Menu Plan Monday

Snowy day here in Central PA. First snow day of the winter season, not even a delay so far this year. Its an unwelcomed snow that is for sure.. I hate it. Even my spunky 6 year old son hates it.. just keeps coming down too. My poor lilac bush is on the ground the snow is so heavy and thick. Although I suppose today is a great day for comfort food.

Monday- Porkloin roast, potatoes, carrots, and corn. All added to the crock pot. Smells so good and the pork loins were BOGO this week.

Tuesday- Crockpot Chili and Corn bread.

Wednesday- Cheesy stuffed shells

Thursday- Leftover Buffet if there is enough

Friday- I got a Kraft breading and cheese kit I wanted to test out.. the bacon and cheddar one. So Baked chicken, cheesy ranch potatoes via Pinterest, and green beans.

Saturday- Soft tacos

Sunday- Marinated pork chops, parmesan noodles, and peas.

I'm still alive just lagging

I always want to blog more.. to store thoughts, memories, ideas, and to share.. but I just never do.. its awful. Now that I have a love for Pinterest, my blog is even more abandon.. the warm weather, busy schedules, 2 kids, a very very busy little girl that is about to walk and celebrate her first birthday.. church, activities.. it goes on and on.. ugh... see tired already.

I did want to pop in and share a pic of our kiddies in their Easter outfits.

Thanks for stopping by!! :)

Super Bowl

We are a football watching family. My hubby loves it. I never did, I hated it, I hated sitting around on the days there was football instead of doing other things.. then one day I decided if you can't beat them.. join them. Now I love it too, I got into it mainly so Mr. M and I had more in common since we never watch the same thing on tv. Being a Pennsylvania born family we should like the Steelers, and we do root for them when they are playing any teams we dislike. Anthony loves the Steelers, he loves dancing around and rooting for them when they play. Mr. M is a big fan of Dallas, and me? I like Dallas and the Eagles. I have other teams I like as well, but to be honest, I more have teams I don't like. My number one disliked team on my list is New England.. they are just so over rated.. ugh.

So I basked in my glory this weekend when they lost the super bowl, and to be honest I would have crapped if they caught that last pass of the game. I know there sure are some bitter wives in football. I must be completely honest though... its really the commercials that do it for me! :) Anthony loved the M&M one this year.. he must have watched it 20 plus times now. He likes to re-enact the dancing as well.. my silly boy. The half time show was pretty decent this year as well, I thought it would be worse since Madonna is older and hasn't released anything new recently. I hope I can rock it that well in my early 50s.

February Goals

How many people can believe its February already!? Not me. Time sure does fly by when you are an adult.

So I make goals monthly. Some I stick to, some I don't. But its nice to at least set goals and be hopeful for the beginning of a new month.

I would like to use up all the cleaners we have here, and make my own. I'm going to buy some spray bottles and mix up some ideas I have gotten via pinterest.

Try some of the organizing and recipes I have pinned on pinterest as well.

Continue to purge our unused items. I have been selling baby stuff left and right online making a bit of money and using some of it to buy Aubriella some new summer clothes.

Find and buy a new couch.

Research options for a new SUV, living in central PA we must get an SUV for my husband who travels the awful mountains for work. We have had 2 mishaps already this winter and we have barely gotten snow.

Work on getting Aubriella on a better sleep schedule. I want to have a perfected routine, and right now, we are far from it.

Boost Anthony's spelling grade in school.

Get outside more, we are suffering cabin fever and lack of sunlight.

Garden plans, I know its early but I can't help it.

Spend more time with our Papa.

Find the perfect Easter dress <3

That is all for now I believe. I hope I can get these checked off! :) Happy February!



Menu Plan Monday January 2nd.

Here is our menu plan for the new year.

Sunday- Traditional pork chops, sour kraut, kielbasa, and potatoes.
Monday- Bbq chicken bites, mac and cheese, and green beans.
Tuesday- Soft and crunchy beef tacos with cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Wednesday- Marinated steaks, baked taters, and corn
Thursday- Tuna noodle casserole
Friday- Homemade pizza night
Saturday- leftovers?

