Our Caboose is 5 years old!!

 Cole is now 5 years old! He had a bunch of his neighborhood friends over for his birthday party. We used Saydria's doughnut maker to make some little cake doughnuts for his friends. It made a ton, about 4 of these platefuls, I think. The kids decorated them and this is Cole just staring into the flames! So funny!

We improved on our sausage bread...this is for our friends in Ohio. :) We diced jalapenos and sauteed them with the sausage and onion. It's the new improved version for sure. We took this to a get together with some friends in Provo to watch the game. It ended up being me and 5 guys. So, Kevin took me to ColdStone afterwards.

 I found a recipe for "Pizza Hut Pizza" and tried it. I used a very large cast iron skillet (that I use nearly everything for now, I love it!) and it filled up about halfway. So I recommend using a pie plate, although I did make one in a 9" pie plate and it still had quite a bit of crust. My kids liked it anyway. I like our "Brick Oven" style pizza better.

 This is our dog, Dioji. If you say his name correctly, you spell "dog". He's been a really good puppy. We love him and we regret not getting him in Ohio. He would have loved our big yard there. He's really good at staying in his little bed by the fireplace until Kevin or I release him from his spot. Even the kids will call him and try to get him to leave and he knows not to. He's learning so well!!

This is the other pizza I made for the kids in the pie plate. It's half pepperoni and half cheese. They loved it, but if you starve them long enough, anything tastes good. :)

Here's the recipe for the Pizza Hut style pizza. It's supposed to make three 9" pizzas. My pie plate is just an extra deep one (it's great for Paula Deen's Mile-High Apple Pie!) and so is my cast iron skillet.

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/3 cup warm water (105 degrees F)
1/4 cup non-fat dry milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 package dry yeast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for dough)
9 ounces vegetable oil (3 ounce per pan)
butter flavored cooking spray
***Sauce***
1 can (8 ounce size) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dry basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

PREPARATION:

Put yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in a large (2 qt.) bowl. Add water and stir to mix well. Allow to sit for two minutes. Add oil and stir again. Add flour and stir until dough forms and flour is absorbed.

Turn out on to a flat surface and knead for about 10 minutes. Divide dough into three balls. In three 9" cake pans, put 3 Oz. of oil in each making sure it is spread evenly. Using a rolling pin, roll out each dough ball to about a 9" circle. Place in cake pans.

Spray the outer edge of dough with cooking spray. Cover with a plate. Place in warm area and allow to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Sauce:

Combine ingredients and let sit for 1 hour.

For Each Nine Inch Pizza: Preheat oven to 475 degrees F Spoon 1/3 cup sauce on dough and spread to within 1" of edge. Distribute 1 1/2 Oz. shredded mozzarella cheese on sauce. Place toppings of your choice in this order: Pepperoni or Ham Vegetables Meats (cooked ground sausage or beef) Top with 3 Oz. mozzarella cheese Cook until cheese is bubbling and outer crust is brown.

Doughnut Maker

Saydria got a doughnut maker for Christmas and we've been experimenting with this little fella! One evening when we were going to have chili for dinner, I wanted to try something different with the cornbread, so I made the cornbread in her little maker. It cooked them in about 3 minutes and they were fun! In case you were thinking of getting a doughnut maker... :)

Me and the Mr.

Taken Christmas Eve 2011 :)
We were looking at this picture after I pulled it up on the computer and both of us said, "Man, we're getting old." I had to laugh though, because in 20 years, we'll say the same thing and laugh that we even thought we were old at this age.

Brayden's 1st SCUBA lesson

 Getting ready!

 After passing off the basic skills test and being able to stay calm, he decided to try some tricks with his tank on. He's doing a flip in the water here, but I took it a little late.

We were playing a game of catch with some other people in the class and someone is trying to hand him a torpedo here. It's harder than it looks!

I'm so glad he was a natural at it and wants to get certified. Kevin and I got certified several years ago and it will be fun to get all our kids certified eventually and SCUBA together!

Chicken Potato Spinach Soup

I keep meaning to share this recipe because it's a quick and easy one and it's delicious. It's from the vitamix recipe book, but you could make it with any blender.

1 c. chicken broth
1.5 c. skim milk
1/2 small onion, peeled (I slice it and saute with chicken)
3 medium potatoes, baked or boiled (with or without skin)
1/8 t. dried rosemary
1 T. spinach (I throw in a handful)
5 ounces cooked, boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in chunks.
salt and pepper to taste

Blend broth, milk, onion, 2 of the potatoes and rosemary in blender til smooth. Add spinach and reserved potato and blend until chopped. Drop in chicken and blend for an additional few seconds until chopped the way you like it.

I tripled this recipe for today because I'm taking it to a dinner this evening, but our family loves it also.

5 Year Old!!

 Cole had a birthday! He's 5 years old now! Time has flown by! He requested a big cookie for his birthday. We made lots of them and topped them with ice cream.

 He helped Dad make the cookies.

 Dad and Mom helped him eat his. They were pretty big.

 We even took some extras to the neighbors because we all know that if they are sitting around at home, they get eaten.

I found Cole doing this the morning of his birthday. I heard the trash bag being drug around the house, so I grabbed my camer and found him going into my bathroom to collect the trash. What a sweet boy. I think at one point all my kids were all VERY willing to please me by doing chores without my asking, but alas, the only one that does it now is Cole. That's why he's my favorite. :) At least for now....

Happy New Year!

 All of Kevin's family came to visit for the New Year and it was so nice to have everyone here! These are all the Christensen cousins: front--Kacelynn, Saydria, Jensyn, Kyla, Shaeleigh and Annie. Back--Kai, Javan, Cole, Merek, Brayden, Jordan and Chase. They came from Idaho, Montana and Nevada, so it was nice of everyone to make the trip!

 All the girl cousins with their Uncle Trent. :)

 We went to the BYU vs. San Diego State game. Cole is collecting all our tickets! He had a fun time doing this.

 Cole with his oldest cousin Jordan, who is 15.

 Kevin's sister Jennifer and her son Merek, who is 3. They have 2 other kids, Jensyn and Shaeleigh.

Cole is painting the nails on my right hand while Annie is painting the nails on my left hand. They were stunning. :)

This is Kevin's sister Jody with her husband Kieth. Their kids are Kyla, Chase and Annie.