Happy Easter!!

I know I'm a little late getting around to blogging about our Easter, but I hope everyone had an awesome holiday, nonetheless.  :)

We were in Pennsylvania over Easter this year for our nephew's birthday.  It was so nice to just get out of town, relax and visit with friends and family.  The last time we were up there was over New Year's and I had my unfortunate fall where I sprained both ankles.  :-/  Thankfully this trip was completely uneventful in that department!

Friday evening the boys and I met my sister and brother-in-law in the Waterfront for dinner.  Prior to seeing them this night I can't remember when the last time I saw them.  :(  I was supposed to meet up with them over New Year's, but I had just fallen and couldn't even walk.  I hate that we don't get to see each other often, so I just try to make the most of what time we do have together.  Anyway, we met at Longhorn for dinner (and of course I didn't remember to take any pictures :-/).  It started off rather rough because Jacob was in a mood and didn't want to get out of the car.  He threw a massive tantrum in the parking lot and I honestly didn't think we'd ever even get to eat.  But, thankfully he eventually calmed down enough that we were able to have a really nice dinner together.  :)  While we were at dinner, John had his night out with his friends that he always has while were in PA.

Saturday was Josh's birthday party.  It was at a hotel in Irwin that has this really cool, small waterpark on the inside.  Looking at the hotel from the front you would NEVER expect it to have two water slides and a small pool inside, plus a little area set up for birthday parties.  They certainly had me fooled!  Henry was ready to go the second he got his swimming trunks on.  That little guy LOVES him some water.  I call him my water baby.  LOL  I spent Friday and Saturday morning going to three different stores looking for a raft for him to sit in, so we wouldn't have to hold him the whole time, but instead that little booger just wanted to jump off the sides of the pool in to someone, or kick his feet and "swim" around.  He's a complete 180 from the way Jacob used to be in the water when he was his age.

Jacob surprised me, though ... he went down both water slides (one pretty tall one and one shorter one) all by himself!  He still wears water wings, but he's starting to really get into swimming now, which I love, since we spend a LOT of time at the pool in the summer.

After they were done swimming, we had pizza, soda and cake, and got to watch Josh open all his birthday presents.  All the kids really seemed to have an amazing time ... I'm so glad we were able to be a part of his special day.  :)

Saturday evening the kids spent the night with John's parents, and we went out to see Titanic 3D and spent the night at a hotel where it was ... silent.  Probably a little too silent for my liking.  I'm used to the noise and I missed my guys, but it was nice spending some quality alone time with my hubby, and of course I got to see one of my favorite movies of all time in 3D. :)

On Sunday morning when we got back to John's parents' house, the kids had a small Easter egg hunt and they got to open their Easter bags the Easter bunny left.  They each got a new Disney movie and a pair of summer PJs.  When we got home to VA later that day, they had another Easter egg hunt at our house and they got to open their baskets the Easter bunny left for them.  Jacob's basket was filled with art supplies, some candy and a new Cars puzzle.  Henry's was filled with bathtime toys/soaps and cereal bars (he's just too young for candy!).  We had a nice Easter dinner with my parents and visited the rest of the day.

 

We had a really great holiday, and I hope you all did too!!

Tater Tot Casserole

A twist to the standard Shepherd's Pie ... Tater Tot Casserole!  So yummy and soooo easy!  My husband actually had a second helping tonight after the boys went to bed that's how much he loves it.

1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion, chopped (I omitted this step because my husband doesn't like onions)
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can condensed cream of celery or cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
1 16oz package frozen tater tots
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt & pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2.  Brown ground beef. season with salt & pepper.

3.  Add chopped onion, cook until tender.
4.  In a casserole dish, combine ground beef mixture & cream soup.

5.  Top mixture with tater tots.

6.  Bake, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes till bubbly and tots are golden brown.
7.  Remove from oven & top with cheese, return to oven until melted.

**NOTE** I doubled this recipe because the called for ingredients wouldn't have made enough for dinner for four of us.  So, the entire recipe was doubled and it was more than enough.  We'll have some for leftovers on Tuesday night!

Sunday Survey

1. What was the last thing that you begged for?

I don't really beg for anything, to be honest.

2. Have you ever lost a best friend after a fight?

Nope.

3. When was the last time you just wanted to be invisible?

I can't really think of the last time, but I know I have quite a few times in the past.

4. Which room of your home tends to be the messiest?

It kind of varies, but lately it's been our foyer.  It seems everything just gets dumped there.

5. You are to be locked in a room forever with a celebrity. You get to choose. Who do you pick?

Adam Levine!!!

6. Has someone ever left another person to be with you?

No.

7. What’s been kind of a drag for you lately?

Nothing that I can think of.

8. How are you different from your (current or most recent) significant other?

We couldn't be MORE different!  He's a social, outgoing person, and I'm a homebody by nature.  I'm cordial to people, but I'm not overly social or outgoing.  I actually think I have a social anxiety.  I get nervous in large groups of people, whereas he does not.  He's probably the least domestic person ever, and I'm very domestic.  And, the list goes on and on ... we're just VERY different people.

