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.

Happy Easter~

The girls had a fun Easter weekend filled with lots of activities including playing with cousins, a birthday party at jump on it, an easter egg hunt at grandma and grandpa's, a big family dinner, and the Easter bunny making his appearance last night so a morning full of excitement. We talked about the true meaning of Easter and Sammy even said in her prayers last night to "bless Jesus since he died so we could live again." What a smart girl. Maybe Maddie will get it in a year or two! I am also thankful our Savior atoned for us that we can live again and that there is a time of year that we can reflect and think more about Him.

Matching hair

The girls both wanted messy buns yesterday and so we did them!!!! Maddie was into the poses for some reason and she had some funny ones!!! We then went to Jungle Jims with Lera and the boys and Diana and her kids. The kids all had a blast. They LOVED the rides. Totally worth $8. We were there for 3 hours which is also pretty long. We ate lunch after and they were really GOOD eaters because they were so hungry. It was a fun day and passed by quickly which was nice since hubby is out of town for a few days!!

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

from here

I also added a few ingredients to mine and I think it turned out so good! It tastes a lot like my lasanga but easier and I froze half too!

1 1/4 lb ground beef

1 can 15 oz. tomato sauce

1/2 tsp. salt

freshly ground pepper

1 Tbsp. parsley flakes

1 Tbsp. basil

8 ounces egg noodles

1/2 c. sour cream

1 1/4 c. small curd cottage cheese

1/2 c. sliced green onions (less to taste)

1 c. grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef in large skillet. Drain the fat and add tomato sauce, parsley flakes, basil, salt and pepper. Stir and then simmer while you prepare the other ingredients. Cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese. Add some more ground pepper. Add to noodles and stir. Add green onions and stir. To assemble, add half of the noodles to a baking dish. Top with half of meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the grated cheddar. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until all cheese is melted. Serve with french bread. Freeze: I then froze half and it will cook on 350 for 45 minutes.

Lost puppy

So the adventure of today was that, a lost puppy! The girls, Sammy and Aze, were in heaven and packed it around all today, even in a little doll blanket when they thought she was getting cold! We eventually found her home and the girls were so sad. Maddie wasn't quite sure what she thought about it, but did pet it a couple of times. I have never seen Sammy carry something around so much, it was so cute, but not to worry-we will not be dog owners!!!

Taking it easy

Well today was a take it easy day as Maddie got her tubes put in yesterday. She had a pretty rough and miserable day yesterday but woke up today feeling a lot better. Her and Sammy played together happily most of the day and it ended with them in princess dresses dancing and then playing in laundry baskets. I thought it was funny they could fit in such a little basket with their big ol' dresses. And yes, we also watched Cinderella twice today too with Maddie repeatedly telling me today that "Momma, dreams do come true. Princess said so."