Check out my Wheels...

Yesterday Jeremy was able to capture these few rare moments with our kids. I love when they can take simple things and turn them into something entertaining. It is so nice to see them play together without fighting.

Pine Wood Derby

Last night was Pine Wood Derby for Scouts at church. The Scout leaders make it very official with a wood track, judges, no more than 5oz. cars, double elimination, just to name a few. Dimitri's car took 2nd place in every round. But did not qualify to race in the final 3. We had a good time watching the races and loved all the hard work the boys(parents) put into some of the cars. He was awarded for Most Realistic Car. You can find last years post here.

EASTER with FRIENDS

We were invited to the Martins, along with the Sautter family and Asay family for Easter pot-luck lunch & Egg Hunt following the morning session of General Conference. The weather was beautiful, the food was yummy, and the kids all played wonderfully together.

The kids before we let them loose outside.

Here's all the kids after the Egg Hunt.

Jackie, Aiden, Dimitri, Elaine, Emma, Lili, Kailee, Stella, Margie, Londynn

Emma who found the GOLDEN egg, filled with a special Cadbury egg.

I was in charge of desserts for the pot-luck. So these are the fun nests I made each of the kids. I prepared the rice Krispie bowls the night before. Then, had Jeremy assemble them for me. Sorry I forgot to get pictures of them before I packaged them all up.

These are the desserts I made for all the adults. They were super easy to make and tasted amazing. Sorry again no pictures before...these were the extras. But of course before the day ended they both got eaten.

EGG-Stravaganza

Today we took the kids to the annual Easter Egg-Stravaganza at the COP church. It has become the family tradition the past 3 years. They have more than 100,000 eggs, face-painting, train rides, bounce houses and other youth activities. It's the largest egg hunt in the state. This has become a family favorite (see here and here).
Londynn before the EGG Hunt
The kids after the EGG Hunt...sorry squinting from the sun. Dimitri holding his "GOLDEN" egg he found. Dimitri with his basket he won from the golden egg. He was so excited he finally won...after 3 years. I couldn't believe all the fun things packed into that basket.

Today was Londynn's class Easter Party/Teacher baby Shower. We celebrated the baby shower with everything "PINK". We celebrated with ice cream punch and cupcakes. The kids especially loved the special glass dishes they got to use.Londynn after the egg hunt, which we had to do in the classroom because it rained the night before.

Londynn with her cute teacher Mrs. Blevins. Londynn is 2-2 with getting teachers who are having their first baby.

The class made the baby a special quilt with pictures they all colored. Then one of the mom's put it all together with each of their names on it. It turned out so cute!

1st EGG Hunt 2010

We took the kids + our neighbor Ashley and her daughter Asayla to an "EGG" Hunt down the street put on by Discovery Kids. It was blowing really hard, which left everyone a bit cold while we waited for the "Hunt" to begin. Our neighbor ran into some friends, so we have a few extra girls in the picture.

Six Flags over Texas ~ Spring Break 2010

Yesterday we took the kids to Six Flags over Texas for Spring Break. We set off at 6am for the almost 4 hour drive to Arlington, Texas. For the admission price, we decided to buy Season Tickets, since we plan to make Texas our new home at the end of this summer. Plus, this includes the use of all Six Flags parks everywhere. The weather was perfect!

Being that it was Spring Break the park was crowded. So all the big rides we had to wait in long lines, most were about 3 hours. So Kailee & Dimitri were not very happy! We stayed until the park closed at 10pm. We got in about 2am Saturday morning, just before the snow storm hit here in Okieland. Here are some pics from our day in Texas.

Cinderella

A couple of the YW in our ward participated in their school's production of Cinderella. We were able to go with a couple of my friends from the ward and their daughters. Here is Kailee with Catherine Thomas (aka-fairy godmother), right side and Heather Thomas (aka- Joy the step-sister), left side.

Kailee's First Dance

Kailee got to go to her first school dance. She bought herself a new dress, I of course had to buy the sweater to keep her modest. The theme for the evening was "Hollywood", Winter Dance.

Valentine's Day Craft

I made these cute IPod Valentine's crafts with Kailee & Dimitri to give their friends. These are the one's that Kailee finished.

