Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween

Wishing you a super Halloween from our two little guys!

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Isaac Halloween
Owen is supposed to be a dog, but he looks more like a rabbit with a bone. Remember when Isaac wore this?
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Isaac spent a lot of time practicing that famous phrase so that it would be perfect for tonight:


He kept saying "It won't be silly" but he really meant that it won't be scary. We figured that out after I took the video because we had been explaining to him all week that everything was make believe, and other people would be dressed up, sometimes as scary things, but it's not scary because it's pretend. He did really well. :)

Saturday, October 30, 2010

2 months

Happy two months to our little Chubalubs! Time passes so quickly when you're having fun. Owen's still a scowler but is really recognizing faces, copying baby sounds {ah, ooh, goo, ga}, and smiling like crazy. Isaac's really warmed up to him too, thank goodness, because he's not going anywhere. :)

Yeah, Mom? What are you looking at?

Carving Pumpkins - Take 2

We finally carved our second pumpkin last night {see the first one right here}. Isaac chose the design {yes, we use stencils!}, Blake cleaned out the pumpkin, and I did the carving. My pumpkin saw broke right at the beginning of carving this beast {while sawing the large hole at the top!}, so we had to improvise with the saw on Blake's Swiss army knife, a paring knife, the broken pumpkin saw blade, and our pumpkin punch. Let me tell you, it was difficult and it took forever. Thankfully, the pumpkin still turned out ok. There was way too much detail on this one to be without my pumpkin saw!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Rue La La Pumas

Remember that Rue La La deal I posted about? Since Blake's tennis shoes are in pretty gnarly shape, we decided to get him a new pair. These beauties only cost us $20 + shipping after I used my credit. Not bad.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Thursday Deals - 10/29/10

1. FREE Photo Canvas from the Canvas People {regular price is $55}. You will have to pay around $15 for shipping, but still a great deal!

2. FREE Sample of Tom's of Maine toothpaste here. It's all natural!

3. Have you sent a FREE Pack of Mini Kleenex to a friend yet? It's still available here! {hint hint, I'd like one. :)}

4. More Gifts to Grow Points. Get 10 more with code Pampersgtg10pts.

5. FREE appetizer tomorrow and Saturday to anyone in costume at T.G.I.Fridays

6. Tomorrow, 10/29, at iHop, kids 12 and under can get a FREE Scary Faced Pancake.

7. BOGO Coupon {up to $10} for Ruby Tuesdays here.

Cardigan

I purchased this cardigan online. It arrived yesterday. Blake thinks it looks like it has wings and isn't a fan. I kind of like it, but wonder if the orange is a bit much. What do you think - yay or nay? There's a poll in the right hand column, and if you want to be brutally honest, you can comment. I can take it! :)

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Creamy Chicken and Rotini Primavera

I've been on the lookout for quick, yet healthy-ish recipes for the family. We're eating less red meat, and more of the other stuff, which means Blake has been tired of the same old chicken recipes. This primavera is pretty delish, and the sauce is lighter since you make it yourself. Easily 30 minutes or less from start to finish. Ta-da!


Creamy Chicken and Rotini Primavera

1/2 lb. dry rotini
2 T. vegetable oil
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast; cubed
1 lb. frozen vegetable mix, thawed or fresh veggies
4 oz. Neufchatel cheese {reduced fat cream cheese}
1/2 c. Italian dressing
1/2 c. milk {the recipe calls for 2%, but I used 1%}

Cook rotini according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breast cubes and cook until chicken is no longer pink.

Combine cream cheese, dressing, and milk. Whisk until smooth.

Add vegetables and sauce to the chicken and cook until heated through.

**I added the vegetables first and cooked them for a couple of minutes before adding the sauce. I also tossed my pasta together with the chicken mixture as a one pot dish, instead of spooning the mixture over the noodles on my plate. It tastes great with Parmesan cheese! :)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Order

I wonder what's up with Isaac - he likes to line things up: his tractors, play food, blocks, and now apparently....potatoes {or, as Isaac refers to them, hot potatoes}. I had to laugh when I saw this in my kitchen.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Guess what?



