I AM DYING TO BLOG BUT I CAN'T

I have been taking a class about the founding fathers and the Revolution. I have been learning so much. I love it. One of the assignments for the class is to memorize the Declaration of Independence. My goal was to finish today and pass it off but I made a huge mistake...Let me start off by saying that I don't even remember reading the Declaration in school so my knowledge before this class is very minimal....that said...I was ready to pass it off today when I realized I had only memorized the first page (because I thought that was all there was). Luckily the generous teachers are allowing me another week to complete this assignment. I have made a commitment to finish this before I post....and I have lots to post(since before Thanks Giving).

It is Great to have Good Friends! Aaron and I and the kids went to my friend Shandi's (Shandra) house on Saturday Night for Dinner. I told the kids that Shandi and I have known each other for more than twenty years. We've been friends since junior high school. We became better friends in college and have been in touch off and on since then. Having families to raise and diapers to change makes it hard to get together as often, but I will always cherish our friendship. Shandi has two beautiful girls...Sophia 3, and Gianna 1 on Christmas Eve. Aaron and Jesus seemed to get along great and we had a wonderful night. I should have taken pictures of the cupcakes she let the kids decorate but I didn't think of that until later. Aaron said that Jesus bbq'd the best steaks he'd had in a long time. Dinner was absolutely wonderful and the company was even better.
On the way home the kids were asking about how we knew each other and I of course told them and while reminiscing I thought of a time Shandi let her dad cut her hair....I'm sure Shandi remembers....we all thought she was crazy. It was one of those infomercial contraptions. I think it was called a Flowbee(not sure of spelling). It was like a vacuum that has extender hoses and you pick the length you want and then it sucks your hair in and cuts it the length of the hose. Probably wasn't so good for the hair but great for memories...Thanks for a great time Shandi and Jesus.

ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA HOLIDAY PARADE

and second place goes to.....A to Z.

Not bad considering we were up against over 70 other floats...some of which were designed by professional float builders and designers.

Great Job guys!!!

"TWILIGHT NIGHT"

On Friday the 21st of November the Twilight Movie came out. This is actually the first movie I have ever gone to on opening night. For book club about 2 1/2 years ago we read Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I loved it and got lots of friends and family hooked on it. The Series is four books and The movie was highly anticipated for all of us. There were about twenty five of us who went to the movie and then out to eat after. It was so fun to have a girls night out. The movie was a bit cheesy but I liked it. They did a pretty good job at keeping the Movie True to the book...with a few minor changes. I can't wait for "New Moon" to come out.

Matt's Soccer team finished the season on November 15th. Matt really enjoyed this season. His coach was great. Matt always looked forward to practices and games. His coach said that Matt
was by far the best listener. He said that Matt always looked him in the eye when he was talking to him and that Matt really tried to do what he was asked. Unfortunately they did not win any games, but if you watch the DVD Aaron made you would think they were the best team ever. Aaron loves to make videos and this is the second year that he made copies for all the boys. It was so cute to see the boys watching the DVD and saying "That's Me," or "That's you", or "oooh, Cool". The boys watched it over and over (and so did the Parents). Great Job Aaron. Speaking of Aaron, he came away from the Laser Tag game with the most confirmed kills...he was pretty excited.

The following is absolutely the best Sweet Potato Casserole ever and I've never been a sweet potato lover (until I tried this).

Sweet Potato Casserole
(from food network kitchens)

2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large), scrubbed
2 large eggs, lightly beaten with a fork
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 Tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
(this recipe does not call for Mini Marshmallows, but I usually use them)

Preheat the oven th 400 degrees. Put the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet covered with foil and pierce with a fork several times. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool.

Turn the oven down to 350 degrees. Scoop the sweet potato out of their skins and into a medium bowl. Discard the skins. Mash the potatoes until smooth. Add the eggs, butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and pepper to taste. Whisk the mixture until smooth.

Butter and 8X8 inch oven safe dish. Pour the sweet potato mixture into the pan ans sprinkle the top with the pecans. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes until a bit puffy. Serve immediately.

