Pepperoni & Tomato Macaroni Dinner

I have partnered with Hormel Foods as part of their Extended Family Blogger Program. While Hormel Foods provides me with material and yummy food, all opinions are my own.

In our February package from Hormel Foods, we found another package of pepperoni. Yay! Owen was jumping (well, he stomps his foot and bounces) with excitement. This boy will gobble down pepperoni right out of the package. This month, we received Turkey Pepperoni. I  was a little unsure of it because let’s face it: we stick with what we know and new things are a little scary sometimes.

Learning about Noah’s Ark with VeggieTales

Thanks to Family Christian for providing us a screener to watch and a certificate to give away. Affiliate links are included.

We love when a new VeggieTales movie comes out! Both boys love VeggieTales (and mom and dad don’t mind them either). We were able to see Noah’s Ark before it’s even in stores!

VeggieTales has done it again! The VeggieTales take of the story of Noah is just like any other VeggieTales movie: bright, funny, full of songs and carries an important lesson.

Realistic Resolutions with Gorton’s Seafood & SparkPeople

I received product from Gorton’s in exchange for this post. However, all opinions are my own.

We’re a month into the New Year. Did you set resolutions for this year? If you did, how are they going? I’m not one to sit down and set actual resolutions. I know a lot of people do, but then again, I know a lot of people “fail” at them two weeks later. I don’t think it’s really possible to fail at your resolution just a few weeks in. I think you have the whole year to really make it or not. Anyway…

Gorton’s Seafood has paired up with SparkPeople, the largest healthy living community on the web, to develop a 30-Day Realistic Resolution Challenge! Participants will receive tips, recipe ideas and daily motivation to support health and nutrition goals.

Did I mention that there’s also a Gorton’s “Eat Smarter” Sweepstakes? You could win a $500 weekly prize or a $5,000 Grand Prize!

As we’ve discussed before, I’m not a big fish person. I decided to try the Grilled Salmon for lunch. I whipped up a side to go with it that is a perfect addition.

Corn, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Importance of Family

As a member of the Netflix Stream Team, we receive a Netflix subscription and a streaming device. However, all opinions are my own.

January has been a rough month for us, but it’s coming to an end and hopefully the rest of 2015 is kinder to us. This month we’ve been battling sickness that has made it’s way around the house a few times, we took a trip to visit my grandparents in Kentucky and we said goodbye to my husband’s grandfather, who passed while we were on said trip.

Building God’s Kingdom with the Boys

As a Tommy Nelson Mommy, I receive products in exchange for posting. No other compensation is received. Affiliate links may be included.

Teaching little ones to be honest, help others and be good kids that follow God can be challenging. If I were to read from my King James Bible to Charlie every day, he probably wouldn’t get much from it. We do read to him from his Children’s Bible, but I love that we’re able to add in books that are focused around things he likes and still have lessons.

The new series from Andy Holmes, Building God’s Kingdom, is about a group of friends (Dozer, Diggit, Stretch and Tipper) that happen to be construction vehicles. I know in our house, anything that goes is always a hit. Both boys love to push their cars around and will play with them for hours. We already have quite a few books about trucks and such, but none quite like these.

Everything You Need for Game Day

We’re Ravens fans and would have loved to see them return to the Big Game this year, but it wasn’t in the cards. We’ll still be watching the game, enjoying some yummy food, and laughing (or sometimes crying) at the new commercials.

 

Spaceship Building and Pop Secret Space Bar Snack

Thanks to Pop Secret for sponsoring this post.

It is snowing here today (expecting up to 4 inches) and we’re spending the day inside building a spaceship. Some kids build forts, but we build spaceships and rocket ships. To go along with our spaceship building, we made a yummy snack using Pop Secret. Because you know… snacks make everything better.

While Charlie was working on building his spaceship, I got the Pop Secret Caramel Popcorn going.

Bacon & Pepperoni Pizza Roll-Ups

I have partnered with Hormel Foods as part of their Extended Family Blogger Program. While Hormel Foods provides me with material and yummy food, all opinions are my own.

This is our first month as a Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger. What that means is that we’ll be sharing recipes, getting sneak peeks at new products, and revisiting our old favorites. It was so exciting getting a giant cooler delivered to the house. Owen thought it was for him and helped me open it up. Inside we found all sorts of fun Hormel Foods products.

With football playoffs in full swing right now, we’re always up for some easy appetizers that make perfect party food.

14 One Pot Dinners

It’s already almost two weeks into the new year and we’re still in a whirlwind from the holidays. I love making dinner, but hate dealing with the mess! Sometimes by the time dinner is done, it seems there are more dirty dishes in the house than there are clean.

Today I’m sharing some dishes with you that will leave you with just one pot or skillet to clean!

 

The Little Mermaid Legacy Collection CD

I received the Little Mermaid Legacy Collection CD as a member of the Entertainment New Media Network.  No further compensation was received and all opinions are my own.  This post may also contain affiliate links.

