{It's OK to have TOO much fun!!}

What is it called when you like combine all sorts of events together in to one post... in order to catch up on your blogging? Blog Vomit?

Well... What ever it's called. That's what this is. I could be doing dishes, or picking up toys... or even washing my hair-but if one more day goes by and i don't blog... i may never blog again!! So, please excuse this crazy mess of pictures and random stories... hope you enjoy my hard work and play...without further delay...

Darling Brinley, (this was taken on Cailtin's Birthday) she looked so cute, but never made it into the Birthday post!
This was even before the birthday... cute little sweater with bear ears (hand-me-down from Adriana) P.S. Brinley has been handed a wardrobe no two year old could even dream about having... What darling clothes and taste Adriana's parents have!! Thank you!!)


Num-bahhhs::

In January, Caitlin's school celebrated the 100th day of school! The kindergartners have been working on 'numbers to one hundred'... to help Caitlin recognize and identify the numbers, i found $1.00 tape measures at Target... So fun to watch Caitlin measure everything in the house and tell me the numbers!

More numbers: Kids pretending they were race horses... and counting by 5's and 10's
Will and Adriana... bff's gett ready to go to the bus stop to pick up Caitlin...
When the cat's away... the mice will play.
Brinley takes a turn in Caitlin's roller skates... Love THIS girl!!

another cute shot of little b in Adriana's hand-me-downs... drinking her morning hot chocolate.
aw.
Last time we visited my parents house (November??), Will left his white baby blanket. (we actually couldn't find it anywhere when it was time to leave, we thought it was gone forever.) I was cleaning out my craft room and i came across this Thomas the Train fabric that will picked out a few years ago... So, i made him a new blanket!!

Ok, i made him do this...

Family Skate Day...
A few weeks ago, we headed to Ashland... to the Roller Land with Caitlin's buddies, Sydney and Claire and their parents... we had a fabulous time!



Brinley was not a fan of skating this time... only watching.

Mommy and Caitlin taking a roll around the rink...
Claire (total 6-year-old-rock-star... out there ALL by herself!)
taking a breather!
Will won a Free ice pop in the 'sock race' -- kids take off their skates and run around the rink! SO cute to watch and cheer for Will...
Syd and Cait

Last Weekend we headed up to PA to spend Conference with my AWESOME family!! Here's Amy working on a special project...!
Grammy and Brinley coloring!

Here's an Amish farm where Amy and I went to pick up some Free Range Eggs...
Internet/Craft Cafe:
THIS picture SO totally rocks, Dude! not sure if you can really see it... but there are 5 lap tops and three sewing machines in this picture.... (lighting is a little low in the back... Justin, Sua, and Kevin all with their laptops.)
Auntie Em and Caitlin snuggling listening to Conference!
Brinley was SO cute... she was pushing this stroller around during conference... but didn't want the baby in there... only her blanket (KiKi) and a ball! (that is SO Brinners!)

Grammy and Caitlin coloring conference packets together!
Jefferson... this was right before he got up and sneezed in Justin's face! hahahaahaaa!

OK, THIS took me three days... we didn't sew during conference... (no one would be able to hear, wink) so- the off times... my life was devoted to learning how to machine quilt... (like the swirlies... I DID THAT!!!) Boo-yaaaaaaa!
that's right, be impressed.



A high light of our weekend in PA... i was doing a 'clean sweep' of Grammy and Papa's house, before we left Sunday night... and what did i find?? WILL'S BABY BLANKET!!!! (but i did manage to leave two pair of shoes, the dogs food, and my cell phone charger... BUT i'm THRILLED that we found Will's Blanket!!

This is ONE happy little MAN... you should have seen his face when i showed it to him... ah. what Joy!
And... Sleeping Brinnes takes a little nap on the stairs...
These were taken today, Brinley snacking on Apples (she calls them "A'Balls") and we all know she LOVES balls. she's spent most of today kicking this one around... so fun!




And... PEPPER... the coolest dog EVER got a hair cut... she's so awesome... the squirrels better watch out -with all that hair gone- she's super stealth...
Well, that's kinda the report for now, Love Ya'll!

Peace OUT!

April 6th

9 years ago today, Justin asked me to marry him! 2nd BEST day of my whole life. (First best is tied with the day we got married and the days our darling children were born!)

Here are a few pictures from that day...
Washington D.C. in front of the Jefferson Memorial, during the Cherry Blossom Festival!

Happiness IS having someone to love... and I'm REALLY happy being married to my best friend in the whole world... Justin is so cute... he brought me these flowers and this card that just said "Amanda" to him!!
Love you FOREVER!!

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

My Italian taste buds are dancing with satisfaction upon making this monster of a dish! I feel like I've died and gone to the best Italian Restaurant EVER... and it only takes about 30 minutes to make in the comfort of your own home!! Love, Love, LOVE it!!
I found this AMAZING recipe on EatingWell.com (January/February 2009 archives! Mmmm! Enjoy!

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

From EatingWell: January/February 2009

In this one-skillet supper, we toss dark leafy greens, diced tomatoes and white beans with gnocchi and top it all with gooey mozzarella. Serve with a mixed green salad with vinaigrette.

6 servings | Active Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 16-ounce package shelf-stable gnocchi, (see Tip)
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup water
• 6 cups chopped chard leaves, (about 1 small bunch) or spinach
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings (Del Monte Diced Tomatoes w/ Basil, Garlic and Oregano)
  
• 1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until plumped and starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and onion to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium heat, for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add chard (or spinach) and cook, stirring, until starting to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans and pepper and bring to a simmer. 3. Stir in the gnocchi and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving : 325 Calories; 7 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 8 mg Cholesterol; 55 g Carbohydrates; 14 g Protein; 6 g Fiber; 616 mg Sodium; 360 mg Potassium. 3 Carbohydrate Serving. Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat

Tip: Look for shelf-stable gnocchi near other pasta in the Italian section of most supermarkets.

I found this at Wal-Mart: Whole Wheat Gnocchi w/ Sweet potato!