Quick, Easy and (most importantly)...Kid Friendly:)

Last week I tried a new recipe every day. The end result: One (that's right, only ONE) recipe that everyone loved (well, except Kya...).
So, I thought I'd share:

Chicken Broccoli Tortellini Soup
1tbsp olive oil
1 small onion
1 can chicken broth (14.5 ounces)
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 pkg (10 ounces) frozen cut broccoli in cheese sauce (I used fresh broccoli and added a couple spoonfuls of cheese whiz)
1 pkg (9 ounces) frozen or refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1 cup cubed cooked chicken
1 large roma tomato chopped (1/2 cup) (I left out the tomato because of my non-tomato loving family, but I bet it would be good with it)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Heat oil in 2-qt saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion in oil about 2 min. stirring frequently, until crisp-tender.

2. Stir in broth, water, Italian seasoning, broccoli in cheese sauce and tortellini. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally and breaking up broccoli.

3. Stir in chicken. Cook about 4 minutes (more if using fresh broccoli), stirring occasionally, until tortellini is tender. Stir in tomato. Top each serving with 1 tbsp cheese.

Makes 4 servings (320 cal/each)

I found this picture of "baby" Tyson eating one of his favorite things...sand--gross!

Calling All Crafters

I want to do a vinyl letter board...but I don't know how.
Does anyone know any good websites that can show me how to do it? Or any sites that I can order a "custom" made board for cheap?
I have a display in mind for my living room.

I want to redo my buffet...but I don't know how. (if I don't hear from anyone V & Co., you are getting an email from me).
I have dreams of sanding it down, painting it a nice sage color, and replacing all the knobs. BUT I have no idea what products to use or how to do it.

Life is Precious

There's nothing like a tragedy to make you realize how blessed you are...and how fragile it all is. Life is precious, life is good, I have been blessed AND families are forever!!

(I guess we need to get some new family pictures done)

This is GOOD stuff

Okay, so a couple years (yes, I said YEARS) ago I was at my sister Tina's house and she had this dill ranch dip/dressing. I loved it and asked her where she got it. She said "Costco." So, when I got back to California I went to Costco...no dill ranch. Each time I would go to Costco I would check again...no dill ranch. Well, I FINALLY found it at the Costco here in L.A. Luckily it was just as good as I remembered (imagine the disappointment if it hadn't been). So delicious! BUT, it's not low fat so I have to limit my intake. I found the website where you can buy it directly...now I want to try their Ceasar dressing too...and who knows what elst they have--YUM!!

Step Up...Be A Man!

Is it wrong to expect a 3 year old boy to be the man of the house? I mean, I know he won't even poop on the potty, but there's more important jobs for the man of OUR house (actually it's my opinion that men should spend less time on the potty anyways, am I right ladies?!).

Well, today was Tyson's "big test" to substitute for Daddy, and he failed miserably.

Miley (our kitty), has been obsessed with "hunting" lately. She's caught some pretty nasty bugs, a butterfly, a humming bird...and now...a LIZARD!! None of us girls were brave enough to go outside to take Miley away from the freakishly large lizard (yes, even I was scared--even though Jordan said it was "crazy" for a 31-yr-old to be scared of a lizard). So, I thought..."Tyson can do it, he's a boy"...well, I was wrong. He sat about 10 feet away and said "No Mom, I don't like the lizard, it's scary."

So there you have it: We CAN'T survive without Mike. Oh, and the garbage is getting full too...maybe Tyson's "man enough" for that job...probably not.

(The jacket says "Canada" but this picture was taken at Disneyland. Tyson climbed into the shrubs and said "Mommy, take my picture"--I've raised him well)

My Church History Lesson

I was looking for a book to read and thought..."why not a church book?" So, I found this short book that Mike had received as a gift after his baptism called "The Mormon Church, A Basic History." Boy, did it give me a different perspective on the early days of the church. It totally sparked an interest to learn more...and showed me how little I actually know about church history. I really should know more.

Spring has Sprung

We have welcomed some changes in our family this spring:

#1. I got my hair done--finally! (not the best "hair" picture, but you get the idea--shorter and blonder)
#2. I got a new calling at church--Primary Music Leader (seriously, I'm not kidding)!

#3. We got Disneyland annual passes (don't ask for details...just know we got a SMOKIN' deal, which is the ONLY reason why we did it)!

#4. Oh, and the Easter bunny visited us, with hula hoops, jump ropes, puzzles, and of course candy!

Now all we need is our beach weather back:)

HAD TO POST THIS!!!

Okay, so this is not only a beautiful picture of my little JoJo, but look behind her....way back in the waves...do you see it?

Well, if you didn't see it...I blew it up for you. It's Kya!! I could NOT stop laughing after spotting her in the back of this picture. HA HA HA...so funny:)