Operation Surprise Aunt Lizzie

Hi! It's Jilly. My sister recently returned from an 18-month mission in Brazil for our church. We really wanted to be there when she arrived at the airport, but there was no way we could make it. But, my Mom was planning to have an Open House for her a couple weeks after she got home. My brother and sisters and I secretly planned to all come to her Open House!

The kids and I drove from New York down to Texas, and we didn't breathe a word to my sister, who I text every day. Ha ha! 

Off Season is the Best Time to Visit Legoland!

Hi! It's Jilly. My kids, especially Michael, love Legos. So, when we went to Florida it was a no-brainer that we had to visit Legoland! And, they weren't disappointed! 

The kids had such a great time! I'm so happy we were given tickets to check out Legoland! 

If you're planning a visit to Legoland, the best time to go is during the off-season. 

The lines are shorter, the crowds are minimal, and the weather is perfect. 

My kids are nine, and the rides were just right for them. 

None of the rides were too scary. They had a blast on all of them.



The kids loved seeing everything made out of Legos. The little details were so much fun.



They also liked the show at Pirate's Cove--Battle for Brickbeard's Bounty. The waterski tricks were amazing!

I'm really glad we used one of the days of our vacation to visit Legoland. It was a highlight of our trip! Just the other day Emma said to me, "I loved Legoland. Can we go back?!" Woot!

Have you ever been to Legoland? Are your kids obsessed with Legos?

Follow along on Facebook or Instagram to see more adventures with me & my crazy kiddos!

"So, how's homeschool going?"

Hi! It's Jilly. School started a couple weeks ago, so people have been asking me the million dollar question...how's homeschool going?

First day of school...at the park

It's...going. I won't lie and say that every moment is rainbows and sprinkles and puppies. There have definitely been some good moments. The kids have said that they like homeschooling better than "regular" school, which is nice. But, it has been haaaaaard.

Blueberry Picking and 80+ Blueberry Recipes

Hi! It's Jilly. Have you ever been berry picking? Here in New York there are different berries ready to be picked all through the summer. This year we went blueberry picking with some friends.

We've picked strawberries and raspberries before, but never blueberries. It was a lot of fun!

I love berry picking. It just feels like one of those perfectly summertimey activities!

And you have to test them as you go! The taste of fresh berries can not compare with berries from the grocery store. Yuuummmm...

We picked a lot of berries, so I put together a list of 80 awesome blueberry recipes to make with all our sweet berries.

Unfortunately, the kids ate all the berries before I was able to use any of these awesome recipes!! But, that's alright. Now I just have a great list of recipes to pin for next year's berry picking, right?!

Blueberry Delight
Apple & Blueberry Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette Dressing

