Some tasty treats for Easter

The cupcakes were perfect for the kiddos. I got the recipe from the famous "Magnolia Bakery" in NYC. It was vanilla cake with old fashion buttercream frosting.

I even made the cute little apple blossom flower candies for the decoration. I learned how to make those last week at my Cake decorating class.

This cake was probably the best tasting I have ever had.

If you like lemon you will be a huge fan. I think this recipe would also make amazing cupcakes.

Handsome boys

I'm so bummed that these are the only pictures I have of the boys with their Easter outfits on. The look so dapper with those ties on.

I have so much fun dressing them alike. I suppose I only have a couple years left of that...

Decorating Easter Eggs

We had fun decorating eggs. Surprisingly, non broke.

Henry got to buy the Transformers decorating kit.

He thought it was so cool.

Henry the performer.

It's funny the proud feeling you get as a parent seeing your kid perform something, even something as simple as an Easter Sunday song in church.

Click Link.

A warm day in march

A couple weekends ago was absolutely gorgeous out.

We spent most of the day outside. It got up to 72 degrees!

Now it's raining and miserable again.....

Chasing Geese

Girl Names

Anyone have any suggestions?

Our growing baby girl

If you don't know already, Jason and I found out last week that we are expecting a baby girl. Man, we are so blessed to have to healthy handsome boys and now a girl. I can't wait to meet her.

It's really a girl.....

The Verdict

Click to play

just because.....

Chicken with Lemon and Thyme Sauce

I made this the other night for dinner and it was yummo.

I came up wit the recipe myself.

1 large shallot finely diced

2 large cloves of garlic smashed and chopped

1 1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme

1/2 cup of sherry

1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth or stock

1/4 cup of cream or half and half

1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

zest of a lemon

1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice

Olive oil

butter

flour for dusting (seasoned with spices)

chicken (boneless)

pasta (any type)

panko bread crumbs

For Chicken:

How ever much chicken you want to make is up to you...

*Take chicken and pound flat so it's about and inch or so thick and even.

* In a saute pan add about a tablespoon of olive oil and butter and heat on high. (I like the two mixed, the butter gives it nice flavor)

*while your pan is heating, dust chicken with a seasoned flour (whatever spices you want)

I used salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder and thyme.

*When oil and butter is heated add chicken and lightly brown on both sides. (the chicken should cook pretty fast because it is thin)

*When chicken is done, I put it in my oven on warmer so it stays warm.

For Sauce:

*In a saute pan on medium heat add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and tablespoon of butter.

*Saute shallot, garlic, thyme for a few minutes until shallots are translucent.

*Then add sherry and chicken broth, let simmer for a few minutes.

*Then add cream and cheese and let simmer and thicken for a few minutes.

*Lastly add lemon juice and zest.

Boil pasta and drain.

Add most of the sauce to the cooked pasta reserving a little for the chicken.

Drizzle left over sauce on top of chicken.

I also lightly browned some panko bread crumbs and sprinkled on top of pasta.

Hope you try and enjoy it.

Sorry about the directions. Not very good a explaining what I did!

If yo have any questions please feel free to leave comment.

Man, I love these boys

Why, my Lord--- dare I ask why? It will not hear the whisper of the wind or see the beauty of it's parents' face--- it will not see the beauty of your creation or the flame of a sunrise.

Why, my Lord?

"Why my child--- do you ask 'why'? Well, I will tell you why.

You see, the child lives. Instead of the wind he hears the sounds of angels singing before My throne. Instead of the beauty that passes he sees everlasting beauty-- he sees My face. He was created and lived a short time so the image of his parents imprinted on his face may stand before Me as their personal intercessor. He knows secrets of heaven unknown to men on earth. He laughs with a special joy that only the innocent possess. My ways are not the ways of man. I create for My Kingdom and each creature fills a place in that Kingdom that could not be filled by another. He was created for My joy and his parents' merits. He has never seen pain or sin. He has never felt hunger or pain. I breathed a soul into a seed, may it grow and called it forth."

"I am humbled before you, my Lord, for questioning Your wisdom, goodness and love. I speak as a fool--- forgive me. I acknowledge Your sovereign rights over life and death. I thank You for the life that began for a short a time to enjoy so long an Eternity."

p.s this has nothing to do with the miracle that is growing inside of me.

Today should have been the day our baby angel should have entered this world.

I feel like a........

Today is one of those days. I feel big, fat and bloated and not yet showing. This pregnancy has been totally different from all my others. To start, I have had absolutely no nausea during this pregnancy. With my other babies I was so sick for 3 months straight. I'm not showing yet. Well, maybe a little. But usually by now I would have a good sized bump. You can't even tell I'm pregnant. Just that I've gained weight. I feel like this baby is stealing my beauty, my face is nasty and dry and my hair looks and feels like hay. I also feel like I've been hit by a truck. I am so dang tired. I hope I don't sound like a "Debbie Downer" I just wanted to point out the difference from this pregnancy to my others. Oh yeah, and one more thing, this baby has put me through an emotional roller coaster ride since my first doctor's visit. We are going to have a long talk when he/she is born!
I am blessed that this baby is healthy and thriving so far. Let's hope and pray it stays that way!
On March 17th, we will be finding out what the gender is.... I just have a strong feeling it's a girl this time. Either way we are blessed.
Any guesses? I have a poll on the right side of the blog.

Randoms

Our little Alien

Today I am 15 weeks and 2 days. I had an appointment and a surprise ultrasound and our little peanut is doing fine.
Can you see the baby's face. She/He is looking right up at us! I love that little face! You can kind of see an arm bone and the outline of its body. It's so cool.
The baby was moving so much during the ultrasound, we even saw it wave to us. It was awesome. March 17th we will be finding if this little peanut is a boy or a girl! Any guesses so far?

Doherty Hotel visit, and a nap afterward

Michigan Vacation 2010

Jude sits in a McDonald's fun tube slide, Henry works a vending machine at the airport, Henry sports sunglasses in a Chinese restaurant, Kara and Adam show off their Christmas snuggies, and Jude irritates Midwest Airline passengers with his crying.

Bowling at Gateway Lanes in Clare

Spencer nailed a strike, Lucas chills with his uncles, Cassandra enjoys Jude and Mom and Dad watch all the action.

Group Shots in Michigan

While the kids were in the basement watching a movie, the adults were enjoying themselves in the kitchen upstairs. There were 20 people in the house our first weekend.