LCS Jog-a-thon!

LCS puts on the Jog-a-thon every other year as a fundraiser. The Kids are asked to obtain pledges and then run their little hearts out in order to raise money for computers and other cool stuff!! As a Mom it's always interesting to go and watch the kids run and inevitably their personalities surface. For Taiji this was a big deal and he was in it to win it!! Jake took a more casual approach and visited the water table as often as possible...Now Truman...well he is a super cool 7th grader now and well it was all about laughing and joking around!! The weather as great and I think that on a whole the event went really well!! Kali thought it was pretty neat that she got to see the boys during school...however as we were walking back to the car she got her first bee sting...ouch!! All the way home in between sobs, "Bee...why you hurt me!!" Way to cute!!

Kali's Day with Daisy!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

6-8 Flour Tortillas
2 C. cooked, chopped chicken
1/2 C. chopped green chiles
1 env. Taco Seasoning
1/2 pt. sour cream

Sauce:
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can of half and half
1/2lb grated Cheddar
1/2lb grated Monterey Jack

Mix first five ingredients together for filling for tortillas. Fill each tortilla. Roll and place in a greased 9x13" dish. Mix soup and half and half together. Pour over rolled tortilla's. Top with cheese and bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes.

(couple of options. For the chicken I get a roasted chicken from the deli or Costco and strip it and chop it and then bag it in 2 cup portions and put it in the freezer. Another thing if you are cooking for two (em) you can buy aluminum pans that are 8x8" and you make both but before cooking, cover one and freeze it for later. I also like to experiment with the chile's option, using tomatillos or pico de gallo.)

It's football time in....Lynden!!

Kali and Daisy- Jake's sisters enjoying a little football and each other!!
Jake and Taiji at halftime...they don't looked to thrilled! I think it was because the score was not in their favor!!
Jake getting ready to go back at it!!
He just loves it!!
Taiji looking on!
Where's the action?

This wasn't our best showing, but the boys still had a great time. The weather held and the game went fast! Next weeks adventure starts at 8:00am....if you read the previous post you will know that I'm not a morning person...the stands will probably be glad since I seem to be the loudest mom out there!! Anybody surprised??

Tagged!!

Ok I've been tagged by my friend Laurie.
Here are the rules:
1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.
JEAN
J- Juggler- When you have four kids three of which are in every sport imaginable you become an expert at juggling!!

E- Eclectic- I enjoy a very wide variety of styles, flavors and entertainment. I could be at a Seahawks game one weekend eating hot dogs and wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and then the very next week, be at a play or musical sipping wine in my black cocktail dress.

A- Animated- The other night out with a couple of friends and they were all laughing at me while I was telling a story because they wished that they could have a picture of the 20 different faces I made while telling the story!! Animated...dramatic, whatever!!

N- Nocturnal- Of the night is what the dictionary said!! I am a night owl, I rarely see my bed till midnight sometimes later!! Of course this does explain my morning demeanor!!

Ok I hope you learned something new and exciting about me....now it's your turn!! I tag, Emily (sorry Em I know you have a long middle name...just shorten it to Sue), Tanya, Becky, & Sara (Jean...Jane which one are you??).

Bathing Beauty!!

It's been a busy, but slow news week for the VanDalens!! The boys continue to enjoy school...but it is only the 3rd week!! Football is underway in a big way and I hope to post some pictures soon of the grid iron boys...that's if I can remember to bring my camera!! Kali is adjusting to life without boys but I miss the entertainment that they provided for her!! I'm sure there will be something to report soon and I hope to have a new recipe in the next day or so, but until then I hope all are well!! We'd love to hear from you!! --Us

Family Picture Adventure!!

Four little monkey's sitting in a tree!! A couple of weeks ago we headed out to the country for a morning of family pictures. The day was beautiful, the photographer great, and the kids looked so cute!! I'm posting a few of my favorites...but you will have to wait for the family picture it will be our Christmas card....somethings are still fun as a surprise!!
Mommy's girl!
On site pictures are always an adventure...keeping the kids dry was impossible!!
Kali and Tessa are 7 months apart! They already have a little love hate relationship going...one second they are best friends and the next they are fighting over a crayon!! Here is one of the sweeter moments!!
She couldn't get enough of the water!!
Kali Faith 2 years 4 months
Truman John 13
Taiji Lee - 9
Jake P- 9

My beautiful Children!!

New Idea!

I love cooking and new recipes. So I thought it might be fun to post a new recipe a week. I would love it if you fellow bloggers would do the same and then we could liven up our weekly menus with some tried and true good eats!! I will do it even if you don't...but it could be fun!! I challenge you!!

Amy's marinade

1/4 cup Soy Sauce

1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar

1/4 cup Olive Oil

1/4 cup Ketchup

4 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

3 Tbls Brown Sugar

3 Cloves Minced Garlic

This recipe is great for Chicken breasts- Grilled, Chicken tenders (marinate then skewer and grill for chicken on a stick. My boys love this.) White fish like Mahi-Mahi, pork chops or party wings. For the party wings let the chicken marinate for 3-4 hours then bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hours turning every 30 minutes...this one's great for watching a little football!!

Call us impulsive!!

After a long weekend in Houston, Shane and I landed in Seattle at Noon, got our car and headed to Lynden. We arrived at 3:30 and by 5:30 we packed the kids and all their stuff and piled in the car and headed to the Evergreen State fair in Monroe to watch Ben derby!! No this wasn't planned but we had a blast!! Here are a few pictures of our latest adventure!! Watching and waiting for Ben to derby!
Ben Rocks!! He took 2nd!
A little pool fun with the kiddos!! Kali and Truman doing bumps!!
Cannon balllllll!!
My general rule is, 'my blog, no ugly pictures of me' But this is an exception...cuz I was tired but still having fun with my girl!!

Hanging in Houston!!

What a great weekend away!! Shane had business down in Houston so for a little pre- anniversary fun we headed down to Houston!! The best part is that both Shane and I have cousins living down there! We had a blast hanging out, shopping, eating, swimming, cooking, story telling and of course there was a lot of laughing!! Thanks to our Houston Families for the great time!! A special thanks to LD for letting us stay at his super cool pad!!