Beautiful day, fun, and fish tacos!

It was such a beautiful day yesterday after church!  We've had some amazing weather.  I've enjoyed sitting outside and soaking up the sun.  I checked the weather this morning when I was was waking up and instead of going to the Y to do water aerobics, I decided the girls and I should take an unexpected trip to the zoo!  I confirmed a warm, sunny day with the local weather man during breakfast and then started packing up to head to the zoo.  We had a wonderful time.  Emilie rode in the stroller, but would get out every now and then to run around.  But she's really a big fan of riding in the stroller and snacking.  Aubrie had a great time running all around and exploring exhibits like a big girl.  It wasn't that busy and she did a good job of keeping an eye on me and being aware of how far away she got.  Emilie's favorite today was the meerkats, which she squeaked, "Hi Kitty!" and Aubrie's favorite was, of course, the flamingos "mingos."  I really enjoyed the girls today and I REALLY enjoyed the sunshine. 

Checking out some fish.  Emilie is the taller one, Aubrie is kneeling.

We were in need for some groceries so I waited until the girls got up from their naps and then we ran to the store to get a couple of things for this evening's dinner and the rest of the week.  I used to refuse to go to the grocery store with them.  Emilie would want held and Aubrie would wander and do what she wanted and I'd be pushing the cart with my hips.  Emilie used to love grabbing the list out of my hand and taking a bite out of it, or ripping it.  It was hectic.  But lately, I've been able to take them both and they are pretty good kids.  Aubrie walks along the basket and puts things in for me.  Emilie announces what we're putting in the basket and is consumed with watching big sis.  Sometimes Aubrie gets distracted in the cookie and cracker aisle.  And she gets mad when I don't let her put the eggs in the cart, but other than that, they're both pretty good at the grocery store. 

I decided to try some fish tacos tonight.  My ultimate favorite fish tacos are from Baja Burrito/Blue Coast Burrito.  It's a fried, breaded fish and they have the best cabbage slaw and sauce.  I also like to put some of their pineapple salsa on top.  It's delicious.  I found a recipe that I would like to try off of the Food Network and it turned out pretty good.  I highly recommend it!  I also tried a black bean and corn salad that I had found on Pinterest and it was pretty good as well!





Baja Fish Tacos and Southwestern Black Bean Salad



Baja Fish Tacos

from the Food Network

• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• Juice of 1 lime, plus wedges for serving (I always microwave my limes for 15 seconds)
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• Kosher salt
• 12 corn tortillas
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/4 pounds skinless halibut fillet, cut into 2-by-1/2-inch pieces
• 1 Hass avocado
• 1/2 cup fresh salsa

Heat about 3 inches vegetable oil in a medium pot over medium-low heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Meanwhile, toss the cabbage, cilantro, lime juice, honey and mayonnaise in a bowl. Season the slaw with salt.

Warm the tortillas in a skillet over medium-low heat or wrap in a damp cloth and microwave 25 seconds. Wrap in a towel to keep warm.

Mix the flour, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste in a shallow bowl. Dredge the fish in the flour mixture, then fry in batches until golden and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Season with salt.

Halve, pit and slice the avocado. Fill the tortillas with the fish, avocado, slaw and salsa. Serve with lime wedges.  Enjoy!!

Southwestern Black Bean Salad

from skinnytaste.com

15.5 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
9 oz frozen corn, thawed
1 tomato, chopped
1 small hass avocado, diced
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1 scallion, chopped
1 lime, juice of
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp cilantro
salt and fresh pepper

Combine beans, corn, tomato, onion, scallion, cilantro, salt and pepper. Mix with lime juice and olive oil. Marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes. Add avocado before serving.


