Rudy Family Rukus~Parenting tips and humor meet in one big "rukus"

While I'm at it.....

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:27:00 +0000

Since I'm on here I suppose I could post the awesome pictures that Wendy took of us. I think we got some great shots to include in our Christmas Cards. Thanks Wendy we LOVE them all!

Something I just have to Share!

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0000

I went to a party months ago and discovered this really fabulous dip. My lovely friend Suzie was gracious enough to share it with me and since I have had a MILLION requests for the recipe I am sharing it here mostly because I am too lazy to email everyone that has asked.

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip

Ingredients:
3 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 jar Marzetti's blue cheese or ranch dressing
1/4 cup Nance's buffalo wing sauce (mild)
1 8-oz.pkg. cream cheese softened
Tabasco or Frank’s Red Hot sauce (optional)
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions:
1. Boil chicken until tender (let cool), then shred or chop finely.
2. Mix together dressing and buffalo sauce.
3. Use hot sauce to fire it up to your desire.
4. Spread cream cheese in a 9x13 baking dish.
5. Mix chicken into dressing/buffalo sauce mixture.
6. Pour chicken/dressing/buffalo sauce mixture evenly over cream cheese.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. (Sprinkle a layer of the shredded cheese on the top and cook for the last three minutes if desired.)
8. Let cool and serve with celery sticks, chicken-flavored crackers, Tostitos Dips tortilla chips, etc.

I like to use Litehouse lite blue cheese dressing it makes me feel like I am saving some calories (I'm laughing even typing that) I also couldn't find that brand of buffalo wing sauce so I use TexasPete Buffalo Wing Sauce and I of course found that at Walmart. One time I served it with homemade french bread cut into small pieces that was a really big hit too!

Sorry no picture it just doesn't photograph well.

Wordless Wednesday~Dirty Dash

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:40:00 +0000

Wordless Wednesday~Love the Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:52:00 +0000

Mother of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:58:00 +0000

So I have been trying to be "Mother of the Year" and therefore I have apparently fallen off the face of the blogging world... ahem....
We've been up to a lot around here over the past few months and our summer got stretched out this year because we start "traditional school" instead of my favorite "year round"! Oh well I am going with the "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit" motto.... again trying for Mother of the Year.
Here are some great photos taken by the ever lovely Wendy Atkins. She did a fantastic job as always!

Wish I could take credit for these fabulous pictures. I will however take credit for the materials(aka my children) in the photos.
Oh and Mama Kat this is for you!

Yummy Cinnamon Rolls

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Fri, 06 May 2011 13:00:00 +0000

This is a new family favorite. We have been enjoying them fresh a LOT. A lot more than I care to admit. I was thrilled to discover that once baked they also freeze beautifully. I sadly cannot take credit for the original recipe but I made some alterations that I will take credit for.

Cinnamon Filling

2 cups warm water 1 cube butter (melted)

2 packages dry yeast (2 T.) 3 tablespoons cinnamon

2/3 cup oil 1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

6 cups flour

Soften yeast in warm water then add eggs, oil, salt and sugar and mix well. Add flour and mix well knead until smooth and elastic. It will still be a little sticky. (I use my kitchen aid mixer for the entire process with great success).

Let dough rise until double and then roll on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch in thickness. Spread melted butter over dough and then sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar (mixed together) over entire surface. Then start with the widest end and roll up tight. Slice in 1 inch rolls and place on greased cookie sheet about 1/2 inch apart. Makes about 18-20 rolls. Let rise until double. Then bake at 350 degrees until done. I use a convection oven and it takes about 15-20 minutes.

Let cool for about 10 minutes then frost.

I use a cream cheese frosting

1 package cream cheese

1 cube butter

about 1 bag of powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

milk to smooth thick consistency

They are delicious and like I stated before they can also be frozen and enjoyed later. I froze them frosting and all with great results I just thawed and warmed in the microwave.

Here is a sneak peek of what they look like rising. To see the finished product you can visit my silly Vlog and see how delicious they truly appear!!

(I know this isn't a great shot I took it with my camera to entice my husband home one day teehee!) It totally worked!!!

