Dinner is Done!

So Family Dinners were AMAZING! 

I had so much fun making them, and just as much fun eating them! We made a point each time to all sit together at the table, no T.v. or radio, just eachothers company. We all took turns on different nights being the one to say the family grace

"Rub-a-dub-dub, Thanx for the grub!"

and it was more laughs and smiles then we would have EVER imagined!

Looking forward to THIS month!

4th - Lasagna, Peas, & French Bread

 

6th - Pot Stickers, Rice, Veggies, & Spring Rolls

10th - Sloppy Joes & Cheesy Shells

13th - Baby Meatball & Motz Hoagies

17th - Homestyle Chicken & Dumplings & Rolls

20th - (Make your own) Mini Pizzas

23rd - Potatoes O'Brien, Eggs, Bacon, & Toast

(25th - Thanksgiving!) 

30th - Minestrone & Rolls

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Can we do it??... Can You???

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*New Years*

The new beginning. 

The start over. 

The time of year when everyone in the world sets rules & standards for themselves that they do everything humanly possible to meet & surpass for the next 365 days to make their life "happier." Goals to make "This year better.." 

We all do it. 

Even if we say we don't believe in resolutions, we know that at some point, deep in our brains, the thought that "This year I'll be different.. better." always occurs in one shape or another. 

And we try. 

We give up chocolate. Plan to exercise more. Be more confident. Drink less. Stop taking "shortcuts" with our work. Be less cocky. Go back to school... whatever mundane (or superb) task we have set our minds to. 

Sadly, most of us only make it a few months tops before we give in to our seductive yearnings and dive head first into the enitre box of Valentines chocolates we bought as a gift for someone else...

It's not my fault Dark chocolate smells so damn good!

We pass off work-out plans for a glass of wine while sitting on our butts watching those delicious hunks of sexiness flit thier way around our t.v. screens in all thier McDreamy/McSteamy-ness luring us towards one more sensational glass of wine...

What I would DO for 5 minutes in that on-call room...

We even push those last few calls to the answering machine just so we can punch out a few minutes early and get home in time to wash our hair before the little ones parade through the front door instead of sitting on the phone setting up one more appointment for that one customer who loves to tell you about her youngest grand kid's newest milestone.

"ooh. Jimmy's getting a hold of potty-training? That is lovely Mrs. Gladshere. 

Yes.. he sounds VERY advanced, you must be very proud."

Yeesh.

But inspite of all the failure we are doomed to indure, we still push on with the hopes of different outcomes. Kinda like banging your head against the wall, huh? 

Yet in the spirit of it all.. we too shall jump in line for our turn in forehead-bashing. :)

Melissa

1. Lose Baby Weight 
- I still LOOK 3-4 months preggo. NOT OKAY.

2. Eat Healthier  
-not be such a fatkid :)

3.Get Atleast Half of our Netflix queue watched our cleared out.     
-Too many damn movies...

4. Paint More - I was slackin this year...

Anthony

  1. Work on winning the Lottery  
-  we are too damn poor!

2. Get a Better Job  
- people at my work are stupid.

3. Get a car of our own  - FINALLY!

4. Catch up on bills  - Hence #'s 1-3

Ryan

  1. Get a new family car 
- I'm thiiinking.. like a Chevy Trailblazer.

2. More snuggle time with my wife  
- I really do enjoy it. <3

3. Have pudding once a day  
- it makes me happy.

4. To have a better year than LAST year!
- cause this one sucked...

Jaimie
1. Exercise More -
Even if it's just walking Mazda around the pond.
2. Eating Better - 

Smaller, HEALTHIER options.
3. Be Happier -

All around LESS bitchy.
4. Get Pregnant Again - 

& hopefully KEEP it this time. :)

Don't you just love the holidays??

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Seriously... I can get annoying at Christmas...

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Let it be known that I LOVE singing! 

So when Christmas comes around...

i'm even MORE annoying than usual. 

*Melissa really HATES how cheerful & sing-songy I get!*

i play music LOUD & PROUD

...When she lets me ;) ...

Here in the Lego house, we have a few favs...

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

Frosty the Snowman

  Blue Christmas

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Jingle Bell Rock

Christmas Time is Here 

&& Does ANYONE else remember this one???

The Coca-Cola Trucks

But the #1 all time FAVORITE will ALWAYS be:

The Trans Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve Sarajevo

Don't you just love the holidays??


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Potato Surprise!

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Do you ever have trouble getting your little ones to eat veggies??

nooooooooo way... OF COURSE not... *Pffft!!*

Which is where Potato Surprise comes in.

As Weird as it may sound, and even maybe look..I'm TELLING you, 

This is by FAR my favorite thing, and it is Suuuuuper easy!

My Momma has been making this for me for years & has even discovered that my once uninterested hubby will give-in to her powers of potatoes & melted cheese... 