Summer Peach Blueberry Trifle 
Gluten-Free Blueberry Banana Yogurt Muffins
Gluten-Free Breakfast Oatmeal Muffins
Blueberry Crumble Bars
Blueberry Cheesecake Dip
Blueberry Cinnamon Banana Bread
Blueberry Dog Treats
Lemon Cornmeal Cake with Blueberry Sauce
Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Grilled Pound Cake with Blueberry Sauce & Ricotta Cream
Blueberry Jello Salad
Crockpot Blueberry Crisp
Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping
Salmon with Goat Cheese and Blueberry Sauce
Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffeecake
Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastries
Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins
Gluten Free Blueberry Rhubarb Crumble
Blueberry Biscuits
One Minute Blueberry Cobbler
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Beet Honey Oat Muffins
Sweet Corn and Blueberry Waffles
Frozen Blueberry Cream Pie
Double Blueberry Muffins with Citrus Sugar
Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie
Blueberry Peach Cobbler
Blueberry Crumble Cake
Three Ingredient Blueberry Sauce
Blueberry Pound Cake with Lemon Glaze
Blueberry Boy Bait
Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie
IHOP Blueberry Cannoli Pancake
Blueberry Butter
Blueberry Pudding Cake
Mango Blueberry Salad with Ginger Vinaigrette
Whole Wheat Blueberry Buckle
Baked Blueberry Oatmeal
Lemon Blueberry Shortbread Cookies
Blueberry Vanilla Muffins
Blueberry Lemon Bread Pudding
Pomegranate Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Mini Crockpot Lemon Blueberry Cake Recipe
Blueberry Almond Scones
Cinnamon Yogurt Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Caramel Milkshakes
Blueberry Pie Bars
Very Blueberry Muffins
Canadian Twoonie- super easy party drink 
Blueberry Crunch Dump Cake
Easy Fruit and Juice Popsicles
Triple Berry Smoothie
Blueberry Peach Cobbler
Blueberry Muffins - recipes for kids
Blueberry Protein Smoothie with Greek Yogurt
Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie
Blueberry Almond Tart
Skinny Blueberry Crumble with Pears & Walnuts
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Morning Rolls
Blueberry Pie Bars
Blueberry Lemon Muffins
Blueberry Buttermilk Biscuits
Homemade Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt Cups
Red, White, and Blue Fruit Pizza
Red, White, and Blue Kale Salad
Lemon Ice Cream with Blueberry Swirl
Cream Cheese Blueberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze
Blueberry Almond Tart
Make Ahead Breakfast Energy Smoothie
Melt In Your Mouth Blueberry Cake with Lemon Glaze
Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake
Blueberry Lemon Sorbet
Granola Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Cake For Two
Tummy Slimming and Belly Fat Blasting Smoothie
Coconut Blueberry Cake
Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie

Did you go berry picking this summer? What's your favorite thing to make with blueberries?

*Follow along on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for more family fun!*

An Airshow on the Fourth

Hi! It's Jilly. I know I'm late in posting this, but over Fourth of July weekend we went to an airshow and I reeeaaally wanted to show you the pictures 'cause it was so fun!

 It was such a great place to be for the Fourth of July! 

"Sisters Because Of Our Misters" Free Printable

Hi! It's Jilly. I have the coolest sisters-in-law. They are awesome, amazing, strong women, and I am happy to have them as a part of my family. Sometimes living on the opposite Coast is really lame. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law just adopted a baby and I want to snuggle him SO bad. I hate not being there for all the BIG things in their lives.

We reaaaallly wanted to make a trip out to Oregon this summer, but it doesn't look like it's in the cards, and it kills me. Gah! Residency! Why you gotta be like that?! One more year...one more year...

I've had this phrase bouncing around in my head for quite some time, and I finally decided to make a printable graphic of it! It would be fun to throw in a frame as a gift for your fave sister-in-law, as a decoration at a family bridal shower, or printed on the front of a greeting card.

I hope this graphic makes you smile as much as it makes me smile! 

Do you have awesome in-laws, too? Tell me about them!

Want more printables?! Here ya go! 

Hi! It's Jilly Printables

* Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram for more fun stuff! *

Baltimore: Ripley's Believe It or Not

Thank you Ripley's for sponsoring this post! For more info, see my disclosure policy.

 Hi! It's Jilly. During our trip to Baltimore we went to Ripley's Believe It Or Not. The kids LOVED it! They said it was their favorite thing. Since we got home they've asked to go back several times. Michael said, "I want to go to that museum again, 'cause it was so cool. How can that guy take out his eyeballs?!"

It is a really cool museum. They have all kinds of interesting exhibits. The fun starts right in the lobby, with the World's Tallest Man!

Baltimore: Port Discovery Children's Museum

Thank you Port Discovery for the tickets to review your amazing museum! For more info about reviews, see my disclosure policy.

Hi! It's Jilly. Today I'm excited to tell you about our visit to the Port Discovery Children's Museum  in Baltimore. The kids had SO much fun there! 

When you first walk in there is this HUGE climbing apparatus called Kidworks that spans all three floors of the museum!

