Happy Halloween

Halloween

 2013

 Little Red Riding Hood

 skeleton (for the 2nd year in a row)

Happy Sunday

Love you Dad!

 Happy Father's Day!

 

My dad moved to America from Germany when he was 18 years old.  He has taught me to work hard and was so proud of me when I went to college and graduated.  My dad knows how to fix anything and I mean anything.  He is a great man.  Dad lives in Florida so I don't get to see him very often.  But I will this summer.

Happy Father's Day to my husband!  Love you babe!
 Randy will do anything for his family.  As seen here dancing with his daughter at her wedding.

Happy Memorial Day

It's Easter time

A bit of Easter around the house

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day around the house...

MLK Day

“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are."

- Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

 

I have been very inconsistent in my blog posts, I know.  I'm getting my "house in order" literally  after so many fun family times at the end of last year.  I have lots and lots to post.  My hopes are to be back at it by next month.

I have so much to be thankful for.  I'm so grateful for the blessings in my life.  Most importantly my husband, my children, my grand daughter and good health. Last year around this time I was just beginning my weight loss journey.  What a difference a year makes!  I'm so glad I jumped in and decided to change my life.  It was hard but so worth it!  I encourage you to make a change and see what a difference a year can make for you. It's time to get out of your comfort zone and make the changes you have always wanted and remember you really do have the strength inside of you.  You just don't know it yet.  Sort of like Dorothy from the wizard of oz.

  May each of us "Look for the Good" around us today and everyday. 

 Thanks for taking the time to read little 'ol me. 

 Have a wonderful day!

long overdue

Lauren and Travis made the cover of a bridal magazine.  They are/were all over Provo.

acting out the nativity with cousins on Christmas Eve

Tyler receiving student of the month in his Kindergarten class

Tyler's 6th birthday party at Chuck e cheese. 

lost his first 2 baby teeth

Halloween with his cousin Cody

Heather's winter formal dance

getting answered to the dance
She received a flour container that said the answer was inside.  Dumping out the flour into bowls.  No answer!  Then a knock at the door with a real flower and a yes!

the group

Happy 4th of July

Some of you know that both my parents immigrated to the United States. My dad when he was a teen from Germany and my mom from Austria by way of Ukraine when she was a teen. They met and married in New Jersey. They are so grateful to be American citizens and have taught us, their children to Love and Appreciate our wonderful country. Here's another post if you want a little more family history.
I LOVE both these songs! Happy 4th of July!

This is one of my favorite songs.
Happy Easter

Bunnies

Why not personalize your decorations?
This is one of my kids favorite Easter decorations. All it takes is a good pen and a steady hand.

One last holiday picture

I found this picture in my camera. The annual Christmas Eve pajamas picture. I had to add it to our blog journal.

25 things that happened during the Holidays...

1. A phone call from my missionary son. He was on a layover at the Taiwan airport on his way to Indonesia.

2. My daughters and son in law home for Christmas.

3. Temple light trip and dinner with Randy's brother and family.

4. Christmas Eve at my sister Tanya's house with our traditional grilled salmon and perogies for dinner. We did a white elephant exchange this year. So fun!

5. Santa came, literally. We peeked in on him from upstairs and watched him put presents under the tree and eat cookies and drink milk. Tyler's reaction and excitement was awesome! Afterwards he said, "I saw him, I can't believe I really saw him. This is SO exciting!"

6. Christmas morning opening presents with Travis. He totally "fits" so well into our family.

7. Our traditional Christmas dinner: ham, cheesy potatoes and pumpernickel bread at our house.

8. Travis and Lauren cooking and baking.

9. Shopping with my girls.

10. Randy got his 55" flat screen TV.

11. I got a new diamond ring to replace the one I got 22 years ago (the diamond fell out of my original ring a while ago and was lost)

12. Playing lots of games and watching lots of movies together

13. We watched Disney's "Tangled" together.

14. Randy got tickets to the Insight Bowl and the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

15. Christmas cards! I love them.

16. Received so many Christmas treats from our awesome neighbors. Chocolates and Cookies and Breads oh my!

17. Enjoying my children playing with each other. I love to hear them laughing together.

18. Heather got Wii Just Dance 2. So fun!

19. Getting a web cam so we'll be able to visit with each other.

20. Celebrating my birthday and Tyler's birthday.

21. Girls get pedicures. (Me, Nicole, Lauren, Heather, Tanya and Sami)

22. The visiting kids were excited to wear flip flops and shorts.

23. Nicole playing the piano in church just like old times.

24. Driving around and looking at Christmas lights. We don't have snow but have crazy decorated houses with tons of Christmas lights.

