My Newest Kitchen Helper

Today Skyler cooked dinner, all by herself!!! She made:

Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce
SUBMITTED BY: Star Pooley PHOTO BY: LADYJAYPEE
"A nice change form your typical tomato sauce! If your worried about the alcohol, don't be! It cooks off and can not be tasted! It simply helps to enhance the flavors."



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INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
• 1 pound uncooked penne pasta
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vodka
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage

DIRECTIONS
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. In large skillet, heat oil over moderate heat. Remove casing from sausage and add to skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until brown. Add garlic and red pepper and cook, stirring until garlic is golden brown.
3. Add tomatoes and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
4. Add vodka and cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and add pasta, toss for 1 minute. Stir in fresh parsley and serve!

MMMmmmm...delicious!! Thank you Skyler!!

Ohhhhhhh dear........

Trendon has made a great new neighbor friend. They have tons in common, love video games, cars, and boy stuff. This boy also has a crush on Skyler. We know cause he told his Mom who told us. Well, today he's over to play and I noticed both him and Skyler weren't in the basement with us anymore. So, I quickly went upstairs to find them. I noticed her door was closed and the light was off!!!! SO, of course, I swung it open with my heart in my stomach....and they were snuggled up in her bed....playing her Nintendo DS together.....YIKES..... so it was totally innocent. But, I grabbed Zack and he put a stop to it. New rule, friends over means doors open and lights on. It painted such a scary picture of what's to come for the next 10 years. So, when do we start the birds and the bees discussion? Surely not yet?!? Why can't there be a real guide book for parenting.....oh this so hard. Any comments, advice or suggestions are completely welcome....we take all the help we can get in this department! :-) ....deeeeeep breath.......

Old-Skool

On Saturday night one of my best girl friends, Angela, hosted a Girl's Sleepover at her beautiful home! Angela hasn't yet had her own babies....so she LOVES to spoil ours! She bought them make-up and other presents, baked them cup cakes, read and loved on them, and even allowed sticky fingers to grace her gorgeous furniture without even a grimace. It was such a fabulous night. The girls had an absolute blast!!!!!

The girls all decided to wear Angela's t-shirts for jammies....in her drawer she had saved her New Kids On the Block t-shirt...from what like 1990?!?! WOOOWIE Now, Skyler doesn't understand how freakin' fabulous this is but still loved posin while us ladies cheered in delight!!!;-)

Anticipating Jake's Return

In preparing for Jake's (Zack's brother) return from Iraq, the family all drew self-portraits on a huge banner!!! We all had a great time deciding how best to depict ourselves and the banner turned out just fabulous! Jake--we hope you like it!!!!!!

We are all so happy that he is returning home, today in fact! Zack and I have been together over 3 years and this will be the first Christmas that I have spent with the family that Jake has been there too! It's gonna be a great year with EVERYONE there!!!! We love you all and can't wait to see you!!!!

The Great Desert Scavenger Hunt

Skyler's school play from a few weeks ago (sorry so late)! It's kinda hard to hear so be patient and perk up those ears:-)

Our Deep Theological Discussions....

Tonight's dinner conversation....

Abby: "Why is Christmas at the end of the year every year?"

Mommy: "Because, that when Jesus was born!"

Abby: "And, Lady's birthday too!!!!"

Livie: "Yea, God made EVERYTHING...even Lady."

Mommy: "That's true, God did make everything!"

Trendon: "But some of those shop workers like at...at....at....

Livie: "Wal-Mart?"

Trendon: "Yea, Wal-Mart. They make stuff like cups."

Technology for the Family

Ah, the age of modern technology. We are so blessed to have so many resources in which to keep in touch with family spanning 3 states. The blog has been a great outlet for us to show you our world and keep you updated on our wacky life. You may have noticed, we also just purchased a digital video camera. This is mine and Zack's anniversary and Christmas gifts to each other...I guess that's what you do when you are married folk...purchase something you want/need and call it good:-) Works for us anyway. So, expect to see lots more of our little videos on here.

We also have a web-cam which anyone can purchase for under 20 bucks. This allows you to chat with the kids in real time and actually see them. It's been great for Skyler and Trendon since Jenny bought one. They get on the phone with her and can see and wave and blow kisses....really helps when they miss her desperately. Also, last month they were able to get online simultaneously and look at costume websites so they could choose a halloween costume with their Mom. And, Jenny has been able to help Trendon with his reading homework the same way. We just type the words that he is practicing and she can help teach him how to read them. Great, great way for them to stay connected with her. The kids enjoy doing this very much so let me know if you get one and they can chat with you as well!!! I am happy to help you with the logistics of getting it set up and running.

We love all of you and respect your roles in helping us raise this family. We understand the distance is difficult and vow to continue doing all we can to help keep everyone in the loop.

Watch next week for some ADORABLE videos of Skyler, Abby, and Livie. On Monday evening they have their closing ceremonies for their cheer leading season. They have been practicing a dance routine that they will (hopefully) perform in front of the whole crowd! I have my doubts that Livie will follow through, she is awfully shy. But, Skyler is an absolute pro. She already has the entire routine memorized and has been practicing with Abby.

Also Monday, Skyler has a play at school that I plan to video. She has been practicing both memorizing lines and acting skills. I am confident it will be quite entertaining:-)