REALLY...WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY???

Today I received this card from my brother, Aric.

Love you, buddy...you must have been reading my mind...HA :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (yesterday), SCOTT!!!

So, Scott is now (2 months and 2 days later) the same age as me (28...don't question it)! No more old lady comments...well, at least in regards to me being older than him.

Saturday (20th) we decided to celebrate his birthday at home.

He was able to sleep in and when the girls woke him it was to their homemade birthday cards and A LOT of "Happy Birthday, Daddy"s. We had his requested "Stuffed Bread Sandwich" for lunch during the basketball games. And for dinner, the girls helped make the requested "Birthday Tacos" and then we ALL enjoyed his DQ cake. I know....he shared!

What a great guy!!! :)

On his actual birthday (21st), we went over to his parents for the traditional Lasagna, another DQ ice cream cake and to watch "the madness". Although, now having kids....not so much watching basketball as playing with the kiddos.

Alex taking her turn cutting tomatoes for tacos.

Is it just me...or does Alex holding a knife look very scary???

Brooklyn taking her job very seriously


"Happy Birthday to you..."

Blowing out the candles...ok, we had an issue with the candles.

We had NONE so we used big candles...better than nothing, right???

AND SO IT BEGINS....

MARCH MADNESS is upon us. Always a high pressure couple of weeks in this family. Last night we all filled out our brackets and everyone understands the stakes involved with agreeing to participate. The loser has to buy the ice cream. That's right....its all about the ice cream! Whoever has the most loses at the end of the "madness" MUST treat the others to Dairy Queen.

There is a lot of pressure this year. My record vs. Scott is 10-1 and my 1 loss came last year. So my confidence is a little shaky this year. He's in my head! But, if I can't take the win....maybe one of the girls can take him down :) Bring on the DQ!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DREN!

My brother, Andrew, turned another year older.

Wish we could have been there to help celebrate!

Yes, I know you were in Las Vegas for your big day.

Oregon...Las Vegas...whatever!

It would still be fun :)

REMEMBERING THE GOOD OL' DAYS

While we were eating dinner tonight, Brooklyn asked me a question:

"Hey, Mom. Remember when you and Daddy used to play softball together?...Back when you were skinny".

REQUESTED RECIPES I

So, we have broken into a couple of the goodies from the shower.

As requested, I am providing a picture and recipe for each one as we gobble them up.

Because I was told that "I have nothing else to do" :)

These are in no particular order...

just how they got stacked in the freezer!

Believe me, they will all be enjoyed!!!

FREEZER BAGEL PIZZAS

from Amy Price

the girls and I each had one for lunch...

no convincing them to finish eating required

12 Plain Bagels - split and buttered

1 lb ground beef

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 jar Cheez Whiz

1 jar pizza sauce

Minced parsley

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese

Brown beef in a large skillet and drain. You could also add chopped onion! Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Place bagels on cookie sheets. (Make sure you have buttered them!) Spread 2 tsp of Cheez Whiz and 2 tsp of pizza sauce on each bagel. Spoon meat over top of each bagel. Sprinkle with parsley, Parmesan and mozzarella. Place cookie sheet in freezer. When bagels are frozen, place into 1 gallon freezer bags. I usually put 6 per bag.

Bake frozen, approx 20-25 minutes at 350*

ALL IN ONE TATER TOT CASSEROLE

from Kristle Davis

dinner last night - thought I could get two meals out of it...

but too many "maybe a little more"

1 can cream of chicken

1 bag tater tots

1 can green beans (french style - drained well)

2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterrey jack or Velveeta)

1 lb browned ground beef, seasoned with pepper

(lean beef and Lowery's Seasoned Pepper - Add pepper before browning meat for extra flavor)

Usually use glass casserole dish and spray with Pam. Makes (1) 9x13, (1) 8x8 or (2) 5x7

Layer bottom of pan with tater tots.

Layer one cup of cheese.

Layer can of green beans.

Layer one cup of cheese.

Layer seasoned ground beef.

Pour can of cream of chicken soup over top, spread evenly.

Layer more tots on top...as many as you prefer. (We like a lot! But, keep it a single layer)

Bake at 400* for 30 minutes or until brown.

Tip: For quicker cooking time...Heat tots in microwave first.

VISIT WITH GRANDMA EZBY

Grandma, Scott, Brooklyn and Alex

Brooklyn wanted to take a picture of the baby...

so guess that means I had to be in the picture as well.

Brooklyn wearing Grandma's Iowa Hat

The girls wearing more of Grandma's

Iowa Hats

Grandma posing for Alex to take a picture

Grandma doing a little jig with the

Easter Bunny


Grandma always has the girls pick a special

Beany-Baby when we visit. This time...Alex

chose an ostrich named "Stretch" and

Brooklyn chose a deer named "Whisper"