How to Save Money on Your Next Vacation

Hi! It's Jilly. The weather is starting to warm up and school will be ending soon, so everyone is starting to plan their summer vacations. But, going on an awesome trip can be expensive, especially when kids are involved! Here are a few tips to keep costs down on your vacation.

Shop Around
When looking for a hotel, check travel websites like Priceline, Orbitz, or Travelocity. We've had good luck with Priceline's Express Deals. We got a room at the Best Western Plus right down the street from Universal Studios in Orlando for less than $40 a night! You can also call hotels you are interested in directly. Sometimes you can get a better deal through the actual hotel than through a site.

Finish This...

Hi! It's Jilly. Finals are next week!! Aah! So, this week's "Finish This" sentences are perfect for me!

I feel an adrenaline rush when... I go on amusement park rides, get 'in the groove' exercising, and do something musical!

I feel energized when... I talk with family and good friends. The warm weather helps, too!

I feel small when... I have had a bad day.

I feel big when... I realize my kids will be NINE years old this month! How in the world did they get so old?!

I feel stupid when... I don't manage my time wisely and things don't happen like they should. Also, when I do something socially awkward. And, when I try to help my kids with their homework!

I feel smart when... I am able to share my knowledge about something with others, and when I'm able to take a really great picture!

How would you finish these sentences?!

*Let's meet up on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!*

Baltimore: Fogo de Chão - Brazilian Steakhouse

Thank you Fogo de Chão for providing meals in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% my own. For more info, see my disclosure policy.

Hi! It's Jilly. While we were in Baltimore we wanted to go somewhere nice as a family for dinner. I was looking at restaurants near the Inner Harbor and squealed when I saw Fogo de Chão. It is a Brazilian Steakhouse, where they bring around meat to your table!



My hubby and I had our wedding luncheon at a Brazilian steakhouse almost twelve years ago, so I wanted my kids to experience it. I knew Fogo was the perfect place to go for our nice family dinner!

Friday 5: Easter & Stuff

Hi! It's Jilly. My new bloggy buddy Emmy Mom has this fun thing she does every week called "Friday Five", and she's letting me co-host this week! Basically, you just share 5 things that happened that week and five pictures. Easy peasy! Are people still saying that?! Easy peasy?! Well, I guess I just did. BOOM!

<div class="Emmy-Mom" style="width: 200px; margin: 0 auto;">
<a href="http://www.emmymom2.com" rel="nofollow">
<img src="http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q491/Emmymom3/Buttons/fridayfive_zps8f6d6214.jpg" alt="Emmy Mom" width="200" height="200" />
</a>
</div>

Okay...let's do this thing!

1. For Easter we were able to get together with my brother Josh that we hadn't seen in SIX years! Last time we saw him the kiddos were 2 years-old! We were down in Baltimore visiting Hubby, and Josh moved to Baltimore a couple months ago, so it all worked out. It was fun to hang out with him. The kids officially love their Uncle Josh!

Baltimore: SeaDog Speedboat Cruise on the Inner Harbor

Cruise tickets were graciously provided by SeaDog Cruises, but all opinions are 100% my own.  For more information, see my disclosure policy.

Hi! It's Jilly. Hubby has been down in Baltimore for work since the beginning of March, so we decided to go down and visit him during Spring Break. We'd never been there before, so I was excited to explore a new city!

The first thing we did after we arrived was to go on a SeaDog cruise in the harbor. It was the perfect way to start our fun trip!



As we got on the boat, they gave us a little bottle of water, which I thought was nice.

That Time My Kids Planned a Surprise Party For Me...

Hi! It's Jilly. Last week it was my birthday. I'm not one to make a huge deal about it being my birthday. I knew it would be especially low-key this year because Hubby was out of town for work.

A few days before my birthday the kids found out it was coming up and said we should do something. They ran to their bedroom and started whispering excitedly. The next day Katelynn told me she was planning a party for "a friend from church who asked me to plan a party for her." Okay...

They wanted to raid my card stash so they could write out invitations for this party. They handed out the invitations at a church activity the next morning. They told me that the friend the party was for was not at the activity. Curious...

