I have a 5 yr old!!!

and I am finally now posting. Yes, I didn't have the internet for over a week and a half and it felt like forever!!! We had a VERY busy past two weeks with three different birthday parties for Sammy including one of those parties for her and my sister, Jake going out of town and then camping, my brother leaving on his mission to ROMANIA, and my sister in law and family coming to town (which meant I got to do a little scrapbooking-yay), and Sammy's preschool graduation. Needless to say, I am looking forward to a little break, even if it's only 6 weeks, before baby brother makes his appearance (and no, we don't have a final name yet!!) Anyhow, back to Sammy-she is now 5 and we are so happy to have her in our family!!!

Likes: learning to read, playing with her my little ponies and pet shops, watching movies, playing outside, swimming, playing with Maddie and friends, favorite food is still noodles, and she loves pink icecream.

Dislikes: getting dressed and undressed (she is VERY slow at this), getting ready for bed, showers, potatoes, and going to the store with mom (with dad, it is a different story!!)

More recipes and naughty kids...

yes mine have been very naughty lately so today I cooked two things that I really love. The first was this amazing chocolate cake that I got from my friend Diana that she saw on good things utah so I am not quite sure where it actually came from!!!

Amazing Chocolate Cake

1 pkg devil food cake mix

1/2 c. sour cream

Fudge Frosting

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. evaporated milk

1/4 c. cocoa

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 c. butter

Make devils food cake mix according to instructions on box and add sour cream to it. After it has cooked, make the frosting. Melt butter on med heat. Add sugar, milk, and cocoa. Stir and bring to boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a minute or two. Then stir in vanilla and salt. Beat mixture with wooden spoon for a couple of minutes and let mixture vest. Then beat again until thickened. Then punch holes all over cake and then pour frosting on top. Excellent to eat warm.

Then for dinner I made this. And yes, I made dessert first, who doesn't?

Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

which I stole from Jake's grandma Hadlock

3-4 chicken breast

A big bunch of fresh broccoli

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 c. mayonnaise

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 c. chicken broth

1 c. grated cheddar cheese

Boil chicken in small amount of water (reserve 1/2 c. for chicken broth) and season. Steam broccoli until crisp/tender. Heat soup, broth, mayo, and lemon juice until warm and add cheese and let melt. In 9x13 buttered glass pan, layer chicken on bottom, broccoli on top and pour sauce over top. Mix 1/2 c. crushed cornflakes (I also use ritz crackers if I don't have cornflakes which is what I did today) with 1 Tbsp. butter and then sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

NOTE: I have frozen this meal and it just isn't that great. I think because the steamed broccoli just doesn't do that well reheating up for some reason.