300th Post!

When I logged in tonight, I noticed our post number: 299.  Therefore, this is our 300th post!  Our blogging has been inconsistant over the years, but we do love it.  I want to do more, as I have stated several times before:)  Anyhoo...

Today was a big day at the Benner Townhome.  First, Moose was a gracious husband and let me sleep until 8:00.  The kiddos have been rising about 6:00 each morning.  It makes for a tired mama.  Then, Moose took the boys to get their first pair of hockey skates and helmets.  They were very excited!  I was a proud mama seeing them off as this has been a dream of mine to have little boys playing hockey.    The Benner men also went to the DECC to watch Grand Rapids beat Elk River in the state semi-finals.  After dinner, Rich took them skating at an outdoor rink.  Before bed, the girls and boys played cops and robbers.  The sissies were exceptionally cute as they shooed away the boys with, "No!  My sissy!"

The Benner men acting tough.

First hockey gear.

Making friends at the high school hockey game.

Introducing...Supergirl!

Last night, Allison donned a superhero cape and mask.  She was adorable and very proud of her new look.

While Moose was away...

Moose spent the last few days traveling between Decatur, IL and Dayton, OH meeting his new colleagues and touring a plant.  He will be home tonight and will leave for Duluth on Sunday.  Here are are some shots while he was away...

Will and Allison being silly.

They still like to take baths together.
Allison, Jackson, Sydnee, and William

Sydnee's braid after her bath.

Allison sat long enough to get a quick French braid in her hair.  She wouldn't let me get a picture of it.  Instead she gave Sydnee a big hug. 

Getting bundled up for the morning commute in subzero temperatures.

A little me time

Even though, I have had more "me time" lately than in the past, today it is just me.  Since our last day on January 18, Moose and I have been consumed by the relocation process.  From traveling to Duluth to scope out our new town through "parental" eyes, to completing paperwork, to sorting through and cleaning the house, we have been busy.  A good busy, but busy.

I shoveled twice yesterday in preparation for the open house.  The buyers were interested.  They need to sell their house first.  Ah, the homebuyers/sellers cycle.

So today, I am again, taking advantage of a quiet house and daycare and heading to Davenport to try on bridesmaid dresses for Tara's wedding in October.  Target, Hobby Lobby, and Chipotle are also on the list.

Chicken Pot Pie

Here is my first, of very few, recipe posts.  This recipe is courtesy of my mother, Linda Lou.  It is a family favorite that never disappoints.  It reheats and freezes well.  I made this today in the midst of getting the house ready for a showing and shoveling the driveway.  The kids are in the last week of daycare and I took full advantage of an empty house.

Ingredients: 1 pkg. ready-to-bake pie crusts, 2 cooked chicken breasts cubed, 1 can Cream of Chicken, 1 can Cream of Potato, 2 cups of frozen veggies (a can of Veg-All works too), pepper, salt, and thyme to taste.

 Preheat oven to 375.

Unroll one of the pie crusts and place in the pie pan.  Spread 1/2 can of Cream of Chicken on the bottom and 1/2 can of Cream of Potato.  Put 1 cup of mixed veggies and 1/2 of the cooked chicken on top.  Add pepper, salt, and thyme to taste.   

Repeat the steps again.  Place the other pie crust on top.

Pinch the sides together. Make slits on the top.  Sometimes I make designs or use a cookie cutter.

Bake for 40-45 minutes.  The crust will be golden brown and the inside will be bubbling.  Let stand for a few minutes for before serving.

It is even good enough for superheros.

Unemployment ends

Moose's unemployment has come to an end.  This evening, Moose travelled to Decatur, Illinois to spend three days completing paperwork, meeting his new colleagues, and visiting another Tate & Lyle plant in Dayton, Ohio.  Starting tomorrow, he will be gainfully employed.  A sigh of relief, we will again have health insurance.

For the next three days, the kids will finish out the month with Cindy.  I will finish up some loose ends (getting a hitch for the van, sorting, closets, drawers) and submit subbing paperwork for the Duluth and Hermantown districts.  I can't help but think about what I am going to do to be a better mom, wife, and person while I am not teaching.  To start, healthier eating and exercise.  The townhouse has a community room with a treadmill that is open 24 hours.  For both of these, I will look to my recent guiding light, Pinterest.  I am truly looking forward to spending QUALITY time with my children.  And I really want to figure this blogging thing out; for our family and for teaching.

Until then, I hope to...

 

Courtesy of www.wellsphere.com

For Sale!

On January 24, the For Sale sign went up and 2601 Dawson Street was on the market.  Since then we have had three showings with another scheduled on Wednesday.  We are keeping our fingers crossed for more serious buyers to check us out so that our temporary housing will be just that, temporary.