Skyler's Vote for President

NOTE: Zack and I do watch the news a lot with the kids around....but we never get to "talk politics" until they are in bed. This was completely unprovoked....

Last night, sitting on the couch with the children, Skyler starts talking about her day. She explain how they got to vote in the presidential election today at school. She volunteers, "I voted for Obama. I wanted to vote for Hillary again but she wasn't on the ballot anymore. I voted for Obama because he said he will bring home the troops from Iraq."

Now, I am not sharing this for political debate purposes. But, I am rather relishing in the beauty of her innocence. Uncle Jake is in Iraq and she wants him home, period:-) He will be so proud of his niece Skyler, as am I.

Report Card Time

Here's the report on the kiddos!! SO PROUD!

T-Bird: Doing fabulous! His teacher wrote, "Trendon is doing great! He's a hard worker and a great friend to everyone! Keep reading at home. SUPER JOB, TRENDON!"
They also included a creative writing assignment for us to see. I will keep punctuation, spelling etc the same so you can appreciate his efforts:-)

"*I Like My PokenoN.
*I Lik to jump on the treplen.
*Wen I fel bad I em sad.
*wen I em skard i do not criy.
*Trendon Clay Tucker"

Ahhhh, don't you just love that?!?!?!?!

Abby: Her teacher wrote, "Abby is a wonderful gal who works hard and successfully accomplishes every task. She has such a caring personality and gentle spirit. Academically, she is doing fantastic, as well."

Skyler: Her teacher wrote, "Skyler is a super kid and a great student!!" Skyler is still reading light years ahead of her grade level!! She is also working diligently on studying the Battle of the Books reading list. Next month is the quiz to determine if she makes the team!

We are so proud of our hard working kiddos. They are really doing phenomenal. It's hard work!!!:-)

1 Week Until Election

So, I will not reveal my political affiliations in this blog as it is a friendly keep-up with the family blog. However, I will encourage you all to go vote! The kids are out of school on Tuesday so they will ALL be going to the polls with me!!!!:-) Enjoy this video I found....it's bipartisan:-)



And, since it is difficult to understand....they lyrics:

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

(McCain supporters)
McCain’s the best candidate
With Palin as his running mate
They’ll fight for gun rights, pro life,
The conservative right
Our future is bright
Better economy in site
And all the world will feel our military might

(Obama supporters)
But McCain and Bush are real close right
They vote alike and keep it tight
Obama’s new, he’s younger too
The Middle Class he will help you
He’ll bring a change, he’s got the brains
McCain and Bush are just the same
You are to blame, Iraq’s a shame
Four more years would be insane

Lower your Taxes - you know Obama Won’t
PROTECT THE LOWER CLASS - You know McCain won’t!
Have enough experience - you know that they don’t
STOP GLOBAL WARMING - you know that you won’t

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA
Stick with McCain and you’re going to have some drama
We need it
HE’LL BRING IT
He’ll be it
YOU’LL SEE IT
We’ll do it
GET TO IT
Let’s move it
DO IT!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

I’m talking big pipe lines, and low gas prices
Below $2.00 that would be nice

But to do it right we gotta start today
Finding renewable ways that are here to stay

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA,
Stick wit McCain you gone have some drama
MORE WAR IN IRAQ
Iran he will attack
CAN’T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK
We gotta vote Barack!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

–

Mmmmm

I fixed a FABULOUS new recipe for dinner last night. I thought everyone should enjoy it:

Aloha Pork Chop Skillet  
Prep Time:
5 min
Total Time:
30 min
Makes:
4 servings
What You Need
 
2 tsp. oil
4   bone-in pork chops (1-1/2 lb.)
1 medium each: red and yellow pepper, cut into chunks
2 cans  (8 oz. each) pineapple chunks in juice, undrained
1/2 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup  KRAFT CATALINA Dressing
1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1-1/2 cups  instant white rice, uncooked
Make It
 
HEAT oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chops; cook 5 min. on each side or until browned on both sides.
ADD peppers, pineapple, broth, dressing and garlic powder; mix well. Bring to boil.
STIR in rice; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min. or until chops are cooked through (160°F). Remove from heat; let stand 5 min.