It's been an interesting week this past week.  Tuesday Adam worked from home because I was sick on Monday and needed to rest, re-hydrate, and he was able to get work done since the girls were at school.  And when I say sick, I mean nauseous toilet-hugging. (We're past 12 weeks here people.  What is happening?!)  And for the past 2 weeks, Adam has had congestion, coughing, and sinus problems.  It was to the point that he was up at night every hour, blowing his nose, coughing, or doing something else to keep us both up.  So by Thursday, I had it!  I told him that he's going to go the the doctor that morning and I'm going in with him and insisting that he gets a shot in the rear.  And we did just that.  He got a shot, some meds, and then we came home and he worked from home while I did work around the house.  I've had congestion for about a week and after I laid down that afternoon, my throat was swollen shut.  Adam told me to to rush back to the doctor before he closed and get checked out because he was returning to work on Friday and I'd have to haul the girls with me.  So I went back to the doctor to find out that I have STREP!! 

Something different than what I've been battling with the past 5 weeks, which is refreshing, but not really.  Luckily, I'm pregnant. So I don't get to have a shot (sarcasm).  I get a low dosage of amoxicillin and some nasty mouth wash and get sent home.  So not only do I feel like I'm dying, but I'm highly contageous.  And by that afternoon, Adam wasn't feeling any better and we both realized that we were going to need some help.  So he called his mom, and she came down that next day and was here in time to clean my kitchen, run to the store, make some dinner, and put the girls down for bed.  I barely emerged from the bedroom that day.  And it took until Saturday afternoon for me to be able to talk normal and feel better.  Somehow, the girls didn't get sick and Adam and I are doing much better.  We're so thankful for Lana coming down to save the weekend.  It was so helpful and Adam and I got some much needed rest. 

I just hope we don't catch anything else.  I really don't think I can handle much more.  :)

Stay healthy and don't spread germs.  Love to all! Pin It Now!

Hong Kong Style Noodles

Here's the deal.  I haven't been doing too hot over here.  I felt like I've gotten over the hump, I'm no longer nauseous all the time, I'm past the first 12 weeks of my pregnancy.  But for the past two weeks, I've gotten rip roaring sick and have spent two days hugging the toilet and in bed.  It's been horrible.  What is the deal?  I think certain foods could be setting me off, but then I think that my hormone levels are still high and causing me to get sick.  It's so frustrating because I have to chase two kids around and I want to get back into doing housework, cooking, being normal.  This past time, Emilie was crawling up my back like a jungle gym while I was huddled over the toilet and Aubrie was yelling that The Wiggles were over from the other room...non-stop.  Like a broken record.  Serenity Now!!!  Hahaha, right?  I hope this is a "I'll look back at this and laugh" moment...

Today I'm feeling much better after a rough day yesterday.  My appetite was full force and I had some energy.  Adam worked a half day from home and picked the girls up from school.  I was able to do a lot of laundry, take Petey to the vet, and rest.  Most importantly, since he was home and it was a nice day, he took the girls outside during the hardest part of the day.  I was able to get dinner ready without distractions and disasters.  I mean, there were still disasters, but it was all outside and Adam's problem.  Petey kept running up to Emilie and pulling the hat off of Emilie's head.  She'd fall down and scream and Adam would chase Petey around the yard to recover the hat. 

Slam!!

Chasing Dad.

 I have been wanting to make a noodle dish lately, so I found a recipe by Guy Fieri called Hong Kong Style Noodles and I decided to try it.  I wanted to try it Sunday, but my Valentine took me out for a delicious dinner instead, and then I was sick Monday.  So tonight was the night.  Perfect because Adam was home to help.  Surprisingly, the girls both loved it.  They love noodles, but I wasn't sure about all the seasoning and vegetables that were in here, but they both did really good and enjoyed it.  We loved it, too.  It's definitely getting written down on a recipe card for a permanent spot in the recipe box.  Once again, Guy, you did a good one!  I hope you give it a try.  If you are cooking for two, maybe cut the recipe in half unless you love leftovers.  (Granny, I could have used that wok you were offerring this summer!) I also used a medium wide egg noodle because the girls like big noodles.  I also omitted the celery (don't like), mushrooms (makes me sick), and just added extra snow peas and bell peppers to make up for it.  I hope you like it!  Love to all!

