Friday Recipe...on Saturday

I had Mason yesterday and Brad and I decided to go out last night so I haven't had a chance to post a recipe until now.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream together:
2 c. Crisco
1 1/2 c. brown sugar (packed)
1 1/2 c. sugar

Add to above:
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

Add to above:
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
5 c. flour (I don't always put this much. I just add until it doesn't stick to my finger)

Add desired amount of chocolate chips

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. I usually cook them for 8 or 9, I like them soft and chewy.

In my opinion, these are slightly better than the cookie recipe I got from one of Brad's friends. Sorry Stacey. They make a lot but they are delicious.

Our week

This week has been more eventful than most. Donovan made $250 in a baby race and we have been watching Mason this week.

Donovan competed in the 2nd Annual IWCC Baby Race. He took 2nd place...out of 3. He won a $250 scholarship to Iowa Western. I am praying he doesn't use it. I am hoping we won't be here when he goes to college, and if we aren't here I don't want him to come all the way out here for school. I don't know how Brad's and my parents do it.
The race was during half time of the men's basketball game. He enjoyed watching the game and even cheered when we scored. I tried to get a video, but he would stop when I would turn on the camera. He can be such a stinker.Donovan has been having so much fun with Mason coming over every day. He loves having a buddy to play with. He also loves to put on Mason's Disneyland sweatshirt. He is getting so funny when it comes to clothes. I think he likes clothes with characters on them because he doesn't have a lot of them. Silly boys.

Home Sweet Home

We are almost settled. I am still working on a few projects, but we are getting there. Everything is basically in it's place except pictures and things. We even went through all of our tubs and got rid of 5 large bags of old clothes. Getting rid of crap is the best part about moving.

Here is the picture of Donovan's "Handy Manny" PJ's, he is pretty much obsessed with them. I found them in a 3T the other day so we would have the next size up when he grows out of these ones (he is pretty close). I put them in the closet and he found them! He grabs my hand every night and walks to the closet in hopes I will take them down and put them on him. He has never been attached to anything like this and it makes me laugh, I love it.

Here is one of my completed projects, I know it's not perfect, but I think it looks pretty good.
We had a couple of really nice days, so Donovan and I would go outside and play in our "yard". There was a little snow left (it has since snowed again), so he played in the snow and slush. We got pretty muddy but we had fun! This area is right outside our apartment. This is close to the view we get from our window. It's nice to live up on a hill away from the main road.

Donovan and I tagged along with Lenna and Mason to the Children's Museum again. Brad was at a Scout thing and Scott was studying so it was just the moms and the boys.
Some of the girls working there brought out some instruments and Donovan immediately went for the drums. This was right after we played in the water table, if you didn't notice Donovan's wet shirt.
This picture is for Donovan's Aunt Kirsta. We were playing in the theater area and I found the unicorn costume. Here is a good example of our view. Donovan loves it when the deer come out. We usually open the blinds right when we wake up so Donovan can see all of the animals outside. So far we have seen deer, black squirrel, and wild turkeys. I'm sure we will see plenty more in the spring and summer! I am pretty excited that we have an area where Donovan can play and explore.

Even though our apartment is pretty small, I am really enjoying it. I am much happier here than I was on campus. Here are my top five reasons why:
5. We have an area for Donovan to play along with a great view.
4. When I clean, it actually looks clean. The apartment on campus hadn't been cleaned for months before we moved in, you can probably imagine the grime. I went after it with bleach and a toothbrush and still had no luck.
3. While I don't have a lot of cabinet space, the kitchen functions better and I can keep one eye on Donovan while I cook or clean in there.
2. It's bright! I can open my blinds without worrying about creepy students looking in our window. When I turn on the lights, the rooms actually light up so I don't feel like I'm living in a dungeon!
1. No calls at 3 a.m. from incompetent RA's!!!!
There are a few more reasons, but I won't get into it all. Even though we are still in the same blah ward and still in Iowa, we are happy with our new place and feel good about staying for a couple more years.

Recipe Friday

Scones

For every cup of flour add 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt. Add 1/2 cup warm milk in center and knead dough (I am pretty sure it is 1/2 cup for every cup of flour, but don't quote me on that, my mom can correct me if I'm wrong). Let rest for 1/2 hour, fry. My mom usually uses 3-5 cups of flour for our family but I use 1-2 for Brad, Donovan, and Me. I know they aren't terribly healthy, but I love scones! You can use these for a dessert with honey-butter or jam, or for Navajo Tacos (I will post that recipe next week after I call my mom to get it right). I am pretty sure my mom got this and the Navajo Taco recipe from her Navajo friend, Darlene, but I think she calls it fry bread.

