Merry Christmas 2012

Simple and quick Christmas Eve breakfast we brought to the In-Laws. Heads up grapes in the Winter are not cheap but it was so worth it and turned out really cute.

 

Me and Sport trying to make a frame to freeze time.

I wanted to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas! Cherish every second of the holiday chaos hustle and bustle. I'll be signing off and cherishing my family time. See you in 2013 for lot's of new and fun family adventures. 

We Give Thanks 2012

Although Spooky Week is one of my most favorite times of the year. I must say that the Thanksgiving Season and Day is pretty high on my list too. There is no better day to make everyone really stop and appreciate exactly how blessed we are. Well at least that is how my family uses this season and day.

 

 Starting 7 years ago Hubby and I laid out a schedule (I know this is no surprise me and a plan). I'm sure many of you have the challenges of "picking" a family or side for each Holiday. WELL after many many many days of discussing him and I created what we think is the best of all (at least for us). Christmas Eve is always with his family (I will share more of the Christmas layout in a different blog), Easter we rotate years his side of the family and then mine. Yes, it is possible to do breakfast with one and dinner with another but with the 1 1/2hr drive each way that's 3 hrs in the car to see his family alone its really alot of added stress and normally turns out to just be tired and upset all around. We try to see the family who has the "off year" either Good Friday or Holy Saturday. Thanksgiving.... well as ALL know we LOVE the kitchen. Hubby was a chef back in the day about 15 years ago and cooking and making a mess is a hobby to him. I locked it in as Thanksgiving will always be at our house!

 

Yes, this was a HUGE fight and unfortunately sometimes it still stirs up trouble, but sometimes as a parent you stand your ground this is the one holiday I can lock in traditions how we want. The rule for Thanksgiving is our door is always open! We don't mind if ALL sides of the family from both sides come or if it is just us. We are so grateful to God for having the roof over our heads, the food we eat each day, that all the extra visitors throughout the years are considered even extra blessings when we get them. 

 

 

 

We were blessed with Jasons parents and sisters family coming over for Thanksgiving this year. First Thanksgiving at our house with them and it was our FIRST holiday hosting at the new house.

 

So I mentioned Thanksgiving traditions let's dig in....

 

* We have been so lucky enough to be chosen by an Elf on the Shelf each Thanksgiving morning our family member Elbie the Elf makes his annual appearance to stay for the next month and he does something different EVERYDAY from this day until Christmas Eve.

* As a couponer you could only expect I am a shop til you drop Black Friday Shopper. Although you can start to find out sales and deals ahead of time and I am highly disappointed lately that stores open soooooo early it is really starting to take away from it BUT you really do get some great deals. Plus this is a tradition in itself that I go just us girls with my Mom and Sister, coffees in hand and our Plan of Actions (POAs).

* Hubby makes the dinner and I do the appetizers (crafty and cute of course)

* We always watch the movie Willow.... I know this movie has NOTHING to do with Thanksgiving but I'm laying out the traditions and this is on the things to do list we started years ago.

* Chef Dadda makes most of the desserts ahead of time which helps with the day of (yet again another tradition to always assist in baking the few days ahead of time).

* My favorite of all... we ALWAYS do a "Give Thanks" activity and craft. Each year I make the craft a little different but the main focus is for everyone to reflect what they are thankful that year and in life. I have saved all submissions from everyone and plan (one day) to make a memory book of all of the answers.

This year we were blessed with the first time Thanksgiving Day visit from Grandma and Grandpa Reseigh and the Neeb Family (Chef Dadda's sister). It was a wonderful and rather relaxing day and evening! 

I love moments that are captured like this!

 

I have the kids working on a Thanksgiving madlib (lame me I know having them work and learn but it was actually silly and fun).

So cute! I made Pilgrim Hat (hot dog bites), pumpkin shaped deviled eggs, a Turkey Shaped cheese Ball (crackers and pretzels as the feathers) and a "garden" of pumpkins (little carrots in hummus spread in far back behind cheeseball).

Fantastic job Chef Dadda!!! (May I add yes I have all dishes caught up and cleaned slight OCD that I follow him with a sponge).

