Disney on Ice

If you ever get the chance to go to Disney on Ice you must go!  We went the day after Christmas and we LOVED it.  Our seats were really great and Irelyn was so excited when TinkerBell came over and waved right at her :)

Christmas 2009

Putting all 50 state quarters into the correct place.  A gift from Papa

Christmas Eve bowling

Irelyn(5 1/2) and Zac (8 1/2)

Irelyn(5 1/2) and Lauren(5 3/4)

Goodies for Santa and the reindeer

Where have we been?

Gymnastics Mini-Olympics

Disneyland

Doing everything Christmas!

How is it the middle of December already??  Time is flying...but this is my most favorite time of the year.  George will be home now on the weekends and evenings for the next 3 months..such a wonderful break for him (and us).  Enjoy this time with your family :)

A day at Disneyland

We had one of the best days ever at Disneyland today.  No lines!, the kids were able to sit with the driver of the Monorail, and Irelyn was in part of a show.  They dressed her as Frosty!

After the show she said that she loved when the audience clapped for her.   :)

Irelyn and cousin Kanaya

The best coffee

At our local Costco this weekend they are having the road show for Jose's Coffee.  You get a 3lb bag for less than $10.  And the coffee is really good!  They have so many flavors to choose from, including Merrimint and Nutty Doodle, and they will let you sample all of them too.  Get to it!

Did you shop?

I went to the mall around 8:30am.  I got some good deals for myself, bought 2 Christmas presents, and just browsed.  I definitely didn't think it was very crowded this year..or maybe my timing was good. The early birds were probably already gone and the late people weren't there yet.  Either way, it was another fun day of shopping with my mom and daughter. 

Did you get any great deals?

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

I hope your day was filled with family and fun!

Recipe Wednesday

This dip reminds me of the Holidays... or maybe it just reminds of family. It's really a Super Bowl type food but it is just soooooo good!

Chili Dip
1 can chili- no beans
8 oz. cream cheese
Cook over low hear until cheese melts. 
Serve hot with Fritos.

Seriously- it is delish!

I've given up

on Tackle It Tuesday!  The pressure is just too much. 

Instead, this is our new favorite! the SNUGGIE!!!  Do you have one yet?

Have you heard?

Old Navy opens at 3am this Friday!  What?  That is insane.  Now, I have been dragged by my mom on several early morning shopping sprees.  Growing up, I was usually the only one that went shopping with my Mom on the day after Thanksgiving.  I've won prizes, got coupons, stuffed animals, free coffee- all for being up at a ridiculous hour and standing in line.  I can remember only missing one year of shopping and that was the year Irelyn was born.  I have one memory that stands out the most and that is being in line at the South Coast Plaza Disney Store at 5am.  If you were one of the first 50 people in line you would receive a little stuffed Winnie the Pooh bear dressed in a Holiday sweater.  Seriously??  Apparently we really needed it and my Mom left me to stand in line while she went to Macy's.  And to this day, when I take that Winnie the Pooh out the box...I remember :)

Me and my crockpot

My BFF and I, I mean my crockpot, like these recipes.
Check it out
WAHM crock pot recipes

10 things I'm loving in November

1. Gingerbread Coffee from Trader Joe's
2. Early morning walks in the cold, fresh air 
3. Panera Bread!
4. Breakfast dates with my husband once a week
5. Being practically done with Christmas shopping so that I may enjoy the Season that much more :)
6. Doing arts and crafts with Irelyn
7. Watching Irelyn learn new skills at gymnastics
8. The anticipation of Christmas and a New Year
9. Making soup!
10. Wearing my "California cold weather clothes" again

What are you loving?

It's a Kindergarten feast!

My little pilgrim

The first Thanksgiving! Hahaha  they thought it was really weird that we were all there watching them eat. 

Yogurtland

If you have not been to Yogurtland yet you must go! 

Try the pumpkin pie yogurt with cheescake pieces YUM!

And they give you great spoons that you can keep and use for kids cereal etc. 

