Our trip to Brianhead

In true Burgess fashion we decided at the last minute to take a trip up to Brianhead Ski resort (in Utah). We have some friends who own a condo up there, and they graciously let us use it. Kory had been trying to talk me into going-since we missed out on going skiing with my sister and her husband due to lack of babysitters-but I wasn't thrilled about the idea of taking all the kids up there, especially when none of them know how to ski, and we didn't have any ski clothes for them. Well, turns out my SIL was able to provide us with almost all the ski clothes we needed for the kids, so we decided to do it. Here's what it looks like to pack for a 3 day trip for a family of 6:

The packing and un-packing is always the worst part. Thank goodness for the 'stow-and-go' feature on our van. We had to tie Kory's snow board to the top.

The first morning out in the snow. The kids were beyond thrilled. The 3 older ones have been in the snow before, but didn't remember it, and this was Sophee's first time ever.

Wahoo! Snow angels! Where we live, you only get to make dirt angels. This is Audree:

Me and my fabulous man. That's the condo we stayed in behind us. You could literally just ski right out the door and down to the chair lift, then come down the hill and ski right back in the door when you were done. How awesome is that?

Sophee and Josh on the sled.

This is Sophee waiting to go down to the hot tub. She sure loved those little polka dotted boots.

The kids just outside the condo.

I love this next picture of Audree and Sophee. It gives you the impression that they might actually like each other after all.

Josh attempting to sled down the hill.

Kory taught Kaylee how to ski. Look at her coming down the hill! She caught on pretty fast, and her Dad says she's a 'natural'.

Kaylee looking so confident in her new ability. She didn't even need the poles.

Kaylee and Kory.

Well that's it. We also took the kids tubing, and on a sleigh ride, but didn't get pictures of that because my camera battery died. That always seems to happen to me. Maybe I need a back up battery. Anyway, the kids all kept saying, "I wished we lived in the snow!" Ha! Been there, done that. They probably would've changed their minds had we stayed longer than 3 days. All I know is that it seemed to take about an hour to get everyone all dressed up in their ski bibs, boots, hats, gloves, etc. But it was a great time for the whole family, and I'm glad we decided to go.

Sophee's monkey dance

This is Sophee and her two friends from Dance class and preschool, Rachel and Maddie.
They had their performance on Valentines Day at the Chili cook off here in town. Here they are patiently waiting their turn while they watch the older girls dance.



Don't forget to watch the dance below. It's the cutest thing!

Sophee's Monkey dance

Here's the video clip I promised of Sophee's dance. If you can't tell, she's the second one in from your left (the tallest, and oldest one there) These are 3 and 4 year olds. Kaylee pointed out (while watching the video) that she's the only one who shakes her hips during certain parts, and yes, that is part of the dance, the other girls just forget to do it sometimes. What can I say, my child is brilliant.

Valentines Day cards

Remember the good 'ole days, filling out all your Valentines cards for all the kids in your class? Good times, good times. So here's my girls filling out there's. We lost Audree's class list, and Kaylee never got one, so we had to dig out the class pictures so we wouldn't forget anyone.
Here's Audree. Yes, I know, my girls desperately need their bangs cut.

This was Sophee's first year where she could actually sign her name herself. Look at her all seriously filling out her card.

I filled in her classmates name, then she would sign her name. Look at how cute she writes (let's remember, she's only 4).

Kaylee making sure she remembered everyone.

I forgot to get pictures of Josh-he was at work while the girls did theirs.

On Valentines day Sophee had a little dance number that her class did at a chili cook off, so I will be posting that video soon, I'm just too tired to wait for it to download tonight.

Whoops!

So I meant to have the last post be automatically sent out Monday morning, but somehow I got my scheduling screwed up, so there's your 'Meals for Mom's like Me Monday'-only you got it early! Enjoy!