 

 Great and breaking news.... we have discovered and will start a new tradition on Black Friday nights we will now attend the Holiday Lights Parade festival. This was our first visit with this and although it was VERY cold but it was beautiful and worth it.

Super excited to add it to the perfect family day traditions!!!

 

Ethnic Night 3 - Mangia' Mangia'

As we packed out bags and headed to Italy ( which really means my in-laws in Brighton). In February we took a tour of Italy with Auntie Nae (Chef Dadda's sister), Grandma & Grandpa Reseigh (Chef Dadda's Mom and Dad).  Grandma comes from a very Italian family with the maiden last name Sclafani. She had many stories and secret tips to share with Sport and the family. I wasn't feeling so well so I didn't participate in the cooking that much, but supervised and took notes. Sport was greatly involved and had discussions about the differen kinds of noodles fat long, rong, bow tie and the reasons for all of them. Grandma discussed the schoolings and explained the BIG meals and cooking days on Sunday was very similar each week to what we were doing that day. Right after church each Sunday all of the family (Aunts & Uncles, cousins, and their cousins, and Grandparents and so on would all gather to make big meals together each Sunday).   

Some of the things Sport learned.....
About the schooling in Italy.
Stories and traditions from Grandmas life and her Mom & Dad and their stories.
How to peel potatoes
How to properly pound meat

The menu included:
* Spedini
* Pasta
* Italian Sausage
* Potatoes
* Green Beans
* Bread and moigue
OH and wine!!!

Sport peeling potatoes and Stinker washing a bowl



Learning how to fill the spedini.

Grandpa making his moigue

Mixing mixing buddy

Grandma explaining some history and family stories to Sport and Stinker

Learning how to properly use the knife...watch your fingers!

Stinker is trying out the bubbles... this must be an appetizer.

Prayers before dinner.

I think Aunt Jenee' needs more food on her plate.




 

Yummy!!!! Where to start and dig in?!?

These were amazing!For dessert we enjoyed the delecasy cannolis which are Sicilian pastry desserts. Some had nuts on the end and others had mini chocolate chips.

While enjoying our desserts we all relaxed and played several gams of Wii. This is a perfect Italian night filled with laughter and memories.

Awwww loving Minnie after dinner.

Chef Dadda pouting on the couch because the ladies were beating him in bowling Wii.

Goooo Grandma go!

 
We continued the wonderful experience by all attending mass the following morning tomorrow and enjoying a wonderful family breakfast.

As the Italians would say who drinks well sleeps well he who sleeps well dreams well  "chi beve bene dorme bene,chi dorme bene sogna bene".  OR "La vita e' bella" which is Life is Beautiful.... and after family gatherings and times like this it really helps remind you of that.

Ethnic Night 2 - Bonjour!

We traveled to France as a family today. I must say it was a very nice trip. As a family we stopped at a local meat market for the best cut of meat to prepare our main dish.  Sport and I got home and researched some things about France and their lifestyle.  We also used a life line and called my sister "Aunt Jenny" who studied French for 4 years in High School. She gave us some good information and history about the culture too. The French eat small meals not huge elaborate 10lbs of meat and more meat and more pasta and more carbs.... they eat light, small meals and really concentrate on Café and desserts (YUMMM my favorite as well).

We realized that comparing our Greek night to the French night this French was MUCH easier. The meal itself was not as difficult to prepare and overall just seemed more calm.  It's funny because as I sit back thinking about Greek night, we really sounded Greek yelling and getting loud together, but that was just as much fun getting our hands dirty preparing that meal and trying out a new Ethnicity. 

Sport insisted on cutting the garlic all by himself. It took alot of time but he did a great job.

Sport continued to stir his Green Beans with his magic touch I must say they are the BEST we have ever had and no this is not mothers bragging the really were the BEST we have ever had.

The menu for French night is below:

Main Course: Chateaubriand (it melted in our mouth), wine, potatoes & Carrots (amazing), wine, French style Green Beans w almonds (Made by Sport all by himself and the best we have EVER had), wine....





My mouth waters looking at this.