Pasted from

Fall

My favorite season! We spent some time Sunday afternoon to watch Mia's reaction to the leaves....she absolutely loved them! The kids would "rain leaves" on her face! We giggled and wrestled around in them....just a perfect Fall afternoon!

Then later, I took Abs, Sky, & Liv to see High School Musical 3. Skyler was completely captivated from the first preview to the end of the credits! Abby cited boredom after about 45 minutes and Liv was somewhere in between the two. Regardless, we enjoyed a girls day out!! We also stopped at a consignment shop and found Liv the cutest pink boots to replace her favs from last year that she has grown out of!

Mia is One, already?!?!?!

Our Mia Faith Tucker turned one this week!!! We had a small party for her on Sunday afternoon. My parents and sister came as well as some of our very best friends! She seemed aloof about all the attention but had a blast playing with the tissue paper from her gifts!

We made miniature snacks to serve at the party including mini-burgers, mini-meatballs, cheez puffs, and a chocolate chip cheeseball. My dear sister made two cakes for the special day. One just for Mia and another precious baby face for the rest of us!

Today, Mia had her 1 year check-up and weighed a whopping 25.25 lbs! She definitely gets plenty to eat. Doc says she is right on track with talking/walking the whole bit. Mommy loves to hear that!!! Doc does say its time to wean the bottle, I don't think she's too dependent on it and will give it a shot next week....no need to act chaos to an already hectic week-end. She is walking all over the place and thrilled to be so mobile. She spends a lot of time in her big sister's room trying to find anything she can possibly chew on.

She has such a sweet, sweet spirit. Smiling at anyone who pays her any mind. She LOVES LOVES LOVES her Daddy above anyone else. We are just incredibly blessed for this sweet addition to our family. I love you Princess Mia!!!!!!!!!!

The Week-End

Happy Friday everyone!!!!

We have a busy week-end upon us. Tonight, Zack is taking Trendon, Olivia, and Mia to a Boy Scout Carnival!!! I am taking Abigail and Skyler to a Girl Scout Lock-In. Everyone is very excited and busy now cleaning their rooms so they will get the all clear to leave in an hour:-)

Tomorrow, the kids have a ballgame, if the weather cooperates. It's been raining all day today in Kentucky....chilly and rainy.

AND, it's Mommy & Daddy night out on Saturday!!!! Zack and I are going to our good friend, Angela's, for a Halloween party. I am going as Sarah Palin, the hunter and Zack will be a cross between Joe 6-pack and Joe the Plumber...cause we all know it's all about Joe! Brooke is babysitting for us so the kids are completely excited. She often brings movies and other surprises for the kids when she comes. We will miss her dearly next year when she leaves for college.

I'll be posting plenty of pics, as always!!

Precious Moments

Yesterday I was awoken, as always, by the sounds of my baby daughter in her room. I went into pick her up and start our day when she grabbed my cheeks, looked me straight in the eyes, and lovingly said "Ma-Ma". This wasn't the first time she said this but the sweet, tender touch and clear conviction in her voice melted my heart. It was like she had this epiphany that I was Mom and I was there. So beautiful.

Coming back home...

I put in my two weeks notice today at work. Long story...but the economy isn't favorable to advertising sales right now. With nearly $1000 per month going to childcare....not really a good fit! I am excited to come back home for a while with the babies and finish my Master's degree strong. Just 11 months til I graduate!!!!! I am beyond blessed to have a husband that supports me in whatever I choose. We have debated this decision for over a month and it finally became clear that it was best for everyone for me to quit working for now. I will continue looking for something more lucrative, but likely stay at home for a while if possible.

I have lost 20 lbs since I started working so I gotta find a way to keep that off while at home! I need a work-out buddy...anyone?!?!:-)

Manners Class

We found this sign on the girls bedroom door this evening!

You Ready For Some Football?!?!

The kids enjoyed a beautiful afternoon playing football and cheer leading today! Mia & I also enjoyed watching! It's a gorgeous day in Kentucky, 70 degrees beautiful blue sky! Why can't every day be like this? The kids are all upstairs now, watching cartoons and resting before we go to Fall Festival at school in about 30 minutes! They are so exhausted! Our life is absolutely nutty but we love it!:-)

Dinner tonight: Pork BBQ at the festival!