Clearly, he was really excited about it.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Fall

I love the fall weather we have been having! Usually, I second-guess fall as my favorite season, because we're bombarded with windy, rainy, and cold weather. The great weather has really provided us with some great opportunities to get out and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible before Old Man Winter takes over. We took a family road trip a couple of weeks ago to an apple orchard. We stopped to see some fall foliage on the way, but the leaves were just starting to change, so it wasn't much to see at that point. Still a nice view of the river though! When we got to the orchard, Blake and Isaac took a spin on an antique fire engine before we feasted on apple cider, caramel apples, and apple cider doughnuts. Delish!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Puma Shoes for $15?!

For anyone that really knows me, they know that I've loved Puma shoes since my first pair in junior high/high school, that I wore until they couldn't be worn anymore. I posted about Rue La La on yesterday's Thursday deals. I received my $20 credit and today, there is a Puma shop open - I could get a pair of cute Puma's for myself or Blake for $15 {after I use my credit}, OR I could get a pair of kids Pumas for Isaac for $2 {after the credit}. Holy cow! It's invitation only, so I'm inviting you! What are you waiting for? Get over there!

Pasta Bowl with Butternut Squash

Thought I'd try this recipe out to use up that butternut squash we had sitting around. Plus, I wanted to find a recipe with squash that Blake would eat. I added chicken to mine, and probably should have served it with some breadsticks or a salad or something because it was a bit plain as a stand alone meal. Blake ate it {with some complaining about having to eat squash}, Isaac devoured it, and I thought it was a nice, light dish. It reheats pretty nicely too.



Pasta Bowl with Butternet Squash {and chicken!}

1 medium butternut squash {about 3 lbs.} peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch cubes {8 cups}
1 Tbsp + 1/4 c. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound dried pasta {your choice - I used Penne}
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 shallot, finely chopped {I just used 1/4 onion, chopped}
1 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped or 1 tsp dried sage, crumbled
1/4 c. chopped, toasted pecans {optional - I skipped this}
Parmesan Cheese
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast {about 2/3 lb.}, cut into 1/4 inch strips

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss squash with 1 Tbsp olive oil, then spread on cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, stirring every 10 minutes until the squash is slightly carmelized, about 30 minutes total. Take out of oven and set aside.

Cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions, then drain. While pasta is cooking, melt butter with remaining 1/4 c. olive oil until bubbly. Add chicken and stir fry until chicken is cooked {about 4-5 minutes}. Reduce heat to medium-low, and add sage, shallot {or onion}, and a dash of salt. Cook until shallot/onion is tender {about 2-3 minutes}.

Turn off heat, and add squash and pecans. Toss with pasta and serve with Parmesan cheese. Yum!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Thursday Deals - 10/21/10

1. This offer is back! You can request another FREE sample of Crest Pro-Health Clinical Gum Protection by taking a two question survey here. If you don't qualify for the Gum Protection toothpaste, you'll still get a FREE sample of Crest Outlast with Scope. I just received my Outlast with Scope sample a few days ago, so I rigged the survey to put myself at risk for gingivitis so I could get the other kind. :) hehe.

2. Ladies: FREE sample of Poise Serviettes here {It's from Sam's Club, and no membership required for this sample!}.

3. FREE 8x10 Photo Collage at Walgreens with coupon code 8X10TREAT

4. Check out this invitation only daily deals site, Rue La La. {Much like Babysteals, Kidsteals, and all those other sites I love, but this one is Men's and Women's fashions and things for the home}. If you sign up here by 10/25, you'll receive a FREE $20 credit {the credit expires 12/31, but maybe you can get someone a gift with it!?}! Wee!

5. Are a member of P&G Everyday Solutions yet? If you're not, you should be. You get to choose your free samples every quarter, plus money saving printable coupons all the time. Sweet!

6. FREE copy of Mr. Food Fall Favorites Cookbook here.

7. FREE Orange 'n Creme Frutista Freeze at Taco Bell with this coupon. Valid through 11/25.

8. FREE sample of Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo here.

9. FREE sample of Garnier Ultra-Lift with Pro-Retinol here.

10. Pampers Gifts to Grow Points! Get 10 more with code PAMPERS4MOMSOND

Carving Pumpkins - Take 1

We decided to carve one of the pumpkins we picked up at the pumpkin patch a little early as sort a fun family activity with Isaac. Obviously that pumpkin has rotted now, and has since been thrown out, but Isaac was so ecstatic about the first pumpkin that he has been incessantly bugging us to carve the other one. I'm hoping to hold him off until next week so that the second pumpkin will at least make it to Halloween!