Finally!

We are finally in our new apartment. It actually isn't new, it's the same apartment complex we were in before Brad got the job in Housing. It is pretty small compared to our apartment on campus, but we like the complex because it is only 8 apartments! We really didn't want to live around a million people and we didn't want to live in a crappy house. People seriously don't know how to take care of their rental homes, they were pretty disgusting. We thought about buying, but really don't think we will be around for more than a few years and don't want to get stuck with a house. Anyway, we are almost unpacked, we just have some pictures to hang and other misc. stuff to do. The worst is over! We have now moved 5 times since we got married, 4 times in Council Bluffs...I hate moving.

I will give you a quick update on Donovan. He has finally found something he is attached to. Hannah bought him some "Handy Manny" (a show on Playhouse Disney) jammies. He loves to wear them and cries when I take them off the next morning. He likes them way too much. When I put them in the hamper this morning he pulled them out again and tried to convince me to put them back on. He was pretty sad when I didn't, but he got over it when I got him excited about the shirt I wanted him to wear. I will have to take a picture of him with him Manny pj's on, they are pretty cute. He is so funny. He is getting way too smart and knows how to get his way when he is determined. He can be such a stinker, but he is getting to be so much fun. He cracks us up with some of the silly things he does.

Omaha Children's Museum

He is such a stinker, but still so cute. He is getting very good at climbing up on chairs and getting into things he isn't supposed to.
We went to the Omaha Children's Museum with Lenna, Scott, Hannah, and Mason yesterday. It was a lot of fun. There were so many things to do that Donovan couldn't decide what was the most fun so he did a little of everything.

He did keep coming back to the light piano. He loves instruments.
This was a fun little area. The tubes are like vacuums, so you put the ball in and it is sucked in different directions. Donovan loved playing with the balls. This room seemed to be a favorite among the dads too.

Donovan played in this little truck until a little girl came and weaseled her way in. He got a little annoyed and tried to push her, but we found something else to do...
The water table!
We spent our last 20 minutes or so in the "wiggle room". It's a room for younger children so the boys loved it. They had all kinds of blocks and fun things for them to get into. Donovan learned a new gesture. This is his "oh man!" action.


It was a lot of fun, but Lenna and Scott say Lincoln's is even better. We will all have to make a trip out there sometime when things aren't so crazy.

We still haven't found a place to live. We have a few places on a list but haven't made a decision. I hate moving.

Friday Recipes

Sorry Heidi, things have been pretty crazy so I haven't posted a recipe in about a month, so today I will post 3. The first is one of my favorites, I love my mom's clam chowder (I just have to trick Brad into eating it and I know he will like it too). It doesn't taste too clammy, it is just a yummy cream soup!

Clam Chowder
1 C. onion finely chopped (you can also use onion powder or flakes)
3/4 C. Margarine
3/4 C. Flour
1 C. celery finely chopped (or celery salt)
2 C. potatoes
1 qt. half and half
2 cans minced clams undrained(I think my mom just uses 1)
salt and pepper to taste
Boil potatoes, celery and onion. In another pan melt margarine. Stir in flour. Add half and half. When potatoes are soft, add them to the creamed soup along with water. Add the clams and juice last.
When my mom uses celery and onion she sautees them with the margarine before adding the flour and so forth. Don't use too much water for the potatoes.


Meatloaf
1 lb hamburger
onion soup mix (I don't use the whole thing, sometimes I just use onion flakes)
2 eggs
handful of oatmeal
a little milk if thick
mix all ingredients together with your hands (I know it's gross but it's faster and mixes better). Put in a pan and cook for 45 min-1 hour at 375. After 45 min, top with mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard (don't use a lot of mustard). I usually hate meatloaf, but I love this recipe.


Marinated Turkey (one of my all time favorites)
2 C. 7-up or Sprite
1 C. Soy sauce
1C. oil
1/4 tsp garlic powder (I like to use minced garlic, but use whatever you prefer)
1-2 lbs. turkey breasts (you can use chicken too, but it isn't as tender and juicy)
Mix first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add turkey breasts and marinate overnight or at least 4 hours, then grill. I usually serve this with rice and a vegetable.

All of these recipes are courtesy of my mom, so you can thank her.