They worked hard putting together games and crafts for the kids at the party. Katelynn made up a "pin the head on the shirt" game, where the kids would decorate faces, then try to pin them on a shirt she made out of cardstock. There was also a bowling-type game involving a ball and stacked cups.

She asked people to bring treats for the party, and asked me if I would make lemonade for it. Sure!

Exploring Cleveland

Hi! It's Jilly. Back in September the kids and I were able to go with Hubby on a work trip to Cleveland. It was so much fun! And, I was finally able to meet my buddy, Janelle, after many years of friendship! We have quite the history, which I will have to tell you all about soon. 

But, for now I am going to tell you about our exploration of Cleveland. I orginially posted about it over at My Favorite Finds, where I am the travel contributor. I wanted you guys to hear all about it over here on Hi! It's Jilly, though. You have to see pictures of this beautiful city! Let's explore Cleveland together, shall we?

Doctors and the Great Outdoors

Hi! It's Jilly. One day we were rollerblading and I was thinking about how we like to do a lot of things outdoors as a family. Most of our friends who are doctors also like outside recreation. Why is that?

Well, I think I've come up with the reason...because it's CHEAP!! Yes, being outside is good for you, you're getting exercise, blah blah blah. BUT, when you are in school for over a decade, up to your ears in debt, and living on student loans, you need some forms of recreation that aren't going to break the bank!

Hiking- FREE!

Pondering about Life vs. Blogging

Hi! It's Jilly. I've been thinking about this here blog for a little while now, trying to decide what I want to do, what I want to write about..that kind of thing. If this post seems really scatter-brained I'm sorry. I'm kind of a scatterbrained person, so there ya go. I'll sprinkle a few (mostly non-related) pictures throughout the post because, hey, pictures!

Some people get writer's block and they can't think of anything to blog about. I almost have the opposite problem. There are SO many things I want to write about. Projects, parties, recipes, random stuff from my life, things to think about, stuff with my kids, the world in general... Aah! So much stuff! So then I have a hard time focusing on what I'm going to write about. Then, it takes me so stinkin' long sometimes to write a post that I don't have time to do anything else.

Then there's that issue...having time for anything else. I find myself wasting away on the computer all day with very little to show for it. AND, my highest priority should be taking care of my family and my home.

We might be old-fashioned, but in our family we believe in having very traditional roles. My husband goes to work and earns the money. I stay home and take care of the kids and house. Not to say he doesn't help with the kids or house at all, because he does. And, I help him with his work, too. (Bring him stuff he needs at work, look over presentations for him, etc) It's a team effort. But, my "job" is to care for the home and the people living in it. I need to focus on my #1 job first, blogging second.

Often I spend alllll daaaaaay while the kids are at school on the computer. Seriously. It's ridiculous. It's not always blog-related, but that's still a heck of a lot of time to be on the computer. It's too much. I have a hard time focusing on the task at hand, whether it's in the house or online. I need to scale back my computer use, for sure. And, make sure I don't get on the computer until I have the stuff done around the house that I need to get done. (Oy. I hate to type that out. Ick!)



I also need to evaluate my blogging. This blog was set up to share projects and recipes. But, my 'tagline' says I write about the triplets and hubby in residency. I hardly ever talk about that stuff! Hmm. So, I need to figure out exactly what I want to be writing about on here.

I don't always write about the kids or hubs because I don't feel like I'm a fantastic storyteller. I *do* think our life is interesting, and people always want to hear about life with triplets, but I just...I don't know. I don't feel like I make our family stories sound very interesting. Ha! I need to find "my voice" as a writer. I need to write like I'm talking to a dear friend, not like I'm writing an instruction manual.

