Super Dad

As if learning to become an orthopedic surgeon was not enough...Patrick also took on some flying lessons! Yes, that's right folks - someone trusted him behind the wheel of a plane. Actually, it was my Christmas gift I got him last year. We try to get each other life adventures instead of just "things" so I figured this was one he should try! Here is a video from arrival to take off. The kids and I did not stick around for the landing - but he DID land safely!!! I am trying to post video - more later...

Another one

Another Yummy Crock Pot Recipe!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer OR CHICKEN BROTH
  
• 2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
• 3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
• sour cream (optional)
• crushed tortilla chips (optional)
• 
  
• DIRECTIONS

1. Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
2. Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

Slow cooking!

I love the winter/fall for one reason -SLOW COOKER MEALS!

Here is a favorite of mine...I challenge all my blog friends to post a comment or blog with your favorite slow cooker recipe!

Hamburger Soup

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (browned and drainer)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp season salt
dry onion soup mix packet
6 cups boiling hot water
8 oz tomato sauce
1 TB soy sauce
1 cup carrots
1 cup celery

Cook on slow 8-10 hours. During the last 1/2 hour, add 1 cup elbow macaroni noodles. (This may sop up all the juice - so I add another 1-2 cups water or chicken broth to make it "soupy" again).

Serve with bread and butter!!!

Healthy Eating

My friend, Leah, always posts yummy healthy pictures of what her kids eat on her blog. She has inspired me to feed my kids healthier! So I went and bought a plate with dividers for Evie and make sure that I put at least one fruit and veggie on there as well as the main course.

In these pictures, the main course was not done yet but she was starving!!!!

Playgroup pictures

Here are some cute pictures from the past 2 weeks playgroup. The first one was at Great Harvest Bread Company and the 2nd was my house!

Alotta catching up on the blog

The first picture is this year of Patrick chasing Gavin through the corn maze...the second shot is me last year chasing him - He has grown soooooooooooo much!



Evie picks her pumpkin!


Daddy and Gavin patiently choose their pumpkins while Mommy and Evie search the entire field!



Our little pumpkin!


Daddy with his Klingy Kids



Daddy and his girl on the tractor ride to the pumpkin patch



my favorite picture! g chasing e through the corn maze - the weather was great and the lighting was perfect for this shot!



Daddy reading to his kids



All Evie wanted was the water ice sno cones!!!



Mommy helping Gavin make a scare crow!!!



Riding his horse!



Gavin participating in a Big Wheel race!



Gavin and Nathan aboard the train ride!



Another chance at driving a fire truck!

I blame Facebook - my newest addition, but I have noticed I have been slacking on the blogs. So here are some pictures to recap the past week or two...

Sexism at it's finest

So I realized that I am a sexist. Not in a bad way necessarily - but I have realized that I always tend to dress Evelyn in pink and Gavin in blue. Once in a while, I mix it up - but the majority of their closets are filled with pink or blue. I think that is pretty normal - but today I was giving them breakfast and I noticed it...I gave Gavin blueberries and Blueberry Muffin Mini Wheats, while Evie got strawberries and Strawberry Chex. Blue and Pink. Then I noticed their pjs (which Patrick put them in)...blue and pink. Then the blankets they were covered with in bed...blue and pink. Their rooms, blue and pink. Car seat straps, forks and spoons, I could go on... Somebody needs to help me.

THE MOST DELICIOUS DRINK EVER!! - Ignore the calorie info...

Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate This delicious sweet and salty combination brings together our rich, indulgent Signature Hot Chocolate and the flavors of buttery caramel and smoked sea salt. It is topped with whipped cream, a swirl of caramel and a sprinkle of our sea salt topping - a combination of artisan sea salt and Turbinado sugar from Hawaii.

		Serving Size 12 fl. oz. Amt Per Serving Calories 460 Fat Calories 190 Total Fat (g) 22 Saturated Fat (g) 13 Trans Fat (g) 0 Cholesterol (mg) 40 Sodium (mg) 230 Total Carbohydrates (g) 62 Fiber (g) 5 Sugars (g) 53 Protein (g) 12 Vitamin A 15% Vitamin C 2% Calcium 35% Iron 25% Caffeine (mg) 15 * Nutritional information is calculated based on Starbucks standardized recipes. Because beverages are handcrafted and may be customized, exact information may vary. Data is calculated using ESHA Research's Genesis® R&D software, and rounded to meet FDA regulations. Data for vitamins and minerals refers to percentage of U.S. recommended daily intake values. For additional information, please contact a customer care representative at 1-800-23LATTE (1-800-235-2883). * Caffeine information is approximate and is based on limited analytical data. These values reflect Starbucks standard brewing methods. Values can vary greatly based on the variety of the coffee and the brewing equipment used. The handcrafted nature of our beverages may result in a variation from the reported values. For more information about a balanced diet visit: www.mypyramid.gov www.americanheart.org www.nationaldairycouncil.org