Hong Kong Style Noodles

from Food Network's Guy Fieri

Online link to recipe

• 1/4 cup soy sauce, divided
• 2 tablespoons minced ginger
• 1 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons chili garlic paste
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
• 2 cups chicken breast, cut 1/4-inch slices, skinless
• 16 ounces chow mein noodles
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 cup 1/8-inch julienne white onion
• 1/2 cup 1/4-inch strips red bell pepper
• 1 cup 1/4-inch sticks cut carrot
• 1 cup 1/2-inch bias cut celery
• 1/2 cup 1/2-inch strips shiitake mushrooms
• 3/4 cup 1/2-inch strips snow peas
• 1 cup mung bean sprouts
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/2 cup strips green onions

Directions

In a re-sealable plastic bag add, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, ginger, garlic, chili garlic paste, 2 tablespoons cornstarch and mix thoroughly, then add chicken and marinate for 1 hour.

In a medium stock pot boil water and cook chow mein noodles until al dente, remove and shock in ice bath, shake dry and toss with 2 tablespoons oil to keep from sticking.


In a large saute pan or wok, heat 2 tablespoons oil to almost smoke point and add chicken, separating each peace upon entry. Cook until browned on all sides. Remove and hold warm.


In same wok, add 2 tablespoons oil. Heat until almost the smoke point, then add the onions, bell peppers, carrots and celery., Saute for 2 minutes then add mushrooms, peas and bean sprouts. Cook for 1 minute, then add chicken saute for 1 minute, add hoisin, 3 tablespoons soy sauce and sesame oil, toss and remove.


Heat a 12-inch nonstick saute pan, add 3 tablespoons oil, heat to almost smoke point, and add chilled chow mein noodles. Cook on one side until crispy light golden brown. Flip noodles and another 2 tablespoons of oil and cook other side. When done, remove and let drain on paper towels, while holding warm.


Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch and chicken stock, and deglaze hot wok with mixture and let reduce by one-third.


Place noodles on a rimmed serving platter, top with chicken and vegetable saute, and pour chicken reduction over top. Garnish with green onions.

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Breakfast and Brother

On Saturday morning I felt like making something different for breakfast.  I found this recipe for little breakfast cups, but they don't really have a name.  They were called Idaho Sunrise Part Two.  An Idaho sunrise is a potato scooped out in the middle with an egg cracked in the middle.  Same concept, but better, in my mind.  So, I'm calling these Morning Minis. They are frozen hashbrowns, mixed with cheese, and you put egg in the middle with some toppings.  They were so good.  We put salsa on top of ours.  They would be perfect for a brunch. 

Morning Minis

24 oz Frozen Hashbrowns

2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 Tbsp oil

1/3 cup shredded cheese

eggs

Here's where you take over.  In the original recipe, they cracked one egg in each muffin tin cup and then sprinkled toppings and cheese on top.  I decided to crack 5-6 eggs and scrambled them and poured it evenly in each cup and sprinkled on toppings.  I also added some parsley flakes for color.  AND I didn't completely fill each muffin tin with the hashbrowns and so I didn't need that much egg.  So if you use the full bag of hashbrowns, you'll need more eggs.  You decide.

Toppings and add-ins.  I used...

bacon (6 crumbled slices)

cheese

But what I would like to try...

jalapenos

cilantro

tomatos

onions

bell peppers

spinach

tons of possibilities!!!

Back to the recipe.  Make sure you grease your muffin tin really well.  Mix the hashbrowns, salt, pepper, oil, and cheese in a bowl.  Fill each cup and leave a well in the center.  Bake in a 425 oven for 15-18 minutes.  You want them to get brown on the edges.  Turn your oven down to 350.  Add your eggs and other toppings and cook for an additional 13-15 minutes.

The cups just after adding eggs and toppings.

By the way, breakfasts are always easy at our house.

Emilie eats her bananas like corn on the cob.

