Saturday, February 27, 2010

Super Easy Homemade Pizza

If you want your kids and their friends to think you are Super-Cool...make them homemade pizza! It's SO EASY...and cheap!
These are the ingredients I used...all purchased at Trader Joe's. I love T.J.'s. The dough was just over $1, the cheese was $3, and the sauce was about $2. SO...2 yummy pizzas for $6 and much better than Domino's.
Just roll out the dough and put it on your stones. I cook it about halfway and remove it from the oven, add the sauce and cheese and cook it until the dough is totally cooked. The kids love it...whoo hoo. I might impress them again later and make homemade Jello!!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Nathan's Violin Concert

Nathan had a violin performance last night. They sounded GREAT...amazing the difference between last year and this year. Grammy took him to buy a special black dress shirt. He looked very handsome! Here he is before the performance sitting with some of his buddies. Doesn't he look thrilled? He said, "Mommy, stop taking pictures and go sit up in the bleachers with the 'normal' parents." Hey, he should know by now that I am NOT a NORMAL parent.
"I said...GO SIT DOWN...you're embarrassing me!"
Concentration! We are proud of Nathan's accomplishments.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Mani...Pedi...


My luxury when I went back to work was to get my nails done. I have had the same manicurist (Tracy) for 4 years, she is Vietnamese and such a sweetheart. A couple of times a year I also treat myself to a pedicure...I feel much better when I walk out of the salon than when I walk in. Thanks Tracy...

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Football Appetizer

During football season we have many guests over to our house, so I am always on the lookout for easy, cute, yummy football food. This is so easy...mix 8 oz. cream cheese with 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Add pepper, garlic salt, and 1/4 cup diced green onions. Shape into a football and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Roll in chopped pecans and pipe on sour cream laces. I used the end of the green onions as garnish to look like grass. It was delicious...try it...you'll like it!!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a good day here at the Groff house. This morning we went to visit Betty ...then dinner at home.Kyle wasn't here (big surprise!) as he had other plans this Valentine's Day. Sad that I'm no longer his favorite Valentine...sniff, sniff.
Darrell spoiled me with a beautiful new charm bracelet from Tommy Bahama. I LOVE IT. Thanks Honey. BTW- See how swollen my hand/wrist is from my Fibro...it hurts bad today.
For dinner? Grilled Shrimp, Filet Mignon, and Brocolli. Yummmmm
It was such a beautiful night, we ate outside by candlelight. Can you believe this is Darrell and my 24th Valentine's Day together!??! Time flies when you're having fun...and he still makes me have butterflies in my stomache when I see him from across the room. Okay...a little mushy, but true.
Nathan had leftover pizza. He's so cute...just love this boy!
AND for dessert...chocolate. covered. strawberries. Life is good...life is so good!!
To all of my dear friends both near and far, and to my family whom I love with all my heart...Happy Valentine's Day...I cherish and adore all of you!!

Museum of Natural History

Yesterday we took Nathan to the Museum of Natural History in San Diego. It was a beautiful day...
The building was huge!
We saw an awesome 3D film on the importance of a certain sardine on the tip of South Africa. They are in danger of being fished out and they sustain the economy in the area as well as the major food source for dolphins, seals, whales, and a certain type of endangered sea bird in the area. Who knew that sardines were so important??!!
Ground Sloth...
Wolly Mammoth and Attitude Tweener...which is scarier?? I know what I'd pick!
Great White Shark hanging from the ceiling.
Nathan looking at the exhibits.
This pendulum was at the entrance and swings constantly with the angle of the Earth. It was a fun day...we learned a lot.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Winter Formal Final Take ~ Party Bus

When we were in High School we would all spend way too much of our parents' money on a limo...remember Kristin!!! It was fun, but not at all practical. NOW...40 kids get together and hire a "Party Bus." It has a bathroom and TV's onboard. The kids had a blast with 40 of their friends riding to dinner and the dance. Until the next dance...

Friday, February 5, 2010

Winter Formal ~ Take 2

Kyle and Kaylee looked so BEAUTIFUL...it was hard for me not to get teary!! When I looked at Kyle I feel so proud and blessed to be his Mom. I feel he has turned into such a great person.
Here are "my boys" before we left for the picture-taking extravaganza. Kyle and Ryan had very similiar tuxes on and looked so handsome. Nathan is just a goofball!!
The boys waiting patiently at the park for the girls. Nearly ALL of the boys were wearing tennis shoes.
Grammy and Kaylee's father helping to get Kyle flower pinned to his lapel.
MacKenzie (Kaylee's fraternal twin) and Ryan...gorgeous...
Kaylee getting her flower. They chose orchids which were totally exotic and beautiful. I loved them. Flowers on...

Kyle, Kaylee, MacKenzie and Ryan. The Twins and the Best Friends...ahhhhhhhh!!!


Too much light, but I love this photo.
One of the "classic Dana" feet pictures.

Another great photo of the four kids.

Kyle and some of his football buddies. The boy on the left, Nick, and Kyle actually went to pre-school together.


Kyle got home about 12 midnight. He had a blast and said he even danced! I wish I was a fly on the wall. Tomorrow...a picture of the "party bus" that they took to the dance.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Winter Formal~ Take 1

Several weeks ago, Kyle's girlfriend Kaylee called me and secretly came over to our house when Kyle was at his baseball game. She decorated his room with balloons, streamers, confetti...and made a GIANT mess!! In the middle was a sign asking him to the Winter Formal dance at her school (which is Kyle's old school), of course he said "YES!" and they (I should say she) has been planning ever since. Today is DANCE DAY!! Kaylee (who is cute as can be and has a darling personality to go with the cuteness!) is a twin and Kyle's best friend Ryan (our neighbor..and my adopted son) is dating her twin. They went together and looked beautiful!
This is what Kyles' room looked like! Weeks later, we are still cleaning up confetti!
See the sign on the middle of the bed?
A shot from the hallway...
Kaylee was hiding in the closet and he opened the door to find her.

Take 2 tomorrow...pictures, pictures, pictures.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Happy Birthday Tanya and Bret

This past weekend we celebrated Tanya and Bret's birthdays. My Mom made lasagna (one of her specialities) and my cousin Matthew and his girlfriend Emily came over. We had fun...Happy Birthday Tanya and Bret!!