Quick (brief) update :)

This blog is seriously neglected. Gone are the days when I wrote in my journal every day. But I will not give up! haha So...we are sitting at May 30th, and school is almost out for summer. Tomorrow is the last day of May, then it's June already. My goodness. It's bittersweet. The kids LOVE school, so they aren't looking forward to it, but I sure am. I love family time, and especially family time in the summer! I hope we can make summer special so the kids don't miss school too much. But they can miss it a little bit though since I do love the fact they like school. It's just weird to me. lol I remember looking forward to summer break and literally counting down the days until school ended. But anyways. Not much new around here. Tiff started going to pre-school at the end of April. She goes three days a week in the morning for three hours. She's like her brother though and would love to go all day everyday. I wish we could afford that for her, but there's only a couple more years and she will be in Kindergarten and in school all day every day for years to come. Slow down, Tiff, you're growing up too fast. Trystan too! He'll be in grade THREE in September!! Kobe is busy at school and work. He's a busy guy and works so hard for us. I'm glad it's him and not me doing that. lol I'll deal with tantrums and stuff like that any day over work AND school. Those two are just not my thing now that I have kids. We planted our garden FINALLY. We planted three cedars and three rhododendrons. We hope they survive. lol I do not have a green thumb whatsoever. Kobe does a little bit. So yeah. That is about it. Kids are growing fast and Kobe and I busy being Mom and Dad. So I guess just a little update. I will try and post more often from now on! We really do have more of an exciting life than it may seem. lol :)

Carrot Soup Recipe

I had been craving some really yummy homemade soup. Not the brothy kind, but the pureed veggies kind. We had some carrots in the fridge, so I thought we should use those and find a carrot soup recipe online. After searching I found one, made it, and LOVED it!!! I wanted to blog about it because it was that good and also an easy way to find it to make in the future. We served it with french bread.
Here is the link to the recipe:
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Recipe Success-Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-fry

I thought since what I made for dinner last night was so nummy that i should post the recipe so I don't forget (i made it up). I've made good things before and never wrote it down, so I don't remember how to make it, and that sucks! lol
So without further ado, here is the recipe for Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-fry.

Rice (I used 1 cup uncooked rice and that was plenty. Kobe had enough to take to work)
1/4 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup Soy Sauce
2 TBSPs Honey
2 heaping teaspoons Fresh Minced Garlic
4 skinless Chicken thighs, chopped
Salt and Pepper
1/2 tbsp Roasted Red Pepper Flakes
1 package quartered Crimini Mushrooms
1/2 White Onion thinly sliced and roughly chopped
1 whole Red Pepper thinly sliced.

Cook rice as normal.
Cook chicken along with some vegetable oil. Season it with s&p. When the chicken is about cooked throughout add half of the soy sauce, cook for another 30 seconds or so then add the veggies. Cook the veggies and chicken for a minute or two then add the ketchup, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and the red pepper flakes. Stir well and cook until chicken is thoroughly cooked and the veggies are crisp tender. About 10 minutes. Sauce should be thin. It makes it better so that rice can soak it all up.
Taste it and see if you need to Add more ketchup, soy sauce, honey, garlic, or red pepper flakes. I liked it sweet and spicy, almost like a hot and sour Thai soup. Different veggies can be used, but I just used my favorites and it worked out very well!!

Tiff is 3!!

I love to do these "interviews" on the kids' Birthdays; but since Tiff doesn't talk clearly yet, I will answer with what she says, and then put in brackets what I think she would say if she could talk more clearly and actually answer questions when asked LOL

1. What is your favorite color? Cars? (Pink)
2. What is your favorite toy? toy... toy...and there was some singing, too. (all of her stuffed puppies)
3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Backyardigans
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Quesadilla
6. What is your favorite outfit? blue flower dress from the Gap that's too small for her but she still likes it anyways.
7. What is your favorite game?
8. What is your favorite snack? Crackers, snow peas, mini mandarins, grapes
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog and cat
10. What is your favorite song? Rainbow Song "red and yellow and pink and green, etc"
11. What is your favorite book? Her big animal books
12. Who is your best friend? her family
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play at the park
15. What is your favorite drink? Juice, hot chocolate, Mom's decaf coffee, chocolate milk, pop
16. What is your favorite holiday? all of them
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? All of her favorite stuffies
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal, eggs
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Sushi (that's what we had)
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? She'll probably be something like a politician or dr or lawyerwith her personality LOL