Dessert: Crepes and Grand Marnier French Toasted Angel Food cake w/ strawberries and whip cream.



Isn't it beautiful!?!

Requests for seconds before I even sat down to take a bite.

 

We love our trips around the world (in the kitchen) and look forward to many more experiences. Next stop... Italy!

Disney here I come

Happy New Year!!! Bring it on.... that's the new attitude. 

Everything happens for a reason (I say that often) but I do strongly believe that. This past weekend we were notified that some friendly stranger (sarcasm) decided to borrow our money and charged over $1,400 on a fake debit with our number. NO I am not joking, but the good news because of this situation, Jason and I sat and reviewed our expenses in GREAT detail literally down to the penny.  We talked bills, dreams, goals... it was a stressful, but at the same time a very pleasant conversation.  With a new house in the future, bigger, boat, and building the kids bank accounts I don't see any extra fun pennies BUT I wouldn't take that answer. 

For a few months I was a VERY dedicated couponer but I started to dwindle as I let life take over me instead me taking over my life. However, I have been reinspired as I did some summaries of 2011 savings:

From May (2011)-Jan (2012) 8 months

* I spent $2,230.71 on groceries which includes diapers, hygiene, and all food (no eating out that’s my new mission to tackle and lower)

* I saved $1,570.32 from coupon and sales.

* My average  $75 a week at the grocery store and a savings of 61%.

 

That’s AWESOME if I can keep that up BUT maybe kick it up a notch.... GAME ON. The agreement Jason and I have is that I will now have a weekly "allowance" for the groceris and use cash. Any money that I can save from that pot I will set aside and hide for.... Disney!!! 

My kids are only young once and we have to embrace chances like this. I will give up sleep and work on coupons until the wee hours in the morning if I can save my pennies and get us there. My goal is to pay for the ENTIRE Disney trip for next Spring.  GAME ON!!!!!!!!! Im packing my bags already.    

Welcome to the family Elbie

On Thanksigving we welcomed a new addition to the family... Elbie the Elf. Jayden named him because he couldn't say Elf... we all loved the name of our newest family member. His first night with us he learned to spell his name in cereal.

Elbie celebrated the holiday season with us. He was so much fun to have around and could always count on him for a good laugh. Sometimes he was very sweet and I mean sweet as in bringing us treats, other times he was sneaky and would get into trouble, and most importantly other times he would give us gentle reminders of the true importance of the holiday season.  I have captured just a few of the silly things Elbie did throughout his time with us.

1.) He decided to make a snow angel (OUT of Flour!!!)

 

2.) Just hanging around... the best part is believe it or not this took the boys a while to find him.

3.) Elbie is our hero! (on the fire truck) 

4.) Looking at Elbie and his sharing skills. He made S'mores over a candle with some friends. 

5.) Toilet Papering my tree.... "Oh Elbie" that is what we said almost every morning when we would look for him.  

6.) Elbie saying prayers by the manger reminding us of the importance of Christmas.

7.) Stinker trying to figure out how Elbie got so high.

8.) Instead of Where's Waldo .... we said "Where's Elbie?"

9.) Hmmmmmm I wonder where Elbie went?

10.) WOW Elbie brought us a special treat on Saturday morning!!

11.) Splish Splash Elbie was taking a bath... in our kitchen sink!!! Oh Elbie!!!!!

12.) Elbie was missing the North Pole... Im glad he dressed warm.

13.) Sending us a message (in toothpaste)

We all miss Elbie already. Sport even wrote a note recently requesting him to return. I'm no fortune teller, but I think he may make an apperance down the road (wink wink).

We give thanks....

Well it has been way to long but I want to take a moment to recap what I am thankful for this  season.  This year for Thanksgiving with all the holiday chaos we ended up having a holiday COMPLETELY alone.  I was alittle in shock at first … what a holiday with no running around, no time crunch, unhappy people for some reason or another… NOPE!?!?! The Jenkins had a schedule problem with shopping, naps, and bedtimes so my Sis and family hosted our parents and we stayed home. The Reseighs all went to Jason's Brothers house along with her family, looked like it turned out well.

