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What we've been up to the past few weeks, via Instagram:

Spicy Smoked Sausage Mac

(The recipe I am sharing is an adaptation of this recipe.)

This is one of our FAVORITES.
We have it all the time.
We have shared it with other families and they always ask for the recipe.
I hope you love it as much as we do!

Now don't go crinkling up your nose at the turkey smoked sausage...TRUST ME...it is delicious!! The best thing about this recipe is that it TASTES like you're indulging in something naughty while really it's actually quite good for you!

Spicy Smoked Sausage Mac

1T olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage
1 med onion, chopped
garlic powder OR minced fresh garlic clove
1 lb dry elbows (I use a box that is a little less than one pound so watch to make sure you don't need more liquid)
2 cans Rotel (or other chopped chilis & tomatoes) - NOT drained
4c chicken broth
1c nonfat greek yogurt
1c shredded cheese
large handful of chopped fresh baby spinach
salt & pepper to taste

Cut the smoked sausage into bite-sized pieces and cook with the olive oil over medium high heat (I use a large pot). The more color you allow the sausage to get, the more flavor your mac will have. Add the chopped onion and continue cooking until the onion is translucent. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder or fresh minced garlic. Add the pasta and stir well, let it soak up all the oil and juices from the meat and onion. Add the Rotel and chicken broth. Cover and bring to a light boil. Allow to cook for 7-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Remove from heat and stir in the yogurt. Add the cheese and stir until melty. Add the chopped spinach, stir to combine. Check to see if it needs more salt & pepper....SERVE and ENJOY!

(I use 1 can of mild Rotel and 1 can of original...2 cans of original makes it too spicy for me and Piper to enjoy! So use your own judgment and tastebuds to find the right amount of kick.)

where have we been?!

Wow it's been a while since I posted!! I blame my new iPhone, I'm totally distracted by it even though I SWORE I would NEVER be "like that". Yep, guilty as charged!

Here's some catch-up all the way back from Easter!

I just wanted a picture with my brothers......

Piper had her very first ever BIG ballet performance...which is definitely another reason why I've been distracted. After a month of regular weekly class AND Saturday rehearsals, culminating in a final week of daily rehearsal, the show was this past Saturday and Sunday and I for one, believe it was a HUGE SUCCESS! :) Mom and Dad even came (I stole the family shot from Mom!). The ballet corps did "Sleeping Beauty", Piper's little class joined Caraboose as her sprites (you may remember her as Malicifent in Disney's rendition).

Korie ran the Flying Pig marathon and finished by destroying her goal with a time of 3:53:52!!! SO PROUD OF HER!!!!!

Kaeleigh had a birthday!! She's 9 years old, can you believe it?! THANK YOU for sending cards and gifts...she LOVES opening your love-via-postman!!!

For even more updates follow me on Instagram @kerikinsb

Christ the Lord has RISEN today...

ALLELUIA!!!!

We hope your day is full of celebration with your family and friends and for your FREEDOM!

spring break. friends. Easter treats. {blessed}

Robin did it again!! We came home to boxes on our front porch and tucked away inside were the most PERFECT Easter goodies ever. I don't know how she does it...she has a GIFT for GIVING!!! These baskets were so perfect for the kids...each one tailored to their individual loves and interests. Seriously...these baskets were better than
anything even I would come up with...and I'm their MOTHER!

Also included in the Easter fun was a HUGE kit of 24 fresh baked individually wrapped cookies along with frosting and sprinkles for decorating. We decided to share the kit with our friends. All SIX (ahem) kids had so much fun decorating and licking and eating and laughing and giggling and making messes.

Robin (& Grandpa, of course!!) - THANK YOU. You are a blessing!!!

This morning we had our egg hunt!

During all this fun we remember WHY we celebrate Easter.

We remember WHY it is the most important day in all eternity!

The day Jesus rose from the grave...after dying for each one of us.

The MOST precious gift forevermore.

He is RISEN indeed!

Happy Easter!