Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Random Picture Post

This kid is starting school next year and I am SO sad about that!

getting big...looks so different with no hair :)
love it
hilarious
Happy Valentine's Day
Please for the love of good, do not buy any more dolls or animals of any kind, for any reason for my children! PLEASE! This is absurd! And every single one of those dolls have names! EVERY.SINGLE.ONE.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Sweet Cranberry Orange Chicken

Sweet Cranberry Orange Chicken

I must say that I have to give my brother credit for coming up with the idea...

That being said...You have to try this fantastic, easy, one pan dish!

It's ingredients:
boneless skinless chicken breasts thawed
orange juice
cranberry juice and/or craisins
optional: minute rice

Place chicken in skillet and pour orange juice and cranberry juice over chicken.  Cook on medium/high heat until juices begin to carmelize, then add more juice, so not to burn.  Continue cooking chicken until cooked through adding small amounts of juice so there is always liquid in the pan.  If you want to make this with rice, add quite a bit of juice (enough to cover rice) and rice and cover with lid till rice is tender and chicken is done. 

easy, yummy, sweeet!!!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Monkey Bread

I made a yummy dinner tonight and then after the kids went to bed I made my mom's famous Monkey Bread. My-my-my it is ridiculously good! Life doesn't get better than monkey bread.....seriously.

3 cans Flaky Hungry Jack Biscuits
1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans are best)
1 stick margarine
1cup brown sugar

1Tablespoon Cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray BUNDT pan with Pam, spread nuts evenly in bottom of pan.  Mix sugar with cinnamon in small bowl (I use a baggie, easier).  Cut biscuits in quarters and roll in cinnamon mixture. Layer in pan over nuts. Melt margarine in microwave from one minute stir in brown sugar. Pour over biscuits. Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden brown. Invert on heat proof plate. Serves 6 (unless you're me, then it serves 1) :)

Monday, February 1, 2010

Jackson and Nonna's Snowman


My mom and dad came up this past weekend because she just couldn't handle the peer pressure from Jackson. We got a heavy snow and he wanted to make a snowman WITH NONNA.  I swear the kid would not make one unless it was with her. I don't know where he even got the idea, we've never made one with her before (that I remember anyway). But after he begged for 2 days for her to come up in the ice, she did.  I must say it was absolutely hilarious listening to him talk to her on the phone.  He was saying: "it's just snow, not ice, it's not ice till the snow melts, Nonnna" "you can make it, just try" "just try, you can, I know it" "there is no snow in our driveway" (Jeff shoveled it all off that's why).  It was priceless. I guess he really really wanted his Nonna...and what Jackson wants, Jackson gets :)
Can you see Creighton's snowball in mid air?
She threw that one and then ran because Nonna was throwing one right back at her :)
They had fun and Jackson got his snowman...and we used the coloring squirt bottles again and this time with purpose.  It was a great time for all!
The final product and 3 happy people :)
This is a pic I snagged of my mom and Charleigh. I have to give it to you Nonna...you look beautiful...I love you. Thank you for sacrificing and coming up in the freezing cold and ice.

Letter to Charleigh

Well sweet girl you are officially over a quarter of a year old! It's hard to believe! Time has not slowed down since you came into our family. You are such a delight, the perfect addition to our family. I tell everyone you are my "redemption baby" because you are SO good. Your personality is perfect. You are cuddly, giggly, smiley, and all together just relaxed.  That is until you are hungry...then you get those lungs working, but you are quieted as quickly as you cry.  It seems we always know what you need, or at least what calms you down. You have bonded so well to all of us, and since I am writing this letter, I'll say it, I feel we have the greatest bond :) But that is because I cannot put you down.  I LOVE holding and snuggling you...and I think you do too!  When I put you in the MOBY, you immediately crash.  I think it's because you are held tight, warm and get to hear my heartbeat.  Either way, we both love the MOBY. 

You are giggling and gurgling and cooing constantly and tonight for the first time you had an audible laugh! I LOVED it. It filled me with joy to hear your laughter.  I did everything to get you to do it again, and you did, but only once more.  I have a feeling we'll be hearing it more and more as the days pass.  You are quite smart and I am pretty sure if you could you'd be talking in phrases already.  I think you'll master your words first. I can't wait, just absolutely cannot wait, to hear the first "mama" come out of your sweet mouth, with that sweet voice.  If you can't tell I am just in love with you and adore you more than I ever thought I could.  Life has been fantastic these past three months and I am so glad that you are here to spend it with us!

You are working on rolling over from your stomach to your back...I bet it would help if you weren't on my chest all the time.  But I am sure you'll get there soon.  You've done it, but shhhh, don't tell anyone, I helped you a little :)  Your neck is getting stronger every day and so is your upper body strength! I think you'll be thrilled to pieces to be able to sit up. We've tried you in the Bumbo a few times and you just haven't mastered the neck strength to sit in there longer than about 1 minute.  But that's a start. :)

Your most favorite toy is this musical kaelidescope that your Grandma Debbie and Papa John got you for Christmas. You already know how to turn it on/off and you do all the time.  Your big brother and sister like to play with it with you too.  They change out the "cds" in it for you to have different music.  But beyond that and your bouncy seat which is appropriately dubbed the "pooper chair" for you, you really like it when people entertain you.  You love it when Jackson and Creighton are home and they certainly love you!  I have to constantly tell them to get out of your face, but it's only because they love you.  When no one is around I snuggle and nuzzle your face too :) (shhhh!)

You are sleeping through the night like a champ and have been for some time. This my child is a miracle.  I seriously didn't think it was possible because neither your sister nor your brother did it till after a year old! Whew, I think that is one reason I am able to enjoy your infancy more because I have some rest in me :)

Well, you are sleeping...you fall asleep almost every night in my arms and then I put you in your bassinet.  You are the cutest baby I've ever seen, and I don't mind it a bit that everyone tells me we look alike :) I am glad :)  God chose you to be with us, to be a Berg, and I think He knew exactly what He was doing, down to the very last detail!

Love you sweet baby,
Mommy

My (newest) Snow Angel

Our second snow storm of 2010. The kids were "helping" Jeff shovel the driveway.  Charlie hadn't been out in any snow yet, so she had her 2 minute (or less) debut!
Doesn't she look just as sweet as can be in her little snow jumper? (thanks Tyler)
And the last 5 seconds, I decided she should do the snow angel :) I don't think she cared one bit.
Probably just thought I was crazy for moving her around and letting little snowflakes fall on her sweet face.  We headed in very quickly :)