Fun with friends

On Saturday we took a trip to the zoo with Jill, Jon and the kiddies. The kids had a ball running around together taking in the exhibits, and I had a ball visiting!

The train ride was a big hit

Austin and Logan in the snake exhibit

All of the kids... Its fun that they are all so close in age

Couldn't resist this one of Logan. He's my angel.




Olivia LOVES the flowers in the Zoo gardens, here is a shot of some flowers starting to bloom

As always, our visit was too short. Miss you already Jilly!

Visit Jamie for a give away!!!!

Jump over to the Blissfully Happy Housewife for a chance to win an easel for your kiddo!!!

Land Before Time - by Logan

A good "mail" day

I L.O.V.E. to go to the mailbox each day to get the mail. I guess the anticipation of a good "mail" day always makes me anxious to see what the mail carrier will bring. Most days I just find bills and junk mail. But not today! Today there was something for everyone!

I am off to make some coffee to enjoy with my new Coastal Living. YAY!

And do you SEE THE SUNSHINE reflection in the pic???!!! Whoooo hooooo sunshine!

Hugs!

Winter blahs = color!

Before...


After.

Just about this time of year, I start painting for a little change. Today - Logan's room. Next, our room....

Nachos!

We LOVE nachos at our house, and I love trying new variations. I borrowed bits and pieces bits of a nachos recipe from Rachel Ray. I especially loved the cheese recipe she uses instead of just melting cheese. I should have taken a picture.. opps.

Beans Topping: (Rachel's calls for beef, but we are veggin' things up around here)
1 tablespoon EVOO
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dark chili powder
1 1/2 ground cumin, half a palmful
1 can black beans, 15 ounces, drained
salsa


Cheese Sauce:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
3/4 pound pepper jack cheese, (I used cheddar) shredded, about 2 1/2 cups

Directions

Saute Onion and garlic, add spices, salsa and beans. simmer.

In a medium sauce pot, melt butter and add flour to it. Cook flour and butter 1 to 2 minutes over moderate heat, then whisk in milk. When milk comes to a bubble, stir in cheese with a wooden spoon. Remove cheese sauce from the heat.

Pour cheese sauce evenly over the massive spread of warmed chips and top evenly with bean mixture.

They were even good warmed up for a snack!

Hugs!

"Don't put a 1 in front of that 5..."

Just a few updates from Indy...


Olivia came out of her room wearing this outfit today. Tommy said "You are only 5 sis, don't put a 1 in front of that 5".


Giving Logan a haircut is SOOOO much easier now that he is getting older. Before


and after. I have to say I like short hair on my boys!

Yesterday we took the kids to the zoo and enjoyed the indoor exhibits

It felt SOOOO good to be outside, even on a rainy day. I am SOOOOO ready for spring! I heard birds yesterday in the morning, so I KNOW its coming soon!

Hugs!

Random February Thoughts...

Having a hard time finding blog-worthy material.... so here are some of my recent random thoughts.

1. I am so blessed with great family and friends, I love each of them so much. Some (many) are just too far away for my liking though...


2. Why is it that when I am out and about on our busy days, I barely think of food unless I am really hungry. But if I am at home all day all I think about is my next snack or meal... I am sure playing outside this spring and summer will really help curtail this dilema.


3. Last year at this time Olivia wasn't sure she fully understood the concept of love. So if I said "I love you Olivia" she would say "I love you too, but you know I'm really not sure I do". I love the way she was always so polite about it, all while being truly honest. All of that has passed now and she is TRULY sure that she loves people! :)


4. I live in a big city, but I really don't feel like its big anymore.


5. When my kids are hurting, I ache in a way I can't even describe.


6. Facebook is both my friend and my enemy. I love to keep up with people but hate the hold it has over me on the days we spend at home. I check it WAY too often.


7. I get in BIG kicks of cooking great meals and then I get in a BIG SLUMP and just want to eat out. Right now I'm in a slump.


8. I am so energized by people. This goes along with #1, great people in my life!


9. I love to change things in my house, like move furniture, rehang pictures, etc.

10. A new season of Survivor is so exciting to me!


11. God continues to amaze me with his love and patience as he keeps working on me.

12. I can't wait for spring storms, (NO tornadoes please!)

13. Looking at an issue of Coastal Living Magazine gives me a slight feeling of just having been on vacation.

14. I love to go to the library. Coming out with an armful of books and movies all for free!

15. For some reason an iced tea from Chick-fil-A makes my whole day!

16. Tommy is such an amazing husband and father. I want to look for something new each day to be thankful about him. today: I am so thankful that he still chases me around the house and tickles me.


17. Last night during dinner I said "Oh! we forgot to pray!" and Olivia responded "OH DEAR GOD! thank you for our food!" I laughed out loud and she didn't understand why. opps.


18. I really like to run, but I hate it too.


19. I love the smell of my house when the windows are open.

20. I love Logan's chubby cheeks, I will be sad when he grows out of them.

21. I think I love the zoo even more than the kids.

22. They say that kids go through a phase where they think their parents don't know anything. I don't think I ever went through that phase, I have always thought they were the smartest people I know.

23. I am 33 and I still love to tell people I have a twin.

24. Eating organic, all-natural foods has become a real priority for our family.

25. Great Wolf Lodge is SERIOULSY close to Disney World in my book of the best places on earth.

26. I could put Feta cheese on just about anything!

27. I just can't get enough of Chicago.

28. I love that my kids think Lake Michigan is the ocean.

Hugs from Indy!

"Don't step right there DAD!"

Olivia: "Don't step right there DAD! God is sitting there! HE is everywhere you know"

Love that Olivia is trying to grasp God's presence. I saw her hugging the air earlier and she said "God is everywhere mom, I was giving him a hug."

Thank you God, for the soft, receptive heart you have given Olivia. Please always keep her close to you. Amen.

So blessed

I am sitting here at the dinner table. Dinner dishes have been cleared. I am so thankful that we had food to feed our family tonight. Tommy and the kids are dancing to the Beatles in the kitchen, I'm so thankful I have a fantastic husband and healthy, happy kids. I am so thankful that we have music to enjoy, and electricity to enjoy it on. Logan is now shouting "Please be quiet daddy, I am trying to watch a show!". :) I have a laundry room full of clothes, normally this would frustrate me, but tonight I am thankful that I have a pile of clothes to wash, because that means we are so blessed. I am trying to see the blessings from God in EVERY part of my life ALL day long. The things that stress me out (messy house) and frustrate me (traffic) can be turned into time to be thankful.

I am so blessed with an incredible family, with whom I talk via email or phone everyday. Friends who continue to bless me with their friendship everyday. I don't live close enough to many of them, but email, texting, blogging and facebook bring them closer.

Thank you God for continuing to show me your blessings in the big and small things in my life. I am learning that its all big to you. Thank you.