Yogurtland

Recipe Wednesday

This is one of my absolute favorite recipes.  I have made them for several different people- picky eaters(me), kids, adults...and everyone always loves them!  They can seem time consuming to begin with but once you get the hang of it they take no time at all.

Rachel Ray's Crunchy, Oven baked chicken toes(http://www.foodnetwork.com/)
Ingredients

1 cup corn flakes
1 cup plain bread crumbs
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice - the SECRET ingredient
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast tenders, 2 packages, cut into 2-inch pieces by GH (Grown-up Helpers)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup honey mustard (recommended: Gulden's)
1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Directions
-Have your GH (Grown-up Helper) turn the oven on to 375 degrees F.
-In a pie pan or other shallow, large dish, pour out the corn flakes. Crush the cereal up with your hands. Mix in bread crumbs, sugar, salt, pepper, and allspice - your SECRET ingredient. Do not tell anybody what your secret ingredient is - ever! If they ask how you make your special chicken toes, tell them about everything EXCEPT the secret.
-Drizzle about 3 tablespoons vegetable oil evenly over the breading, tossing and turning it to mix the oil all through the bread crumbs and crushed-up corn flakes. Have the GH pour the oil out slowly. A vegetable oil bottle has a big opening so, 3 tablespoons will pour out pretty quickly, probably by the time you can count to 5, so watch the GH closely and count really loudly!
-Have your GH cut the chicken fingers into toes, 2-inch pieces. Turn the chicken in flour, eggs and then in the special crunchy breading. Arrange the chicken toes on a nonstick baking sheet. Make your GH go and wash their hands. Place the chicken toes in the oven and cook 15 minutes or until crisp and brown all over.
-Mix together honey mustard and barbecue sauce in a small bowl. Serve hot chicken toes with honey mustard and barbecue sauce for dipping.

I have nothing to say...

2 years ago...

Photo tag

Here is how you play- pick the 7th album and the 7th picture in your files.  I tag- Heather and Becky. :)

                        Snow Day 2007! HAHAHA look at Irelyn's face.  She did not like it at all!

Family

While digging through old boxes this weekend I came across this picture.  From my Dad's side of the family.  If you can't read the words below (you should be able to click on it to make it bigger) it says
left picture- Oliver Lee and Martha Ann Grissom.  My great grandparents taken in Riverside, CA 1922
right picture- William Franklin and Amanda Grey Grissom. My great great grandparents. This lady is half Indian.

Thanks to my Grandma, I have these pictures and my Dad's paternal family tree going back to the birth of my great Grandpa in 1849. History is so much more interesting as we age...

What a sweetie :)

Great websites for kids

Some of our favorites

Playhouse Disney
Starfall
Daisy Meadows
Barbie games
DLTK Kids
Disney Channel
PBS Kids

What are some of your favorites?

What was I thinking?

Who needs this much stuff in their purse!!!  Crayons galore, hair clips, and a bunch of other stuff!  I eliminated almost all of it and my purse is so light.  I feel like I'm forgetting something...

I'm sure some of you have similar purses ;)

Recipe Wednesday

This is my own Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.  It is so easy, quick and everyone seems to like it.

3 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/3 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves
(I use my zyliss chopper for the above and it is done in seconds)
32 oz chicken broth
2 chicken breasts
1 lb. rotini pasta
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, add 1-2 T. olive oil.  Saute carrots, onion, celery and garlic over medium heat for about 10 minutes.  Don't let it burn.  Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer.  Let simmer while you cook 2 chicken breasts on a microwave safe dish in the microwave for 4-5 minutes.  (This is such an easy way to cook it)  Remove chicken from micro and let cool.  Meanwhile, cook pasta in a separate pot according to package directions.  After chicken has cooled slightly, shred with 2 forks or with your fingers directly into the soup.  After draining pasta, add as much or as little pasta as you like.  Season with salt and pepper.

I love this meal because it is so versatile.  I can make a huge pot or a small pot.  You can add red pepper flakes if you like spice.  My husband likes to add hot sauce to it.  And it is really delicous the next day.

