Gushing About Mike

Prepare for a seriously sappy post...

This mug was purchased in Seattle on a trip I took with a friend and his roommate many years ago. My friend's roommate was from Seattle and they were driving up to visit his family and my friend asked if I'd want to come.

It was on this trip that my friend Mike went from more than a guy I was dating to, "the guy I wanted to marry." It's difficult to explain exactly when I had that official "ah ha moment," but I know for sure that it was on this trip.

For many years I'd wanted to go to Seattle. No idea why really, but I always wanted to go. Mike helped me get there.

As we continue out life together it seems (at least from my perspective) that a lot of the things that I've always wanted to do or places that I've always wanted to see are being checked off my bucket list because of my husband. He helps me to achieve my goals and to know that everything is eventual if you have patience.

Go to Atlanta Braves game in Atlanta - check.

Be married in the temple - check.

Go to Germany - check.

Have children and go insane -check and check.

His birthday is right around the corner and I just can't stop thinking about how blessed I am to share my life with him.

OK, gushing done now. I'm returning to the massive pile of laundry that 2 of the 3 children are playing in now.

Lasagna Soup

Lasagna Soup stolen from KSL.com's Studio 5. Here's the link .

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=204&sid=19345997.

I made mine with the Italian Sausage, so I should have backed off of the Italian seasoning a little and didn't realize it until it was too late. Amazing soup though. The kids really liked it and it made for good leftovers.

Oh and I'm probably going to make this for the Soup Cook Off Dinner at the end of the month. Mostly because I liked it and I really don't have experience making soups at all.

Dadadadada

As much as I hate to admit it, Ian's first word is Dada. We've heard a few little da's here and there, but today confirmed it. While putting some clothes away in his room Ian was playing on the floor and saying very clearly, "Dadadadadadadadada." No mistaking it for anything else.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is an "excuse to sell overpriced flowers and chocolates holiday," to me. I did give in a little because I LOVE my girls so much and I made them heart shaped cinnamon rolls.

(Thank you all ready made store bought cinnamon rolls that I just unrolled a little and rolled into another circle and pinched the middle to get a "heart" shape.)

This was super easy and as I predicted the girls LOVED them! It cost me a whole $1.50 to make them feel special. Money well spent.

Anti PJs

Who HATES pajamas?

THIS GUY!

Unless he's in the zip up bag style pajamas he manages to escape.

The separate shirt and pants ones lose the pants in the night.

The ones that just zip up but still have legs in them are sporting empty legs holes in the morning and his feet are wrapped up around his tummy.

The snap up ones are ALWAYS unsnapped!

My Little Pony Takeover

My Little Pony toys have taken over the world lately. The best playing and chattering back and forth between these two comes from rounding them all up, putting them into families, and then running them around jumping off of things and making them fly.

Ranch Red Potatoes

The picture doesn't do them much justice, mostly because they really aren't that beautiful. With these potatoes it's all about the flavor and the crock pot low and slow!

Mike gave me this for Christmas...

I'm a HUGE crock pot fan anyways, but this book is amazing! Probably one of the best gifts because I like it, USE it, and everyone is eating dinner more regularly so it's a win, win, win.

This is the recipe for "Ranch Potatoes" from page 55

2 lb small red potatoes, quartered

1/4 C. butter

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tsp. paprika

1 env. ranch dip mix

1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 C. milk

Potatoes and water in slow-cooker. Slice butter, sprinkle butter, salt, pepper, and paprika over potatoes.Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 5-6 hours. Mix together ranch dip mix, cream cheese, and milk until smooth. Pour over potatoes during last hour of cooking time.

After making this twice, I knew I needed to share it! I'm generous with the paprika and the longer these potatoes cook the better it seems. 3 hours high, then add the ranch mixture and let it go for another hour on high and then you can switch it to low and serve it whenever after that. They are the best "make ahead" potatoes so you can have that done and focus on everything else with the meal. Oh, and they make great leftovers for lunch the next day!

Try it, enjoy, and BUY this book! It's available at http://deseretbook.com/Slow-Cooker-Cookbook-Debbie-G-Harman/i/5051416, but you can find it at Deseret Book and other stores. I think Costco might have even had it here in Utah.