We had a very special weekend because Jese and his wife Casey were in town.  Jese just returned from Afghanistan and has been spending time with his family in East Tennessee.  He stopped by Nashville to visit and he was the Honorary Military Alumni who gave the game ball for the basketball game last night.  Jese played with Adam and he was really close to both him and Steve.  They all came in at the same year, but Jese red-shirted his first year and was there one year longer.  Adam, Steve, and Jese all call each other "broth" or "brother." 

Brother giving the crowd a wave.

Coach Byrd giving Jese a man hug.

Cute couple!

It was so good to see both of them.  Casey and Jese are such a great couple.  Casey is so positive and supportive of Jese and his career.  You'll never hear her complain and she's so good to him.  No wonder he treats her like a princess.  :) We enjoyed visiting with both of them and hearing about their plans.  They soon will be stationed in Oklahoma and we can't wait to see what the future holds for them.  I'm so thankful for both of their dedication and sacrifices that they make.  It was an honor to have Jese rest under our roof because we wouldn't be able to rest every night if it weren't for soldiers like Jese who provide us our freedom that we so frequently take for granted.  And it's not just Jese, it is ALL the soldiers who have fought since America was born to make our country the great place that it is today.  Thank you Jese, thank you veterans, and thank you wives and children who have all made our country America the Beautiful. 

Grumpy old men.

These guys are never serious together.

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T is for Tough Thursdays

Thursdays are tough in our house.  The girls usually have had a long week with school and bible study.  I don't know if they were so excited that dad picked them up from school and was in the house, or what.  But neither of them took a nap and you can just hear them singing and talking on their monitors.  Adam actually worked from home today which was a nice surprise for all of us.  Well, the short naps/no naps backfired at the dinner table.  I made Mexicali stew and Cornbread for dinner.  The girls and I actually had the stew last night, but I thought I would make mini cornbread muffins and they would happily eat left overs tonight.  Sounds good, right??

Mmmm.  Cornbread.  My cornbread is sweet, you'll have to try it.

 Emilie was the main culprit at the table.  She ate for about 5 minutes, and then announced she was done.  Got down, cried to be put back up, and then did all of this...

Aubrie on the other hand didn't mind the cornbread muffin.  But wouldn't eat the stew.  Kept playing with her spoon, playing with her sister...anything but eat.  So I set a timer for five minutes and told her that if she didn't finish by the time it went off, then she would not get any fruit.  She let the timer go off and we got her down from the table and told her she was done and she flipped out.  Let's just say it was an interesting night.  I hope everyone else enjoyed their Thursday night dinner!  Love to all!
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The bug.

Monday morning I woke up early (around 4) because Adam was up and about, getting ready to go catch his flight to New York.  As soon as I rolled over, I knew that something wasn't right.  I told Adam when he kissed me goodbye that I was going to be sick.  Sure enough, as he is going through security, I'm calling him and letting him know that I have thrown up and I was "man down."  There was no option of him staying home. 

It didn't get better and around 7, I could hear the girls waking up on their monitors.  The night before, Adam cut an apple up for me and my stomach started turning after I ate it.  Sometimes my dad gets sick if you don't wash an apple good enough, so I thought that maybe the apple had upset my stomach.  So I thought maybe I just needed to get up and get moving and it would all turn around.  Let's just say it didn't.  I started calling EVERYBODY to see if they could help, or if they could come get the girls because I didn't want to give them whatever I had.  I got the the girls up, dressed, fed them breakfast, and then I laid back in bed while they ate. 

Thankfully Katie was able to come over with Higgs.  She got here after I got the girls down from breakfast and she was great.  I was able to lay in bed and sleep while she played with all the kids, fed them lunch, and it was great.  I was able to keep down some medicine and it helped turn things around.  My other super hero was Amanda.  She came over around 3 and played with the girls, fed them dinner, and put them to bed.  To top it all off, I  needed groceries for the next day.  We were out of breakfast food, and the girls needed stuff for their school Valentine's party the next day.  So Amanda even took my grocery list and got what I needed.  I was so thankful for these two girls and how they came through and helped a mama in need. 