***Tips from Marie
1. I usually double this recipe for bigger crowds and there is usually a bit left over.
2. I usually omit the pepper.
3. I always use about 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg in place of the fresh nutmeg.
4. I use extra pecans....I cover the top with pecans (they're one of my favorite parts of the recipe) and put mini marshmallows on the top during the last 10 minutes or so.

Well, things have been crazy around the Zambrana house these last few weeks and I have lots of pictures I'd like to post, but unfortunately we had to get a different computer in the house and it is old and doesn't have the memory to save my pictures. I could go out to the office but I am too selfish of my time. The only time I'd be able to do it is when the kids are in bed and to be perfectly honest, I only have two or three nights each week when Aaron is not either working or doing church stuff. Right now I am trying to write this and It has taken me at least 40 minutes so far because I have to take minor detours to discipline and referee....I love being a mom and just have to do the best with what I have.

Last week Zoie came to me carrying a blanket and said, "Mommy, warm me up." It was so cute I couldn't help but love her....and those kind of things really help when I have to clean up after her when she decides to poop on the kitchen table, pee in one of my food storage buckets (luckily it was empty), get into my make up or color the dog with marker. It is rare day that you don't hear "Zoooooieeeeeeee" said in our house.

The other day Matt asked Aaron to Indian Wrestle him. Aaron and I both told Matt that dad could hurt him but Matt was very insistant. Finally Aaron gave in and they started the first go at it. Aaron quickly won the first match expecting Matt to give up but Matt was laughing and wanted to try again. The second time Matt farted (basically in Aaron's face due to the position you're in when you Indian Wrestle) and started to laugh...again. And then the third time Matt Farted yet again....by this time Matt was laughing so hard he couldn't even speak. Aaron pushed him out of the way and said that is it, you're doing that on purpose, we're done. All I could say was "like father, like son. We all had a good laugh.

The Zambrana Family at Bishop's Pumpkin Farm---October 2008.

On October 25th Garth and Barbara, Gwen and Chris & Krista and Paul came for Ammon's Baptism. We met them at our Favorite Pumpkin Farm---Bishop's Pumpkin Farm---In Wheatland, CA. It is about 20 minutes from our home and we go there every year. The kids had a blast spending time with their cousins. We are really blessed to have such a great family. Thanks to everyone for making this such a great day.

I went to a Prop 8 rally at the state capital on Tuesday the 28th of October. The people who attended were very diversified. It was a great experience to see so many people come together for a common goal: To Protect Marriage and Family.

For Ammon's Birthday I found a new recipe. I had made these before but I had always filled the ice cream cones with cake batter and then baked them standing up. I found this recipe online and I liked it so much better. I will definitely do these again because the kids loved them so much, only we won't wait for a birthday nextime. 1. Make cake batter according to box. 2. Fill cupcake papers 1/2 to 2/3 full (It's hard for me to be exact) 3. Press cones into batter (one cone per cupcake) 4. Bake cupcakes according to package (approx. 15-18 min. total time) 5. Straighten or push down ice cream cones every 5 minutes (2 to 3 times during baking) 6. Remove cupcakes from oven and trim excess from around the cupcake. 7. Remove cupcakes from pan and place on counter or rack to cool. 8. Remove paper, Frost and enjoy Tip: These can be frozen and then frosted. It is hard to transport frosted cupcakes to class so I took them to class and then frosted them there. The kids loved them. I only had one complaint. A boy in his class said he liked his cupcakes warm...I guess you can't please everyone.

Everytime we get together with anyone that knows Aaron, one of the first things they notice is how much Matt looks and acts like his dad. Matt is so full of energy and gets excited very easily. He is a great big brother and always wants to help...well almost always. He is a good boy and we love him very much.

I just had to take a picture of Matt and Aaron's shoes. They are so much alike it isn't funny. Aaron will wear his shoes (and clothes)until they are falling apart...and so will Matt. Both of them have new shoes but they often insist on wearing their old ones.

