Easy Rider.

If only this boy pedaled as much as he chit chats while on his trike...

How We Break Bread

I feed my family the same meal four times a week and they love it.  No, seriously... they do. You see, I get home at 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday each week.  In order to squeeze in all of our after work activities and dinner, I needed to find a way to feed my family fast (in a healthy way, mind you -- no TV dinners or fast food) so that we have more time to do other things and less time is spent slaving away in the kitchen so to speak.

So that's when I decided to feed my family like I would feed an army... literally.  Each Sunday, I make the main course - this week, it was cheese and broccoli soup.  I make a large enough portion to provide enough servings for dinner, Monday through Thursday nights.  I store the main course in our refrigerator and then simply heat up what we need each night and make any side dishes as necessary during that process (e.g. salad and whole grain bakery bread).

Here are a few examples of what we've been eating lately for dinner:

• Week 1: BBQ Grilled Chicken with Vegetables (e.g. asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)
• Week 2: Diced Sweet Potatoes covered with a Meat Spaghetti sauce with Salad or Vegetables
• Week 3: Chicken and Vegetable Stir-fry with Brown Rice
• Week 4: Homemade Soup with Salad and Bread (bread is often optional)
• Week 5: BBQ or Baked Pork Chops with a large Green Salad
• Week 6: Crock Pot Spaghetti with Vegetables or Salad (or both!)
• Week 7: Homemade Chili with Salad and Cornbread 
• Week 8: Tacos or Taco Salads

(Please note: we don't always eat all of the above meals or all of the above meals in that order.  Sometimes I add things to a meal listed above, or take away from them.  I just wanted to show a glimpse of how we roll.) 

You may wonder if we get sick of the meal eating it four nights in a row.  Yeah, sometimes we do.  But the beauty of this method is that we don't eat that meal again for a very long time... or sooner if we like.  Sometimes I use a crock pot, sometimes I spend a little time on Sunday meal prepping... but it works for us.  And any time I can give myself and my family the gift of time I'm a happy camper. 

{DIY} Fence Gate

We put up our fence gate two weekends ago and are pretty pleased with the results (if you missed our DIY Fence project post, click HERE).  We opted to build the gate out of the same materials as our fence and have it look more like a panel of the fence than a gate door for a more uniform look.

The hubs has already started to dig holes for our fence posts that will run parallel to our home, so I am looking forward to getting this project wrapped up within the next few weeks.  Nothing like a busy schedule to draw out a pretty quick and easy project!

Once we have the fence completed, we will work on sanding and staining the cedar boards.  So let's keep our fingers crossed for some decent weather in the next two weeks!

{Week 17} The Boys

Kingston, Week 17: Enjoying a 'toon on the living room ottoman after church.
Cole, Week 17: Continuing to play the ever-active role of "mama's shadow" by drinking his sippy cup in the kitchen while I unpack groceries and start dinner.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

{DIY} Front Yard Fence

We are currently in the process of installing fencing in our front/side yards.  Mostly to keep the munchkins in our backyard when playing outside, this fence also helps add to our fabulous landscaping (ha!) too.  With the way our home is positioned on a hill, we don't really need a fence for privacy purposes.  So, we decided to go for a non-traditional look with a cedar board + hog wire fence.  Partly inspired by the hubs's uncle's fencing, partly inspired by Pinterest... and we're definitely sold on the look.

We started our fence by installing four pressure treated boards with cement as our fence posts.  And by we, I mean the hubs.  He used a post hole digger and dug about two feet down.

All of the lumber and fencing staples were purchased from our local hardware store and we found the hog wire at a local farm supply store.  It is a thicker gauge wire, which comes in sheets (not rolled).  We borrowed a pair of wire snippers to cut the wire panels down to the size we wanted.

The cedar boards were added to finish the look... they hide the snipped wire ends and the fencing staples.  We plan to stain the cedar and are thinking of using a clear finish.

This weekend we will finish building our gate door (to go between the two panels we currently have installed). Then, we are going to build this fence down the side of our home toward our backyard approximately 12 feet or so. We won't build it to fully enclose our yard, but just enough to create a more finished look.

As I mentioned, we are pretty pleased with how this fence is turning out.  So far it seems to be doing it's job.  The boys haven't tried to run around to the front yard with it up... which helps me have more peace of mind when they are playing outside.