Tackle it Tuesday

The ridiculous playroom/storage room.  Today I will make it a playroom again!

Before:

*I will update later today with my progress...

*Update-  I will have to finish this Tackle it Tuesday next week.  There is just so much stuff in there I can't figure out where to put it!

Fun craft

This is a super fun and easy craft.  We used pumpkins, Martha Stewart glitter and glue.  These were supposed to be Fall colors but when my helper came along we ended up adding pink and purple to the mix :)

Fix it!

Have you ever had an appliance, gadget, camera or something else in your house break and you didn't have the manual?  Did you know there is a website just for this?  There are over 5,500 brands listed and you can download the manuals free.  Genius!!!
Safe Manuals

Disney's The Princess and the Frog

Tip- (from the Disneyland website)

   Calling all Disneyland® Resort Theme Park Guests! If you're age 10 or older, you can receive a special offer to see Walt Disney Pictures' new animated movie, The Princess and the Frog, opening December 11, 2009. Here's how:

   Guests age 10 or older entering a Disneyland® Resort Theme Park from October 5 through November 22 can present their valid Theme Park ticket or Annual Passport at one of the merchandise locations listed below to receive a special card.
   The card provides details on how to obtain a certificate good for up to $8.00 toward the purchase of one child's movie ticket with the purchase of an adult movie ticket to see The Princess and the Frog at participating theaters from December 11 through December 31, 2009.
   Show your Theme Park ticket or Annual Passport to pick up your offer card at:
• Disneyland® Park: The Emporium, Disney Showcase, Disney Clothiers, Ltd., China Closet
• Disney's California Adventure® Park: Greetings from California, Engine-Ears Toys
• Disneyland® Hotel: Disney's Fantasia Shop, Donald's Gifts & Sundries
• Disney's Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa: Acorn Gifts & Goods
• Disney's Paradise Pier® Hotel: Mickey In Paradise
• Downtown Disney® District: World of Disney® Store

I'm done!

I am actually done with Christmas shopping!  This is absolutely unheard of for me.  I still have the adults in my life to shop for but all of the kids are done.  Target came out with their toy book and it was full of coupons and great deals.  I suggest you check it out.


Tip-  Tomorrow(Saturday) scarves at Old Navy are only $1

My Little Gymnast

Recipe Wednesday

This is soooooo good!!  (from my crockpot cookbook)

Chicken Noodle Soup with Sweet Potatoes

6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces (We prefer chicken breasts so I substituted and used 3 breasts)
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. marjoram
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
1  14 1/2 oz can chicken broth
8 oz. egg noodles, cooked

Combine all ingredients except the egg noodles in the Crock pot.  Cover; cook on low for 8 to 10- hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.  Stir in cooked egg noodles before serving.

Tackle it Tuesday

I had a plan to tackle the back part of my kitchen today...  this area is home to Irelyn's art table and supplies, my hutch that collects stuff by the day, and my laundry room.  Maybe next week...
Instead I decided to tackle my to do list

• Trader Joe's
• Do laundry and put it away
• TJ Maxx
• Put Halloween decorations away
• Clean the bathrooms
• clean the kitchen floor
• empty the dishwasher
• clean the coffee maker

I did pretty good today.  But the rest had to wait!  It was too beautiful to stay inside after I picked Irelyn up from school.  It was a great day to play :)

Tip- according to Martha Stewart there are 6 things you should do each day to keep your house from becoming chaotic.
See here for her list   Martha's list

Our fun filled Halloween

Pumpkin Patches, Boo Bash at school, and then Trick or Treating!  It was a great Halloween season...and Irelyn actually wore the same costume for each event.  She wanted to be a leopard kitty this year, however she had to add a little scary to it so she wore her fangs.

Day 2

Deal Catcher

Tip- This is a great website for finding deals and coupons.  Especially with the Holidays right around the corner.  My favorite is the grocery coupon category.  You can even search for coupons within your zip code.  Check the grocery store ads on Tuesdays to see what is on sale this week and you can save even more when you buy it on sale and use a coupon!

