Jasen's 1st Place Green Chili

Jasen won our ward Chili Cook-off again tonight for the third year in a row. He looked up recipes on the internet, put a couple together and came up with this super simple winner!! Enjoy!!

Jasen's 1st Place Green Chili

2 lbs. cubed pork
1 onion, diced
3 garlic gloves, minced
2 cans of chicken broth
1 cup of water
1 bottle( 16 oz.) of Salsa Verde (we use the Pace brand)
6 4 oz. cans of chopped green chilies, drained
6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
pepper to taste


1. Brown pork in skillet with onions and garlic. In crock-pot add browned pork, onions, garlic, 1 can of chicken broth, water, Salsa Verde and chilies. Simmer for 3 hours.

2. Add second can of chicken broth, pepper and cubed potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender.

Enjoy!!!

Michael is 15!!

MICHAEL ANGELO, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Michael and his buddy Sean...never serious!

Uncle Michael David getting the best part of teenage boys...their pit stink!!

Happy Birthday Boy!!

We think you are amazing and look forward to every minute of your life adventure!

Having a 15 Year Old Means...

Having a fifteen year old means....
I am no longer a fountain of knowledge, infact, I instantly know nothing.
I shop in the men's department.
I buy shoes that are bigger than boats and cost more than my car payment.
I buy gifts that range from toys and video games to expensive electronics and designer labels.
I must never mention that I once was 15 and I could never understand.
I must not schedule anything without checking in first.
I pay for Driver's Training.
I must only cheer internally at soccer games.
I can not play my music when I shuttle friends.
I can not straighten a tie.
I can not suggest that hair be trimmed or even brushed.
I can not give advice of any kind.
I must not expect simple and long standing expectations.
I pay for SATs and ACTs.
I must never discuss religion or Boy Scouts in public.
I can not compliment or brag about my children in public.
I must compliment and brag about my children all the time.
I must be kind to all friends and drive them anywhere requested.
I apologize to the neighbors for the loud music.
I must endure teenage girls...and the drama they cause.
I must not comment about personal things, even if they have been posted on facebook.
I will visit the Emergency Room no less than two times per quarter.
I must double my grocery bill.
I will wait up late and get up early.
I may be heart-sick and beaming with pride all in the same day.

Failure to comply means I MAY be subjected to:
Eye rolling, humphing, stomping, snorting, door slamming, pouting, tirades and even occasional bad mouthing.

But best of all, having a 15 year old means...I only have three years left!!! Yahoo!!
(Of course, I don't really mean the 'yahoo' part...very much!)

Bad Influence-Grandpa!!

My Dad thinks being a Grandpa is amazing. He loves that he can dish out all of the fun without any of the rules or discipline. My kids love it too! (Secretly, I love it too!) I have decide to keep a record of all of his nefarious mis-deeds and I will call this record "The Grandpa Acts."

During his last visit, and with the support of my mother and sister (shame on you both), he performed some of his most masterful Grandpa Acts, leading Spencer farther down the path of Naughtiness!!

#1-The Suggestion #2-The Encouragement
#3-The Approval #4-The Cover-up

#5-Naughtiness Obtained

OK, in all honesty Spencer was well on his way down the path of Naughtiness on his own.

But seriously, I would have eaten that little cheesecake.

Also, when he tried this with his bowl of Rice Krispies this morning

the results were much messier!!

More of The Grandpa Acts!!

Sprinkles and Whipped Cream!

Oh, the HORROR!!

Life Will Never Be The Same

Have you ever experienced a moment in life where, in a fraction of a second, you realize...from this moment on, life will never be the same. I think we all experience moments like this; the moment we say "I do," the moment we hear the first cry of our first child, the moment we lose a loved one.

I have experienced a few of these moments. As I ran up to help at my first accident scene I had a moment. Life was never the same. When I walked out of the courthouse following my divorce I had a moment. Life was never the same. When I said good-bye to my husband and sent him to Iraq for the first time I had a moment. Life was never the same. And today, when I watched my youngest baby walk into his Kindergarten classroom I had a moment. Life will never be the same.

I am sad. I will miss our walks together. I will miss our cuddly naps and shopping treks. I will miss his company. He might miss me a little bit. (I secretly hope.) I know, however, that his days will be full of fun, adventure and learning. There won't be much time for missing. I, on the other hand, will have plenty of empty time for that.

So, now that I have had a "life will never be the same" moment, I must decide what life will be. I guess I could keep the house clean. I could do the laundry. I could start going to the gym regularly. I could volunteer in his classroom. I could read more, and it could be a book without pictures. I could catch up on Lost or catch up on sleep. I could get a hair cut or a pedicure. I could have a lunch date with friends or even my sweetheart. I could take a class. I could garden or paint. I could write. I could shop. I could sit on the beach or walk through a park.

Wait, I have just had a moment...LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!!!

Lost in Translation

"Mom, we have got to go back to the Librarian. That was a fun time."

"Back to the Librarian? Sure, we can go back anytime."

"Mom, you are the best. Let's go tomorrow. I will wear my swim suit in case we get splashed."

"Silly, we won't get splashed if we go to see the Librarian."

"Sometimes people get splashed there."

"At the library?"

"No Mom, at the Librarian...you know the place with all the fish in tanks. Where we walk around and see sharks and catfish. The Librarian."

"Do you mean the Aquarium?"

"Oh...yeah that's what I mean. Hey, Emma! We are going to the Librar...Aquarium tomorrow."

"Wait, wait...we can't go to the Aquarium tomorrow."

"Buuuut Moooooom, you said. You are NOT the best ANYMORE!"

Eye Love You!!

Eye Love You!!