It's been a while since I've posted a recipe but I had to share this one!

A long time ago..like 2 years ago I had started a cooking/recipe blog and was never consistent so most of you probably don't even know about it but I posted a new recipe I wanted to share.

So if you'd like to check it out here's the link for my blog 3 peas in a pod!

Warning it's healthy.....but soooo good I promise!

If you try it I hope you love it as much as my family does!

HaPpY NeW YEaR!!

We LOVE New Years Eve 

BECAUSE..

It's this guys BIRTHDAY!!!

AJ is officially a TEENAGER....ahhhhhhh

People are always saying their babies are growing up too fast 

Wait until you have a teenager!

I hate that he's already thirteen

It only feels like maybe 5 years and speaking of 5 years I only have 5 yrs left until he's all grown.

I'VE GOT ALOT OF WORK TO DO!!!!!

He had a great birthday

Got a Kindle, a case and lots of MONEY

and like every year his birthday is a PARTY!!!!

 We celebrated with sparklers

Adia even woke up long enough to watch!

 It's YOUR year kiddo!!!!

So much great stuff to come for him 

Mr. Smarty Pants

This year I know you will strive to be better at everything you do although you already are great at so much!!!

 Love him!

You are developing into such an outgoing kid, watching you blossom in school and life is a dream come true!!!!

 Mouth full of cake

 Sweet baby girl

I love you more than words can express, everyday I strive to make sure you know what a blessing you are and we can't wait for what this year has to come and all the fun things you will learn and we will be part of in your life!!!

Hedbanz AGAIN...seriously best game EVER!!!

Happy New Year to ALL our friends and family!!!

We hope that this year brings you blessings in all aspects and that you truly make this year YOURS!

My Resolution

Make this the year of the STOUTS

(lots of family time and bettering our health as a family)

Not take advantage of the little things and want less of the unnecessary 

Christmas

Christmas was great!

The kids not only went right to bed but slept in until 7:30! Thank goodness because Jeff and I were up until 4:30am! Yikes!!!

I made an executive decision when it comes to present wrapping and such on Christmas Eve after being delirious all day this Christmas. I'm going to pre wrap at least all the clothes.

When you have 4 kids it's not a quick and simple task so hopefully that makes it easier.

It's tradition to wrap everything on Christmas Eve after the kids have went to bed it's what my parents did and Jeff and I love doing it but if we can cut the time in half we will have the best of both worlds..not as tired on Christmas day but still have the tradition of wrapping presents (just not all of them).

 The boys were so patient waiting for Adia to wake up and eat before we came downstairs

 Proud of all his presents

He's the best dressed and equipped baseball player in Little League now!

This was taken mid present opening

He had to stop so he could change from his Christmas pj's into a "cool kid outfit" 

He cracks me up the things he does and says!

 Post presents in some of his new clothes

 2 presents in she was out like a light

Daddy and I had fun opening her presents for her while she slept so she had lots of energy to play with everything she got!

 One of Adia's newest best friends

They have the same eyes.....love it!

 Lovin his leapster!

 If you haven't played hedbanz YOU NEED TO!

It's so fun I'm glad Dylan asked for it for Christmas it's one of our favorite games!!

Playing with her new bouncy seat Grandma and Grandpa Stout got her for Christmas

She loves it!

It was a great Christmas 

Lots of family time and activities

LOVE MY FAMILY

LOVE MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!

Zoo Lights

We went to see the Zoo Lights on Christmas Eve this year

I'm still not sure how I feel about that..

I felt like it was too rushed and WAY too crowded not to mention they charged full price even for members...dumb

And I had so much to do that's all I could think about the entire time

BUT it wore out the kids and they were all complaining of being tired before we even left and they were all asleep in less than a half hour once we go home ~ EVEN AJ!

So like I said I'm not sure how I felt about doing it on Christmas Eve

I guess we will see next year

 I took this one for my mom...she's afraid of scorpions haha

 This was pretty much all Adia did the entire time

But when she was awake she loved looking at the lights...SHE LOVES CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!

 We just so happened to come up to the Zebra area during their dinner time and they were right up at the fence...the kids loved it!

 Jengo the talking Giraffe 

Each year he tries to talk to Dylan and each year when he realizes it he gets super shy and his brothers have to talk for him

I LOVE MY FAMILY!! 

And this picture is soooo Dylan haha...look closely!

Temple Lights

One of the best parts of living in AZ during Christmas time is being able to go to the Mesa Temple lights every year!

They are absolutely beautiful and there is such a calm sweet spirit when you walk around the Temple grounds and everything is lit with Christmas lights.

Even the kids behave and whisper when they are talking it's amazing!!

 How cute is this?!?!?

A nativity scene made from Little People toys

 LOVE this!!!

 In the visitors center each year they display Nativity scenes made around the world...I really liked this one!

3 Wise Men

I love that we live so close to the Temple and have the opportunity to go and visit it especially during the holidays. 

Both Christmas and Easter!

I think next year we will volunteer to help put up lights!

Tidbits of December

December was quite busy it was really just a blur. Having a new baby, Jeff working so much, kids school activities and sports, mutual and family obligations it really left not much time to sit down and enjoy it....I hate that. But even with all that we made sure to make it great for the kids amongst all the hustle and bustle that I hope to avoid next year.

With that said Christmas was Christmas...as magical as always!

Especially since it was Adia's FIRST CHRISTMAS!!

Each year we get a new ornament..our tree is not fancy it's all about the kids. Colored lights and ornaments we have been collecting since Jeff and I were first together. Lot's of kids craft ornaments too!

This year for our annual ornament we got Adia her first Christmas ornament

I LOVE IT!!

I said I wasn't going to bake this year...ya right! 

I ended up baking more than normal and I couldn't keep up with the kids and Jeff they wouldn't stop eating so I just kept baking!

I tried a caramel recipe and they were AMAZING and SO EASY!!

This will definitely be on my list next year.

This cute girl LOVES shopping!

Not kidding she seriously loves it...she hates her car seat but if we are on the go and especially in a store she is content.

This is one of the gifts Dylan made for me at school!

It came with a poem about his love and how he filled the ornament with it (gold paint :)) and each year as he grows and some day when he's moved away when I hang it on the tree I will remember how much he loves me.... 

HOW SWEET IS THAT?!?!? 

I cried of course!

Another decoration Dylan made and we packed up to use again next Christmas is his wreath..he was so proud of it and went on and on about how hard it was to make.

Another baking success! 

A friend of mine used to sell pampered chef and this is from a recipe she sent me that she was given to demonstrate all the fun things that she sold. 

I think this was my favorite of all the things I made this year..Peppermint Fudge Cookie Sandwiches YUM!!!

Thanks Valerie Blake!

Another Dylan craft success!

This time he made it at home and took it to school.

I saw this craft on Pinterest and new Dylan would love to make this for his teacher. I forgot to take a picture when it was completely done...I made 3 rolled flowers out of felt in primary colors and we glued them on the lower left side.

He was so proud to give this to his teacher and the best part was when he came back from Winter break it was hanging on his classroom wall by his teachers desk...made his day!!