We will also add this type of fence on the right side of our home, which will connect our already existing standard wooden fence to our home and enclose that side of the yard.  And, if we ever decide we want a little more privacy than what this fence currently provides, we may take some of the ivy we have abundantly growing around our home and weave it through the wire in the fence.  But for now, we will keep the wire exposed.

This fence is a pretty easy answer for our needs -- and relatively inexpensive too.  The most difficult part of the whole process was leveling it all.  When your home is built on a hill, you get that added bonus of trying to decide how to make everything square and in line.  So proud of the hubs and his patience on this project.  I'm hoping to share an updated photo of our fence progress soon!

Coloring Easter Eggs

Coloring Easter eggs is fun, but sometimes I think plain white hard boiled eggs are almost just as pretty.  I can't be the only one who thinks that... can I?  Well, we were sure to color these eggs up right with a store bought kit.  I had originally planned to use food coloring instead of a kit, but the hubs thought Kingston might have more fun with the traditional wax crayon.  And, he was right.  Kingston loved to scribble all over the eggs -- no rhyme or reason to his scribbles.

The blue was Kingston's favorite.  He constantly wanted to check it and see if it was done.  I made sure to set our kitchen timer so he wouldn't have to keep asking "is the blue ready yet?!"

 And, I may have distracted him by giving him one of the plastic eggs a day early.  He was happy with the one he chose... and the yellow peep inside.

Yep, I think these are the best eggs we have colored so far... wax crayon scribbles and all.  Just one small part of our Easter weekend traditions, but so very much fun.

New-to-Us Kitchen Stools

So excited about these stools, friends!  Last Saturday, the hubs and I spent an adult day away from our kiddos in Portland visiting my sister and brother-in-law.  The guys got to go golfing while my sister and I got to spend some time shopping... and shopping we ladies did!  We hit up nearly a dozen stores in a span of five or six hours, one of which was a Goodwill my sister suggested we stop by.  This particular Goodwill has been known to have pretty decent furniture in the past... and this time, these two beauties were there.

I have been eyeing this style of stool for awhile now, but didn't want to pay the price for two of them. Plus, our kitchen island wasn't really set up for stools because I never really thought I wanted that style of island.  But after seeing the boys sitting at them off and on this week, I am sold.

Although these stools look worn and have the aged-schoolhouse shop-kind-of-stool look, they were both brand-new with the original price tags still affixed to the top of each stool.   Kind of exciting to bring these babies home for less than half the cost of just one brand new (or even more savings, depending on which store you find them at).  I think we'll use them and our island to color Easter eggs today.  Happy Easter weekend!

{Family Photography} The Johnson Family

Such a sweet family, I met the Johnson's when I first took baby doll Norah's newborn photographs (see HERE).  Now, just over three months old and this family was ready for a few Spring/Easter-ish photos.  We lucked out with a little nice weather for a few outdoor shots at the park, as well as some in their home.  These are just a few of my favorites... but we walked away with a good solid 50 shots.  I hope they enjoy the photographs as much as I had fun taking them!

To Noni {heart} Kingston

Kingston colored this portrait of our family for his great grandma Noni.  Kingston is pink, I am purple, Cole is orange, and the hubs is blue.  We are standing on some grass and the sun is out.  I especially love Kingston's heart.  What a sweet boy.

{Week 14} The Boys

Kingston, Week 14: Trying a different "silly face" while mama practices taking pictures of eyes.
Cole, Week 14: Zooming around the house, backwards, in his car.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

Kingston's First Library Card

Last Friday, Kingston and I went on a special outing to our local library - just the two of us.  I couldn't believe the look on his face when he found out where we were going.  It was almost like it was Christmas morning.  We have been talking about getting him his very own library card for awhile now, so I was happy to find some time to actually do it.

When we got to the library, we very easily signed him up for his own card... which he was handed along with a sharpie to sign his name on the back.  Once that was done, he told me we had a certain schedule we had to follow when we were at the library.  I think he came up with this schedule based on a trip he made with my mom last summer to the library near my work.  First, we had to find the toys and play.  We worked on puzzles, had a puppet show, and built random objects out of blocks.  Then, we walked around selecting a few books and movies to check out.  Then, it was time to talk to the librarian.  Unfortunately, we did not find a librarian who wasn't busy to chat with... but Kingston quickly forgot that step when he saw that he would be able to scan his card and books all by himself.

My favorite part of the trip was spending a little time with my oldest.  It was fun to set aside one hour to do what he wanted to do at the library and share that moment with him.  But, I'm not gonna lie - I was so proud of him when he signed his name on the back of his card... something I will keep forever, friends.

