Daughter like Father

This morning when my alarm went off, so I could go walking this is what I saw in my bed that made me smile. Chaysee was up a lot last night and I wasn't very happy about it but when I saw this it made me happy!

PS ADVOCARE MIXER at my house on Wednesday 6:30, its going to be a blast! What are you waiting for?

Mexican Lasagna by Brittani Naylor

I had some requests to post this quick and easy meal.

8 in flour tortilla shells
1 15 oz can of chili
1 15 oz can black beans
1 15 oz can refried beans
1 C shredded cheese
1 8 to 10 oz can of taco sauce (or you can make your own)

Spray nonstick cooking spray in a medium size microwavable bowl. Mix beans, chili, cheese and taco sauce. Layer tortillas then bean mixture. End with tortillas on top. Cover and microwave for 10 min (yes I said Microwave). Garnish with sour cream and salsa.
My kids thought this was the best dinner, although they think that of any food that has to do with tacos! Hope you enjoy as much as we did.

Summer Fun

We have had a really fun and yet busy summer. Chaysee is walking and she thinks she is so cool. She wants to be outside all the time and decided the grass is not so bad when you can walk. We have also enjoyed the water park, lake, free movies(Aliens in the Attic, Planet 51, Alvin and Chipmunks the Squekal) and the library. The kids seem to be with friends or have friends at least once during the day. It has been hard to keep them from being bored, but I try to keep the busy. The other day Zek was playing legos and Scott and I were on the couch and out of no where Zek starts singing "Bad Romance" from Lady Gaga. Scott and I were laughing so hard we were crying, the funny part wasn't that he didn't realize we were listening but that he actually knew all the words and he sung both parts! What a kid, he always keeps us laughing. Mya loves the water park, she wants to go all the time and she also enjoys being Zeks little shadow no matter what he is doing, which he doesn't so much like. We also have tried some new ideas for dinner and one was Aunt Brittanis Mexican Lasagna, the kids thought they were in Heaven! Zek has started reading the magic treehouse series and really likes the stories. The kids are getting excited for fall and the activites that come with it.

The Lake

When my neighbor called and asked if we wanted to go to the lake and let the kids play in the water, I wasn't so sure they would want to go without a boat, but they had a blast. The sand was sooo hot on our feet by the time we got to the water everyone was running in. Chaysee loved every minute, she not only ate the sand but tried to eat all the food we dropped in the sand (extra protein i guess). The kids built a and dug for a long time and then they would go get buckets of water and watch the water run down their ditch into the lake. Mya gave my neighbor a scare. Scott and I packed up and took Chaysee home for a nap and Zek and Mya stayed a little longer with our friends. Come to find out my neighbor heard Mya yell Zeks name as she was cleaning up the toys and then didn't hear her again, when she looked up Mya was up to her forehead in water not even splashing, My friend dove in the water and swam to save her, she was really shaken up but she held back her tears and was extremely brave. Thanks TYRA for saving Myas life, I don't know what I would do with out you.

Happy 3rd of July

Chaysee ate loved the ice cream and when she knew she had everyones attention she put it everywhere but in her mouth!

We had a great 4th celebration. BBQ, Smores, Swimming, fireworks and a lot of fun with family and friends. Today we give thanks to those who have fought and are still fighting for our country. I read a cool saying once..."Land of the FREE because of the BRAVE" what a powerful statement. Today as we celebrate our independence, let us remember those who fought to make this a free land. When I asked the kids what they thought we were celebrating they said

Zek: our fathers and our flag

Mya: I don't know but its fun

I guess we need to do a lesson on independence day :)

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Happy Birthday Zek

It's hard to believe Zek turned 7. He is usually a really good kid. He now loves to play basketball (thanks to Travis and Treveor). He also likes 4 square, the color green, Tacos, Legos, Knex, games of any sort and bugging his little sisters. The festivities started on Friday with a birthday dinner (Taco stuffed pasta shells, one of his many favorites), presents (a bike from Travis and Angie on Thursday, so I guess we started on Thursday), lego ship, Johnny Cash CD, Scooby-doo movie, a Tie, kettle corn (we had to go get a bag from Pete and Lindsay at the Farmers Market, more kettle corn, transformers, spiderman and more. Zek was very spoiled. And the fun doesn't stop there Saturday he had a bbq at Grandma and Grandpa Iverson and on Tuesday Grandma is taking him shopping. Zek is always helping and enjoys learning new things. He just finished reading the Christmas Box and is really excelling at reading. He likes to play strategy games, does not like to pull weeds (which he has to do when he gets in trouble), loves playing with friends and loves swimming. No cake this year for Zek, he decded to have scookies instead. For those of you who don't know what that is here is a definition: A giant warm cookie straight from the oven topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. Happy Birthday Zek. We love you!

In Other news this past week we had three extra kids while there mom went to girls camp. It was very busy and loud but we had a great time. Monday we went to the Honey factory and got Honey sticks, watermelon was the favorite, Tuesday we went to the park for lunch then out to my moms to swim, Wednesday was windy so we stayed inside, Thursday was the big primary activity (pioneer themed) the kids had a blast making biscuits and going on hay rides, Friday was the last day and Scott was here to help. They played games and jumped on the trampoline. I can now say I have know idea how mine or Scotts parents raised more than three kids, I felt like a maid all week, but I am glad the kids had a good time.

Also on Friday I had Keeley (lexis daughter) for a few hours and her and Chaysee had a blast, they both loved helping with the dishes and they really enjoyed each other I can't wait until they are older and can really talk to each other. They are only 7 months apart.

To Catch Up!

Chaysee is now 14 months and continues to grow. She is already wearing 18-24 month clothes. She can say "gran ka" meaning grandpa and zee for zek. She still is not walking but she will stand up, make sure no one is looking and then sit down. Trevor graduated from high school, it was freezing but we sat/stood through it all, Zek had a spring music concert. It was so cute he sang 3 songs and was very animated as only a 6 year old can be. Zek also was awarded 40 paws for good behavior and recieved a subway certificate. Congrats Zek! Today was his last day of first grade and he is excited for summer. Yesterday he had a field trip to the water park, where they were served dominos pizza and he floated around the lazy river 11 times-he is very sunburned but he had a great time. Chaysee also learned she likes to feed herself, she immediately had to have a bath. **For all you that shop the Farmers Market, this story is for you. So I took the kids down a couple of saturdays ago and we purchased some fruit and some lettuce. Excited about our finds I made a green salad, trying to set a good example by eating my vegtables. As soon as I took a bite, Scott looked at my face and asked what was wrong. With all eyes on me, I proceeded to chew and sollow the most disgusting lettuce I have ever eaten. I washed the lettuce and it tasted like there was weed killer sprayed all over it :( needless to say we will not purchase lettuce from the Farmers Market again. Chaysee hates the carseat but to keep her happy all I have to do is start taking pictures and she quits crying so here is a couple of snap shots. Last Saturday we got to go and pick strawberries at my parents house, the kids got to swim (for the first time this year) and we made freezer jam, we will be going out again this weekend to make more :) Then on tuesday we went and celebrated Great Grandmas birthday at her house. We had lunch and got to visit, it was a lot of fun. Happy Birthday Grandma. Ok last story, today my mom stopped by and we went with her to Wal-mart, we went in my car so we wouldn't have to move car seats and when we got home Zek wanted to help grandma move her groceries, he didn't hear me tell him not to open the back because there was eggs that might fall-well they did fall and almost all broke, at least it was only eggs!