Merry Christmas!

Fort

I was pretty impressed with the fort I made.

He's Almost Got it!

Justus is almost riding a 2 wheeler with no training wheels! Wow!

(Sorry about no helmet and no shoes..., he didn't crash.)

There were 3 in the bed...

And the little one said,
I'll be 2 years old in less than a week,
I can climb out of my crib,
I'm potty-trained,
My paci has been taken,
So, can I sleep with the boys now?

Okay.

She Loves to Dance!

I love it!

Cow

As we begin the homeschool journey, we are excited to see which areas our children are talented at and interested in. We got this drawing/writing book for school, Draw Write Now, and Ezra has been having fun with it! Here is a sample of his work! Ezra has never really been one for drawing or coloring, he mainly likes to scribble. Occasionally, he'll turn out a recognizable piece here or there (remember his airplane picture? I don't think he's drawn one since then), but usually it's hard to get him to draw "something." He has been doing a good job with his letters and I was actually surprised that he took to this drawing book so quickly. Maybe we have a budding artist in our family? We will see! Have I mentioned that I LOVE having a scanner?

Flashback Friday

Well, not exactly the same flashback, but at least we are both on trikes! Notice Matt's red striped tube socks and the CHiPs trike (with Ponch's face by his knee) that Kyle got for Christmas one year!

Flashback Friday

Do they still have this van at Universal Studios? That would be fun to have our kids take pictures holding it up! Do you have this same photo?

Flashback Friday (on Sunday)

We finally got the scanner set up and it has been fun going through old photos tonight! I put together a photo collage to be on display at our wedding and it was so fun discovering similar pictures of Matt and my childhoods! Here is a fitting seasonal photo! Did you know that my brother and I never went trick or treating when we were kids? We'd dress up for school and go to the little harvest festivals and such, but I was probably in 7th grade when I went out with friends for the first time. It wasn't for any religious reason, but my mom didn't like the idea of us going out to get candy! Maybe that is why I have a major sweet tooth now?? Even with the little trick or treating we do (at the mall or church harvest festivals), I'm not really excited about all the candy that we collect (and I end up eating). So, I'm not sure what we'll do this year, I'll keep you posted! I'll try to post regular flashback photos on Fridays to help keep me on track on this blog! Happy Fall!

Menu Plan Monday (on Tuesday)

I haven't posted a menu on the blog in a while, but I have been semi-faithfully been sticking to one in the kitchen. It really does help with the shopping and general organization of how a meal gets planned and made during the course of the day. I have been having a wonderful time saving money and finding out about good deals over at My Frugal Adventures. It's like a game, using what feels like play money (Extra Care Bucks at CVS and Register Rewards at Walgreens), but is actually FREE MONEY! If you haven't started racking up the rewards, start now! In the meantime, here is our "not so exciting" menu for the week:

Monday: Red and Green Tortellinis (Tomato and Pesto), broccoli

Tuesday: Italian Pork Chops (chops, italian dressing, crock pot)

Wednesday: Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup

Thursday: Enchiladas (Thanks Nini!)

Friday: Broccoli, Red Pepper, Chedder Chowder (Thanks Erin!)

Saturday: Baked Potatoes with Broc, Bac, Cheese

Sunday: TBA!

Check out more menus over at Organizing Junkie!

Kids at Play

I love seeing my kids play.... together... alone....nicely.... in a clean room.... in a messy room....

It's Soccer Time!

Last Saturday began Ezra's second season of soccer. He is very excited to be playing again and shows much improvement from last year! He scored about 4 goals (nevermind 2 of them were in the wrong goal) and is a great teammate!

Thursday's Recipe Rodeo

I'm finally joining in! Nini has been hosting this fun event and I finally have a moment to sit and do the necessary clicks to participate! She posted a Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe and I'm going to post our favorite BBQ Pork recipe. Erin made this for us when Justus was born and it has been a favorite over the years (3 to be exact). It is from Dave Lieberman, who may not be on the Food Network anymore, but his legacy will live on in our home!

Beer Braised BBQ Pork Butt
Ingredients
For the dry rub:
2 tablespoons salt
About 40 grinds black pepper
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground mustard seed
12 ounces good ale or dark beer, such as Bass
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 5-pound pork butt (shoulder of the animal)
Directions

Combine rub ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Rub all over pork butt. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour and as long as overnight.
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Unwrap pork and place in a roasting pan with sides about 2 inches high. Cook 45 minutes until dark browned and even blackening in places. Remove from oven. Lower oven to 325 degrees F. Pour beer over the top and add chopped garlic around the pork. Cover tightly with heavy duty aluminum foil or twice with regular foil. Poke about 10 holes all over the top of the foil. Cook pork butt 2 1/2 hours longer until so tender that it comes away very easily from center bone.

Place the meat on a plate and pour the pan juice (there will be plenty) into a saucepan. To the pan juices add:
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
Bring to a simmer until reduced by half and thick, about 20 minutes.
While the sauce is boiling down, pull apart the pork with 2 forks. Pour the sauce over the pulled pork and work through until fully absorbed.

Back

Wow, guest blogging is the best! I get to read an update on my own blog and I didn't even have to do anything!

We had to get a new computer because our old one (almost 4 years old) got infected with viruses and died! I had a bad experience with Norton, worst customer service EVER, so beware.

Hi it's Giselle... I'm tired of looking at the same blog entry on Sara's blog and latetly she has been having major computer issues... so I'm stepping in.

I don't know about YOU but I love checking Sara's blog for updates, well really for updated pictures of her ADORABLE kids. So I'm obliging and adding a few cute photos of Ezra and one of Justy. These were taken at my wedding.

ENJOY!

Doing the J.Crew Kids pose.

How about a * SMILE * for the camera Ezra?

Now there's a REAL SMILE!