Here we can really see the holes. Matt has been getting holes in his socks because he just loves his "comfy old shoes". I finally put my foot down and said no more wearing them to school. Of course he whined and complained but so far so good. I haven't thrown them in the trash yet, but when I do, I am willing to bet he will dig them out just like his dad would.

This is a creation that Amalie made with the last of my cashews. She glued them onto a piece of paper and intended to give it to Mrs. Burns, her kindergarten teacher. She was showing it to Aaron one night and he told her it looks good and that he had eaten one of the cashews earlier. She looked kind of puzzled and told him that there is glue holding them onto the paper. He said, "I know, that is the best part." She paused for a minute and said, "Oh", and then ate one and said, "It is good."

Zoie is our number one mess maker. If she's not getting into something then she is not happy. For awhile we thought about calling her Noey because we are always telling her no. She is so cute we can't stay mad for long. Here she's showing me her lovely fingernails and toenails that she painted all by herself.....along with some other things.

After Matt's soccer game on Saturday we came home to eat lunch before we headed to the Airport Day. We all came in and cleaned up the house a bit and I decided to check on Zoie who had stayed in the car. When I got there this is what I found. She had gotten into the fingernail polish that Amalie had left in the car. Luckily finger nail polish remover did the magic trick.

Saturday, October 4th was Lincoln Airport Day. We took the kids in hopes that the boys could get a free airplane ride...but we were too late. The Show opened at 10:00am and by the time we got there (around noon) there was already a huge waiting list. There were lots of planes to look at and the kids were able to climb in a few of them. They especially liked the yellow bi-plane and are sure we've seen it flying over our house. The girls and I only lasted about an hour and a half but the boys got to stay and watch some of the Air Show.

On Friday, October 3rd I went to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm with Amalie's Class. Amalie said her favorite part was picking out the perfect pumpkin.

Here's Amalie with Asha. They loved the train Ride, especially going through the Jack-o-lantern tunnel.

Everyone loved the Hayride. The tractor took them to and from where the pumpkins grow and set them loose to find the perfect pumkin. The only stipulation was they had to be able to carry the pumpkin on their own.

Amalie was pretending to drive the early 1900's model tractor and of course I had to get a picture.

Matt is such a good big brother. He is very loving and is such a great helper. When Matt, Ammon, and Amalie are at school, Zoie walks around asking where they are. She sure loves them.
Zoie was still waking up from her nap in this picture, but isn't she cute? She sat here at the end of the track for a while, but she decided to move when the kids started sending down golf balls.
She had a great time climing up the race track with the trucks...but she did have a near collision with a fire truck that Amalie sent down the track. Luckily for us her dad has lightning fast reflexes (He's definitely my Edward) and pulled her away with only a slight toe injury.

Mick's BBQ September 20, 2008

On Saturday, September 20 we went to Mick’s (he works with Aaron) house for a BBQ. I was a bit scared that the kids would break something or get into something they shouldn't because Mick's house isn't kid proof, but they had a great time. On our way home they told us best five things about the night. Here are their responses: 1. The Race Track, 2. The jumps with the trucks full of golf balls, 3. Putting golf balls and hitting them over the fence, 4. Getting the golf balls out of the kiddie pool, and 5. The Music. This is a picture of Mick's band. They gave a pretty good concert consisting of mostly classic rock. Here we have Ammon, Matt, and Amalie with their friend Nate.
Aaron was the Designated Meat Burner for the event. He Threatened to spank anyone who complained about the food. He actually did pretty good...the hot dogs only had a little black on them, which is just the way we like them.
Mick made a track that goes down a steep hill in his backyard. The kids had a blast racing the trucks down the track. Here's Matt getting ready for a big race. Once he pulls the board out, the race will be on. Check out the look of determination (or is that Constipation) on his face.
In this picture Matt is Raceing the truck down the track. The kids must have run up and down the hill at least fifty times. They soon learned that when the trucks were loaded up with golf balls they went faster, jumped higher, and flew farther than they would have without the balls.