Never Boring Here in the Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Fri, 06 May 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Well this past month has truly flown by. We have had terrible cold spring weather. I have pictures to prove it. I ran the Salt Lake Half Marathon on April 16th if you are my friend on facebook you already know all the details but just to summarize I finished in under two hours which was my goal. I am now doing the Insanity workouts (which means I am actually INSANE) working on my speed and endurance for my next race. I will let you know how that turns out. I would type more about that but my arms are too sore.....
On to the pictures!

This is not from January it is from April not even joking. We also had a very similar storm to this last weekend! Gotta love spring in Utah!

Then we had a few decent days I figured I should break out the camera for some good weather shots!

We spent Easter in Price with cousins and Grandma and Grandpa.....it snowed then too..... Are you sensing a theme here? It snows here in the spring. I know it could be worse I am not complaining okay I am complaining a little but really I am just sayin'!

My Easter pictures turn out the same every year. Half crazed! I think it is the silly kids I am working with.....

Seriously what are they looking at? Love these crazy kids!

Wordless Wednesday~Close Up

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:55:00 +0000

A Small Glimpse of Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 01:55:00 +0000

We went to Gardner Village today to feed the ducks. The three here were the only ones there. And there were about 6000 kids throwing bread. It was pretty comedic anyway I thought so. I haven't had the camera out in a WHILE obviously but I think I got some great shots!

Linking up with Lolli over at Better in Bulk.

A Little Surprised

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 00:32:00 +0000

I was a little surprised to see my blog is still here. I mean I haven't even looked at it in almost 2 months. I was alarmed that I haven't posted since January. Oops! Time has gotten away from me. I am busy training for my second half marathon. I am doing the Salt Lake City half on April 16th. I know you will all mark your calendars;) because well you love me right.... and want to cheer me on.
In all seriousness I just passed my 3rd bloggiversary. I think that makes me OLD in the blog world. I should try to stick it out right??
Well here are some pictures of my kiddos playing in St. George last month. I know that is why you all visit anyway haha! Happy St. Patrick's Day and hopefully I will post more frequently!

Sister Photo Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:00:00 +0000

My girls LOVE the camera and the other night they wanted me to snap away so I did... Here's a few of my favorites

Not my finest work but the lighting in my kitchen is terrible at night! That's ok I still think they are pretty cute silly little girls!

Hair Potion from your kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:08:00 +0000

Many of you know we have LOTS of hair at our house. It is long and curly and beautiful (if I do say so myself). But it requires a LOT of work. Lots of conditioning and combing out and wetting it down and trying to tame the wildness that abounds each time the weather changes.

I finally found products that work great. Mixed Chicks is amazing but we still battle dryness in the cold, cold winter.
So when I happened to watch a random episode of The Doctors I was thrilled they were talking about things like dry hair and skin etc.....
I whipped up the dry hair potion and tried it on both girls.

It is just olive oil, 1/2 a banana, 1/2 an avocado, and an egg. I painted it on their hair with a pastry brush and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then I just shampooed and conditioned as normal. I didn't notice a huge difference after one treatment but I plan to do this easy treatment once a week. Who knew you could get beautiful hair from your kitchen!

What are your beauty secrets?

Are We Having Fun Yet?

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:47:00 +0000

Temple Square with our cousins in December.

Your True Identity

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I was preparing my lesson for Young Women's today and I found this video that I really wanted to share. I hope it touches you as it did me.

Got Milk?

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:50:00 +0000

In an attempt to feed my children more balanced meals I added milk to Kayton's lunch the other day and I loved that she was WAY cuter than any of those other "Got Milk" ads so I thought I would post my own!

Worst Blogger Ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:41:00 +0000

If there were an award for worst blogger ever I think that I should be nominated. Well as it goes in the blogging world I suppose I could just nominate myself and if I was a really good blogger I could even make my own button but alas I am the worst blogger ever so I cannot make my own button. Just in case anyone still checks my blog I will post a little year end review (which will mainly include a review of what has been going on the past few months around here)

We went to a few football games....

We went to Las Vegas with children in the rain.... what were we thinking??

I went to Notre Dame it was beautiful and old and it rained there too!

We got three new cousins this year.....

I just realized why I quit blogging my computer is slow and I get so frustrated I just want to break things which I found counterproductive!

