Hey girlies who never update this blog because you actually have lives. I've created a new blog, mostly to post story stuff on. :) http://ambermaesnotebook.blogspot.com/ Check it out.

Wait, I was supposed to be acting?!

Ok, I guess I'll be the first one to post in this new year since it's the middle of March...

I just got done with a play called Geeks and Greeks in which I was the Greek Goddess Hestia. :) The way my director wanted the part played required little acting on my part. LOL...I just had to be my motherly self with a higher pitched voice and absolute faith in Tupperware. In fact, I would come off stage, and people would say, "Amber, you're off stage. You don't have to be Hestia anymore." Heehee...The older cast members started calling me "Momma Amber" and their "Stage Mommy" because I would do their hair and make up and help with costumes, and the little kids followed suit. I felt so loved. <3 Anyway, I'll here are some pictures of the process. :)

Happy Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown!

So, we nearly made it to Utah for a pre-Thanksgiving gathering with some of you, but we were snowed in and trapped in our own state. We've made the best of it, and are grateful we didn't risk our lives:) From our home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

What's for dinner tonight?

I just took a few minutes to throw together a crockpot meal for dinner tonight. I've linked the recipe to save me some time typing it and to also send you to one of my favorite food sites.
All the ingredients are readily available. If I hadn't been growing a baby this year and not up to a garden, I could have pulled some of the veggies from my garden as some of you may be able to. I did use canned white beans, because I had them on hand. I prepped my veggies ahead of time, which made this a super quick fix. You could easily cut this recipe in half to accommodate a smaller crockpot and a smaller family size or if you don't like leftovers. I actually love a good soup or stew the 2nd day around.
Enjoy!

Recipe

I have a hard time deciding what to cook every night. I get tired of eating the same thing over and over again, but I get scared of trying new random recipes. Anyway, here is one of my recipes that I used to make quite often several years ago and just recently discovered. I just thought that maybe some of you are in the same boat and need ideas for dinners.

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 to 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 large broccoli crown, chopped or frozen broccoli
milk as much as wanted
*optional--bacon pieces or shredded chicken to make it more substantial.

I throw the soup and the broccoli 9and bacon if using) in the crock pot for a couple hours until the broccoli is done, then I add the cheese and some milk to thin it out to the consistency I want it. I add salt and pepper to taste.

If you want to make it stretch, you can serve it over rice or baked potatoes.

Alright it's your turn. What is a simple, tasty recipe?

August Ends

I just wanted to tell everyone who has anniversary in August...."Happy Anniversary!' Sorry I didn't get individual wishes out to you all. It's been a crazy month for me.
Love you all
Jill

Summer Ends :(

So, I got my schedule for this upcoming year. It's scary, but we'll see if I can handle it. I've been looking for a job...and I have a standing offer to be a day care assistant at my friend's mum's day care, but I'm saving that for a last resort. Anyway, today I made egg drop soup and stir fry for dinner. I had it all ready when mum got home from work. It was fun.

1 + 2 = 3

That's right. We will be adding a new addition to our family in the coming months. We will be leaving the realm of two parents for two kids and will now be outnumbered by our children. As long as I don't have to take them all shopping with me, I should be alright. I am almost done with my first trimester and am glad to start seeing the days of feeling better. My due date is set for Feb. 19th, but I am expecting earlier. Anyway, just thought I'd share the good news. Hope everyone is doing well.

Maine :)

So I have spent the past month here in Maine with Ann and Dan and the boys. It has gone by so darn fast!!! It feels like I haven't been here more than two days. :) Thanks to Ann for making my stay so wonderful and full of fun. :) I loved having all the treats. I am almost sad to fly out tomorrow. Well, one more trip to go, unless Mum, Shane, Chubs, and I really do go camping at Trout Creek. Then home for a few days before senior year!!!
Well, I haven't just been having loads of fun out here. I've also been hacking away at my story. :) Not getting too far, but baby steps, baby steps. If you want to read the parts that I am happy with, I am uploading them to Facebook and my writer's blog (http://adelynsstories.blogspot.com/) as I go. :)
So, next stop: Utah.

Hooray for June

I just wanted to wish Emily and Connor happy birthdays and also tell April congrats on the new baby. I look forward to seeing lots of pictures from the recent birthdays and the new babies.
Jill

Sewing Projects

This post is really for April but these are some dresses that I made for Katie and her little friend Piper. Also, I made this skirt out of an old pair of my khakis.

Yummyness at Home

So, today I felt like baking. I made sausage calzones, vanilla ice cream, and blueberry coffee cake. And they all turned out!!!! YAY!!!!!!!

Vacation

We recently returned from a two week vacation to NY/Washington DC. It was great. We had a lot of fun, got very worn out, and are glad to be home in our own beds. You'll have to check out my blog in the near future for a semi-complete update of our trip (with lots of photos).

