Arizona Trip Part One!

Well as you may have guessed, Shane and I are in Arizona! He has a conference starting today, but we headed down a little early to celebrate my 35th Birthday!! We flew down on Thursday, my actual birthday and these were the flowers that he had waiting for me!! So Sweet!!

If you are a faithful follower of the VanDalen Clan Blog then you know that when we travel we start a Cribbage Tournament. So far I am up 6-0! Go me!!

The other thing that we love to do as a couple is Golf! So far we have gotten in 2 rounds and I will say Shane is kicking my butt on the course!!

Here is a fun picture of the Sun setting on the course as we played!

Last night we were able to get tickets to the ASU/Cal game from one of Shane's buddies! It was a great game...ASU wasn't supposed to win, but they came back in the second half and pulled out the victory! Now the conference starts and a whole new vacation...So I will keep you posted with all our activities!!

Pumpkin Carving!!

Home Improvements!

Shane and I have lived in this house for close to 3yrs. When we first moved in we made some major changes on the inside of the house and over the years have continued to piddle around with some minor improvements. Well this fall brought some major changes to the outside of our home. We changed the color from a dull yellow to a nice green, we painted the trim and the doors, re-roofed and got new gutters....but the thing we are the most excited about is our new deck. We have lived with a tiny rotten, rickety little deck for 3 summers and decided that it was time to upgrade our outdoor living area. I was going to wait until it was finished before I posted, but I think that it will be more fun to have weekly updates to see the progress. Of course I wasn't prepared and didn't get a true before picture, so this one with it already being demolished will have to do. As you can see Kali has taken the biggest hit for the family by having her play house/slide taken off it's stilts and put on the ground, but we promised her that her slide will return and that seems to have appeased her. I'm looking forward to it being done, (so that I can have my grill back) but for now it's fun to watch the process!! Before (sorta)
During (end of week 2)

Manicotti- Amy Style!

Manicotti Shells (uncooked)
1 C. ricotta cheese (more or less)
1 C. cottage cheese (more or less)
1 C. mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg
1/4 C. Parmesan cheese
3/4 C. Chopped fresh spinach
1/2 C. Chopped fresh mushrooms
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 jars Prego- Italian Sausage & garlic
1/2 jar Water



Mix all ingredients, except shells, sauce and water, until well blended. Stuff uncooked shells with mixture. (I use a pastry bag) Put 2 cups of the prego sauce in a 9x13 pan. Arrange noodles over sauce. Add 1/2 jar of water to remaining sauce and pour over the manicotti. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 400 for 40-50 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with more Parmesan and bake for 10 more minutes.

This is one of those meals that I started with a basic recipe and added and subtracted stuff! You really can do what ever you want...if you have a homemade sauce use that. I found that the Italian sauage-Prego- really adds a fun meaty kick...if you don't like mushrooms leave them out...I made this exact recipe the other day and my kids who don't care or mushrooms or spinach ate it up, never realizing what was in it!! So modify, play with it, and enjoy!!

Sisters!!

My sister Sara flew into town to help us celebrate Abbey's Birthday...there just is something really special about having sisters...we may not have always gotten along, and there are still things we don't all agree on...but I love my sisters and wouldn't trade anyone of them!! There is no Friend like a Sister

There's no better friend than a sister -

There's no one more loyal and true . . .

and even when sisters are different . . .

their likeness come shining through!

Perhaps it's a family resemblance that strengthens the bond they share . . .

or maybe it's just that sisters live life with a similar flair!

A sister remembers your collegehood -

She knows more than you will admit of times you were Little Miss Perfect . . .

and times you gave others a fit!

She's seen you in some situations when silence just wouldn't suffice . . .

and managed somehow to get by with those sisterly words of advice!

And when some encouragement's needed . . .

a sister will always be there . . .

to listen . . .

to laugh . . .

or to lean on . . .

to comfort,

or simply to care.

There's no one who's more in your corner . . .

and no one you're more grateful to.

There's no better friend than a sister . . .

and no better sister than you (guys).

from "There Is No Friend Like A Sister"by Mary Engelbreit

Happy 'Golden' Birthday Abbey Mae!!

I can't believe that I am sitting here typing a post about Abbey's Golden birthday!! That means that she has spent 5 birthday's in heaven and for me that's unbelievable!! I miss her and I wanted to share all of those birthday's with her...but God had other plans!! So instead, today we remembered her!! The party started at 5:40am when I got up and prepared myself for the 10K that I ran in her memory!! I used to be a runner and today I was tested!! (It was very windy!!) But I did finish and I did well!! Sara and Beth B. also ran with me and it was so great to have a support system!! After the race we headed home to get ready for Abbey's Party!! We invited all of Abbey's family over for some carne asada! They each brought a gift so that we could continue to share Abbey's legacy with others in need!! I want to extend a thank you to all of you who have prayed for us and supported us!! Without you this would be impossible!! So, Happy Birthday Abbey!! We will love and remember you forever!!

Football and Baby Food!!

You may be asking yourself, "What in the world do Football and baby food have to do with each other?" Well the answer is simple...nothing!! I just had some great pictures so instead of doing two posts I thought that I would combine them! Truman had a great game today and I'm so glad that I actually remembered my camera!! I actually captured an interception on film (or digital!!) They played their 3rd game today. They won!! They are now 1-1-1!! Yeah!! We are really enjoying watching Truman step up and play a leadership role! He does great and you can see that both the Coaches and the players have confidence in him!! Now as far as the baby food thing goes...I don't know, I have a 2 1/2 year old that prefers baby food dinners to anything else that I try to feed her!! Yes, I know...she's 2 1/2...but she's still MY baby!! Enjoy the pictures!! T-man in the huddle! (He's #2...but #1 in our book!! HeeHee)
Trum is the captain of the defense, here he is calling the play.
The amazing interception...go Trum!!
Hanging on the sidelines...so cool!!
You may think she's looking at this plate and making a face, the truth is she's a ham and makes about 20 faces every meal!!
Face #2!!
Face #538659!!
Love Her!!

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!!