No Bake Protein Bites

I'm not a fan of baking, I enjoy cooking. I think it's because I feel I can cook much faster and with less mess- no need to measure, just eyeball it and taste, then adjust. With baking you have to follow the instructions or you end up with an ugly, disgusting mess, and if you can't tell- I'm speaking from experience, lots of experience. :)

I like these because I was able to "eyeball it" and they are really tasty, and good for an on-the-go high protein, high fiber snack.

1 cup Oatmeal
3/4 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
1/2 cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes
(or almond slivers or other nut)
1/2 cup flaxseed
1/2 cup chocolate chips (or craisins or other sweet treat)
1 tsp vanilla
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Combine all the ingredients.  Use your hands to combine.  Then roll into small balls.  Place on a cookie sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or freeze for about 5 minutes).

Thanksgiving 2013

In my quest to catch up from the past few months, below are pictures from our visit to TN. Mimi and Bibi are always such gracious and generous hosts. As you can tell from the kids faces, they had a great time!

 

Thanksgiving tradition- decorating the Christmas tree with Mimi

Singing/Shouting Christmas songs so baby can "sleep"

Hugs for Mimi

Mimi knows how to make this guy smile= plate full of food!

Hugs with "Beebs"

3 generations

Good thing my mom doesn't know how to comment on my blog. I know there would be one on the lack of brushing my kids hair. ;)

Isaiah 40:31

I am always looking for ways to encourage myself through difficult times. I really like the verse below- Isaiah 40:31:

"but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."

What an encouragement to know that no matter what I'm going through my hope and joy is not in those around me. I'll be let down if I have that mindset. If I strengthen my relationship with the true Father, I'll never be let down, I will not be upset, I'll have a peace and understanding that He is always there and will provide me with the right amount of strength to push through.

You Mustache Be Kidding Me

How cute are these blue mustache kiddos? I couldn't get Lawson to try, but  Brooks, Landon, and Harleigh had a good time!!

If you have a mustache, you "mustache" be serious

If you have a mustache, you "mustache" be funny

If you have a mustache, you "mustache" be silly

When I grow up...

Harleigh's response to this question for the past 3 months has been been, "a teacher and a mommy". Both of which I believe she'll excel at. She's is energetic, funny, playful, nurturing, loving, caring, and loves to be the boss of someone younger- even if they are bigger and stronger then her!

Caring for baby brother

Teaching others how to have fun with arts and crafts

Documenting everything

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

With the help of Pinterest, I've been exploring new dinner recipes. I typically try to stay around 5-7 ingredients (or ingrediences if you're a Real Housewives NJ fan), which is why I pinned this 4 months ago and just now made it.

 

According to the hubby, "this was my favorite dinner you've made in a long time". Umm...that sounded like a compliment, right?!? But, I have to agree, this was delicious, and not spicy with a few modifications I made. Instead of Rotel tomatoes and green chiles I added in 3/4 a cup of salsa and a can of enchilada sauce. And instead of the black beans I added in chili beans. You can top it off with some green onion too.

 

 

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, diced

1 small green or red bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

coarse salt and fresh black pepper

1 can (11 ounce) Ro-tel diced tomatoes & green chiles OR   3/4 cup salsa and a can of enchilada sauce 

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 + 1/4 pounds boneless chicken breasts

2 cups corn

1 can black beans or chili beans,

1 tablespoon chili powder 

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 + 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese or monterey jack, plus more for serving

1 cup sour cream, plus more for serving

tortilla chips, for serving

sliced avocado, for serving, optional

Instructions

1. In a medium skillet heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, peppers and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile to your crock-pot add the Ro-tel, chicken broth, chicken, corn, black beans (if using), chile powder, cumin, oregano and 1 teaspoon coarse salt or 1/2 teaspoon fine and about 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix in the cooked onions, peppers and garlic.
3. Cook on high 3 - 4 hour or low 5 - 6. Remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Stir the cheese and sour cream into the soup. Shred the chicken or cut into bite-sized pieces and add back to the pot. Taste and season as needed. Cook 1 more hour on low heat.
4. Serve garnished with more cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips and avocado.

Lawson Starts School- December 2013

Last month Lawson started going to the same school as Harleigh. We've struggled with him staying in the nursery at church. It took us 15 months to be able to sit through 1 church service without being called out to pick him up. Even today, he stills cries when he has to go to church, but the church volunteers are so gracious and Lawson has his own "personal babysitter" that walks him around church while we go to service.

School is the same. He cries from drop off to pick up. He's only going once a week, and his class is right next to Harleigh's. His cousin, Isla, is even in class with him. Each day we ask the little guy if he had fun at school, he nods "yes". We then ask if he made new friends, he shakes "no". (Well, who would want to befriend the kid that's screaming and crying the entire time he's there?) A report is sent home each day for each kid so the parents know how their kid ate, slept, activity they did and the kids' overall manner (Happy, Sad, Tired, Grumpy/Fussy, Active). So far we've received only "Sad".

I also noticed that on his folder in the class, there is no picture of him like everyone else's folder. My initial thought was that it must be because he's new and only has gone 3-4 times. But, then I realized, how could they even get a picture? His face is red and tear-stained for the 3-4 hours he's there. There's no way they could get a decent shot that says, "Mom, here's a picture of me happy at school." Instead, the picture would say "Why did you leave me? I'm miserable. Help!!"

We know that he'll soon love school as much as his big sister does and he'll be running to go. This is why, I kind of am happy each time I drop him off and he's a little sad.

Happy Birthday, Brooksie Doodle!

Happy 2nd Birthday one of the best nephews, Brooks Dean! Brooks is one of the most outspoken (even at 2) and fun-loving kids I know. He cracks me up with his little personality. Brooks stands out in the Dean family with his loud, nonstop talking, his emotional ups and downs, and crazy dance moves, which means he fits in perfectly at the Kamm household! We love you Brooks and hope you enjoy your special day!!

Halloween 2013

So I've dropped the ball on the Family Blog. Sorry, mom and Ging,

 

 

Below are some pictures from Halloween. The two little Kamm pirates were pretty adorable! The kiddos went trick or treating with their cousins. Harleigh and Lawson hit the jackpot this year and got a lot of goodies. Like any parent, I did the necessary tasting inspecting of the candy- especially the butterfingers, reese's, and heath bars. You can never be too careful!

 

 

Pirate Princess

Cassie-Good Witch; Isla- Dorothy with her Toto; Joel- no costume, just wearing a woman's gardening hat?

Argh! Lawson- 20 months

 

5 Cousins- Harleigh, Landon, Brooks, Isla, and Lawson

Trick or Treat

Gigi and Papa with all 5 grandbabies- Halloween 2013

This poor pup was tuckered out!