That is our plan, depending on leftovers, the night we have them might get moved sooner.. or not at all.
Happy New Year everyone.

Looking for more inspiration? There are plenty more menu plans to be found right here.

Rambles of 2011

Another year gone and another year to make things happen.

I have plenty on my list to do this year and years from now.

As they say you live & you learn.

I, for one am excited to have a fresh new year.

I thank God that 2011 was as good to us as it was, I know that 2012 might not be.

I thank 2011 for not taking any of my loved ones away and giving me a little girl that surpasses any and all dreams I had of her while I was pregnant. She is beautiful & perfectly perfect in every way imaginable.

My marriage came further too, we learned more about one another and I saw my husband lose his heart to another lady.. and that I am perfectly fine with. Seeing him with Aubriella has made me love him in a different way, and its so very sweet.

Anthony has come a long way learning and growing bigger and bigger.

He is losing his baby face and even some teeth.

Hubby got a new job that provides for us more than the one he lost.

And the best part is, I was able to become a stay at home mom again. :)

Christmas Eve

I wanted to jot down what happened on Christmas eve before I forget. I will upload some pictures later..

We always spend Christmas eve with my FIL's side of the family. This was the first year the my FIL & his wife hosted dinner. Usually its my hubby's grandma but this year she passed the torch and ironically ended up with shingles.

Football was on tv, lots of snacks, dinner was good and gifts were an added bonus.

Aubriella got some outfits from her Pappy Roy & Grammy Sherri. She got her very first set of Steeler Pj's.  Also a handprint maker. Sherri's brother's family also joins us, they got Aubriella a dolly.

Anthony got a a NERF bow & arrow set, binoculars, a football, and I am sure there were other things I missed, like cars since he was in such a hurry to see his goodies. Oh also a Steemer from the Altoona Curve. He got a rocket set from Sherri's family too.

Chris got one of his favorite gifts, a Tony Romo stitched jersey, cowboys gloves, a Chili's gift card for the 2 of us to go on a date (we get this yearly, I love it). He also got a Penn State Tee shirt.

I got some OPI nail polish, a dooney and burke wristlet and wallet, A kitchen aid pink cutting board & chef's knife. I got a some handmade table runners and microfiber dish cloths. We both got some

money as well.

Because Grandma was puffy and wanted to stay home, I brought her a plate of food & brought her gifts over to her. She was happy we stopped in, I didn't want her to miss out on the fun, so we brought Christmas even to her :)

She got Anthony a DS & some games and McDonalds gift card, Aubriella got a baby einstine turtle, octopus, and teether. Chris got a junitper jack, Carthard jacket, and gift card for Prime Sirloin. I got some super cute Temp-Tations dishes, I love them, and a V necklace.

We read The Night Before Christmas and tucked Anthony into bed. Miss Aubrie stayed up until around 1:30am. Chris and I wanted to start exchanging gifts on Christmas eve when the kids are asleep, so we can enjoy each other.

Chris got me a beautiful picture frame, some wax tarts and a food processor that I have been waiting for for ever now. :) He got me other stuff that I picked out but that is what he surprised me with.

 I got him a dallas cowboys ball cap, new wallet, and the last 3 Harry Potter movies. He loves those movies and now he has the complete set of movies.

2 weeks ago we exchanged gifts with my mom's ex husband and his girlfriend. It sounds odd but he was my step dad for 21 years of my then 23 so I still love him and welcome him in our family. He & his g/f got me a cake stand *squeel* a serving plate, and bath and body works. They got Anthony some tinker toys and a cowboys shirt. Aubriella got some new clothes, she is such a fashionista already.

That same week we did gifts with my mom and her husband.. they got Chris some Harry Potter movies, myself some wax tarts and a very pretty snowflake necklace.. Anthony got a criss cross race track and Aubrie got an elmo guitar. My sister got me a very pretty orinament for the tree & a mug, Chris got a Cowboys snuggy, Aubrie got some toys and Anthony did too.. cars for his track.