All of a sudden I feel ridiculously old. This year The Little Mermaid is celebrating its 25th Anniversary! How is that even possible? I remember watching this movie when it first came out like it was yesterday! And you better believe I preordered my copy on blu-ray 6 months before it was released.

The CD cover and 20-page booklet include new artwork from Lorelay Bove, a visual development artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios who you may recognize from Tangled and Wreck-It Ralph. It really is beautiful! And if you can’t remember the words to some of your favorite songs, the lyrics are right there in the book.

Our Christmas Week

Wow! What happened to the past week?!? I can’t believe it’s New Year’s Eve already! We had a great Christmas with several family gatherings. It’s always a bit crazy, but I love seeing everyone.

The boys wound up with way too much stuff and we’re in the process of putting it all away and deciding what needs to go because it’s not played with anymore. I have the hardest time parting with toys that were once loved, but I desperately need to do it because the house is being overrun with their things that just are used.

Merry Christmas!

This morning we’ll probably be up somewhere between 6 and 7AM. Ideally, the later the better. We’ve all been a little under the weather and could use the extra rest. Hopefully the boys get the memo.

Today we’ll be tearing into our presents, working on our “thank you” words, and enjoying our time with family.

Whatever it is you do today, I hope you have a great day and remember the real reason for today.

Checkout Made Easier with Softcard

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Softcard. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Like most people, I try to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible. It’s important to me to be able to get what I need in a timely manner and to save money. Softcard is a free app that lets you pay using your phone, save with special offers, and store all of your store loyalty, membership, and rewards cards!

You can download it on your Android or Windows devices with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless service providers.

Gifts Santa is Leaving Out

We received products in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links included.

In our house, Santa wraps most presents. The big ones are left out unwrapped looking pretty awesome first thing in the morning. For Charlie’s second Christmas, his presents that were left out from Santa were a chalkboard and a kitchen. The items that are left out are usually the big ones that need put together. I hate the idea of spending Christmas day putting together gifts that the kids could be playing with instead.

 

This year, the boys will come downstairs to find a pile of wrapped gifts and some sitting out ready to play.

Stocking Stuffers

We received items below in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links included.

Christmas is less than a week away, but we have some more stocking stuffer ideas for you!

Quick question though: do you wrap your stocking stuffers?

Mom’s Holiday Picks from Netflix

As a member of the Netflix Stream Team, I receive a Netflix subscription and a streaming device. All opinions are my own.

Most of what we watch is for the kids. This time of year, everyone is talking about the movies for kids (and there are a ton of them that we love). I’m going to share some of my favorite movies to watch on Netflix during the holidays once the kids are in bed for the night or on the rare occasion that they nap simultaneously and I’m able to get through a show of my own.

Hoodsbee: the hoodie that’s a friend

We received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own.

Getting coats and jackets on isn’t always easy with little ones, but with a Hoodsbee, I’m sure it’ll be much easier! Hoodsbee is a hoodie that transforms into a plush friend! 

This unique patented technology allows your little one to carry their travel plush buddy, put it on when it is cold, fold it back up into a plush and use it as a head pillow for when they are tired. It's as easy as 1,2,3! Fold, roll and snap! Now, not only do you have a pillow and a travel companion, but you also have a nicely wrapped up hoodie that is easy to store or travel with.

We received Anchor the Shark and it’s already a hit with Charlie! He was so excited to put it on, and hated when I had to take it off to show him how it rolled up into a cool shark!

VeggieTales: Beauty and the Beet

As a Family Christian Blogger, I received product in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included.

As you’re well aware, we love VeggieTales and I never mind adding a new video to our collection! We were really excited when our copy of Beauty and the Beet arrived!

Charlie wanted to put it in right away and of course, I did so and took advantage of the free time I had. Charlie and Owen both were entranced immediately. I, of course, loved hearing Kellie Pickler sing so many songs! Kellie Pickler stars in this VeggieTales spin on Beauty and the Beast and does a fantastic job.

25+ Candy Cane Ideas

I have to say I’m not particularly fond of candy canes, but they’re everywhere this time of year. Go see Santa, get a candy cane. Walk into a small business, get a candy cane. And you know after Christmas, all those candy canes will be on clearance!

I’ve put together some ways for you to use all of those candy canes!

Now go get all your candy canes! I’ve got drinks (grown-up and kid-friendly), cookies, candy, crafts and more!

Holiday Baking Must-Haves from Love Cooking Co

I received products in exchange for this post, but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be included.

Baking up Christmas cookies has been a tradition for years, but I have to admit I’m one of those parents that just gets stressed out while Charlie is “helping”. Yes, I feel awful about it, but it is what it is and I try to cope. He adores helping Mommy bake and decorate, so I just deal and we get through it.

Love Cooking Company teamed up with Mrs. Fields and sent us some fun products to try. Now that Christmas baking is upon us, we made our first batch of sugar cookies this week. I just made them from a bag mix and hoped it would relieve some of the stress. After Charlie cracked smashed an egg on the table, I knew I made the right decision.

Once our sugar cookie batter was ready, I rolled it all out. I have never figured out how to roll out cookie batter correctly, so if you have some magic tips, please share!