I do want to share a couple of pictures with you . We had the opportunity to visit the Vietnam War Memorial and were able to find Mom's cousin's name on the wall. It was neat to be there and find his name. Look for Raymond L Robertson Jr. That is Aunt Winnie's son who was killed during the Vietnam war.

Still Employed

Since I can't remember who I've talked to, I thought this was the best option to update everyone. Back in December, we were told Dan's position would be cut for next year. Since then we have been applying for jobs and anticipating another move. However, last week we were unexpectedly offered another year here at UMaine. Through small miracles and good people bargaining for us, we have managed to secure another year here. We are not sure we will stay, depending on what the Lord has in mind for us, but we are hoping to. We love it here and would love the chance to spend another year here. I'll keep you posted. And if we do end up staying here, that will give all of you another chance to come visit us in glorious Maine.

The winds of Change

We have some news to share. Justin just accepted an offer for an internship with CWI, a company out at the INL site hear Idaho Falls. He starts Mar 8 and will work through the summer. He graduates in July, and right now he's applying to graduate schools so he can start in the Fall. We're excited for this next phase and move to wherever we're going in the Fall although we'll be sad to leave Rexburg.
Our next piece of news is that we're expecting in August. We won't find out what we're having for another month, but we'll keep you posted. We decided Katie needed a sibling and we're excited for the new little spirit to come to our home.
Hope all is well with everyone else!

February is Crazier than January.

So, at the beginning of January I tried out for a play at the Orphan Girl. I got several supporting roles (only one has lines) and ever since then has been crazier than I could have ever imagined. The past six weeks have been some of the most hectic of my life, but opening night tonight was worth every bit of it. More than once, I came home in tears because being the oldest was hard and the other girls closest to my age were stick thin. Realizing I was chosen for one of my parts because I am larger was definitely a blow to my happiness, but it's all good now. I have been invited back by the Costume Director to help with costumes and kids next production, which should be fun. :) I prefer being crew vs cast anyway. The play runs for another week, so this should be grand and tiring. So that's me for the month of February.

January Is a Brutal Month

So, today I took my last final o the semester. I did horribly on my English final, but oh well. I'll live. :)

One down, one to go

So we have successfully weaned Andrew. I never imagined I would nurse him until he was 17 months old, but sometimes life goes in ways you wouldn't expect. But after all is said and done, we are finished. It does seem that he is sleeping better at night now that he is weaned. I'd like to thank all of you for your helpful advice, tips, etc about weaning. They were helpful.

Now I just have to get Cole potty trained. We started today. After a rough start this morning, we had a successful afternoon and evening. Now we'll see how the rest of the week goes. Wish me luck. (And as always, I'm open for advice.) Thanks.

Merry Christmas.

Our trip to Niagara Falls

Hello all - it's been forever since I've actually posted something on the blog, so that tells you how monumental this occasion is. Well, as I'm sure you all know, I just recently returned to Utah after a 3 1/2 week stint in Maine with the Barretts. I had a FABULOUS time and added several new states to my list of places visited. A few of my favorites from this trip were seeing the Boston temple; a visit to Acadia National Park (Maine); stopping at the Hill Cumorah & the Sacred Grove in Palmyra (New York); and HELLO! standing next to Niagara Falls! What an action-packed vacation, if I do say so myself!

Anyway, I thought you might enjoy a few pictures of Niagara Falls. I took hoards of pictures everywhere we went, but I won't overwhelm you with my photos (especially since quite a few didn't turn out as well as I had hoped). So, I hope you enjoy the few of Niagara Falls that are presented here. The pics don't begin to do the spectacular place justice, but hey, it's the best we could do.

Ann kept trying to convince me to go over the falls with her, but I insisted that it wasn't a very good idea. She finally talked me into it, however, and off we went (see picture below). Cole and Andrew, on the other hand, were very wise in their choice to remain on shore. After we paid our $25,000 fine and convinced the border patrol and park security that putting us in jail was a bad idea, we were finally able to leave the state of New York and go back to Maine...Okay, so maybe it didn't happen QUITE like that, but it sure is fun to joke about : ) I couldn't resist editing the photo to put us in it.

October....

October was a grand month. I've had a lot of ups and downs with the guys in my life. (Dennis/DJ has decided he likes me again, but I'm kind of dating this other kid...)I'm trying not to fail block, but Cooney dislikes me so I don't know how that's going to work out. I have become the resident cheerleader for speech and debate as well as fencing and band.I have attended one speech meet and two concerts in the past two days. Anyway, I've had a lot of fun. I had a movie party and I've spent lots of time with Josh <3. Hope you guys are having a great November so far.