I think our first pumpkin turned out nice though!

:)

These photos make me smile. I love my little boys!

This one makes me laugh!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Isaac's 2nd birthday party

Now that my camera cord has been found {on the floor, behind the couch!}, I can give you the updates. :P

We had a little party for Isaac themed in football stuff. We pulled out Blake's Fatheads {that have been packed away since the move - we don't have any space for them in our new, smaller house}, I made a little pendant banner, and our guests dined on concession style foods {hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, hamburger cheese dip with football shaped tortilla chips, apples with caramel}, I made some scotcheroos shaped like footballs, and also made this football cake. It looked great when I first made it, but by morning, it started splitting down the middle, so my white seam fell in. At least it still tasted great. I think everyone had a great time, especially the birthday boy!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Great

First the tick, then more spiders, and now.....we have a mouse in the house. Awesome.

The good news is, I found my camera cord.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Bugged

In addition to the gross TICK incident last week, Blake and I have killed FOUR spiders, their bodies the size of quarters {do not include the legs}, this week IN OUR HOUSE. Sick, sick, sick.

What kind of house did I move into?! I'm having flashbacks to that movie, Arachnaphobia. Freaky.

Thursday Deals - 10/14/2010

I was hoping to get some more posts up this week, but I've been on the search for my camera cord which I probably misplaced when we were cleaning up for Isaac's birthday party last weekend. Boo.

I can still bring you the deals of the week though! :)

1. FREE sample of Glory Foods Seasoned Cooking Base and recipe book here.

2. FREE 5x7 photo book at the Kodak Gallery with code TARGBOOK. You'll have to pay $1.99 for shipping, but this is a great deal!

3. FREE sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue lotion here. I'm all over this one! With a baby in the house, I've been washing my hands more frequently, and they are really drying out!

4. I love all these Pampers Gifts to Grow points! 50 more points with code 2BEGINEARNING50.

5. FREE sample of Emergen-C drink mixes here. They may even send you more than one!

6. FREE sample of OXY Clinical Skincare here. Use promo code WOMANSDAY.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Sick...

Last Thursday, after a walk, and playing in the yard, I pulled a tick off of Isaac's FACE. Now, I can't stop thinking about ticks, where he would have gotten one around here, and why I had to see that tick crawling up his FACE {I finally snagged it as it crawled on his nose, between his eyes!}!?!?

GAH!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

TWO!

Happy 2nd birthday Isaac! I'm not sure where all of that time went, but he sure is a ton of fun {when he's not screaming out of frustration or sleepiness}. I'm really looking forward to watching him continue to grow. Just looking at him, I'm amazed at how much he has changed and grown, even in the past few months. I can't even measure the amount of love I have for him. It's amazing. Here's how we spent his 2nd birthday {since it happened to fall on Daddy's day off!}.

Good morning!
Errands with Mommy

Lunch with Grandma and Grandpa {pizza, ice cream, and singing!}
Nap {drama!}

Pumpkin Patch
Dinner {one of his favorites: meatloaf, potatoes, and corn}, followed by his birthday cupcake {with one green M&M on top}
Present opening, followed by bedtime!

Great day -- Sophie and Owen {note his scowl!} thought so too.

Thursday Deals - 10/7/2010

1. FREE 8x10 Photo Collage print at Snapfish with coupon code ALLYOUFALL10. Expires 11/1.

2. FREE cookie at Quiznos with this printable coupon. No purchase necessary!

3. Pampers is just giving away those Gifts to Grow points! Add 50 points to your account with code GIFTSTOGROW4MOM, 50 more points with code JOINNOW4REWARDS, and an additional 10 points each with codes 10PTSFREECODE4U and FACEBOOKOCT2010.

4. If you sign up for Auntie Anne's pretzel perks, you will get a coupon for a FREE pretzel on your birthday. Not bad....too bad there aren't any close to us!

5. FREE sample of Glad Odorshield Trash Bags and Tide Original with Acti-Lift laundry detergent here.

6. FREE sample of Ester-C Gummies here.

7. $1 off of a REACH floss coupon here. You could easily get some FREE floss with that coupon!

Monday, October 4, 2010

October 4, 2008

It's hard to believe that two years ago, this was us - awaiting the birth of our first child {taken on my due date!}. Oh, Bubs!


And, now we've got TWO kids. Crazy.