9. What is the most perverted thing someone has ever said to you?

Umm .. THAT I'm not going to reveal.  This is a family blog, thankyouverymuch.  :)

Sunday Survey

So, yesterday was Easter and therefore we were pretty busy (I'll have a whole other post about that another day this week), but here's my Sunday Survey from yesterday ... only a day late and a dollar short.  lol

1. Have you ever watched something unfold, that as you watched, you could not believe what you've witnessed?

I'm sure there are others, but the one that comes to mind right now is once John and I witnessed a car accident at an intersection near my parents' house.  One driver (a teenager) ran a red light and t-boned another car.  The car that had been t-boned spun out of control ... all I remember doing was silently praying that it didn't hit us, which thankfully it did not.
2. What is your favorite city in the world? Why?

I can only answer based on places I've traveled, so I'm gonna go with Charleston, SC.  It's just a beautiful southern city with a lot of history behind it.  I've loved traveling there in the past and really want to go back again the future!
3. What is the strangest film, to your sense of reality, that you have ever seen?

 Strange and disgusting ...  but, all the Saw movies.  Gross!

4. It seems that the older that you get, the less you want the hassle of seeing a live concert. Who is an artist or a band that you'd actually pay to see?

I love seeing live concerts ... so, any country singer pretty much.  And, now I'm a HUGE Adam Levine fan, so I'd pay to go see Maroon 5, too.
5. When was the last time that you lost your temper?

Tonight.  :(
6. When you were little, did you think "sex" was a bad word?

Yep! 

7. What does your smart phone do that really surprised you when you loaded the app?

Nothing has really surprised me ... I have alot of apps that I love, though!
8. Have you ever been attracted to someone that you should not have been? (Feel free to take this lame question any way that you please.)

Oh yeah ... once or twice.  lol
9. Will you see the new "The Three Stooges" film?

Umm, no.

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

This recipe was given to me by the boys' babysitter, but I'm pretty sure the original recipe came from pinterest also.  (Have I mentioned before how much I looooove pinterest?!?!?!) :)  They taste just like the biscuits you can get at Red Lobster and they're super easy to make!

Biscuits:

2 1/2 C Bisquick
4 tbsp cold butter
1 C cheddar cheese, shredded
3/4 C milk
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Butter Glaze:

3 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp dried parsley flakes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly grease or line one cookie sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

Combine Bisquick with cold butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter (I just used 2 forks).  Don't worry about mixing too thoroughly; there will be small chunks of butter in the mix about the size of peas.  Add cheddar cheese, milk and garlic powder.  Mix by hand until combined, but don't over mix.

Drop 1/4 cup portions of the dough onto th elightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 13-15 minutes in preheated oven until the tops of the biscuits begin to turn light brown.

 

While the biscuits are baking, melt butter in a small bowl in the microwave.  Stir in garlic powder and dried parsley flakes.  Use a brush to spread the garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits.  Sprinkle a little kosher salt on the freshly coated biscuits.  Makes one dozen.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs

This is another pinterest recipe, and they turned out soooo good!  If you love the Reese's Peanut Butter eggs, you will love these, I promise!!

Ingredients:

4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2-3 tablespoons milk
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening

Directions:

Mix together the powdered sugar, peanut butter, and butter. Add the milk one tablespoon at a time until it becomes a nice workable dough. It will be just like play dough, it will be really easy to work with. Form the dough into egg shapes, and place in the freezer for about an hour.

Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a glass measuring cup. Microwave 1 minute at a time stirring in between until completely melted. (You can also use a double boiler if you prefer, but I am lazy).
Dip each egg in the melted chocolate and place on waxed paper until set.
Once they are set you can trim any excess chocolate off that may pool at the base with a pairing knife to make them look pretty. You could also decorate them with royal icing and make a really special Easter treat.

Sunday Survey

1. In romance, have you ever been stuck in the middle with someone?

Nope!
2. Which current commercial is the currently most annoying to you on TV or radio?

The only one I can think of off the top of my head is the one for The Family Guy where Stewie goes "Mom.  Mom.  Mommy.  Mama.  Mom.  Mommy.  Mama.  Mama." the whole time.  I already don't like that show and this commercial just makes me want to throw something through the TV at him.
3. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?

Definitely transporting all the stuff I plan to donate to Good Will.
4. What area is your expertise in?

I don't really think I'm an expert on anything.  I'd like to say my kids, but some days I don't even feel like an expert on them.  lol
5. Have you ever bumped into a former lover and found out they were now gay or straight depending on your relationship with them?

Nope!
6. When was the last time that you got stabbed in the back?

About a year and a half ago.
7. For a few years in a row, you receive a nice tax refund: do you make an adjustment with your payroll deduction so they’ll take less, or do you leave it that way so that you can continue to receive the big check every spring?

No, I'd leave it alone.  There is nothing worse than having a huge tax bill at the end of the year.
8. Do you remember the most naughty night of your life? (And do tell a bit, if comfortable)

I've had a few, and yes I remember them, but I don't care to go into detail about them.
9. How would you handle yourself if you were regularly in the press and tabloids?

I probably wouldn't ever BE in the press or tabloids.  I'm usually a pretty open person, but I don't think I'd ever do or say anything that would get me that kind of attention.  I guess if I ever WERE in the press or tabloids, I'd try to be as humble and gracious as possible.