This looked so yummy!!!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Slow Cooker Italian Beef
I made this meal over the holidays as a no-fuss, little-time-required meal and it was fabulous. I found the recipe in Allrecipes' archives of slow cooker meals and tweaked it just a bit to fit the ingredients I had on hand (with over 500 four or five star reviews, I knew it had to be pretty good!). Served on crusty rolls with provolone cheese, it was a hit with my family. I absolutely love meals like this - quick, delicious and very filling. The meat turned out more tender than any meat I've cooked in the crockpot and was literally melting in my mouth as I ate this sandwich, which made it extra-easy for my kids to eat. Even my little toddler who has nary a molar was able to chomp this down. Definitely a meal keeper!Slow Cooker Italian Beef for Sandwiches adapted from allrecipes.com1 1/2 cups beef broth1 cup water1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground black pepper1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon dried basil1 teaspoon onion salt 1 teaspoon dried parsley1 teaspoon garlic powder1 bay leaf1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (such as Good Seasons brand)1 (5 pound) chuck roastCombine water and beef broth with salt, ground black pepper, oregano, basil, onion salt, parsley, garlic powder, bay leaf, and salad dressing mix. Whisk to combine.Place roast in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat. Cover, and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. When done, remove bay leaf, and shred meat with a fork (I did this step about 45 minutes before eating so the shredded meat had time to absorb more of the juices in the crockpot). Serve on crusty rolls with cheese, if desired.

Our annual Gingerbread House......hhhmmm

The kids love to do this every year and every year Costco keeps upin the annie. But let me tell you this one stayed up!!! We love to do this and we let the kids have free reign with a little of our help anyway. I think next year Brian and I will start doing one of our own. It was addicting!!!

Our Christmas craft 2008

Every year we do a christmas craft at out annual get together. I have to publicly express my deep heartfelt gratitude for Dad and Cheej for all the hard work they put into getting these trees cut out for us. I was in charge of the craft this year and with "everything" eles going on I was having some "drama" about what to do. I don't have a pic yet of the finished product but here they are painted and ready for lights!!!!

Thanks guys!!!! Your the best!!! 8oo holes later right!!! did I say your my favorite :)

I am so LUCKY!!!!

Christmas Party/Chaos/Angelic children

We did matching P.J's this year and loved it. The kids all had a sleep over at Mimi and Papa's house in front of the fireplace upstairs and the lit christmas forest papa created upstairs. (with Tif and Bubba D's help) the party was a hit!!!

Total Chaos

Who are these Angelic children?

I hope the next 11 are just as good........

My sweetheart and I are celebrating 11 of the best and hardest years of our lives and we wouldn't have asked for it any other way.
We have learned so much as a couple and we have both said on numerous occasions that we love eachother more today than the day we got married. What a neat and special day that was. I am so glad that I have him in my life and that he makes me feel like the luckiest women alive. He comes from a very awesome family who I love and I can't believe I get this for the rest of eternity. How lucky am I. Thank you for blessing me with the cutest kids alive and hope there are more to come. I love you and I am so thankful for you. Here's the next 11!!!!

We had our ward Christmas party Friday night and the kids were in the nativity play. They were so cute.

me and kids Dec 08

Kaely asking Santa for a baby sister!

Doyle asking Santa for a piece of wood.....To build a house

Cambry asking Santa for a Nintendo DS game for her NDS

Think again sista.....

So the other night we couldn't get Kaely and Cambry out of the bath. Brian had a really good idea, i think, and followed through with it Freezing cold water doesn't go very good with a nice hot bath, See for yourself if you were wondering. Funny thing is this is how my dad got us out of bed in the mornings sometimes!!! Is it a Dad thing or what =0

Thanksgiving 08

We had a blast this Thanksgiving!!! I really can't believe that I didn't get one picture with Rex but well I didn't. I am so sad!!! So if any of my family is reading this and got a pic of Rex with us I would love to have one. The food was great and staying up late was good too. I can't wait to post pics of our family Christmas party.