As you can see most of these ended up being answered by me. She wasn't interested in answering questions. She's too busy dancing and playing. :)

Happy Birthday, Sweetie. You are loved! xoxoxo

HALLOWEEN 2011

Since Halloween fell on a Monday this year, we had quite the eventful one. We had a weekend full of fun, and trick-or-treating on actual Halloween. On Friday night we went to the dance at Trystan's school, Saturday Kobe took the kids to a party at the Central Baptist Church. We always get invited and they never disappoint. Monday Trystan had a Halloween Party, aka Black and Orange day, at school; I made an orange dinner, then we headed out for an hour up and down the block and got a ton of candy and had lots of fun. The street was packed with children this year. It was awesome to see everyone having so much fun and taking a moment to celebrate this fun time of year!
Here is our Halloween in pictures:
When I babysat S&K I made these Monser Toes and Mummy Hotdogs



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My (Nichelle's) 29th Birthday

Well...I am now 29. I really thought it would be so difficult on me. I am one that looks back on my childhood with fond memories. Playing with my sister, making up dances to songs such as "Kiss him goodbye", exploring in the forest, playing with friends, Christmases, Birthdays, etc. I loved my childhood and look back on it everyday. I often wish I could go back in time. BUT, getting older is a lot easier on me than I thought it would be. I feel younger inside, and that's a surprise to me, after all, I have been through quite a bit. But I do believe my positive outlook and good morals and loving heart keep me young at heart.
My Birthday was great this year. Kobe decorated our little place for me. There were lilac streamers hanging from the ceiling, pastel balloons covering the floor, and some chocolate and birthday cards waiting for me on the kitchen table.
I really felt the love of my family this year and the love of my friends.
For fun I decided to go to Tillicum Mall to spend my birthday money. I got myself a jacket sweater thing, some nice comfy grey sweater boots, we ate greek food, and just had a fun time. I almost made the kids and Kobe go grocery shopping, but we didn't. Thanks to the buses being spaced out. Kobe and the kids were happy about that. Kobe said, "Who wants to go grocery shopping on their birthday?" I said, "ME!" lol

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

This year Thanksgiving was on October 10th. We opted out of making a big turkey this year, neither of us really felt like it. But we did want turkey of course. So as I was at Fairway one day I noticed they had turkey roasts so I decided to get one of those. It was a tiny one, maybe 1 pound or so, but we still had some left after dinner. Dinner was delicious.
We had this:

And made these:

I love my chidren and my husband, they love me! We have our struggles (i know, who doesn't) but I am grateful all our struggles have been things we can handle and are strong and happy!

Interview of Trystan. Age 7

Just thought it would be fun to ask Trystan these questions. I would ask Tiff too but I don't think that would go over well. haha

All about My Mom
1. How old is your Mom? "28 right now but you are turning 29"
2. What is your Mom's favorite color? "I don't know haha what is your favorite color...Aqua? I forgot. Your favorite color is Aqua right?" (Yes, yes it is!!)
3. What is your Mom's favorite food? "What is your favorite food? I don't know."
4. How tall is your Mom? "I have to measure you first. Medium. You're medium."
5. What shoe size does she wear? "Size 8." Sometimes, Trystan. Good guess!
6. What is her favorite TV show? "All the shows on Food Network."
7. What time does your Mom wake up in the morning? "Really late like between 11. But on school days you have to wake up early."
8. What does you Mom do while you're at school? "Does laundry, plays with my sister, and that's all I think. Oh, and cleans up the mess that Tiffani makes when I get back home."
9. What is your Mom's first name? "Nichelle"
10. What do you like best about your mom? "I just love you!"

