Aiden

So Aiden has had a busy month. A few weeks back, I got a notice that Aiden was nominated for the County Honor Band, and was chosen. This is a HUGE honor because he is only in fifth grade and usually they don't get to go until 6th grade. But he is very musically talented and was chosen. So he will be performing with the County Band on March 13th. Then, today, Aiden came home with a medal around his neck. He won first place in the school science fair. He got a gold medal and is now going on to the district Science Fair to compete against all the other fifth graders for all of Hesperia.

We are so proud of him. He is one smart little boy! Sometimes, too smart! I will post pics of him with his medal soon and of course, I will video the music performance!

Eventful few months

Well, we have had an eventful few months. First, back on Nov. 20th, we flew half way across the world. Yup, the entire Stiber family and Grandma and Grandpa flew 14 hours to Sydney Australia for family vacation We were there until Dec. 2nd. So, this is the first year since I've been married that I missed black friday, and I think that is why I was so not into the Christmas spirit this year. Never again. From now on, Target will have me sleeping outside on Thanksgiving night!

Then once we got back, it was school event after school event. Noah had the Christmas Tree lighting for the city where his class sang, Ari and Aiden both had Christmas band concerts, and all three kids had plays. Plus, Jason had a dr. appt in San Diego again (looks like the new year will bring another knee surgery for him!) Then I was in charge of both Noah's and Ari's class Christmas parties, and helped with the others. And in the middle of that, Noah's birthday. I can't believe he is seven already! Growing up way too fast. Once school was out, I finally decided to finish my Christmas shopping and decorate. Then Christmas came and went. Now it is just fun and family time for another few days before the kids go back to school next Monday.

Oh, and in the middle of all the Christmas chaos, I took y test to get my tax license. So as soon as the kids go back to school. I will be working at my Dad's office a few days a week. Next year, once JBelle is in school all day, I will be able to put more hours in, but for now, I'll be working Tuesday mornings and all day on Friday, minus a few hour break to come home, see the kids and eat dinner with the family. (Jason has Fridays off the month of Jan and Feb, so he is on daddy duty!). Well, that is all for now. Hope everyone had a fun, safe, and Happy Christmas (that is what they say in Oz!)

Name this baby.....

Who is this baby? He isn't a baby anymore!

Going Private Tomorrow (Friday)

We will be making our blog private tomorrow morning. That is Friday, AKA NEW MOON DAY! So, please email me and let me know you want to read our blog so I can add you to our list. An invitation will be sent, so please accept it and feel free to come and see our blog!

Recipes

So, I have started to try new things....as far as food goes. And I am really liking it. I can't take credit for any of the following recipes, but I can tell you, I am a picky eater (I guess I can't say I WONDER WHERE MY BOYS GET IT FROM) and I LOVE ALL these recipes. So here goes:

Spicy Albondigas Soup (This tastes like La Casita's if you ask me!)

Recipe from allrecipes.com

Ingredients-

Meatballs:

2 lbs. ground beef

1 egg

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup uncooked white rice

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Soup:

10 cups chicken broth

4 carrots, sliced

1/2 lg. onion, chopped

4 stalks celery, chopped

1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes w/ green chile peppers

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles, drained

1 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 teaspoons ground cumin

4-5 Potatoes, diced (this is something I added to the recipe that I fond. It tastes better with potatoes!)

DIRECTIONS-

1. Combine all ingredients for meatballs in large bowl. Mix well.

2. Bring chicken broth to boil over medium heat in a large pot/kettle (I usually start this first, then mix the meatball stuff while it is heating up)

3. Form beef mixture into 1 inch meatballs, using about 1 1/2 tablespoons of meat per ball. Turn the heat down under the broth to a simmer and drop the meatballs into the broth. Simmer the meatballs in the broth for about 20 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through.

***I usually make the meatballs, then I start preparing the rest of the ingredients. By the time I'm done peeling and chopping and opening cans and measuring stuff out, the meatballs are usually cooked.

4. Stir in the carrots, onion, celery, canned diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, canned chiles, cilantro, garlic powder, oregano, and cumin. Simmer the soup for an hour to cook the veggies and blend the favors. ***I usually like to cook it for more like 2 hours to let the veggies get nice and soft, especially the potatoes.

This soup is SO good. I usually can't stand celery, or onions, but in this soup, they all just taste like the soup! I make a big batch like this and then I have it for the next few days, unless people find out and come take it all!