Thursday night = Crazy night

McDonalds cooked dinner for us tonight cause we have absolutely no time to cook on Thursdays. Honestly, we don't even have time to eat, we eat in the car in route. I had a Girl Scout Service Unit meeting tonight at 5:30 so Zack took the big kids to football/cheerleading practice and I met them there late. Then, we hoped to get Abby involved in 4-H Horse Club except I must have had the wrong address. At about 8 we all arrived home for quick showers, snack, and bed! I think everyone is already asleep cause they were worn out! I am thrilled to have my laptop perched on the side of the couch downstairs waiting for the VP debate!!!

Saturday night is the school's Fall Festival which is a ton of fun! There are bookoos of games, face painting, hair painting etc. that the kids love! We are obviously volunteering to work in the booths so Z and I will take turns with volunteering and corralling children! And we'll have an extra set of hands as Peachie is coming too!!! :-)

Ahh...the debate is underway and I gotta listen! I'll end with another family loved recipe, especially by Zack:-)

Man Dip

1 roll of pork breakfast sausage
1 pound of ground beef
1 large white onion
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
2 pounds of velveeta cheese
2-5 jalapenos, depending on your taste for heat.
garlic salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Brown beef, sausage and onion in pan until cooked and onion is transluscent.  Take the meat mixture and put in crock pot.  Add all rest ingredients.  Cook on high or low until it melts, stir and serve with corn chips. 

What are you known for?

Me....having the good low-down on yummy recipes. When my friends aren't calling to chit-chat they are calling to see if I have any new recipes for them to try!;-) Sometimes, I'll post my favorites here......cause that sounds fun! If you try them let me know. Practically everything I post will be approved by the kiddos. Each time I try something new we take a vote to see if it should go in my recipe file or just be tossed! Last night's dinner (a new Baked Spaghetti recipe) will definitely be tossed ICK!!! But, tonight's dinner got a big thumbs up from everyone....including Miss Picky Pants herself hehe

Easy Slow Cooker French Dip
SUBMITTED BY: lonwolf32 PHOTO BY: DawnF
"This makes a delicious French dip sandwich, perfect for the working mom! Nobody, not even teetotalers, have been able to detect the presence of beer in this recipe, but it adds a wonderful flavor! French fries make a great side dish, and they are good for dipping, too."

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
• 4 pounds rump roast
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can beef broth
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
• 6 French rolls
• 2 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS
1. Trim excess fat from the rump roast, and place in a slow cooker. Add the beef broth, onion soup and beer. Cook on Low setting for 7 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Split French rolls, and spread with butter. Bake 10 minutes, or until heated through.
4. Slice the meat on the diagonal, and place on the rolls. Serve the sauce for dipping.

---AND----

Southern Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
• 1 bag of frozen hash brown potatoes (2 lbs)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 1 can 10 ¾ oz cream soup (cream of chicken or cream of mushroom work very well)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups crushed Corn Flakes
• ¼ cup melted butter
Directions:
1. As mentioned above, thaw hash browns (or use refrigerator style hash browns).
2. In a large bowl, mix together hash browns, cheddar cheese, ½ cup melted butter, salt, onion, soup, and sour cream. Stir until evenly mixed.
3. Spray a 9 x 11 or 9 x 13 inch pan or casserole dish with Pam or lightly grease the dish. This helps on clean up.
4. Pour mixture from bowl into pan and spread evenly with a spoon. Do not pack down tightly.
5. In a small bowl, mix together Corn Flakes and ¼ cup melted butter. Mix together and spread on top of casserole.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes without a lid. The top should be lightly browned when done.
This is a large casserole (feeds 12 or more), and it is not from the healthy cooking file. Depending on the size of the serving, expect between 300 to 400 calories per hearty serving with about half those calories from fat. For these reasons, this recipe is usually served for special occasions. And, the casserole dish usually comes home empty.

MMmmmm.....we are all so stuffed!