I digress......

We wrote letters to Santa

Some of us tried to learn how to drive.....

I will admit that 2010 was a great year. Jeff and I lost almost 100 pounds (combined). We are very blessed and count those blessings each and everyday. I know 2011 will bring challenges and smiles and I look forward to each and every one!

Happy New Year Everyone!

A Baby Story #3

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Seriously I survived I did but I wasn't sure that I would. I wasn't planning on a natural birth, I didn't want it that way. I wanted pain relief and that was my PLAN. I have since learned that my plans are never the PLAN. What I do know is that I did survive and my child survived and I even went on to have 2 more babies (un-naturally with successful epidurals). The mind has a way of forgetting. Thank goodness!! And now I am so blessed to be the mother to this handsome little man. Happy Birthday Dalton. It was all worth it and I wouldn't trade it for anything! I hope you have a fantastic day today! Love you!

A Baby Story #2

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0000

I have never been an early riser I don't care to know what the sun looks like coming up really. Okay well that is a lie now but back then 8 years ago today I didn't get up early for anyone. (I clearly had much to learn) But I did today. Oh yes because I was awaken by the oddest pain I had ever felt. It was different, it was new and it HURT. At first I was annoyed but then I realized what was going on. I got excited... another naive assumption on my part. The pains weren't so painful I couldn't function but I could tell they had a mission, the mission I had longed for the previous day my actual due date. I tried to rest for I knew that what was coming would not be easy. I was too scared to sleep for too long. We walked, we went to Home Depot (I don't know why but I know we did) I had to stop a few times to catch my breath and then we went on shopping and waiting and waiting and waiting..... and then about 8 pm it was more than i could take. We called the hospital and got the okay to head on over. I grabbed my bags packed with my visualization tools (which I knew I wasn't going to use). My plan was for an epidural and a good one! I wanted to enjoy this experience as much as possible.

We arrived at the hospital and I remember the bad news.... I wasn't close enough to admit but they didn't want to send me home because I had been in labor for over 12 hours at this point. So we walked some more. I put layers of hospital gowns on and we walked around and around and around and then it hit me this is going to kill me. We were in the stair well climbing back up to the labor floor and I stopped and just cried. It was more than I could take I was hoping I was getting close now....

I was right things were going the right direction (that would be down) and so now for the epidural the relaxation and just wait for the baby to come.....

By this point the contractions were so strong that I was not doing well at all. My husband was starting to panic and the epidural could not get in place fast enough. Problem was I hadn't been drinking any water all day so I was dehydrated and they couldn't get an IV in. Finally after 2 nurses were unsuccessful the anesthesiologist got an IV in and we were on our way.... but unfortunately for me my epidural only lasted for 45 minutes. That's right it was working but then it stopped and then the torture began....

To be continued....

What was your first experience with labor like?

A Baby Story

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Eight years ago today I was expecting to become a mom. I was ready, the baby was done, and the due date had arrived. As a naive first time mom I figured that my body just knew that on the designated due date it would do what nature intended. That meant get the baby OUT! I was ready I had cleaned everything in site, mopped the floor on my hands and knees, pregnant belly dragging, organized the pantry twice cleaned all the showers and tubs and had the room prepped and ready for a baby. And yet NOTHING..... absolutely NOTHING. I was extremely disappointed to say the least. I resulted to a few methods that proved awful.... castor oil is no good for anything as far as I am concerned except maybe greasing a squeaky hinge.

So I waited impatiently. I must have been unbearable to live with. I can only imagine. My sweet husband was at the end of a football season which I can't even recall. I do know he was coaching at a Junior College that is all! I am pretty sure this was the longest day of my life. Little did I know.....
To be continued.....

How did you feel when expecting your first baby?

Halloween 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:22:00 +0000

Better late than never right? We had fun trick-or-treating in the rain... but the most fun was handing out the candy while I watched the football game. I am pretty sure they had more fun handing out candy than getting candy. (thank-goodness!! because it was a down pour during prime trick-or-treating time!)

Happy Halloween and some other stuff...