I felt better on Tuesday.  I dropped the girls off at school, cleaned up the house a little, and worked on hydrating myself.  Today I feel pretty good, too.  This is definitely a horrible little bug that is going around.  I have a lot of friends who have gotten this bug within the past two weeks.  I'm so fortunate I didn't pass it on to the girls.  I'm also fortunate that I still had nausea medicine from my doctor and I have such good friends who helped me out!!!  So blessed! 

On another note, my Valentine came through even though he wasn't in town.  He hid my present and card in his nightstand.  He got me a bottle of perfume and I loved it.  What a great guy.  :)  I hope everyone else enjoyed their day.

Don't let this bug get you...

Love to all!!

ps.  Dad returns this evening.  YAY!!! Pin It Now!

Baby Shower and Birthday

Today was a busy and cold day for our family.  I say cold because I think this is the coldest day we have had all winter.  The high was around 30.  On top of that, our heat stopped working last night...when it was colder than 30!  Luckily, it was just the downstairs' unit and so the girls' room were warm.  Adam and I had to bust out some extra blankets to keep warm.  Getting out of bed this morning to go shower was quite a task.  I hated leaving me warm bed.  :)

Katie and I threw a baby shower for our friends, Andrew and Ashleigh, this morning.  Ashleigh is expecting a little girl in March.  Luckily, the shower was at Katie's house so we all got out of the house right after breakfast and headed over to Sunny and Katie's warm house.  On the menu was fruit, hash brown casserole, french toast casserole, sausage cups, banana pudding muffins, punch, coffee, and orange juice.  It was a pretty good spread.  We had a nice little crowd and it was good to get together to celebrate this next stage in their lives.  I can't wait to meet their little girl!  I'm going to share a couple of things that were on the menu today and hopefully a couple tomorrow.  I've got to get Katie's muffin recipe and I've misplaced her french toast recipe.  Me?  Lose things??!  No. 

Hash brown casserole...so delicious, rivals Cracker Barrel's!

Hash brown Casserole

from Katie's mom, Kay

2 lbs. frozen hash browns, thawed a bit
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. chopped onions
1 pint sour cream
10 oz grated cheddar cheese (medium)
2 c. crushed corn flakes or cheezits (Katie used cheezits!)

Mix all except butter & cornflakes (cheezits)  Put in 9" x 13" buttered pan.  Crush cornflakes or cheezits and mix with butter.  Cover top of  casserole and bake 30 minutes at 350 uncovered.

Sausage cups.  A crowd pleaser because they are so small and pack a surprising punch with some spice!

Sausage Cups

from Miranda, a bible study pal

1 lb hot sausage
2 tsp butter
6 green onions
1 small can of mushroom stems and pieces
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 boxes of phyllo cups
4 Tbsp flour
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

In a skillet, brown the sausage and then set sausage aside.  In same skillet, melt butter and saute onions and mushrooms.  Add flour, cream, salt and pepper and stir until it bubbles and thickens.  Quickly add the sausage and take it off the heat.  Spoon into cups and then sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Our fruit display. 

Future mom and dad

Aubrie loving on Higgs.

Katie had some fruity cheerios and the kids crowded around the plate like a trough and grazed.  Yes, maybe fought a little, too. 

Adam was super dad today.  I left the house before him and he came later with the girls.  Then he left the shower early to get Aubrie to her friend's birthday party.  Her boyfriend, Teague, from school actually turned 3 on February 4th.  So they are only a day apart.  But they didn't have his party until this weekend because they have family in town to see the boys get dedicated at church tomorrow.  So she had to get to her party and Adam took both girls and headed that way while I helped Katie clean up.  I got to Teague's party just in time to see him open gifts.  He's such a sweet boy and a good host.  The girls had an awesome time.  I, of course, walked right in and made myself a bowl of Marcie's chili and chowed down on a cupcake.  Delicious food and good company.  Today was a reminder of how blessed we are to have such good friends!

