Seven on Sunday: Week 2

Vaca was definitely over for us this week! Ugh! Back to the routine!!

Day 1: Sunday--Back my my least favorite activity--making school lunches! I definitely did not miss this over Christmas break! Good news is Brooke has branched out more and requested lentils and pita bread in her lunch. These "bagged" lentils from Costco are SOOO delicious!!!  Will said they looked like diarrhea poop, so I'm guessing he won't be wanting them in his own lunchbox anytime soon.

Day 2: Monday--My family room at 6:45am Monday morning. Vaca is over!!!

Day 3: Tuesday-- I'm back to getting up at 5:00 with Miss Jillian Michaels and she's kicking my butt (as she promises to do!). I'm super sore and tired...price you pay for a month of holiday eating and drinking! This was MUCH needed about 3:00!

Day 4: Wednesday--Sarah and I went to the library story time! I have no idea why I didn't take her here sooner. I used to take Will almost every Wednesday. I think maybe I keep thinking she's still a baby--and she's NOT! In fact, she towered over most of the kids there! She absolutely loved it and keeps talking about going back. I guess I know what we're doing every Wednesday morning!!

After that, we were just driving and out of no where she says (in perfect adult-like talk), "Mommy I'm going to miss you when I go to Kindergarten." What 2 year old says that??!!

S

Day 5: Thursday--These two. Every single night these two change into random PJs and "play karate." Which means they spar in the living room trying to defeat each other in some way. They'll "fight" and laugh and after a few minutes someone is declared the "winner." Have no idea how this works but it's pretty hilarious!

Day 6: Friday --We were waiting in the carpool line and Sarah was playing with my phone. Then I hear, "Mom! I'm taking a selfie!!"

Day 7: Saturday--THIS came in the mail (what did I do before Amazon Prime??) After a month hiatus from Miss Jillian (I have been doing her Ripped in 30), I'm back in the groove. I decided to step it up with this one. I read lots of reviews on Amazon and I'm hoping by the end of next week I can still walk!! Gonna rock my buns and thighs!!

 Have a great week!!!

XO ~ Casey

Foodie Friday: Avacado Chicken Salad

I'm going to admit this up front--my mother in law makes the best chicken salad. Ever. It's creamy and delicious goodness that I can eat by the bowlful. Delicious? Yes. Figure Friendly. Um....no. Someday, with her permission, I'll share this recipe. In the meantime, since everyone is still on their New Year's weight loss high, I'm posting my version that will help you stick to those New Years resolutions a bit better...

Avocado Chicken Salad
2 cups shredded chicken (easiest to use a cooked, rotisserie chicken!)
1 avocado, diced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Juice of one lime
1-3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup greek yogurt, plain
Salt/Pepper

1) Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Refrgerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors marry.

2) Season with salt and pepper, if needed.

3) Serve with pita bread, regular bread or over a bed of greens.

Super fresh and yummy. Just what you need this New Year!!

XO ~ Casey

Seven on Sunday: Week 1!

Lots of naps, relaxing at home and nursing colds on this last week of Christmas Break! Back to the grind on Monday!

Day 1: Sunday --Sarah was sick, and we missed church. So these kiddos woke up and declared "We're not getting out of our PJ's today!" So they didn't. I think I took this pic about 4:00pm. I made them change their undies and get into fresh PJs before bed, though! HA!! I think Will actually put on regular shorts, but stayed in his PJ top :)

Day 2: Monday--Sarah breathed her nasty sick germs on me and I got sick, AGAIN! I laid around all day in my new Uggs (Thanks, Mom!!) and did nothing. Good Lord, they are comfy! I might never take them off!!!

Day 3: Tuesday--Starting last year, we started doing a canvas painting each Christmas that involve the kid's hands, fingers, toes, etc. Last year we did a Christmas tree with all of their hands. This year we did their feet! We didn't have time to do it before Christmas, but better late than never! It was fun cleaning green paint out of the tub, but I think it turned out cute!

Day 4: Wednesday: New Years Eve!!!! We started the morning by going to Party City and getting a NYE kit with hats and noisemakers! Then Scott and I made our traditional NYE dinner of crab and garlic noodles. It was soooooo good!!!! I cannot BELIEVE the kids stayed up until midnight! They were animals! (Sarah was out at 6...not such a party animal!)

They're ready!

We're ready!!!

Delicious!

Still going strong at 11:45!! I can't believe we made it! Happy 2015!!!

Day 5: Thursday-- We went to our friend's house for a football party, of course I took no pictures. It was the first and last time I'll ever cheer for Ohio State, that's for sure!