NaBloPoMo

National Blog Posting Month is here again!  Last year I made it- I posted every day for the whole month of November.  This year, I'm going to try to make the majority of posts about a "deal or tip of the day"  Since I love to shop... I might as well put it to some use :)

Here is tip #1- if you clog your garbage disposal drain with potato peelings, stick a large plastic straw(like one from Baja Fresh) into the draining hole that is inside your disposal.  Stick it in as far as it will go and move it around. Do this several times.  Then take a cup full of water and pour it into the straw to see if any water will go in.  Do this a few times and shake the straw as you pour.  Then run lots of water and turn on your disposal- the drain should unclog itself. And NEVER put potato peelings into the disposal!  (Everyone knows this but I still forget)

Recipe Wednesday

It's time to get out that crockpot!

1 to 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup vinegar
1/4 cup lemon lime soda (diet is OK)
2-3 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper


Mix all ingredients in slow cooker and refrigerate 1 day prior. Cook on low 4-6 hours or until done. Voila!

Soccer

CUTEST THING EVER!!

GOOOAAALLL!

It's a spare!

I know, horrible picture, but cute nonetheless

Mrs. Knotts

I have been going to Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner since I can remember.  We used to meet my Gramy and Gramps there for dinner and then walk around the shops at the entrance to Knott's.  I can still remember sitting at the table with them, eating TONS of biscuits with boysenberry jam, sipping my boysenberry juice and watching my Gramps eat the Rhubarb.  Mrs. Knotts is full of memories for me.  Irelyn's first trip there was when she was about 6 months old and now she loves it like I do.  Don't you just love family traditions? :-)

Yay!! We love Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner

Flu vaccine

I am so curious what others are thinking about the vaccines this Fall.  Are you taking your kids to get the flu shot?  The H1N1 shot?  Are you getting the flu shot?  Take my poll on the right- it's anonymous.

Friends :)

From Left- Aidan, Aidan, Maddie, Cameran, Gehrig, Mia, Irelyn

The Kindergarteners

Go Purple Butterflies!

A victim of Kindergarten :(

Poor Irelyn didn't even last a full week yet in Kindergarten.  The sickness got the best of her.  :( 
Now I don't know about you, but to me having a sick kid is soooooooo hard.  I can't stand watching her uncomfortable, hot, coughing, crying and on and on it goes.  Oh and not to mention the thoughts that run through my mind about what kind of disease she has contracted this time and where she got it.  Ewww the germs!  I'm hoping to make it through tonight without her fever coming back up and without coughing that wakes her up. Until tomorrow...

Summer is over...

This was a very special week at our house.  Irelyn started Kindergarten!  She was very excited to go to school and was happy that she already knew 5 kids.  She had a huge smile when I went to pick her up and had met more new friends :)  We love you Irelyn and are so proud of you.

 

 
I just can't believe that summer is over and the Holidays are right around the corner.  But first... Halloween!  One of my favorites.  I don't know why, I don't even like dressing up, but I love the decorations, the candy, apply cider, carving pumpkins...just everything about it!  I can't wait!!

Picture tag

The rules of picture tag are: Open your first photo folder. Scroll down to the 10th photo. Post that photo and story on your blog. Tag three friends(or more) to do the same.



Ok here is my photo:

 
This is a picture of Irelyn and her cousin Lauren at my Uncle Rick's wedding.  Uncle Rick and Aunt Fran were married on December 31st 2007...New Years Eve!  They met when my Uncle Rick came down to visit for New Years 1999.  After they met that night, they had a long distance relationship (Fran in OC, Uncle Rick in Washington).  Uncle Rick is my moms brother and Fran is my moms long time friend.  Fran's son Sean and I also went to church and HS together.  Small World?  I think Yes :)
 
 
I tag- Heather, Becky and Karen.  Get to it girls!

My little artist

Irelyn's drawings from Curtoon Time

from top- hockey stick, trash can, bottle, piece of paper