Still searching

Since the day we got back from Utah we have been searching for places to live. I think we have seen 6 or 7 apartments or houses in the last week. It is getting a little annoying. I really wish people could take better care of their rentals. We saw a townhouse that looked awesome on the outside but once we went inside realized it hadn't been updated since it was built in '85, if you couldn't tell by the way it looked, you could tell by the smell. Maybe we are too picky, but I would rather spend a little more money than live in a crap hole. So the search continues. I think we will end up in one of the apartment complexes near campus, even though we don't want to be surrounded by that many people.

We had the Hiatt's over for dinner on Sunday. Lenna brought a sheet cake and it was delish. Donovan and Mason had to play their instruments, they are so talented.
I love how Donovan tries to play like his daddy, it is so flippin cute.
Donovan was having a pretty funny day yesterday. When Brad and Carver came over for lunch, he wanted to play for them.



Last night Donovan brought his monkey leash to me because he wanted to wear it. Then he brought me his pirate Robeez. I can't believe they still fit. He is almost 18 months old and he fits the 6-12 month shoes. He is going to have his dad's tiny feet. He wouldn't take off the ensemble until we made him go to bed.
You don't have to feel bad for dressing Colin up in silly outfits, Kirsta, when he is a little older he will do it himself anyway.

Christmas and Misc. pictures

I stole a few pictures from my mother in law's blog. Thanks Tia!

Donovan wanted to shovel with Papa, so he got a shovel that was the perfect size. Hannah, Scott, and I were helping Bradley with a tryout in Ogden during this time so Donovan was playing with Granny and Papa. He is such a good helper.
Donovan went along with Granny to deliver Christmas jam to the neighbors. It looks like he had a lot of fun! He loves being outside in the fresh air no matter how cold it is, even when he is screaming with frozen hands he gets mad when you take him inside.
Christmas morning was pretty fun. Donovan loved all of his new toys (they filled a whole suitcase so we know he got plenty). Brad made Santa get a whole collection of safari animals and dinosaurs for his stocking. Donovan was grateful. Santa had to make sure both the boys stockings were stuffed so they wouldn't be disappointed on Christmas morning.
Opening the Cars book and doodle board. He loves this thing! He loves to draw and there is a book attached, does it get any better than that?
Donovan has a great new fake smile. I like his real smile better, but this is pretty good too.
EGGNOG!!!! Donovan's first taste of his dad's favorite holiday drink.I know I am a little late, but HAPPY NEW YEAR! We spent the night sleeping :) It was good enough for me after traveling with a 1 1/2 year old.

Donovan is starting to adjust back to normal life. He still signs that he wants to eat every hour, but I explain to him that it isn't time to eat, but we will have a snack in another hour or so. We have to distract him with his toys and books to keep his mind off food until it is really snack or meal time. With all of his new toys he is staying independent and playing by himself, but he does like when we are sitting in the room with him, which is fine with me, he just likes to be encouraged. Communication is getting easier, he is taking our hands and showing us what he wants, but I think he gets frustrated when it's something he can't have. We try to explain things, but how much does he really understand? He is a good boy and we love him so much! Did I mention he will be 18 months old in February? CRAZY!

Home...sort of

We are back in Iowa. Who knows for how long. I am trying to have a good attitude but I am already dreading the next couple of years. At least we will have Lenna and Scott around for a little while longer. Donovan and Mason were so excited to see each other. Lenna and Mason picked us up from the airport and as soon as they saw each other they went nuts, they both ran after each other at full speed and ended up colliding. There were a few tears but they were still excited to play once the tears were gone. Donovan was so happy to be off the plane, he was being a little crazy.

We are really going to miss all of the family. Donovan had so much fun with his cousins! He didn't really play with them, but he liked having them around. I'm not sure he knew what to think about Colin and Sara. He hasn't been around babies very much. He does like their car seats! Colin was nice enough to let Donovan play in his.

Colin used to be a skinny little stick, but now he is a chunk!! I love it!
He has the cutest smile, he will give one to anyone that amuses him which is pretty easy.Donovan loved sitting in Papa's chair. He didn't like to share with me, but he shared with Rachel.
Bryant is such a cute little turd. I hope he has more fun with his boy cousins as they all get older. I was a real slacker when it came to pictures this trip. I will have to get the pictures from my mom and Tia. There are a few people we didn't get to see, but we hope we get to see them next trip! We love you all and will miss you, but for now we are going to have fun with Lenna, Scott, and Mason!!!