Day 6: Friday--My girls :) Snuggling in bed.

Day 7: Saturday--Everyone was feeling a little better, so we went up to Napa for lunch! It was this "famous" Mexican place Scott heard about. It was soooo good!! The best part was you get to bring your food outside and eat with a view!!

Have a great week!!!!!

XO ~ Casey

Foodie Friday: One Pot Pasta

Happy New Year!!!! I love the New Year! The calendar-obessing, planning part of me loves that you can just "start over" by the turn of a calendar page! It's like a clean slate :) In light of the "clean slate," I have changed it up a bit...Recipe Wednesday has now changed to Foodie Friday. I may be adding another fun feature on Wednesdays, so stay tuned for that :)

This recipe will become a staple in our home. It's the yummy, rich, flavorful pasta dish that you crave, but it's really not all that bad for you! Perfect for the New Year and that weight-loss, detox resolution you have...don't lie... :) And note that it's a ONE POT pasta dish. Yes, nooooo boiling the pasta, straining, etc. You cook the entire dish in one pot!! I always measure the ease of a recipe by how many dishes you have to wash at the end of the night. This one is super easy!!

Chicken Apple Sausage Pasta

1 package chicken apple sausage, sliced (i like Adelle's)
1/2 large onion, diced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small granny smith apple, diced
2 cups chicken broth or stock
1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes with chilis)
1 can fire roasted tomatoes
1/2 cup half and half (optional)
10 oz. pasta (about 2/3 of the box), I like using Rotini
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
Green onions, chopped

1) In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add in the onions and sausage and cook for about 5 minutes until brown. Then, put in the garlic and apples, cooking for another minute.

2) Add the chicken broth, canned tomatoes, half and half, pasta, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil; then reduce the heat to medium low. Cover and let simmer until the pasta is cooked al dente (about 7-10 minutes, but test the pasta to see if it's done to your liking).

3) Remove the pan from the heat and add cheese to the pasta. Stir to combine. Garnish with green onions and enjoy!!

Easy. Delicious. Done.

Enjoy!!

XO ~ Casey

Farewell 2014!!

2014 was a great year for our family. As I look back through all the pictures, I realized just how many cool things we did together as a family. Here are some of the highlights as we say goodbye to 2014 and ring in a whole new year! 2015...we're ready for you!!!

January
We started off the New Year right with our First Annual St. Dominic SF trip for Mass and to visit our old Pastor, Fr. Michael.

Brooke also got reading glasses!

February

In February we celebrated Scott's birthday in Napa!

 Scott's sister and fiance also came to visit!

March
In March the kiddos had their very first sleepover with friends!

...and we spent our weekends at the ballpark!

April
We had another sleepover with friends! 5 kids in a tub...really??!

May
This crazy girl turned 2 and we all found out the meaning of Terrible Twos!!

This girl wow'ed us all at Author's Night...

She also ran in the City Track Meet...

Scott golfed in the Blaise Olmes Memorial Golf Tournament....i went to the after-party :)

June
This guy graduated from preschool!

He also learned to swim :)

And we celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary....in Napa, of course!

July

We had our annual camping trip with friends to the Henry Cowell Redwoods in Santa Cruz:

Brooke did a mini-track meet at track camp and toughed it out in the 400!

We had the Shanks Family Reunion and said goodbye to my dad's house that he sold....

August

August was a BIG month for us!

We got to see all of Scott's family out here in California to celebrate the union of these beautiful people!

The crazy cousins were reunited once more...

We went "Glamping" in a Yurt in Napa and survived the Great Napa Earthquake of 2014!! Yes, we were CAMPING when it happened! I'll never forget the 1,000 text messages I woke up to when I turned my phone on the next morning! 

Soccer season started!!! 

These two started school...Kindergarten and 4th grade...where does the time go?!

September

Brooke went to 4th Grade camp in Coloma (Gold Rush Camp) and Scott chaparoned! It's definitely a trip they will both never forget!

October

October was all about Halloween...

..and Brookey's All-Star soccer game...

November

I got to spend time with my mom's side of the family at my Uncle's memorial. He passed away suddenly at the beginning of November.

We also spent time with all of Scott's siblings in an unforgettable Thanksgiving in San Diego!

December

We started a great annual family tradition of staying in SF before Christmas. We went to Scott's company Christmas party, checked our the Fairmont's famous gingerbread house and ate...a lot :)

Ready for Christmas Mass

These three...Christmas morning

The Rooneys wish you a happy, healthy, fun-filled 2015!! You can check out our annual Year in Review video in the post below!! XXXOOOOO

XO ~ Casey