Thanks for the matching aprons shamoms. they are so stinkin cute

I'm NERVOUS!!!

Misty came to see me the night before Thanksgiving and we were waiting for her mom so we let the kids play outback and we decided to go into my room and talk on my bed which we love to do every time she comes over!! Thanks Babe for giving up your good night sleep so we can chat and catch up!! Your the best =)
So while we were in there talking Brian comes in with the camera and starts taking pictures of us while we were laughing and the first words out of Misty's mouth were "I'm nervous" It was the funniest thing all three of us had ever heard. We laughed so hard are stomachs were hurting so bad!!! I love Misty she is the Best!!!!

As you Wish!!!

Doyle has been requesting that I start picking him up in the front of the house now on the mornings that I take him to preschool!! He is so stinking cute and everytime I pull up he acts as if I just stopped by to get him for school!!! He is a doll!!!

My Men!!!

I promise Doyle has underware on!!! This is just a random picture to show you what I put up with around here!!! I couldn't quit laughing!!!

My Happiness!!!

I got some pics of the kids and I a couple of weeks ago!!! I love these three.

Kaely is 9 and our Drama Queen and she is proud of it!! She loves to read and is starting to enjoy math more and more. She loves to babysit and can't wait till mom and dad leave her to do it by herself!!!
Cambry is 6 and still loves horses. She loves that Aunt Amy takes her out a lot and now is riding by herself on her own horse. She loves to run them and Amy says she does really good. She loves school and her teacher and she is a big help to me!!!

Bubba D is 4 and so full of energy i can't keep up with him. He loves his work boots and his pants to be wearing at the bottom so he can look like his dad. He loves tools and also has an obession with coloring. He is so fun and we can't ever get enough of him.

Neighbor,Friend and Sister's by Heart!!!

Becca Goodman has lived next door to me for a few years now and I have loved every minute of it!! She is the best. I wish everyone was blessed with such a great person in their lives, she has seen me through the good and bad. Thanks Bec for everything I appreciate you termendously!!! Love ya

Our little getaway

Brian and I were able to go to Phoenix for some much neede R&R. We had so much fun!!! I love this guy and everything that comes with him. He keeps me laughing and makes me feel like someone of importance!!! I love you sweetie.

Flinstones,it's the flinstones their a modern stoneage family...

I know I know it's Thanksgiving tomorrow and I am just posting about Halloween (little bit crazy around here;) We had so much fun at our annual Cluff Halloween party/mom's birthday party we have every year. This year my awesome very adoring husband agreed to dress up and I love him more every day for it!!!! The kids loved it and some of the neices and nephews thought he was a little weird. (Uncle Brian is wearing a dress.....) If Fred heard that he'd cry!!! The kids were adorable and Wilma didn't look to bad herself!!!!!

Bec and I

A few weekends ago Becky and I were sent to Dolce (a spa in Chandler) for the day. It was filled with all day bliss. we got there at 9:00am and left at 3:00pm. it felt so stinkin good and we really hated to leave. (Thanks Honey, I love you) I feel terrible because between all of our shopping and eating out we totally forgot to take pictures but we did snap this one out in front of our Hotel before we left. Thanks for an awesome weekend Bec, you are amazing!!!! Love ya tons.....Let's do it again soon ;)

You Belong in 1959

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

Good Times Good Times

Leighton Family reunion
October 2008

My Cuties!!

Our scavenger hunt around town........ We WON!!!!



Cambry peddalin her heart out!!!! You go girl

My Honey ;)

Grammie and Brian

Love ya Shamoms






mom and Auntie Perfect

The newlyweds

Sid-diddy

Auntie Perfect

Bubba D chillin

Hangin out

(Brian, Dad, Ben, Cheej & uncle Gary)

(Doyle, Grammie, Cambry & Kaely)