blender, until frothy. Pour egg mixture over cheese.
6. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
7. Preheat oven to 350*F, in the morning , and bake 35-40 mintues or until set.

Recipe from Food for Tots
I forgot to take an after baked picture. But the colors are so bright and pretty with all the veggies in there. I made this for MOPS and then again for the family. It turned out yummy. :)

On the Ice

The inlet froze last week and finally got thick enough to play on. Or to skate on. I don't skate, but Summer and Reggie do. I walk and push a stroller (sometimes). Eugene likes to be on daddy's shoulder, Conrad likes me to carry him. On Saturday we had some friends over so they too could enjoy the ice. And almost every night we are out on it. It's neat to see the full moon and play on the ice.

This was last week before it was really thick. Summer and Eugene were allowed to go a little bit out. The rest of the pics are from Saturday.

Booklovers Tree

Found this on Facebook. This is my kind of tree. :)

Time with Summer

Summer has been having some issues lately, it's been hard. She seems sad all the time and isn't very nice to her brothers or us as parents. I know for a fact what she misses is time with us without the boys. When we get busy we forget to plan something. So Tuesday was my date night with Summer. We went and had our hair done, then to the mall one of her favorite places. We have fun bumming around, had dinner, laughed, and talked. She was awesome and really fun with only a few moments of being a butt. I'm learning how to handle her. I really want to yell and send her to her room for the rest of the night. But I know now that isn't working, so now I ask if she needs time to herself to think things over. She is still a pill, I didn't think it would fix anything over night. I do feel positive that we with get through this. I've been reading her verses I think might help. I remind her all the time God is with her and loves her very much. Even when it seems like no one else does. Lots of prayer. I love her so much and want the best for her. God blessed me to be her mom and I'll the best I can with God by my side.  =)

Dark Chocolate & Mint Chips

 When I found the bag of dark chocolate and mint chips I knew I would have to bake something with them. So for Teen MOPS I bakes two different cookies. They were very yummy.

Mint Chocolate Delights

2 cups flour

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 baking cocoa

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1 2/3 cups (10oc bag) dark chocolate and mint chips

Preheat oven at 325*

Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt in small bowl. Beat butter, sugars and vanilla in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chips. Drop by well-rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets,

Bake for 11 to 13 mins or until cookies are puffed and centers are set. Cool on baking sheets for 2 mins; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 4 dozens cookies.

Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsel Cookies

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 large eggs

1 2/3 (10oz bag) dark chocolate and mint chips

Preheat oven to 350*

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, sugars and vanilla in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nut (which I didn't use). Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 11 to 13 mins or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 mins; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes about 4 1/2 dozens cookies