Getting ready to say goodbye...

To 2011 that is! I get excited this time of year to begin a new year and a fresh start of sorts. I line up all these ideas and goals, in high hopes of getting life all organized and running more smoothly. Savings, weight, household, all kinds of things to come... lots of ideas on Pinterest just waiting for me to use them! Can't wait to up date the blog more often too..

Good bye 2011 and soon hello to 2012

Christmas Fun

Here are a few things we'll be doing to celebrate Christmas threw out the month.

Family pictures

Hot coco

ABC Family Movies

Pictures with Santa

Read a Christmas book each night before bed

Make a snowman

Go see Christmas lights

Make a gingerbread house

Make cookies

Decorate the tree

Anthony's personal tree this year

Pick out special hot coco mugs for movie nights

Spend extra time with family <3

Santa shop with the kiddies

Decorate outside

Brave making fudge

Try my hand out at tea tarts

Pick some new ornaments for the tree

Enjoy each day cause it goes sooo fast!!

November 5th, 2011

I am thankful for Chris, my husband. We've been together almost 8 years now, have 2 beautiful children, and a great relationship. We've experienced life's ups and downs together and I know that no matter what happens we'll always have each other. Thank you Chris, for not only being my husband, but my best friend, and the best daddy to Anthony and Aubriella. 8 years down, and forever to go.

November 4th, 2011

I am thankful for Aubriella. My sweet baby girl. I thank God she is healthy, and growing oh so fast. She is such a beautiful girl. Determined, sweet, and cuddly. I never knew the bond of a Mother and a daughter and she has given this to me. She is more than I ever prayed for and I cannot be thankful enough. She always has such a big smile on her face, and brings one to mine everytime.

Aubriella just last week, going shopping at the mall.

November 3rd, 2011

I am thankful for Anthony. Anthony is our first child, and our only son. He is smart, handsome, witty, caring, and so funny. I thank God he is all those things, I'm thankful he can run, jump, play, and be a healthy child. Having Anthony changed my life for the very best.

Anthony when we were in the hospital when he was born.

Anthony goofing off waiting for the school bus on the first day of 1st grade.

-I love you so Anthony, so much more than you'll ever know.

November 2nd, 2011

November 2nd - Today I am thankful for my marriage. I know that no matter what bumps, twists, and turns life has in store for us, we face them together. ♥

November 1st, 2011

Today I am thankful for good health. For myself, my husband's, and our two beautiful children's. I think this is something that is often taken for granted & I want to stop and be thankful for this.

:)

I pinned it and did it!

I love pinterest.. love love love it. But it seems I only pin stuff.. and never do it. So here is one of the pins I did do..

credit

Such a great idea for junk in the car... I just used shopping bags and actually had some cereal holders that I was going to toss cause they let the cereal get stale. I'm glad I repurposed them and the old grocery bags.

Fall Bucket List

Fall Bucket List

Visit the pumpkin patch.

Take pictures outside of the kids.

Make caramel dipped apples.

Make a pumpkin roll together.

Collect leaves.

Go for a nice hike.

Make fried apples together.

Go to a football game.

Trick or Treat

Carve pumpkins

Taste apple cider

Roast pumpkin seeds

Corn maze/hayride

Read some halloween books

Watch some halloween movies

Boo our neighbors.

Make halloween sugar cookies.

Make halloween jello jigglers.

Anthony and I collected leaves for his classroom door. We tasted apple cider, I like just a swallow, Anthony voted yuck & Chris finished it. Chris and I enjoyed a home football game, our team lost..boo!

