Got Snow?

 
So...do you think we have enough snow God? Aparently not...we have another 6 inches coming on Saturday!
If we have hot days ahead, I'm going to start building an Ark!

Get to know Tyler Curtis

Tribute to Tyler

Loves to play computer games, namely Star Wars and Lego Universe.
He is very friendly and social
He has a big heart and loves freely
He knows what he wants and will do all he can to get it
He loves to play "cushion cave" with his brothers
He really misses our cat Lynx
He likes Math and soccer
He is very helpful and when asked to do something, does it right away
Loves to joke around with Jayden and say random words to make him laugh
Doesn't like snowball fights that end up with snow in his face.
Loves to go camping as a family
Like cheese crisps and orange soda
Wants to own a cat again some day
Loves to do magic tricks and wants to be a majician when he grows up

Tyler's 7th Birthday

Tyler had a very fun Birthday party. 5 friends came as well as our family. We had the party at "Precious Plaster". A fun place where they have a huge selection of objects, wall hangings and items to paint. Then the staff sprays it with shine and the kids get to take it home. The boys had a great time. Tyler painted a big wartime vessel, Jayden a diamond back snake, and Stephen Elmo. Dolphins, Ying/Yang, Snoopy on his house were some of the other items that were painted and taken home. The kids had a great time visiting and painting. We had a huge cake and pizza and soda. Tyler really loved his party. Each child got to take home punching balloons, a star mylar balloon and their painted object. It was so nice to have a fun place to hold the party that was large enough for that many people. Our house wouldn't have contained all the energy and fun the boys had that day.
When Tyler woke up that morning he said to me, "Guess what Mommy!? I'm now 7 years old." I asked him if he felt older and wiser and he replied, "Of course!" I got a good chuckle out of that one. I thought he'd say "no".

Funny things Stephen says

Here are some funny things Stephen has said,

He was rubbing my legs under my pajama pants. He said, "Mom your legs are Spicy!" (prickly)

He bit into a fresh plum yesterday and said, "Ummm, this tastes like a...like a...like a Hot Pepper!" I have no idea how he even knows what a hot pepper tastes like!

Today he and Tyler were playing in the living room in a box that we had cut to be his Robot costume. He says to Tyler, "Hey Tyler come be a Catapickle with me!" Tyler says, "Ha ha ha Stephen a Catapickle!"

He is such a cute boy. I can't believe it was three years ago he came to be a part of our family. It seems like last week. Time sure flies.

Orange Chicken Panda Style (Asian)

I love trying one new recipe per week.
This is my favorite so far:

2 lbs. boneless, Skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite size cubes
1 large egg (I use chicken broth to be heart healthy)
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 TBS. vegetable oil plus additional for frying
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs. cornstarch, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Or you can just bread it with Italian Bread crumbs (that is really tasty)

Orange Chicken Sauce:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar ( I usually double this whole part)
2 tbs. soy sauce
2 tbs. water
Grated zest from orange (or orange flavoring)

Stir Fry:
1 Tbs. peeled or mined or grated fresh ginger
1 tsp. minced garlic (can leave out)
Dash of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup water
1 Tbs. sesame Oil


Place cubed chicken in large bowl. Add egg salt, pepper and 1 Tbs. oil. Mix well. Stir together 1/2 cup cornstarch and flour in a large shallow bowl. Add chieck pieces, a handful or two at a time, and stir to coat evenly. Top off any excess.

Pour about 1 inch oil in a wok or deep, heavy skillet and heat to 375 f.. If you don't have a thermometer, heat oil until it starts to ripple. Add chiecken pieces, a small handful at a time, and fry until golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove chicekn from oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside. Then cooking the next batch you will probably need to reduce the heat to keep chicekn from cooking too fast and possibly add a bit more oil.

Once all chicken is cooked reserve a couple of tbs. of oil from pain in a seperate bowel. Clean wok. Combine sauce ingredients in a large measuring cup and whisk until sugar dissolves.

Heat wok for 15 minutes over high heat. Add reserved oil back into pan. Add ginger, garlic, red pepper, and green onions; stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes. Add sauce and bring to a boil. Add cooked chicken, stirring until well mixed. Combine remaining 1 Tbs. cornstarch with 1/4 cup water until smoothl add to skillet with orange sauce and chicken. Heat until sauce is thickened; stir in sesame oil. Serve with rice.

Jayden's room

To see our whole house click on older posts below. Jayden's room is big with a huge attic attached to the side of his room.

Bedrooms and Office

My room is the blue bedspread with plants. It barely fits our King Bed, night stand and dresser but we like it. The boys (Tyler and Stephen)have their own little bathroom (in their room) with an oldfashioned tub. It is cute and just their size. Jayden's room has the bright bedspread. Both boys rooms are upstairs. Our room is on the main floor just off the bathroom and office. Our Livingroom has a pretty design in the ceiling that I really like.
The kitchen has gorgeous cherry wood cupboards and granite looking countertops.
Our yard is huge. We are on 1/2 acre. I have planted lots of flowers and will have a vegetable garden next year.
Welcome to our home!