Birthday Sleepover!

Last Friday, Eli and Emma had a sleepover for the first time! Since they didn't do a "friend" birthday party we decided they could do a birthday friend sleepover! They each got to choose one friend; Eli chose Clayton and Emma chose Lily.

The night started out with dinner. We had chicken and rice soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. They were all too excited to worry about eating, but I think they each ate one bowl of soup! After they ate dinner Eli and Emma were ready to open the birthday presents that Clayton and Lily brought for them! Clayton brought Eli a Bakugan Battle Brawler and Lily brought Emma a Tinkerbell Paint Pen Set. They were both super excited!

Here are the girls checking out Emma's new pens!:

After opening their gifts, Clayton brought a Wii game from his house and the boys began to play a shooting Nerf game.:

While the boys were playing on the Wii, the girls thought it would be fun to COLOR!

After a while Emma suggested that we play Twister Hopscotch, a game that Santa left for her! Brent and I thought that this game would get some energy out and tire them after a while. Boy were we wrong! This game got them hyper....hopping, singing, dancing, wiggling, it was hilarious!

They were having so much fun they all just burst out dancing! Clayton and Lily have ALL the moves!

So, it was time to settle down and get pajamas on to get ready for movie and popcorn time! Once again, Emma suggested earlier in the week that they watch Alvin and the Chipmunks. Here they are nestled in Eli and Emmas' beds.:

After the movie, Brent set up thier sleeping bags in the bonus room and I read a Berenstain Bears book to them and they tried, and tried, and tried to go to sleep! After about an hour of talking and giggling they finally drifted off to sleep and we didn't hear a peep from them all night!They all did really well! The boys heard Brent the next morning getting ready for a hiking trip so they woke up kind of early, but they hopped in bed with me and stayed quiet until the girls got up! Clayton had to leave early for a basketball game, but Lily spent the day with us and the girls had a relaxing bubble bath!:

Eli and Emma want to say thank you to Clayton and Lily for making this night so fun-filled! I hope that these friendships will last a lifetime!

Pasta Bake

I love cooking for my family, especially things they really enjoy. This is one recipe that my family loves so I thought I would share it with you. It is a newer version of "baked spaghetti" and it is delicious! Here is a look at it:

Pasta Bake

1 pound lean ground beef

1/4 c. diced onions(optional, I add them)

1 jar spaghetti sauce(and all the spices you normally use for the sauce: oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and a bit of sugar

1 7 oz. pkg. elbow macaroni(or any other pasta of your choosing, Ziti would also be a good choice)

1/2 block cream cheese

3/4 - 1 cup sour cream(I don't ever measure it)

1 1/2 c. mozzerella cheese

1 1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese

Boil pasta according to pkg. I always do mine al dente. In another pan cook meat and onions, drain, and put back into pan. Add 3/4 of the jar(if you like it really saucy you can add the whole jar) to the meat. Add seasonings. Mix. Drain pasta and put in a smaller 9X13 dish. Layer all of mozzerella cheese on top of pasta. Microwave cream cheese until it is a little bit melted(about 30 sec.) in a bowl. Add sour cream and mix. Layer all of sour cream mixture on top of mozz. cheese. Pour meat sauce on top and finish with all of the cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for 25-30 min.

And out of the oven a yummy, yet simple meal for everyone to enjoy! Eli and Emma LOVE this...

I hope you girls decide to make this! Keep the recipes coming, maybe we can start something new!

My Little Buddy is 8 Months Old!

I can hardly believe that last week, January 22nd, my little buddy turned 8 months old! Wow! How time flies! Edan is doing lots of new things this month! He is mostly down to two naps a day, the first nap at 9:30 and the second at 2:00. He is on the 8, 12, 4, and depending how long the second nap is(sometimes he is in bed for the night between 6-6:30)7:oo feeding schedule. He absolutely LOVES his bottle and has been drinking 32 ounces of milk daily for the past few weeks. My little buddy still despises peas, but loves green beans and carrots. He gets oatmeal and 1 jar fruit in the a.m., 1 jar of green veggies and 1/2 jar fruit at the 12 p.m. feeding, and 1 jar orange veggies, 1/2 jar fruit mixed with oatmeal for the 4p.m. feeding, and a bottle right before bed. He is still on Prevacid for his reflux and does really well chewing up his pill. Here are some new things he has learned to do since last month:

1. Drink from a sippy cup

2. Using his pincher grasp to pick up puffs










3. No longer requires to be swaddled for sleep time, but uses a "favorite blankie" and a paci
4. Claps his hands together










5. He has tried peanut butter and loves it! Emma thought it was a great idea to give him a taste of her peanut butter sucker(that is what we call peanut butter on a spoon). I was so panic stricken I didn't get a pic, I was too busy wiping the pb out of his mouth with a wet paper towel. I now know that Edan will be a peanut butter lover just like Eli and Emma!

6. Getting more mobile and reaching for toys








7. Trys to sit up from a tummy position 8. Loves hand toys and things he can bang together! 9. A new friend for bathtime 10. I don't see any teeth yet, but our little buddy has a beautiful smile and a delightful personality! I love you, Edan Brian!

Happy Birthday Eli and Emma...Happy Birthday to you!

We celebrated Eli and Emma's birthday this past Sunday at our house. We had some of our family and friends over to celebrate Eli's 8th and Emma's 6th birthday! We had the party at 4 so I just made three different dips and everyone's favorite, Chicken Wing Chicken! Sarah August made their delicious cake!

Emma greeted the guests at the door: Here she is with her Aunt Leanne, her bff Lily, and her Papaw:

While waiting on all our guests to arrive, Eli showed everyone his Christmas gift from Santa, the Wii!: The favorite game of the night was Mario Kart! Lilyana, Rebekah, Lindsey, and Bradley enjoyed the fun:!

Finally, everyone was here and it was time to sing, eat, and cut the cake! Eli and Emma love being sung to!:

After everyone had eaten, it was time to open presents! Eli got lots of great things! Some money, gift cards, a calendar, and some clothes!:

Emma's newest addiction is Junie B. Jones books, so her best friend Lily got her a new book entitled, Junie B. Jones is a Beauty Shop Guy, and also a Junie B. journal. Emma was shaking she was so excited. This is her opening her journal!:

When Lily had to leave Emma gave her a great big hug for such a special present!:Thank you, everyone, for coming to celebrate Eli and Emma's birthday!:

It's a Razzle Dazzle Day, It's Emma's Birthday!

Today, January 6, is Emma's 6th Birthday! This morning on her first day back at school she was so excited she was shaking! We have been counting down the days to her birthday ever since Christmas! She loves days that are all about her! We love you Emma Grace and we hope your birthday is as special as you are to us! Happy 6th Birthday!