All about your Dad
1. How old is your dad? "31"
2. What is Dad's favorite sport to play? "I don't know 'cause he doesn't play any sports."
3. What is Dad's favorite food? "Stuff like salad to make him not fat anymore."
4. How strong is your Dad? "Really strong I think maybe stronger than you. I don't know. I don't know how strong he is."
5. Where does your Dad work? "Ummm....I don't know let me ask him. Money Mart. I forgot."
6. What is Dad's favorite TV show? "Oh. I should ask him again. Jeopardy."
7. What is your favorite thing to do with Dad? "Umm...play beyblade. And play soccer, but I have to get my soccer pumped still."
8. How tall is your Dad? "I don't know. I still have to measure him." 5'10"
9. What do you like best about your Dad? "Ok. I just love my family. That's all. OK?"
10. What is your Dad's first name? "Kobe."

All about your sister:
1. What is your sister's name? "Tiffani"
2. How old is your sister? "2"
3. What does your sister like to do? "Play with her toys and make messes."
4. What is your sister's favorite food? "I don't know. She would have to be talking by now so I know."
5. What is your sister's favorite tv show? "Treehouse"
6. Who is your sister's favorite person? "Her family"
7. Does your sister have a favorite toy? "I don't know. All her toys."
8. How tall is your sister? "Like...about here or something (points to his chest)"
9. What do you like about your sister? "UGH!! I JUST LOVE MY FAMILY!!!"
10. How much do you love your sister? "A lot!"

All about me:
1. My favorite color: "Blue, green, red, and orange"
2. My favorite thing to do: "Watch tv, and play beyblade, and sit down on my butt doing nothing."
3. My favorite thing about school: "Everything"
4: My best friend is: "Dominic, Cameron, and Ivy."
5: My favorite food: "Lots of things."
6: My favorite thing to do with my family: "Play with my family"
7: What do I want to be when I grow up: "I don't know 'cause I can't be a police."
8: How tall am I: "I don't know."
9: My favorite animal: "Cheetah, and puppies"
10: If I had a million dollars what would I do: "I would buy a house and a car. And I'd live by myself..wait...I have to get married anyway."

Thanks Trystan! We love you!!!

Trystan's 7th Birthday

Trystan is 7!!! Hard to believe that he was 3 when we moved here and is now way taller, older, and so much more mature!
He had to go to school that day but we gave him what he wanted for breakfast (an english muffin with butter), and let him open his present from G/G Grant.
He chose Domino's for dinner and a Oreo cake from Fairway for dessert.
He was showered with gifts and phone calls from family. I also made cupcakes for all his classmates and teachers at school.
On the following Saturday he invited a few friends and had a party. They all had a blast.
We love our Trystan very much!!
You are:
-Smart
-Funny
-Helpful
-Loving
-Mature
-Understanding
-Empathetic
-A great brother
-Compassionate
-Obsessed with beyblades and webkinz LOL

Back to School

This year back to school was on September 6th. Trystan was very excited and not nervous at all! He absolutely loves school! His Grade 2 teacher's name is Mrs.O'Keefe. He's in a Grade 1/2 class. He likes it better than he thought he would. His Grade 1 classroom is right next door so he used to walk by it daily. He thought it looked boring and that all they do is work, but he has been pleasantly surprised that it's not that way at all. Funny kid!
Mrs.Lee (the principal) said he's in the perfect class for his needs. Mrs.O'Keefe is apparently the number one teacher as far as literacy. So she will be good for the pace that Trystan is comfortable with. Being in a grade 1/2 class will also give him the chance to feel like a leader and be a leader and help out the grade 1's.
I'm happy with things and so is Trystan!
I'm sure he'll have a fabulous year. I'm really not worried about him at all, he's such a smarty pants! :)

Summer 2011

Well Summer has come and gone. It went by fast as usual. Our weather was ok, not too hot. We didn't go to the beach once this Summer. Didn't really feel like it until school was in. LOL. Isn't that how it goes!

So our Summer consisted of babysitting Seth and Kira for a few weeks, a visit from Oma and Opa, water park, picnics, park, relaxing aka Jammie Days, and a visit to Kamloops.








