Just being lazy...

I'm trying to "get motivated" to do something. Bob and I had a whole week by ourselves ( a fantastic honeymoon!!) while the kids went to the grandparents for a week over our winter break. We're on day 4 together with the return of the kids and Bob is out of town, which means I can really be lazy. Although he's coming home tororrow...I have much picking up to do. I would recommend not just stopping by, you may find... 1. Me still in my jammies or robe at dinner time. Nicolas asks when he gets home from school "Why didn't you get dressed today?" 2. Rosie still in her footsie PJ's at dinner time - no need to worry we all take a shower around 7:30 and get back into our jammies. At this point Nicolas is the only one that get dressed because he has school. 3. Folded, clean laundry piled up, I hate putting it away!! Bob's much better at it. 4. Goldfish, pretzles and empty Go-gurt wrappers lying around from Nicolas eating one after the other. 5. Piles of papers and random things throughout my kitchen (we have to much counter space!! I keep telling Bob we need to fix that!) I'll admit it, I'm a pile person - it may look a mess to you, but don't you go thinkin' I don't know what's in there!! Bob can't stand the piles - it drives him crazy! 6. The lighted tree in the foyer...still decorated for Valentines DAY! Shouldn't we LOVE all year long? Shouldn't every day be Valentines Day when your married with 2 kids living in the burbs and driving a minivan -??!!

6.I

The best two weeks

We have just spent the last two weeks with a wonderful, loving family. Our Russian missionary Elder (Antone) Rets has faithfilly completed his 2 year mission serving the Lord and touching so many lives. We were blessed to know him and it was such an honor to have his family stay with us for 2 weeks. Our families became one very quickly and although his parents speak little English, communication wasn't a problem. This experience has touch our lives so much that Bob and I can't even begin to comprehend. Everyone left NY for Russia today and it was tearful. We were so lucky to have them and share our LOVE with them.

Late nights

We spent every night (usually after 10:00 till 12:00 or 1:00 am) around our kitchen table eating, laughing and sharing stories.

First day of pre-school

This is a picture of Rosie and Antone on her first day of pre-school. We took many pictures of her but this is the only person that really made her smile that morning.

Just plain ole' clean fun

Our children have always loved Elder Rets, when his family came to the US it was an instant match. We really were one happy family for the two weeks they were here. We loved every minute of it.

Anya, Rosie and Nicolas

Buffalo Chicken Wings, YUMMY!

We took the Rets Family to The Anchor Bar in Buffalo, the "original buffalo wing" place. We ordered 100 wings and about a 1/2 a dozen appetizers.

The girls...

Anya, Rosie, Carrie and Ellen.

The boys...

Antone, Bob, Vladimer (the children call him VA VA) and Nicolas.

Anya & I

I just LOVE her, she's amazing.

Recipe for Dakin's Perfect Apple Pie

This is an awesome recipe that was in our "Brighton Ward Relief Society Cookbook" from Dakin S. The pie is AWESOME!! The crust is amazing!! This is the best crust, it's so easy and so good. I also use the crust recipe to make my crust for quiche I just cut back on the sugar. Preheat oven to 400. Pie crust 1 1/2 C flour 1/2 C vegetable oil 1/2 t salt 2T milk 2T sugar Mix together in a 9 inch pie dish using a fork. Stir dough till it forms a ball, press out the crust with your hands to form the pie dish. Filling 10 tart apples 1 1/2 C sugar 2t cinnamon 1T flour Slice apples less than 1/4 inch thick . Mix sliced apples with other ingredients in a large bowl, pour into uncooked pie crust, it's important to pack the apples in tight and stach them high because they will cook down. Crumb Topping 1/2 C butter 1/2 C brown sugar 1C flour Cut together with a pastry blender. Sprinkle over apples. Bake at 400 for 20-30 min or until crumb topping is golden brown. Then turn down the heat to 350 and bake for 50-60 min. If your over cooks evtra hot you may need to turn your oven below 350 so your crumb topping dosen't burn.

Magnifico Meatball Pie and Dakin's Perfect Apple Pie, OH MY!

MAGNIFICO and PERFECT!!! Bob picked this magazine out from the supermarket 2 years ago, the Magnifico Meatball Pie was on the cover - that's what got his attention. It took me this long to make it, sorry honey. This was a great dinner we made for our awesome missionaries.

Here's the recipe for the Magnifico Meatball Pie, Simply Perfect Italian magazine.

Homemade Italian Meatballs ( I highly recommend making them, the store bought just isn't the same)

1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 C soft bread crumbs
1/2 C finely chopped onion
1/4 C parmesan cheese
3T finely snipped golden raisins
3T chopped toasted pine nuts
3T snipped fresh basil
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 pound sweet or hot italian sausage
1/2 pound ground pork

Preheat oven to 350. I a bowl combine egg, bread crumbs, onion, parm. cheese, raisins, pine nuts, basil, salt, and pepper (I did this in my standing Kitchen Aid mixer.) Add sausage and pork, mix well. Shape into meatballs ( I used my mellonscooper) Place in baking pan and bake 20 min. Drain on paper towels.

Magnifico Meatball Pie Crust

2 eggs, slightly beaten
2/3 C grated parmesan cheese
8oz. dried bucatini pasta
2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
2T butter or margerine
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 C ricotta cheese
2T snipped fresh basil
1/4 t pepper
1 26 oz. jar tomato and basil or marinara pasta sauce
1 1/2 C mozzarella cheese

Preheat 350
1. Grease a 10 inch springform pan. Line bottom with parchment paper or tin foil. Grease parchment or foil, set aside.
2. In a small bowl combine 2 eggs and the parm cheese, set aside. Cook pasta in lightly salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain well and return to pan. Add egg misture, tossing to coat. Press pasta mixture into the bottom of the springform pan, buid up the sides slightly.
3. In a large skillet cook onions, covered, in butter on med-low heat about 15 min. Uncover, increase heat to med-high for 5 min, till golden brown.
4. In another bowl stir together one egg, ricotta cheese, snipped basil, and pepper. Spread ricotta cheese mixture over pasta crust. Top with carmelized onions. Place springform pan on baking sheet and bake for 15 min. Spoon 3/4 C of sauce over the layers in pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 C mozzarella.
5. Toss 24 meatballs (you will have some left over-I did add a few more on top of my pie) with 3/4 C sauceand 1/2 C mozzarella cheese.
Arrange meatballs over layers in pan, forming a mound. Top with 1/2 C of the remaining sauce.
6. Tent foil and bake for 40-45 min. Sprinkle 1/2 C mozz. cheese, let stand uncoveres on a wire rack for 15 min before cutting into slices.
Garnish with parm. cheese. Makes 8-10 servings.

**Use a serrated knife to cut pie, it's so much easier**

An evening at The Strong Museum of Play

It was a princess party - So fun!! This was such a fun way to spend our Friday night together. There were all sorts of storybook characters walking around in costume, hair braiding with/sparkle dust, craft making & just good ole' clean fun! Well, except for the Grossology area, it really is GROSS! Nicolas & our neighbor really enjoyed that area, especially the boogers, YUCK!

Young Adam Skywalker

Training to be a Jedi. That's what we do in The Snedeker House, we train them in the Jedi way early on so they can leave a indelible mark on the history of the galaxy, leading it through periods of lightness and dark.

Young Skywalker, May The Force Be With You