Family happenings

The past couple days we have had some beautiful fall weather. Just perfect for me.. I love warm days and crisp nights. The only dilemma I have this year is knowing how to dress Aubriella if we plan to leave for most of the day. I have been layering her clothes, but I feel bad for putting so many clothes on her. At least as the day warms up and cools back down, she has what is needed. Amoung other happenings, Anthony lost his first tooth, his bottom, front, left tooth. He did very well on his spelling test this week, the repetition has been really helping him. On Tuesday night/ Wednesday morning we had a very bad lightening storm come threw and sure enough my fears happened.. our home and tree were struck by lightening. Thankfully no fire because it was raining it didn't catch, I did smell singed pine needles from the tree though. I have never heard such a loud crack of thunder or see such a bright light in my life.. some how my husband slept right threw.. all we lost was our TV, x-box, home theater, dvd player, and our modems for the computers. I thank God that was it. When our son was 6 weeks old we lost everything in an apartment fire, I don't think we could do that again having our 4 month old daughter. We had a nice family day trip yesterday when we drive up state to see the elk in the Elk County vistors area. I can't believe how big elk are and how beautiful they are. Aubriella even enjoyed all the fresh air and fell asleep on our wagon ride. Speaking of Aubriella, gotta scoot, she's fussing for me. Happy Monday!

Menu Plan Monday September 12th.

Well into September already!! My lil fella has been in school on this 3rd week already & recently discovered he has his very first loose tooth! Today our wee girl turns 4 months old too!! Boy time sure does fly. She had her check up last week and the doctor says she is perfect, which of course I already knew.

Monday- Taco Ring topped with sour cream, lettuce, & tomato.
Tuesday- Italian Sticky Chicken, corn on the cob from our garden, and Mashed potatoes with bacon and cheddar.
Wednesday- Beef and Barley soup with crusty bread
Thursday- Stuffed shells and bread
Friday- Honey BBQ ribs and cole slaw, corn from the garden.
Saturday- L.O. Buffet or Chinese take out.
Sunday- MIL's for dinner I do believe

Hope everyone has a wonderful week! For more menu plans visit Organizing Junkie!

Christmas in September?

Anyone else thinking Christmas thoughts yet?? I'm well aware people are thinking I am nuts, and ya know what? I probably am.. but that is a whole 'nother post.  I usually begin my Christmas shopping this time of year. There is lots of clearance and sales to be had right around this time, and its great to have a nice stash of stuff already taken care of around the time November rolls around. We buy a little something for everyone in our immediate family so it can really add up. If I buy something here and there now, its not as a huge expense later. So while I'm off in town later on this morning I will be keeping my eyes open for some great Christmas deals. As long as I don't forget where I stashed it later.. not that that has ever happened!!

September Goals

Goals

1. Continue to get up at 6:30 am (way too early) and keep a bedtime routine for the kids.

2. Defrost and re-organize the deep freezer. I've been using up everything so I can defrost it since it has an inch or so of ice build up on the sides. I also bought some color coordinated milk crates at Wal-Mart to make finding things easier. I hate leaning over and digging around forever in there to find some. And mostly hate my poor freezer burnt fingers afterward.

3. Decorate for fall.

4. Plan family game nights, using the board games we have and probably borrowing from friends and family.

5. Make dinner 5/6 times a week.

6. Try at least one new recipe a week.

7. Bake some seasonal goodies, using the apples and peaches.

8. Get family pictures taken since almost all of our pictures are missing one key person.. me.

9. Read to the kids more.

10. Spend a little time focusing on my friendships also. Although they are last in line.

11. Save, save, Save, save!! Christmas is not that far away, and I start my shopping around this time. If I see a good deal I have money put up so I can buy it now and store it for later.

12. Date my Husband <3. I really enjoy when we can connect just the two of us as Chris and Vikki, not Mama and Daddy. I really do love his company and doing things with him.

13. Read more, and not blogs and pinterest.

14. Finish our love language book together.

15. Perhaps visit the Pittsburgh zoo.

16. Do a few of the ideas I have pinned for later, now is better than any time. 

17. Attend Church every Sunday & get involved.

18. Smile more.

19. Spend more time with our families.

20. Take my sister out for dinner.