{Week 13} The Boys

Kingston, Week 13: Sitting in our new-to-us wicker chair that we placed on our front porch.
Cole, Week 13: Also sitting in our new-to-us wicker chair.

The boys were very curious about this new addition to our home... so it only made sense to take a few pictures of them sitting in it, checking it out.  Kingston also thought it was important to take a photo of me sitting in the new chair:

Oh so glamorous.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

Hello, World.

This world map will eventually be going up in Kingston's bedroom, when I re-vamp it within the next month or so.  I have been a big sucker for the map trend used in home decor, so I was pretty excited when I scored this big (and I mean BIG) classroom World + United States map for FREE.

We've decided to hold off on the bunk beds until the boys are ready to share a room, so my decorating plans have shifted gears a little.  But, it will still be fun to re-organize and re-do their rooms in a different way.  I'm still in design mode, but will definitely share what I come up with.    

One of our favorite dinners.

Kind of one of our comfort meals, the hubs and I almost think of this meal as a treat.  I make it more of the consistency of chili than soup, but this - my friends - is a pretty delish taco soup.  Here are the deets if you are interested:

Ingredients:
Meat of your choice (pictured: 1 lb. ground beef)
Diced tomatoes with Green Chilies (2 cans)
Kidney Beans (2 cans)
Vegetarian Baked Beans (2 cans)
Diced Green Chillies (1 small can)
Onion (medium in size, chopped)
Corn (optional - 2 cans)
Taco Seasoning (1 package or to taste)

To Make:
Because I used ground beef, I had to brown the beef with the chopped onion.  In a stock pot, I added the other ingredients - diced tomatoes and green chillies, kidney beans (drained), vegetarian baked beans, diced green chillies, and taco seasoning.  I placed the stock pot on a medium-heat burner and stirred the ingredients together, adding the browned ground beef to the mixture.  Finally, I let the soup  simmer together for approximately 10 minutes or so... pretty. easy.

To Serve:
We usually add shredded cheese, sour cream, and a few Fritos on top.  Yum.

To Alter:
This soup is also a very easy crock pot meal.  When I make it that way, I add chicken breast instead of beef and put everything together in the pot at once, close the lid, and let it cook for 6 to 8 hours on low.  I did not use corn in my soup this week (pictured above), but I have used it before.  The hubs requests that I add it back into the recipe next time... but I could take it or leave it.  We also add one little can of diced green chillies to add that extra **pow!** to the dish.  So good, so very good.

Give this meal a whirl and let me know how you do... because we may just have this as our main course again next week!

{Week 11} The Boys

Kingston, Week 11: Working on his letters using ABC Mouse.  We love it.
Cole, Week 11: Putting toys and things in the trunk of his trike... because a trike with a trunk is the best in his book.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

{eBay Find} MLB National League Quilt

When we transitioned Kingston to a big boy bed, we splurged on the MLB American League quilt twin to this National League quilt pictured above.  We liked the look of the quilt... reds, whites, and blues, mixed with the baseball logos from each league.  These quilts were just enough baseball, but not in.yo.face. baseball, if you know what I mean.

So, with talk of moving our little into a big boy bed within the next few months, I knew it was time to try to find Cole a matching quilt.  These quilts were discontinued two or so years ago, which left me a little discouraged.  Luckily, I found this one on eBay for a great deal.  Of course, I had to experience my first eBay bidding war -- no "buy it now" option for me, unfortunately.

I have to say, though, I am pretty pleased with my decision to battle for it - this quilt was purchased by another family who had planned on bunking their boys, but never did.  Which means this quilt was never used.  And that's a win in my book, friends.

{Week 10} The Boys

Kingston, Week 10: Playing zombie hunter in the backyard... with a gun and a twig.
Cole, Week 10: Throwing rocks in the backyard.  He doesn't mess around with the small ones.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

Lunching with my Little Loves.

I like Fridays, especially Fridays like today.  We don't have a lot going on, so the boys and I have just been hanging around the home enjoying our morning together.  And then we had this lunch date: Horizon Macaroni & Cheese (shaped like little cows) and Gala apple slices.  Yum.

Also, Kingston brought home artwork from daycare this week, featuring our family -- a first for our oldest.  He doesn't typically try to draw people, so this was fun to see.

And you know this mama is proudly displaying it on the wall in our family room.  I'm a sucker for little kid artwork.  Have a great weekend, friends!  We have some fun plans -- just hope it doesn't rain too much to spoil them!