Turkey Bean Chili

Dave found this recipe for a healthy chili, and so I decided to try making it. It was very easy, although I did cut the recipe in half. I took pictures through the cooking process so that you could see just how yummy, and easy it is!!

First: I cooked 1 lb ground turkey with 1 green pepper and 1/2 onion (I don't like a lot of onion so I only used half, you can use all you want). When the meat is no longer pink, drain and pour into soup pot.

Second: I added to the meat 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, 1 can (15 oz) black beans, 1 can (15 oz) chili beans, and 1 can (28 oz) diced tomato-all with their juices. I also added 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper, 1/2 tsp ground Cumin, and 1/2 tsp Chili Powder. Bring it to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Third: Serve as soup with cheese and sour cream or as a nice chip dip! And Enjoy!

Life passing by...

I haven't blogged in awhile, so I thought I would just say something. Life seems to be going by very fast lately. I think its because we do the same things over and over every week, and there is rarely something out of the ordinary, except my kids of course. They are always testing me, making me smile, and just being plain cute!!! I love being a mom, most days, when the kids are actually getting along and being civil with each other. Then we have days where they just fight non-stop, and half the time they do it just get the other one to scream and get mad. WHY? I don't understand these days, but we get through them. Luckily, I have the BEST husband in the world. When he gets home from work on the bad days, he will give me a break, and just take over for the night. Its so nice to have someone that understands when I need to just go in another room for awhile and be by myself!! I really am a lucky girl to have such a wonderful husband, and 2 amazing kids!!

Lets just hope that March is full of sunshine, and happy kids!! :)

Listen to this playlist: shrilly_princess's Playlist

Snow Day

These pics were taken awhile ago, but they are really cute, and I feel like sharing them!! I let the kids play in the snow. This was back before they were so sick all through January.

Vika was posing for me!!

And then Conner asked me to take a picture of him on his bike!!

I really can't wait for spring. I am in desperate need of some warm weather, and letting the kids out of the house!!!

Just Vika being silly

Last week I was trying to have a great discussion with Vika while Conner was at preschool. I drove to the temple parking lot, and because it was so cold we stayed in the car. I told her some things we do in the Temple. And then I was telling her that we need to be like Jesus. She got really confused and said, "But Jesus is a boy, Mom!" I laughed and tried to tell her that even though he is a boy we need to be like him because he was always nice to others and he is a great example for us. She wouldn't listen to me anymore because I was asking her to be like a boy!!

She just cracks me up sometimes!!! I love her and her smart little brain!

My Word For 2011

I miserably failed on my word from last year. Not only did I not TRY to find Joy in my life, but I made it so my family didn't either. I was such a horrible mom, and wife last year. I found myself yelling more than I was talking. :( There were some good times last year, for example the 3 family weddings we got to enjoy: Joanna (Dave's sister) got married in San Diego in January. Steve (Dave's brother) got married in July in Couer D' Alene (no idea how you spell it) Idaho. And then my baby brother Sheeb got married in August here in Utah. We had a lot of fun participating in all the weddings!

I vow to right now to be a much better person this year!! I am not going to yell every time I want my kids to do something, or even when I am trying to just talk to them. I am not going to yell at my husband. My new words for this year are "FUN" and "PLAY". I really need more fun in my life, and so do my kids. I have been the most boring mom, and I usually refuse to get into the spirit of holidays. I leave that up to their grandma, she loves doing things for every holiday. I just get so overwhelmed by the thought of doing things that I don't end up doing anything. I am such a bad mom. This year is going to be much better! In fact it already has been better!! Minus the fact that both kids were extremely sick all weekend.

Not only am I going to be more fun with my kids, but also my husband. We haven't been able to go on many dates recently because he has been working more than normal. We did however, get to have an amazing New Years together!! The kids were at my sister's ALL day on New Year's Eve, while I was at the spa with my inlaws getting an awesome 90 minute pedicure!! That evening Dave and I went to pick up the kids and take them to Grandma Teri's for the night. Thats right, they both slept over with their grandma!!! Dave and I went back to my sisters for lots of food and games! It was so nice to have that break and be able to have both of us play all the games!! New Year's Day we got to sleep in, and get ready at our leisure and then we went shopping all day! We had fun buying jeans together, and eating an awesome Thai lunch. In the middle of lunch Dave's mom called and asked if she could take the kids to a movie! "Are you serious?" Is what both of us said!! So, we just hung out and took a nap and waited for them to get back!! I seriously couldn't have asked for a better New Year's than that!! So, not only am I going to focus and playing this year, but I had the great opportunity to start the year by getting to have FUN with my husband!!! :)

I hope you all had a great New Year's as well!!

Haircuts

Conner got a haircut! He got sick of me pestering him everyday to do his mohawk, so we decided to just shave it. Yes, he still has a mohawk, but its easier to manage and he loves it!!

Dave has been losing weight ever since his food poisoning from Taco Bell. He decided it was time to cut his hair. He has been growing it out for awhile, and it was super long. I barely recognized him after his haircut!! He looks very handsome, and I'm so proud of him for trying to eat better!!

Just for fun I chopped my hair! I'm really glad I was able to go through with it because I was pretty nervous. I have never had my hair this short before. I LOVE it!!!

No, Vika didn't her haircut. :( But I couldn't leave her out of this post. She was modeling her Christmas dress. (This was her dress from last year, and it still fits!!)