Weekend

I am so tired. My legs are throbbing and I am already envisioning the amazing Monday afternoon nap I will take tomorrow. We worked our tails off this weekend hosting an AAU tournament to raise money for our team.

David got to eat some hotdogs and other junk food and we raised almost $3000 for our team. It was hard work and long hours, but it was so worth it to bulk up our AAU bank account for new uniforms and entry fees. We also had fun hanging out at the gym for almost 20 hours with some of our dear friends. It was one of those weekends where you wipe your brow and know that it was all worth it.

My hubbie coached hard and he worked his buns off for this tournament. I do not want to know how many trips I made between the three gyms taking food, money, tickets, signs, etc.

This man is not afraid to work hard and from cleaning bathrooms to sweeping gyms floors he is not afraid to get dirty.

Pops, GG, and Mimi came on Saturday to pitch in. Pops volunteered and kept the clock for about 6 games. He was so helpful and we appreciated his help. GG andMimi babysat Hope and David and got to come watch the last game. I love this picture of Pops and Dave.

One of our friends, actually DAvid's PE teacher, is an amazing photographer and came and took some pictures for us. She is launching a sports photography business and I am so thankful that she used our kids as guinea pigs! Local folks, call on Kay Clawson to take your kids pictures at sporting events. You can sit back and cheer on your kids (or yell at the referees) knowing that she is capturing all the moments that you do not want to miss in real time. She is reasonable and for a flat rate she will come to your child's event and take pictures and provide you with a CD of her work. She is a gem.

I love pictures of my boys in action!

Here is Pops and Kyle sitting at the officiating table. Pops volunteered to keep the clock for us for many games and he was such a blessing. Kyle was so proud that his Pops was the clock keeper!! When Kyle wasn't playing, he was sitting very close to Pops:)

After we closed up the tournament and counted all the money, we headed to our friends, The Jonas' house for a Super Bowl party! We had such fun relaxing and eating some yummy food:)

Tonya and Caleb in opposing team helmets:) At the party mostly everyone was cheering for the Steelers except Tonya:)

I realized that my boy is growing up when he and his buddies Caleb and Tanner were glued to the TV the whole game. In the past he has watched bits and pieces of it, but tonight he was glued from the start.

When we came home from the party Miss Hope was not tired due to a late nap, so we put all three boys to bed from our big weekend and we went downstairs and cuddled and watched the rest of the game.

I do not want to work a tournament more than once a year, but I can honestly say that I had a blast. It was fun cheering on our team and it was even more fun to hang out for an entire weekend with families from our team. You never waste a moment of your life when you are investing in your children! I enjoyed Pops chauffering me between schools as we delivered hot dogs, waters, and Gatorade between the three concession stands.

My weekend is catching up to me and Miss Hope and I are off to bed:)

Super Bowl Recipes

This weekend is going to be super wild and fun with our AAU team hosting a local tournament and then the Super Bowl. I thought to get prepped and excited for the Super Bowl (well just to be honest, I am not excited about the game. I am excited to hang out with some dear friends while our husbands watch the game) I would post some beloved recipes that would be great for this weekend.

My sister-in-law for Christmas gave me a cookbook that her sons' elementary school put together. It is awesome because it has real family meals in it. I have made several dishes, but the favorite so far has been the APPPLE DIP! I made it New Years eve and it was a hit. You dip apples in it, so that kind of negates the fattening ingedients in the dip. Make this and send me thanks later:)

APPLE DIP

1 block of cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
a bag of heath toffee chips (find them with the chocolate chips in baking aisle)
apples or graham crackers for dipping

Beat together ingredients except for the chips. Fold in chips and chill for at least two hours. Really a great dip to make the night before an event. Slice apples for dipping and enjoy.

CROCK POT POTATO SOUP

4 lb new potatoes peeled and cut into 1/4 inch thickness
1 small onion chopped
2 cans (14oz) of chicken broth
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 pint half and half
Toppings: could include cheddar cheese, bacon, scallions, etc..

Layer potatoes in lightly greased crock pot (I used my big one). Top with chopped onion. Pour broth over and add the salt and pepper. (Broth will not completely cover it). Cover and cook for 3-5 hours until potatoes are tender. When the potatoes are tender, mash with a potato masher and then stir in half and half. Cover and cook on high or 20 more minutes or until it is heated thoroughly. Ladle into bowls and serve with your choice of toppings. YUMMY!

I am really on a cooking kick right now. Tonight we are having lemon chicken which is a new recipe to try. I get so frustrated when I cannot think of anything to cook. I am determined that I will continue to put good food in front of my children and that they will eat it:) Enjoy and happy cooking!

I have been a wee bit negligent on my blog this week! We have been babysitting our little visitors again this week due to Benji's surgery. Zac and Essie have been with us for two days this week. Here are Zac and Hope cooking in her kitchen!

Tonight, however, Hope and I went out for a little girl time to her Mommy and Me gymnastics class! At first she cried and said her famous line"hold you" but then after the warmup she LOVED it!! I know she will enjoy the climbing, swinging, jumping, but I really want her to gain confidence and independence from this.

Here she is jumping off of the tumble track solo!! At first she wanted me to help her with everything, but just during the first class she gained so much confidence!! At one point the teacher had to pick her up and swing her on a rope. At first she cried but then by the third time she was laughing! She is so timid and shy around strangers-very unlike her big brothers!

Here is my big girl climbing up on the tumble track!

I am ready to go Mom! She was so excited to put on her little pink leotard and and little pants.

Before we left she was DETERMINED to skate in her leotard?? She threw a fit until I helped her get up on them. We have been to many skating birthday parties recently which has piqued her curiosity in her Tinker Bell skates:) I love her cute little legs in those skates!

This picture alone is priceless to me because she looks so happy and she is letting her teacher help her! I am thrilled that she loves this so much and from now on Wednesday evenings are going to be our girl time-I just pray that the mommies never have to wear a leotard! Ha!