Brook's Baby Shower

We threw Brook a baby boy monkey shower and it was a lot of fun and super cute. I love those printable parties from etsy, makes it super easy to have a cute party.

Don't forget the cute onesie in the corner!

Diaper Cake

Party favor. Baby food jars recycled into the favor with whoppers and green M&M's.

Brook requested Oreo cupcakes from me and I eagerly obliged.

We had the soups over here as well as the dips. Love good food!

Okay, this cracked me up. Have you ever heard of a Pee Pee Teepee? Add that to a little boy and this little item is supposed to save you getting sprayed. I laughed my head off.

We Love you Brooky and are excited for your little guy too!

Thankful Pennant

I saw a version of this on Parents.com They had made their pennant with grains stalks and different kinds of fall foliage. I liked the idea, but wanted to do it with beans so that Howie could count and sort them, a little math homework of sorts. Fun to do and easy peasy.

You Have To Try This (we had it for dinner tonight!)

Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana

Ingredients:

1 Lb. Italian sausage ( I like hot)

2 large Russet baking potatos, sliced in half, and then in 1/4" slices.

1 large onion chopped

1/2 can oscar meyer bacon bits (or crumbled fresh cooked bacon: I used this)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups kale or swiss chard, chopped (I had collard greens on hand and they worked great)

2 cans chicken broth

1 quart water

1 cup heavy whipping cream

How to make it:

Brown sausage and crumble. Drain and set aside.

Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, garlic in pot and cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.

Add sausage and bacon

Salt and pepper to taste

Simmer for another 10 minutes

Turn to low heat

Add Kale and cream

Heat through and serve

Serve with a crusty bread and you have a meal fit for a king!

YUM!!!!

Operation Stocking Stuffer

They talked about this a week ago in Relief Society and for some reason it struck a cord with me and it made me want to do it. We went to the dollar store and loaded up on the goods. It honestly would have been cheaper to go to another store, but I had only intended on filling one stocking from our family. When we got there, Howie and Olivia insisted they fill their own stocking. So it turned into four stockings, one from each of us. And maybe our stocking are totally cheezy, but we hope it is the thought that counts. We did this as a FHE and I took the time to tell the kids how much we appreciate our troops. I think Howie really got it, and we had a really good time. An awesome service project that our little family could complete.

Thank you troops for your service. Our family appreciates it.

Its official, we're moving!

Yes, you read that right. We are moving to Eastern Oregon, more specifically, Nyssa Oregon. For me, it is a move back home. To family, to friends I grew up, to my home ward, and did I mention it is around my family again!!! We are leaving Tommy's family which is sad. It has been nice to be by them for a time. Tommy got his registered nurse license in Oregon (not Utah, VERY LONG STORY, if you really want to know, ask Tommy) and started looking for jobs. He landed a great job in home health care that he is excited to start this week. Yes, this week! I will be packing up the house and kiddos and moving later hopefully by the end of the month.

It is going to sad to leave my friends here. They have become my family away from my family and I love them. I just have to say I have some pretty good friends and thank you for being my friend. It is bitter sweet: losing great friends and family here, but moving close to my family again. Change. It seems to find my family frequently.