MEAL #3

Creamy White Chili

1 lb. boneless/skinless chicken
2 cans chicken broth
2 cans Great Northern Beans, rinsed & drained
1 can chopped green chilies
1½ tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 c. sour cream

Place ingredients in crock-pot, cook low/med. for 5-6 hours. Before serving shred chicken, add sour cream. Garnish with pico, avocado, tortilla chips, or shredded tortillas.

***Good with 5-Star Corn Bread***


5-Star Corn Bread
3 eggs
1½ c. milk
1 c. butter, melted (be sure to use the real stuff)
1 c. sugar
2 heaping tbsp. corn meal
½ tsp. baking powder
3 c. bisquick

Mix all ingredients with a fork (not a mixer or it will fall). Place in 9x13 ungreased pan. Bake @ 350 for 40-45 minutes.

*original source can be found here
My recipe varies from original.

Christmas 09' in Cali

For Christmas break we took the kids to California to see Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins. It was a nice change, a chance to get away and just relax. Here are some highlights form our trip, pics in no specific order.

Beach ~ Sami, Kailee, Serena, Dimitri, Londynn A seashell we found wedged in the rocks. It took Jeremy about 30 minutes to dig it out. These rocks were covered in tiny shells that would squirt water when you pushed on them. Dimitri was scared to try it at first. Then, wanted to show everyone how cool it was.The kids loved the beach!
Londynn wrote her name in the sand.
Beautiful Kailee!
Cute Londynn! Does that mom ever brush that crazy hair? Gotta love Christmas morning, no time for hair!
Dimitri with his new Rip-Stik.

Handsome Dimitri!
Christmas morning at Grandpa & Grandma Lodge's house. Sorry the pic is blurry, this is the only good one I got!
Grandpa Brewer being silly with the girls.
The newest addition to the Brewer (Bryan & Gina) Family. Matthew James Brewer born 12-15-09 @1:01am 9 lb 15 oz 22 1/2 in.
One of our many trips to In-N-Out. Jeremy considers this place to be a delicacy!

Kindergarten Halloween Party

Today is Londynn's Class Halloween Party! So last week we got to work, we stuffed 20 plastic pumpkins to hand out to each of her class mates. The plastic pumpkins contain: Halloween pretzels, mini Halloween granola bar, tinker bell gummi, toy story sweet tart shapes. Then we stuffed them in some cellophane bags which contain: Halloween pencil, 2 Halloween sticker sheets and candy corn taffy. Londynn loved that she was able to help me. She did a wonderful job!

Meal #2

Cheesy Spaghetti

1 box (13oz) favorite pasta noodles (I like 'Barilla' thin spaghetti)
1 can (10oz) cheddar cheese soup
1 jar (32oz) favorite pasta sauce (I like 'Classico')

Prepare noodles according to package directions. In medium saucepan combine sauce & soup. Heat over medium heat; until hot. Serve over noodles with garlic bread and side salad.

I am not a big fan of spaghetti, but this makes it enjoyable!

Meal #1

I decided that I wanted to use our family blog to catalog some of our favorite meals. In an effort to NOT have all my favorite recipes lost when the computer crashes again.
I will at least have the TOP recipes saved here.

BREWER POT PIE

1 bag(12oz.) Steamfresh Frozen Mixed Vegetables
1 can(10oz.) Cream of Chicken Soup
3-pcs. boneless, skinless chicken; cubed
1/2 C. milk
1 can(16oz.) Pillsbury Grands Biscuits
1 TBSP. olive oil

Preheat oven to 350. Place biscuits on cookie sheet; cook according to package. Place olive oil and cubed chicken in skillet over medium heat; until chicken is cooked. Place vegetables in microwave; cook according to package. Add soup and milk to skillet with chicken; until combined. Now add vegetables and cook on low. Serve when hot and biscuits are finished. Can be served over biscuits.

Our family likes to eat homemade jam or apple butter on the biscuits.

You will notice a theme or pattern, I like anything that can be cooked in one pan and love my crock-pot.

Pumpkin Party

Today is fall break for the schools and our friend Jenn invited us over so the kids could have a pumpkin painting party. After the kiddos painted their pumpkins, Jenn passed out snacks that began with the letter P: popcorn, pretzels, pumpkin bread, and punch.

Thank you Jenn for hosting another FUN party!