Adventures in Canning

For Christmas, my parents got Brian and I a pressure cooker/canner.  We were so excited to start canning our own food!  Today was the first chance we had to devote most of the day to food prep.  We found some corn on the cob at Walmart for 12 cents each, so we bought 35 ears.  We ended up canning the equivalent of 16 pints.  They ended up being 26 cents a piece which is way cheaper than a can at the store! 

We also made a big pot of chicken and noodles.  Brian brought home a lot of chicken from the bar he worked at last night.  He took it off of the bone and we put some with the noodles.  We also put some in bbq for lunch and still have a bunch left.  He made stock out of the bones and even little crispy pieces from the skin.  Since we made the broth ourselves out of scraps, the chicken was free, and the bag of egg noodles were on sale for 50 cents, we were able to make 6 quarts for about 8 cents each!  Each quart will be a main part of our meal, so that is amazing!!

Besides canning, we cut up two pineapples I was given at the shower yesterday, made bread, zucchini bread, and potato soup.  It’s a lot of work on one day, but well worth it.  Every chance we can stock up, we do.  Many people throw out food or don’t want to mess with bulk or leftovers.  We never ask, but are always happy to take them and turn them into something.  This is just one of the many ways we save money!

Ivy’s Shower

Today, Macie and I went to Ivy’s shower.  She is marrying my cousin, Cory, in August.  My Aunt Jamie threw an awesome luau luncheon.  I was able to help set up last night and run things today.  Macie even helped pass out leis to guests as they arrived.  Ivy was blessed with many great gifts.  Aunt Jamie had a lot of fun planned and Macie had a blast!  She was so excited to be going.  She came home with several prizes and table decorations.  The most precious part was watching her during the hoola hoop contest.  She was giving it her all and absolutely adorable.  Grandma took Macie home with her so I could help clean up.  I was so proud of Macie and how big she acted.  I wasn’t able to sit with her the whole time, so she sat with Aunt Wendy and Ellen.  She really enjoys talking to Ellen.  She handled it so well and would randomly come up to me just to tell me she loved me!  How sweet is that!  We can butt heads, but I love that little girl more than words can say!

A Visit from Aunt KK

Friday morning, Aunt Katie came by for a visit.  She was in town and spent some time with us.  We don’t get to see her enough, so it was nice to catch up!

Ticks and Animal Tales

Tuesday morning, we were supposed to go to Animal Tales at the library.  As the kids were changing out of their pjs, I noticed Gavin had 3 ticks in his groin area.  All three kids started freaking out!  We got one out right away, but the other two were  a lot more difficult.  I tried a ton of different stuff and ended up calling my dad to help.  The craziest thing was that once my dad finally got here, one randomly fell out.  Then, as my dad was washing his hands, the other one fell out.  I was relieved but it was quite an event!

The kids were extra upset because we had to miss the animal program at the library.  Thankfully, there was another opportunity to go that afternoon.  We invited my mom to join us.  It was a cute program and the kids were so well behaved.  They even pet a rainbow boa snake at the end!

Pure Joy ~ Dvd Player and Baseball Hat

Fun with Leland

Leland spent Monday and Wednesday with us.  We hung out at home, but we also got out and about some.  We went to a dance party at the library, for ice cream at Lic’s, and to the mall to play on Monday.  On Wednesday, we had a picnic lunch and played at the park by the river, went to Wendy’s for frostes, and to the mall to play again.  Leland had way more fun there than he thought he would and wanted to go back!  He also helped Macie make bracelets.  Leland had fun with the kids, but was a little overwhelmed at times.  I’m so glad we were able to spend some special time with one of our godsons!

LJ’s 1st Interview ~ 2.5

How old are you?: 5, I’m getting bigger (yes she wants to be like Macie) 
What is your favorite color?: orange
What is your favorite show?: Doc Stuffins and Mickey Mouse 
What is your favorite movie?: Uh…I think about it…Doc Stuffins
Who is your best friend?: Gavin and Macie my best friend
What is your favorite food?: I don’t know                                                                                
What is your favorite thing to do with mommy?: play with your ipad 
What is your favorite thing to do with daddy?: go to the playground
Where is your favorite place to go?: to the doctor (haha...she screams when she gets near the place!) 
What is your favorite book?: I don’t know…Doc Stuffins?
What do you want to be when you grow up?:  Mama like my Mama                                   
What is your favorite toy?: a girl toy                                                         
What is your favorite animal?: deer…no frog actually
Anything else you want to tell me?: uh yeah….I’m done!

How does that work?

Ever since playing with a vcr at CMOE, Macie has been curious about how things work and what the look like inside.  Brian gave her a screwdriver and her dvd player that doesn’t work anymore and let her go at it.  She is beyond thrilled and now Gavin wants to take something apart, too!

T Ball Party

We left the cabin so that we could get home in time to bathe the kids.  They were disgusting from head to toe!  We unpacked the food and rested a bit before heading to Macie’s t ball party.  It was at Archie and Clyde’s.  They had pizza, salad, breadsticks, and cake.  It was so nice of Tina’s parent’s to throw the party for us!  The kids had a good time but were definitely worn out from the weekend.  Macie got the right trophy and a monkey.  Jackson won Gavin a yellow spikey ball.  After a bit of wild fun, we headed to Walmart for a few things and then home.  I was wiped and crashed a bit.  It was an early night for all of us!