25. Brennan (Andrew's girl) gave us the cutest missionary ornament she made.

Temple Lights Part 2

I went to see the Mesa Temple lights with the YM/YW in our ward since I'm now serving in YW. Though, I haven't been released from cub scouts yet so I'm doing double duty. We try to go every year. I'm always amazed at how beautiful it looks. We don't have snow here in the desert but we make up for it with Christmas lights. Neighborhoods are all lite up for the season. Love it!

This was taken at the visitors center where they have nightly concerts

The palm trees never looked better.

The wise men were in the huge field next to the visitors center where they have the Easter pageant.

Inside the visitors center were nativity displays from all over the world.
This one is from Indonesia

This one was from NJ but I have no idea why. Since I grew up there I took a picture.

Afterwards we all met up for hot chocolate and Krispy Kreme donuts.
Heather and her friend Sara

Temple Lights

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend! Nicole can down from school. It was great spending time with her. She's as awesome as ever! Went shopping, to a Sun's game, got manicures and pedicures, watched movies and enjoyed playing with our big sister. I saw Tangled with Tyler and Randy saw Unstoppable with Nicole and Heather. I wasn't the best picture taker (didn't get any of the food or extended family) but here are a few...

football game at the park

No, Heather didn't play football but she did get a hot chocolate at QT and played at the playground

Randa and Heather They put up the Christmas tree this year!

Nicole and Tyler
He was hanging on her the entire time. So cute!

She's getting ready to watch the sad BYU game.

Randy fixed her sagging bumper. She made it down without any snow but hit snow on the way back up. It took her an extra 2 hours of slow driving. But she made it back safe.

Just before they left. Her comfy driving clothes, goldfish and Dr. Pepper.

Father's day love

Why sit on our new big sectional when we can all fit on a love seat! Hubs and I were actually having a conversation when the kids came in to attack dad. Showing him some love on Father's day. I had to snap a picture.

Great Dads

Here are 3 men who I think are great dads:

What is the best thing about my dad Fritz?
The best thing is that I always knew he loved me. Always. We would laugh and tease each other. I could always get my way with my dad. He made me feel special and let me believe I could do anything. He is a hard worker and served others often. He can fix anything. I love my dad. I miss seeing him, he lives far away in Florida.

What is the best thing about my brother Dave?
My brother Dave is awesome. He is fun loving, spiritually strong, and a great example. We used to hang out with friends in high school. I remember one time I was dressed and ready to go when he saw me and said, "No, you're not wearing that." I'm like why, its pretty. His answer was trust me I'm a guy and there is no way that I'm letting you wear that. Got to respect a brother who respects you so I changed. In my husband searching I looked for a boy who was similar to my brother.

What is the best thing about my husband Randy?
He is thoughtful, fun, courageous, hard working, caring, has the best laugh and is spiritual strong. He is the best man for me. I love how he lets me just go and do and always supports me, never judging and always encouraging. He works so hard so that I can be a stay at home mom to our kids. I'm a lucky girl to have found him and our children are blessed to have him as a father.

Happy Fathers Day to all great dads!

Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!

I am a 1st generation American and am very thankful to the United States soldiers who were there to assist my mom and grandparents. The Ivanichi family will be eternally grateful for your service and sacrifice. Click here to read a repost of the story.

In other news:
- Today is my niece and nephew's 21st birthdays. My brother also has twins two years older than mine.

- It is also the future SIL's birthday today.

- Hubs and I went furniture shopping over the weekend and got some stinking great deals.

- Well, I made it the whole month posting everyday....and now I need to do some serious house cleaning.

Cinco De Mayo!

It's Cinco De Mayo today so in celebration here's a yummy recipe.

Chicken Enchiladas
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp. margarine
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. chili powder
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chili, drained
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl mix the soup and sour cream; set aside. Melt margarine in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add onion and chili powder, saute until tender. Stir in the chicken, chili and 2 tbsp. of the soup mixture. Cook and stir until heated through. Spread 1/2 cup of the soup mixture in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up tortillas, and place seam-side-down in the baking dish. Spoon remaining soup mixture to top, and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until bubbly and lightly browned.