I need to find a good balance between my home life and blog life. I need to make the blog work for ME, not the other way around. It's a hobby, after all. So what if every single post isn't the most amazing thing you've ever read in your life?! So what if Betty Blogger has a better looking, sounding, smelling (ok, not smelling) blog than I do?! THAT'S OKAY. Once I find a better balance I can focus more on SEO, promotion, affiliate crap, etc. Till then, I just need to write for me, and make sure I'm taking care of myself and my family before I worry about blog posts.

Phew! Glad to get some of those jumbled thoughts off my chest!

Wordless Wednesday: Picking Strawberries

Hi! It's Jilly. A couple weeks ago we met some friends for the opening day of strawberry picking! It was a beautiful day, but got hotter the closer it crept towards noon! It's amazing how much better fresh picked strawberries taste! Yum!

**Like this post? Then please share it on Facebook, Google+, or "pin" it on Pinterest. 
You can also follow me on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, or Bloglovin'.** 

Might be linking up with: Craft-O-Maniac, C.R.A.F.T, I Should Be Mopping The Floor, More the Merrier Monday, Make the Scene Monday,Serendipity and Spice, Home Stories A to Z, Titus 2 Tuesday, Take It On Tuesday, Work It Wednesday, What We Wore, Read, and Made Wednesdays,  Show & Tell Thursday, The DIY Dreamer, House of Hepworths, Mom on Timeout, Create It Thursday, Pinterest Power Party, My Favorite Finds, Weekend Wonders, My Turn For Us, Fancy This Friday, Sew Crafty Angel , Friday Favorites.

ELEVEN years!

Hi! It's Jilly. Friday was our ELEVEN YEAR anniversary!

It seems strange to have been married that long! Am I even that old?! ;) Our little family been through a lot the last 11 years. We have...

Had more than ELEVEN pets

Gone on Splash Mountain & Big Thunder at least TEN times

Had NINE jobs

Moved EIGHT times

Driven SEVEN vehicles

Spent SIX months in the hospital



Attended FIVE schools

Lived in FOUR different states

Had THREE kids



Owned TWO houses

Been on ONE crazy ride together!!



I'm happy we've had the last eleven years together, and I look forward to the next eleventy-thousand!

**Like this post? Well, you can follow me on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, or Bloglovin' so you don't miss the next one!** 

Baptism Day!

Hi! It's Jilly. I can't believe my kids are old enough to be BAPTIZED!! Where did the last 8 years go?!

For the kids' baptism we flew out to Utah so we could do a combined baptism with their cousin who was born on the exact same day! My Mom and some of my sisters flew out from Texas, another sister flew out from New York (she miraculously got the week off and we found a ridiculous deal on her flight!), and Scott's parents flew out from Oregon. It was nice to have so much family there!

Before the baptism. Do you know how hard it is to get a decent picture of FOUR wiggly & excited eight-year olds?!



Emma chose to be baptized by Grandpa and confirmed by Daddy.
Katelynn chose to be baptized by Daddy and confirmed by Grandpa.
Michael chose to be both baptized and confirmed by Daddy.

Our little family together.



Scott's sister, Carol, and her family.

Chillin' before the baptism in their little white jumpsuits. (So cute!)



Emma, fresh out of the font. We let the kids come out in their towels and watch each other get baptized before they got dressed.

My mom and sisters with the kids after the baptism.

The Program
Pianist: Jillian
Chorister: Savannah (my sis)
Opening Song: "Choose the Right"
Opening Prayer: Liz (my sis)
Talk on Baptism: Mamaw (my mom)
*baptisms*
Special Musical Number: "When I Am Baptized" piano solo by Hailey (the kids' cousin)
Talk on the Holy Ghost: Grandma (Scott's mom)
*confirmations*
Welcome talks from a member of the Bishopric and the Primary presidency
Closing Song: "I Am a Child of God"
Closing Prayer: Carol (Scott's sis)

 It was a nice day. I'm so happy my kids have been baptized and are on the right path towards exaltation with our Father in Heaven! I pray they can learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit and strive to keep their testimonies strong!


**Like this post? Well, you can also follow me on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, or Bloglovin' so you don't miss the next one!**