French dip and Au Jus

If you like French Dip sandwiches, you'll love this. You'll also love the fact that you can make it in about 5 minutes-that's less time than it would take you to drive to the nearest Arby's. This recipe is super great for those nights when I have to be somewhere, and I need to feed the family fast. Here's the ingredients. Yep, it's only 4. Love that! You'll need some deli/hoagie rolls, swiss cheese, french onion soup, and thinly sliced roast beef (I believe that's an 8 or 9 oz. pkg there):



Put the all the roast beef in a microwave safe dish, dump the can of french onion soup in, and add half a can of water. Stir a bit to mix up the juice. Cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes. While that's cooking, slice open your rolls and butter the bottom half. On the top half, put sliced swiss. If you don't like swiss (like my daughter) just don't use any-no biggie. Then broil your rolls until golden brown, and the cheese is melted. Like so:

See, the middle bun doesn't have any cheese-that's for Kaylee. Once the roast beef is done, use a slotted spoon to scoop some up, then take another spoon and press it onto the beef, as to remove as much juice from it as possible-otherwise your bun will get soggy fast. Put the beef on the bun, dump a little of the remaining juice in a small cup and your done! You got yourself a french dip sandwich, complete with Au Jus sauce. Just as good as Arby's. This will make about 5 sandwiches.

I added some potatoe chips, just to be fancy-you gotta' have your veggies right?

Stylin' Soph

The other morning I set out some clothes for Sophee and told her that we would be going to the store as soon as we got dressed and ready for the day-then I hopped in the shower. When I got out this is what she looked like, all 'dolled' up:

She dressed herself, did her hair and put on the headband and glasses. Then she picked out the necklace and asked me to put it on her. Isn't it funny how, when little kids first start brushing their own hair, they totally slick in down so that it's plastered to their head? Of course you can't do anything about it-you just have to let it be. So off we went to the store-with Soph looking like the 'Diva' that she is, and me looking like a frumpy Mom. It's pretty bad when your 4 year old looks better than you.

Chicken soft tacos

This is the next recipe for the "Meals for Mom's like Me Monday" segment. Better late than never. I must give credit where credit is due. This recipe actually came from my sister, Erika.
When she was down visiting over New Year's I had planned a taco night. She asked me if we were having beef or chicken tacos. I was a little stumped. I've never made chicken tacos before. Sure, I've had them at taco bell before, but I never thought of making them at home. For the last 14 years I've been using ground beef. Boy, what a boring life. So, she told me how she makes hers and we quickly changed our plans that night and had chicken tacos.

Start out by cubing up as much chicken breast as you think your family will eat. Drizzle a little olive oil in a pan, and throw your chicken in. Then sprinkle garlic salt lightly over all the chicken pieces and stir. Cook over high heat until chicken is done.
Next, heat up some flour tortillas then add your chicken and favorite taco toppings. I used lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomato, sour cream and avocado. Yum Yum.

Roll up your tortilla and enjoy. I usually slice it in half for my kids-it's easier for them to pick up.

Notice how there's nothing else on the plate? I'm so not fancy. Usually, in a dinner plate picture someone would surely add a couple of fancy side dishes. Not me. What goes with tacos? You already have the veggies inside. I guess you could add some fruit. I don't know.

So there you go. Super easy, super fast, super good.

Enjoy!

Is it Monday already

I just realized it's Monday. I also just realized that my 'question mark' key is not working-hence the reason there is not a question mark in the title when, clearly, there should be. Sorry about the bad grammar. Here's today's simple dinner idea. I just call it Sausage & Au Gratin's: All you need is a family size box of Betty Crocker Au Gratin potatoes and a big link of smoked sausage (found with all the hot dogs, etc). Mix up the potatoes in a 9 X 13 pan according to package directions, except omit the butter (the sausage has enough fat in it, we don't need anymore). Slice up your sausage, throw it in the pan, then cook according to the directions on the box. That's it. Now you officially have a 'meat and potatoes' dinner.