This next recipe is from Elder VW's Mom.....THANKS! WE LOVE IT!!

Poppy Seed Chicken

2 cups of cooked diced chicken (I just boil boneless, skinless chicken breasts, then dice)

mix equal parts of Cream of Chicken Soup to Sour Cream (I use a family size can & lg. Sour Cream)

3 sleeves of Ritz Crackers, crushed (easiest way is to crush in the sleeves, then open)

1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

1 cube of butter, melted

***Mix the crackers, poppy seeds, and butter together.

Layer in 9x13 pan: Chicken, the soup and sour cream mixture, top with cracker mix. Put in oven at 350 fr 30 minutes or until hot. Serve over white rice!

And Last, but certainly not least......

GERMAN PANCAKES (Elder Poulsen's Mom gave me this recipe!)

1 cube butter

Put in 9x13 pan and let melt in oven. (I usually put the butter in the pan and place in oven, turn on to pre-heat and while its heating up, it will melt the butter just perfectly!)

Preheat oven to 425.

In blender, blend the following while oven is heating (and butter is melting)

6 eggs

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup milk

1 teaspoon Salt

When oven is heated and butter is melted, take pan out. Pour in the ingredients from blender. Place bake in oven. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Pancakes will bubble up. you know its done when the batter pulls away from sides and butter is almost all gone off top (but not completely). Take out of oven and let sit for a few minutes. (It will start to fall a bit). Serve with whatever you like. Different members of our family like different stuff on it. Some of our favs are syrup (of course), Nutella *My personal favorite*, and strawberry jam (or preserves).

I hope you all enjoy. Leave me a comment letting me know if you try any of these and what you think. Otherwise, I won't bother posting any more recipes!

First Day of School

It's that time again. School time. And now I am proud to say I have four kids in school. Aiden is in fifth, Ari is in third, Noah is in second, and Jinelle is in Kinder. 


Ari all dressed....well, not quite. Shoes still need to be put on. but close enough....But still adorable! And smart!
Look at my big girl. And I was a good mommy and put hotpants under her dress so no little boys could see her panties! Isn't she just too cute. THE CUTEST KIDERKID!!!
Noah is getting big. He is the youngest, smartest, 2nd grader in all the district. And no, I'm not biased at all. Oh and he's the cutest 2nd grader too!
Aiden is so grown up. Now in fifth grade. Only one more year of elementary school for him after this year.

Jinelle wasn't even scared at all. She was the first student in and she was very happy. AND I DID NOT CRY!!! When we picked her up, she said she missed us.....but she missed her Daddy more cuz she hangs out with me all the time. (And then I almost cried!) 

Today, Jinelle informed me that she did not need me to walk her in and I could just drop her off, cuz she is big enough. I said no, its ok, I want to walk you in, and I did! 

Now I have a few hours each morning free to catch up on housework, run errands, and help in the classes. It is a nice break but I miss having my kids around. (But I will have LaLa a few days a week starting soon! YEAH!!!!)

Beach trip and OH MY Gosh. NOT ALREADY!!!

So, I know its a little late, but better late than never. A few weeks ago, we went to the beach with Jason's family. We had a blast. Here are a few pics from right before we left. I forgot to take pics all day until the end. SORRY! So, here are a few fun pics. Jason has this thing of burying our kids heads. Then he let them do it to him.
Above: Noah's head buried.

Above: Aiden with his head buried.

Above: Ari with her head buried.


Above: Jinelle with her head buried.Above: Jason with his head buried!


Now here's the OH MY GOSH NOT ALREADY part. We went to Ruby's on the Pier. (It's kinda my thing. I go and sit and everyone plays all day long and all I ask for is that I pick dinner. I love Ruby's and we don't have one near us, so this is my usual beach trip choice. Well, during dinner, this little boy kept staring at Jinelle. She was smiling back and being cute like she always is. Well, he came up to her and she stood up and said hi. (He was younger than her, probably about 3 1/2 if I'd have to guess. Well, next thing we know, HE TRIES TO KISS HER! He gets so close but she keeps backing up! He was going to kiss her. But she backed up and put her hands up! We all starting laughing so hard! It was funny. Desi was like, uh oh! Its starting! I just got a glimpse of the future and I didn't like it. No little boys kissin gmy baby for a LONG time!