Before I go, I wanted to share my two latest projects.  I made a hat for Andrew and Ashleigh's little girl and one for Teague.  I really enjoy making these hats because I think of the sweet little heads that will be kept warm. :)

By the way, our heat is now working.

Love to all!

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Big News!!

Let's see if you can figure it out...

Ok, hold your signs up!

Petey's bored.

We've lost interest.

Go catch Aubrie.

Hurry, take the picture!!!

Yes, it is true.  We are expecting baby #3!  We went in today for a check up and it looks like our due date is around August 19th.  We heard the heartbeat and everything seems to be going well.  For those of you who thought maybe we had Aubrie and Emilie a little too close (21 months), take a big sigh of relief!  Emilie and this baby will be 22 months apart.  :)

(These photos were taken to tell the news to Adam's parents.  So, no longer a secret.)

We are so excited.  We found out before Christmas and it was a perfect gift.  For those of you who have run into me in the past 5 weeks, now you know why I've looked like I've had the flu or why I've been dressing like a homeless person.  I've been sick as a dog!  I cannot believe how tired I've been.  I'll sleep 10 hours at night and take a SOLID 2 hour nap during the day.  I was so happy to have Mother's Day Out to send the girls to so I could get in even more sleep.  The nausea was delightful... I still experience a little in the evenings.  The house has suffered and so has the cooking.  This helps explains why I haven't been blogging in a while.  Food has looked and tasted gross.  I'm just now getting back to cooking and cleaning.  Today I even mopped the floors and did laundry and I'm still up at 9:30!  Hopefully I'll get back to cooking again, because I have missed it. 

We are so happy and we feel so blessed to be able to bring one more baby into this world.  Love to all!

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Aubrie Jane is 3!!

How did this happen?  My baby is 3!  I know, same old lame saying, but it really does seem like yesterday that she entered our lives and turned it upside down.  I never thought I would sleep again.

Ready to go outside for a walk

Also, 3 means two more years before she is entering Kindergarten.  I will be sitting outside the school building, crying, the whole first day.  But in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy her just like we have been.  Both her and Emilie have been fun little handfuls. 

We had a little festivity here at the house.  Her first two guests were her boyfriends from school, Teague and Holden.  Holden's mom let him raid the Target dollar bins and he picked out her gifts all by himself.  She got bath fizz, a fake rose, strawberries to grow, nail polish, and chapstick, along with some other things.  Teague was right behind Holden with a bouquet of fresh flowers for the birthday girl.  They are too sweet and those three are really close.  This is the second year they've been at Mother's Day Out together.  She often grabs them by the neck and kisses their cheeks when they depart from each other.  On top of that, Aubrie's new friend from school, Ryan, came in next with a homemade card and gift for her as well.  She thought she was in heaven!  Her other friends all showed up and they all had a good time.  The playroom saw some serious action yesterday.  Thank you to everyone who made her day special.  She had a blast!  We are so blessed to have such great friends who are there to celebrate life's special occasions with us.  :)

I had a brilliant idea to make mini ice-cream cone cupcakes.  I saw online where someone made their own pan by cutting holes into a disposable pan, so I did the same, which worked perfectly!  But once I poured batter into them and put them in the oven, they all got too heavy for the pan and fell over or burnt like you can see.  But I salvaged some.  My mom gave me a delicious chocolate mousse recipe for the top.  They were pretty cute and delicious, but quite a pain.  I recommend buying the pan that you can find online here.

This is one of my favorite photos.  This is Holden straightening his hair with Aubrie's play hair and make-up stuff.  It was fun watching all her boyfriends play with her girly toys.  :)

The birthday girl eating an ice-cream cone cupcake.

Holden and Teague

She also got a piece of cake and then used the number 3 candle as a chip and kept scooping frosting off the cake to eat. Granny decorated the cake the night before and did a beautiful job!   

Here's Ryan getting a treat bag.  She told her friends thanks for coming and passed out bags. 

K-Sue and Kelly made it!!