Oma and Opa stayed for three weeks. We did some shopping, lots of cooking, and hanging out and enjoying each others company. It was a very nice visit. They are already planning their trip to come next Summer too. :) I don't have any pics of them on my camera since we didn't have our new one when they were here. I have a few on my phone and they sent us some actual photos.

Babysitting Seth and Kira was nice. They are loved by us and we love to have them over. Although sometimes the kids fight like cats and dogs; but that's what happens when people are friends.

Kamloops was nice as well. We did lots and lots of shopping, played outside in the water, hung out with the Johnsons. Kamloops wasn't too hot when we were there, low and high 20s. I'm used to it being close to 40. But it was actually kind of nice. 40 is just way too hot.





















Overall we had a very eventful Summer.

Trystan is happy to be back at school, Kobe is happy to be back at school, and Tiffani and I are enjoying our alone time with each other and to be back in a routine.

Friends

Yesterday we had the pleasure of seeing our good 'ole buddy Dave. And we got to meet his wife Shamaine and their son Hayden (2 years old). I've been wanting to meet them for so long. I'm so glad we finally were able to.
We decided to get some dessert and head to the park with the kids. We had many laughs, as usual. And caught up on their lives. Our kids had a blast together, it's like they've known each other all along!

I'm very proud of Dave and what he has accomplished. More importantly, he has found an amazing wife and they are raising a wonderful boy.
I'm grateful they are in our lives, and that we got to seem them, if even for only a couple of hours.
Adam was there too of course. I was in stitches laughing the whole time. Some things never change, and some people never change. I am grateful for that, and that after all these years we can all get along and have fun like we used to!!
I hope to see them again in the near future!
Why can't we all live closer? GEESH! ;-)

Little Gifts from God!

Ever since we lived in Kamloops and were looking at places to live in here in Victoria, I wanted to get a place that allows a pet. We did not find one. We have been living without a pet for 3 years and 4 months now. It has been tough!! A little piece of myself is missing. I don't feel quite "whole" (for lack of better ways to put it)
Our land lords approved a dog, but only a Bichon or Toy Poodle. Well, they run very expensive and they are hard to find! I think about moving every single day just to get a pet. I really want a cat. I'm more of a cat person than a dog person. But of course moving just to get a pet can't happen just like that. It involves finding the right place, which we haven't. Places here are so expensive. Where we are right now works with our budget. Here is where we will be for a while probably.
But the "little gift from God" that I'm talking about in the title is our new little pet. It's cute, small, brown, and loves nuts. We've got ourselves a pet squirrel. Well not really a "pet", but we sure treat it like it's "ours" and it comes around like it belongs to us too. It comes around in the morning peeking through our patio door asking for more nuts. It gets really close to us. It's unreal. It's the friendliest squirrel I have EVER seen in my life! And we see many of them in our neighborhood; they usually scurry away really fast at first glance of a human.
I feel like that squirrel is a little gift from God. His way of saying, "here you go, Nichelle, this is the best I can do right now. I know it's not a cat, but please be patient, you will have your cat sooner than you realize."
I'm grateful for little Gifts like that. I truly do believe it is from God. I get so happy when I see it. I get to feed it and give it water daily like I would a cat.
The kids absolutely love it too. They also love feeding her nuts. Tiffani yells "SQUIRREL" with such delight and excitement when she sees it. One day it came into our house and tiffani said, "UH-OH" lol. I was half asleep not knowing what she was talking about. I opened my eyes and there was the squirrel in our house.
I can't wait to get a cat...but for now I'll take the squirrel! :)

ps. btw, the little black "blob" on the right hand of the picture is the squirrel.

The start

So I decided to start a blog (again). I came across a blog the other day that has been active for about 5 years. She got a blog book made out of her online blog and that made me think. It made me think how important keeping a journal is, and how special it will be in years to come, especially for the kids. I also got a new camera today, finally, after our last canon broke. (tiffani got ahold of it, we'll make sure that doesn't happen again)So what better time to start!
I'm looking forward to many blog entries and to making the most out of this blog! And, of course, eventually getting this made into a book. :)
Let the fun begin....