Justus enjoying the swing set.

Matt helping his wife give a toast!

Sara (aka Super Mom) wearing her littlest, wine in one hand, microphone in the other!

Sara: We can't wait for your computer to be in good working order so you can upload more pictures of your adorable children!

Baby!

Serena isn't in front of the camera much because she is usually attached to me! Here are some photos and a video of the growing babe.

Muddy Buddies

That Girl...

Give me that watermelon....

And then I'll smile.

Menu Plan Monday

Here we are again, time to post the menu plan! Since I didn't spend much time over the weekend planning it, I'm going to fall back on some freezer items. This is definitely harder than it looks, but I can honestly say that last week went unbelievably smooth and easy in the kitchen! Here is the link to check out more menu ideas!

Monday: leftovers from the weekend (my Pizza Casserole that I took to our Midwest Themed Potluck after church wasn't too popular, even though it didn't taste that bad!)
Tuesday: Turkey Chili (turkey from the freezer)
Wednesday: Spaghetti (didn't get to make it on Sunday, so we'll have it today)
Thursday: Chicken Stew (from the freezer), make biscuits for the top
Friday: Cheeseburgers (from the freezer)
Saturday: Justus' 3rd Birthday! Lunch (and train ride!) at Roaring Camp with the family!
Sunday: Something with a whole chicken in the freezer, maybe in the crock pot, need to research.

Ugh, got it out there, now may make adjustments!

Winning is Fun!

So, I won another blog giveaway! Over at Metropolitan Mama, I won a set of receiving blankets from aden and anais. Stephanie has a bunch of great giveaways going on over there, check them out! Thank you, thank you!

Big Daddy

Matt is taking a sales class and the teacher told the guys that they could win a $100 gift card if they took a picture of themselves doing something out of their comfort zone. He isn't exactly a sling guy (He is wearing Serena in the sling in the photo) and he hasn't taken all 4 kids out by himself yet, so this was definitely out of his comfort zone. I did have to tag along, to be able to document the event. He did a great job, I hope he wins!

Oh Brothers!

She really is an amazing sister, she didn't even cry.

"Caught on Film"

Cast:

Ezra: Photographer

Justus: Babyhandler

Serena: Innocent Babe

The End.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm finally doing it! I've got my menu planned and most of the meals shopped for, it only took me about 3 days to plan. As always, meals are subject to change, but at least we've got somewhat of an idea for dinners for the week! Here is the blog I'm getting inspiration from, come and join in the fun!

Monday: Memorial Day Cheeseburgers, Broccoli (I like it roasted and everyone else likes it steamed)
Tuesday: Cheesy Potato Leek Soup, with some other vegetables hidden in the cheesiness...
Wednesday: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Crock Pot), Salad
Thursday: Beef and Cheese Burritos, carrot and cucumber sticks
Friday: Chicken Divan (from the freezer)
Saturday: Leftovers, for the kids and I as Matt will be at a Men's Meat Meal
Sunday: Spaghetti (sauce made in the Crock Pot!)

The First Time

It happened today for the first time... all four kids crying at the same time. I've been kind of waiting for it to happen and finally it did, thankfully not in public. We were driving home from Sand City and for many reasons, all felt the need to unleash the beasts. Ezra only lasted a few seconds as he quickly realized the insanity of it all and was able to start laughing with me. Other than that time in the car, we had a fairly pleasant shopping trip down to REI, Target, and Costco! Whew!

Shut Up!

After winning my first blog giveaway, I won my second one!! For the same thing!! Yes, that's right, I won the giveaway over at "Deal"ectible Mommies for another pair of Eleven Shoes! Thank you Candace, love your blog!!

Babies with Babies

Crash and Burn

Top Gun was on the other night and all the boys (Matt included) were super excited to watch the fighter jet scenes. They were standing on the bench flying their jets having a grand ol' time.

The music at the end of the movie was especially moving for Gianna.

Finally!!

After a year of entering blog contests and giveaways, I've finally won! YAY! Thank you to Crystal at Blondes, Poop and Mascara and Eleven Shoes for hosting this shoe giveway. Ezra will be the proud owner of the Alistair sandals, perfect for the summer!

Mission: Impossible

I thought getting a decent picture of the 3 kids together was hard, 4 kids is going to be even more difficult! We may have to invest in Photoshop or something like that.

Video Fun

The Greco and Legge kids wrestling with Uncle Joey.

Justus and Gianna figured out some baby stroller fun the other day. Here is Ezra giving Gianna a ride.

The proud big brother. He LOVES holding his littlest sister!

St. Patrick's Day!

Although my due date was April 3rd, I had a feeling I was going to have this baby a little bit early. Little did we know she would be born on St. Patrick's Day! We had a great home birth experience with Veronica Wagner. Serena Rene Greco was born at 10:30pm, weighing in at a hefty 6 lbs and 18 3/4 in. She is doing great! The boys have been at my mom's house in Sacramento since Friday, but until then they were loving the new baby. Even Gianna has been a very good big sister. It is amazing how fast she has grown up in the last week! God has been SO good to our family, we are overwhelmingly blessed!

Ezra thought he was taking a picture of himself, but the camera was set to video.

Just a girl enjoying her chocolate!

Stay tuned for the Greco Family Band

My grandfather was a music teacher/musician all his life. He'd be proud to see this!

Funny Biandi.

Why does this sound never grow old?

Steamed to Death

My midwife's office is right next to New Leaf, so sometimes I'll walk through the store to see if there are any good deals to buy. Today, I found some organic artichokes for $.69 each! I steamed them and then was eating them at dinner and this little guy fell out of one of the first leaves. I actually wasn't that grossed out, it could have been a lot worse, like a worm or a pincher bug. But, to have a lady bug in your artichoke, kind of cute!