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:41:00 +0000

As I signed into my google account and opened my blog I was afraid it might crash and burn it has been soooo long. I just don't have the time I used to for blogging. I regret it has fallen by the way-side. I miss it. I miss my bloggy friends. One day I believe I will have more time so I will try to keep posting and keep updating and commenting.
Much has been going on around here. Our team is doing very well. Go Utes!!! We had family pictures last week, they turned out fabulous thanks to one of our favorite people Wendy. You can see more pictures from the shoot on her blog but here is a sneak peak of her fantastic work!

The fall colors were amazing!
We have been celebrating Halloween for a few weeks now and between church, school, dance, and the actual holiday I think we will have worn our costumes (by we I mean my children) 4 or 5 times. Makes it totally worth it right! I am not looking forward to the sugar high over the next few days but may the force be with us all!
Have a fantastic Halloween!

Wordless Wednesday~Ghosts and Goblins

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 14:50:00 +0000

Okay so really just kids with vampire teeth but you get the idea. We are ready for Halloween! How about you??

Missing In Action...

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:48:00 +0000

I have not disappeared I promise. I just haven't been inspired. I really have no good excuses I just needed a break you all understand that I am sure. So here are some pictures of what's been going on and what I have gotten myself into....

I admit I am biased but this is quite a handsome group and really for being taken at Carl's Jr. I think it turned out better than expected considering that these are some of the other poses I captured...

The 3 year olds are inspecting smiles, by this time the baby has been disturbed, and there is a general sense of "When are we going to get our food?" And I love the parking lot backdrop don't you?

We have also been to several flag football games. The last game was played mostly in the dark with no lights. That made for some interesting flag pulling.

We were also very busy welcoming this lovely new cousin to our family. She is adorable. We can't wait to hold her again. You can see more of her over here.
My other ventures include some charity work see the Wasatch Front Childhelp website created by the lovely Emily from Is This REALLY my life? It is all very exciting and I can't wait to tell you all about our first event.
I promise to be around more and have a lovely weekend!!

Budget Boot Camp Challenge #12~Donate

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 05:06:00 +0000

I can't believe we are finished. I actually did it. I kicked my budgets behind and I survived. I learned some things I didn't know before. I reactivated my desire to coupon and save money. I realized that not only can I save money but I can also live greener and teach my kids great habits as well. We are eating more healthy and here at home.
We did eat out today but it was a special occasion. We met our "daddy" for lunch. I was thrilled that the restaurant we chose was having a buy a fortune cookie for $2 and get the chance to donate to St. Jude's Hospital (Children's Cancer) and possibly get your meal for free. That fit perfectly with the challenge for this week to give back or donate. Knowing that donating on a budget is absolutely doable makes me very happy. So I gave the server my $2 and picked a fortune cookie and you will never guess what it said! No I didn't get my meal for free it said....

Did my fortune read my post from yesterday?? Must have. Anyway I was happy to donate and will continue to do so. Knowing I am saving money in other ways makes it so much easier for me to donate and give back to my church and my community.
Check out Clair at Mummy Deals she is having an awesome giveaway with this challenge sponsored by Peter Pan Peanut Butter. They sent me some PB for participating this week. It is the yummiest I have had in a LONG time and it was low cal!! I was thrilled about that too!
As always check out our facebook fanpage to see what everyone else is up to. Check out my other Budget BootCamp Posts to see how I got my budget in shape over the past 12 weeks.

Get It In Gear

noreply@blogger.com (Rudy Rukus) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:07:00 +0000

Pretty sure I am the worst blogger ever lately. I am having a difficult time getting any computer time. It might have something to do with the illness we have had for the past two weeks. I mentioned it last week in my brief posts. I am so angry about the entire situation I can't discuss it right now..... I digress. Or it could have something to do with the organization book I am reading that doesn't include blogging time or I haven't gotten to that chapter yet. Or it might be that my kids are off track and I am trying to enjoy every moment we have left of this gorgeous weather before we have to hibernate for the winter..... I could go on. Here are some things we have been doing...

First day of preschool

Dance classes

(oh and playing with the editing tool on Photobucket)

Flag Football

And of course enjoying the last HOT day of the year by cooling off in the pool. I promise to be better about posting and commenting I do love blogging and all my fantastic bloggy friends I hope you will forgive me for being such a slacker but really my kids come first and I know you all understand that!