January

Well, another month has come and gone, and we haven't done anything that interesting! We did get to go home to Welling because my brother Steve got home from his mission! That was pretty exciting. It was fun to see him and everybody else. Here are a few pictures from that weekend.

Mya and Tyler making bead necklaces.

Tyler and Cason having a bath together.

This next one is a picture of the diorama that Tyler made at Day Home about the Great White Shark. He painted the red on the outside of the box, and helped to paint the coral on the inside. He chose to do it on the shark, and they said he had a really good time helping with it.

Make-It Monday

Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 box cake mix (choose your flavor!)
2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup chocolate chips

Stir together cake mix & baking powder. Add eggs and oil, mix until well blended.Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake @ 350 F for 10 minutes.

**Trevor tried them when they were warm and didn't like them. He had some in his lunch the next day and said that they were 100% better when they were cold. All of his friends at school loved them too. I used a white mix, but next time I will definitely try it with a chocolate mix! They are pretty tasty. Enjoy.

Make-It Monday

PORK CHOPS & RICE

6   pork chops
1 cup   raw rice
1 cup   water
1 can   cream of chicken
1 can   cream of mushroom
1 Tbsp   dried onion

Mix together everything except pork chops in greased 9 x 13. Put seasoned pork chops (I just used season salt & pepper) on top. Cover with foil, bake 45 min @ 350 F. Uncover, sitr rice a bit. Bake 15 min. uncovered.

**I loved this!! It would be equally as good with chicken, if you don't like pork chops! I served with green beans.

Make-It Monday Returns

OLIVE GARDEN FIVE CHEESE ZITI AL FORNO

Serves: 10

FOR THE ZITI SAUCE
4 cups tomato sauce
2 cups alfredo sauce
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese , shredded
3 tablespoons Fontina cheese , shredded
1 teaspoon garlic pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

FOR THE ZITI TOPPING

3 cups mozzarella cheese , shredded  

1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons romano cheese , grated
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese , grated
1 tablespoon fresh garlic , chopped
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley , chopped

REMAINING INGREDIENTS
1 lb dry ziti pasta
1 cup mozzarella cheese , shredded

Directions:

1. PREPARE THE ZITI SAUCE:.
2. Combining all ingredients for the Ziti Sauce in a large bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
3. PREPARE THE ZITI TOPPING:.
4. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the first four ingredients for the Ziti Topping.
5. Add the garlic, oil, and parsley and mix until thoroughly blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
6. WHEN READY TO PREPARE THE WHOLE DISH:.
7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking dish or large casserole with non-stick spray.
8. Prepare the pasta according to package directions.
9. Pour 1/2 cup of prepared ziti sauce into the prepared dish, and spread it evenly over the bottom using a spoon.
10. When pasta has finished cooking, drain the water and pour the hot pasta into the bowl of remaining sauce. Mix thoroughly; pour into the baking dish.
11. Spread 1 cup of shredded mozzarella over the pasta and sauce mixture.
12. Top the mozzarella with the prepared Ziti Topping, spreading evenly.
13. Place pan on center oven rack and bake until top is golden brown and cheese is bubbling, about 30 to 40 minutes.
14. Remove and serve immediately.

From: Olive Garden Restaurant.

I made this last week and it was delicious!! It was very close to the real thing, for all those who love it at the Olive Garden! I would recommend trying it. It seems like it is complicated when you just browse what it takes, but it is actually really easy and well worth it!

2011 in a Nutshell

I did this for 2009, but skipped 2010 for some reason, but here goes.

1.What did you do in 2011 that you've never done before?


I tried Ice Fishing for the first time and caught a fish!

2. Did you make New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year?


Just the usual - work out more and eat better. I have been doing really good this week.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


Tiffany Lister had a baby girl - Tacie.

Andrea Patrick had another baby boy - Marlowe.

Ginger Moyah had another baby boy - Elijah.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Grandpa Wilde passed away in November.

5. What places have you visited?


Mexico

Jasper National Park

6. What was your biggest achievement in 2011?


I got a "promotion" at work, which means an actual office upstairs and a pay raise!


7. Did you suffer any illnesses or injuries?


I didn't, but Tyler burned his hand on the stove element.


8. What was the best thing you bought?


A new car stereo with bluetooth for phone calls!

9. Where did most of your money go?


To Day Home!


10. What songs will remind you of 2011?


Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Love You Like A Love Song - Selena Gomez


11. What do you wish you had done more of?


Working out.


12. What do you wish you would've done less of?


Watching TV.


13. What was your favorite T.V. show?

14. What was the best book you read in 2011?

It was a little smutty in a few parts, but I loved the story and couldn't put it down.


15. What was your favorite film of the year?

I cried like a baby in this movie, and I had already read the book!


16. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?


I honestly can't remember what I did on my birthday. I don't think we did anything special. We probably went to Olive Garden for dinner or something. I turned 31.


17. Who was the best person you met?


Jordan and Amy Szoke - Canadian Motorbike Racers.

Christmas Catch-up

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted anything on here! We are still alive and doing well. Tyler is talking in full sentences now and is as fun as ever. We had a great Christmas break. Trevor went back to school on the 2nd and I go back to work on the 9th. We went down to my parents on the 23rd and came back up to Edmonton on the 28th so that we could go to Trevor's brother Kori's baptism. It was really nice. I am very happy for him.

My brother Steve gets home from his mission next Wednesday, the 11th. I am very excited to be able to go home again and see him. Tyler was only 6 months old when he left, so it will basically be his first time meeting him, which should be fun.

Here are a bunch of pictures to catch you up on what we've been up to, which hasn't been that much really!

Trevor was a little bored one day, so he decided to take some pictures of Tyler while he was eating noodles. He got some pretty good ones. Here are just a couple for you.

Tyler and Trevor got matching haircuts, done by Trevor.

Here's me and Tyler just messing around.

Tyler got some Green Lantern pyjamas for Christmas, and absolutely loves them.

He also got this bomber jacket for Christmas. I think Trevor and I like it a lot more than he does.

Did anyone else love these toys when they were little? Tyler got it in his present from Dayhome.