Granny and Gaga made the trip with Lana and Adrian for the party.  Granny's birthday is February 18th so we surprised her with a birthday cake and she and Aubrie blew out the candles together later that night.  Aunt Paula Jane Huhnke, Lana's sister, was also born on February 5th, so it is very special that Aubrie celebrates on the same day and shares her name.  We lost Paula to cancer in 2004. 

Chocolate smile

This morning Aubrie got her gift from Adam, Emilie, and I.  She got her first bike!  What a big girl!  She calls the helmet a Helmont (like Belmont).

And now that big sister has new wheels, that means Emilie owns the tricycle!  Score Emilie!!

Sorry there are so many pictures.  There are a lot more that I'll probably post to facebook.  I hope everyone enjoys Super Bowl Sunday!  Love to all!

ps.  Belmont beat Lipscomb 84-58.  :)

AND for those who wanted recipes from yesterday's food, you can read about the Turkey Burgers here and I'll try to post the mousse and corn salad soon! Pin It Now!

Go Belmont!

Today is a special day (other than it being the Battle of the Boulevard) because Jese Snyder is going to be home from Afghanistan today!  I'm so excited for him, his wife, and his family.  It will be so good to have him back on American soil!  I am diligently checking my facebook for updates from Casey and hopefully pictures of them back together.  YAY!!!

Jese.  For those of you who need a refresher, Jese played basketball at Belmont with Adam.  They call each other "brother."

 As I mentioned above, today is the Battle of the Boulevard.  This happens twice during the basketball season, once at Belmont, and once at Lipscomb (Belmont's rival).  This rivalry is dated back to 1953 with the two schools only 2.7 miles apart, both located on Belmont Boulevard.  Both schools were NAIA powerhouses and the rivalry stopped when Belmont went to the NCAA is 1997.  It was rekindled in 2004 after Lipscomb joined Belmont in the NCAA in 2000.  I will never forget the game, at Lipscomb, Adam's senior year.  Their crowd was huge and wild.  They had a LIFE SIZE doll of Adam (#44) that they were tossing around in the stands and beating on.  It was a wild game and Belmont squeaked by with the win.

My little bruins.

 And that is exactly why I hate going to the game at Lipscomb.  Every year Belmont is a better team.  More talented, better record, everything.  And every year, if Belmont wins, they BARELY win.  It's always over time or a buzzer shot.  And usually, if it is a buzzer beater, it is usually some nobody from Lipscomb's bench that only scored 2 points the whole game, who heaves the ball from half-court and immediately becomes the school's hero.  Their student section believes this game to be their national championship, because this is the only significant win they'll get all season.  So they'll storm the court and their obnoxious sound system will blare loud music on their horrible speakers and you end up leaving with frustration and a headache.  You'll later find Belmont winning their conference championship with Lipscomb licking their wounds from a first round loss.  And really, that's what makes it a good rivalry.  The opposing school drives you nuts.

So with all that said, Go BELMONT!  I'll be enjoying the game from my quiet living room.  And don't forget to guard that guy that you didn't even know existed on the bench because he'll probably score on you at a time when we just don't need it.  :)

Last night I grilled out because it was such a beautiful day.  We've really been enjoying some spring weather here in Nashville.  I tried a new recipe from Pinterest.  It was Garlic Parmesan Fries.  Check it out.

Garlic Parmesan Fries

from Pinterest

3 Russet potatoes
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup Panko crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
pepper
garlic salt
optional: Italian parsley (I used dried parsley flakes)

Roughly peel potatoes, leaving on some skin.  Cut into 1/4 inch pieces and toss in a bowl.  Pour olive oil over the top and toss the potatoes.  Add remaining ingredients and toss.  Place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 450 for 12-18 minutes.

They were pretty good.  Emilie ate a lot of them!  The girls also enjoyed some yogurt with strawberries after dinner.

I hope your mealtimes are just as fun as ours!
Love to all!

ps.  What was with the giant picture of pasta salad in my last post??  Sorry.  I fixed it.  Pin It Now!