& she uses it frequestly  to trick him into small chores, or even just visits. 

(I always love how sneaky you are Momma.. haha)

So seeing as this is  

FAVORITE RECIPIE DAY, 

 I am going to share this recipie with you.. 

*Don't worry Momma, no matter HOW hard I try.. no one makes it as amazing as you! ;) *

Under ONE condition...

DON'T KNOCK IT 

BEFORE YOU TRY IT!!!! 

Trust me.. you have noooooo idea.

 ____________________

Ingredients:

• 1 can or corn
• 1 can of green beans
• 1 can of peas
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 2 cans tomato soup
• 1 can tomato paste 
• 1 small bag or large brown potatoes
• 1 pound medium cheddar cheese

*when draining vegetable juices from can, keep 1/2 can of pea juices & 1/2 can of corn juices. 


**Potatoes are make amount = your liking. As long as there is enough to cover top or casserole.
Instructions:

1.  Pre-heat oven to 125F
2. Grate cheese. set aside.
3. Add all vegetables, vegetable juices, tomato soup, and tomato paste to a large mixing bowl.
4. Brown ground beef in skillet till all the way cooked. Add to bowl.
5. Mix ingredients well making a soup-type mix. Place aside.
6. Wash, peel & cut potatoes, putting in large pot of water.
7. Boil with a pinch of salt till soft.
8. Drain water from potatoes and return them to the pot.
9. Add small amount of milk & mash together till light & fluffy. (Milk is what MAKES them fluffy)
10. Take vegetable soup mix from bowl and add to bottom of UNGREASED medium-sized casserole dish. making sure to leave space AT LEAST 1/2 inch from top.
11. Add mashed potatoes to top of soup mix in dallops. Starting at an outter corner, working way around the edge and then in towards middle.  (like a swirl type shape) 
12. Once top of cassorole is covered, carefully smooth top of potatoes. 
13. Sprinkle on grated cheese.
14. Pleace in pre-heated oven for 20-30 minutes. (edges of soup mixture should be bubbling.)
15. Serve and enjoy!

Be aware! Soup layer will be 

MUCH hotter than top!

 

Don't you love the holidays???

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The wheels the car go 'round & 'round...

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Since we are sunch a big, happy unconventional family.. we have ALOT of members. 

So every year when the holidays come around the phone starts ringing. 

"Are you coming over this year?"

"Are we gonna see you this year?"

"Your Grandpa is in town, when are you coming to visit?"

Before we know it we have enough miles on our car to equal up to a cross-country visit! 

(& I know there are MANY of you who can relate.)

So, Even though we know we can't say what we WANT to say to dear ol' Mom & Dad...

"Can't you ALL come to our house this year??"

(I'm pretty sure I'd have a heart attack if I tried to fit everyone in our 

tiny little apartment.. Family dinners are trouble enough...

I think I'll wait till we get a bigger place for that one...)

So we drive to & from. Here & there. Up & down and all over town.

but THIS YEAR we are making changes.. when it comes to the family FRIENDS..

youknow.. the ones you have over for game night, and dinners, and birthdays...

The ones who might as WELL be family??

When it comes to THEM, we've sent out this Evite:

*To those who don't know, 

I am 90% of the time the host of EVERYTHING. 

It's a Love-Hate hobby*

_______________________________________________

We want to start a new tradition!

We have alot of friends, that we consider more than just friends.. you guys are family.

There for, we want to start a new tradition. Every year from here on out..
...A early Christmas-XmasParty day!

On Saturday, the weekend before Xmas weekend,
(this year = December 18th, 2010)
we are going to have a JUST family-friends holiday. :)
...Kinda like a Themed Game night.. with more food :)

So here is the deal:

Potluck= So bring something Yummy! Dinner & Dessert Style!
Drinks= Soda, Beer, Wine, Champagne (Normal Game Night Rules)
Dress Code = UGLY XMAS SWEATERS!!! (hit up Value village & Casual.. TRY to be COMFY.. Not a Dress & Heels.. (Katie) ;) haha

And SECRET SANTA!!

We know everyone is tight for money, and we figured THIS would be an easier way to do presents this year!

So IF you can, contact us however you can, and let us know what you plan on bringing, so I can maybe stifle off doubles, And make SURE to RSVP!!

Let me know if you are coming, and if you are bringing a guest by ATLEAST December 11th at the LATEST. I will be drawing names for Secret Santa and contacting you to let you know who you got on the 12th, So everyone will have a week to shop! :)

*Annaise WILL be in the bag! So Watch to be the lucky one to draw her name!*

At the end of the night we will take a big group photo in all our ugly sweaters. This will make a great thing to look at each year!

We look forward to seeing all of you there!
We ♥ you!
& Happy Holidays!

_______________________________________________

I Can't WAIT!! 

 Don't you love the holidays???

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