As for us…. we woke up to a very quiet house, packed up the boys, dressed warm, grabbed some hot chocolate/coffee and donuts and went to the Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was the BEST idea ever! Yes a little cold but we did it and those smiles on the boys faces made it well worth the frostbite toes (they thawed eventually).  Stinker saw his PAWS, Paws, Paws… he also was a big fan of the huge Balloons when they would fly over his head. Sport jammed to the bands and loved the entire thing.  With our strategic planning we ended up getting in and out of the parade with no traffic. We got home in plenty of time to begin the food prep and relax.  Dinner turned out PERFECT… of course tons of leftovers, but that is what Thanksgiving is all about isn’t it?  By 5:00 they food was put away, the boys were in PJs and relaxing and I was prepping for my Black Friday chaos. I met up with my Mom and Sister at Toy R us at 7:30 and we went full force until 5am…took a power nap and went back out with the crazies by 8am until 2pm!  LOVE IT!

Thankful Recap Top 10 List:

·         Top priority my amazing, charming, irreplaceable boys (all 3) my life would not be possible or complete without them.

·         A secure job for Hubby and I. We are both budget people that love to plan ahead for our dreams and make them possible BUT within reason. We are so thankful to have secure jobs we both enjoy that make those dreams come true.

·         Friends – You win some you lose some. Life really does put you through some interesting obstacles that you just can never plan for. We are so thankful for our great friends/family that REALLY has stuck by our side, offered help in some way, and pushed us along. We know who they are and we would do anything for them as well.

·         Sports – I know, I know why, in the world why I admit this?!?! But, its true sports is in our everyday life and I am so thankful for that. Whether it is us all being physical or watching together; it keeps us out of the scary bad things that can surround us and keeps us safe and healthy (that’s my deep thinking going to work).

·         Faith – We are so thankful to find St. John Vianney a very welcoming church and family that does not judge our life, our past or even our current choices. We go in there and have a safe place to pray, reflect, and think. Im not a fan of the music program but you can’t have it all and I don’t go to church for music. I go there to reconnect and chat with God and thank goodness he has created this place for us to all feel we can go there when needed.

·         Organization – haha that’s silly… NO not really! I am so thankful for the lifestyle my parents instilled in me to be organized and a planner. With a 7yr age gap, husband with an impossible work schedule, and sports/hobbies my planning has kept us together to still accomplish things together and make our time together the best all the time.

·         Food – of course having daily meals seems silly but no not really… there are people out there that don’t receive a meal left alone 3 a day AND a snack. We are thankful to have these tasty meals and at times at creativity and fun to them.

·         Shelter – So what if our basement was under water for the 3^rd THIS YEAR… my boys still have beds, we have clothes, and we have great neighbors. I’ve always liked water… I prefer it by my boat NOT in my basement but yet again…. You have to really pick what is important and what isn’t.

·         Learning/School/Tranning – The statement “You learn something new everyday” is very true and we are so thankful for that. I love that Jason and I can share our trainings we have with eachother and use what we learned into our everyday life with the boys. It's even better when Sport learns at school and can come home and teach us!!! And Stinker well…. We learn from him that everything in life can be funny in the mind of a 2yr old… he has taught us that speaking doesn’t necessarily come easy. For example some of his common words “Excuse me = Monkeys” “Baseball = Muckmall” “Rosie = Arrf Arff” “Popsicle = Popabuck”.

·         Life - Life each day to the fullest….another statement that is often forgotten but shouldn’t be. Today is a gift that’s why the call it the present. Recently Jason and I have had to go through many unexpected deaths of some very young people…why, how, who… none of it matters it’s the fact that it happens and we need to appreciate all the days and time we have together! 

Stinker and Daddy watching the Parade from their "special" spot... Standing ontop of a fire hydrant! This dedicated Daddy balanced the whole time for a good view for the little one.

Baby Blue Eyes waiting patiently for his PAWS at the parade.

Cooking time my little Chef. Sport made his very own  "Pumpkinly Speciality" ... It was GREAT!!!

Stinker's first Thanksgiving meal he had enough teeth to eat and enjoy.

Handsome boy made friends at the parade (of course). They had a great time watching all together.