Wednesday

Andy and I bought a nice little pontoon and have been loving the river.  Kellen and the dogs have also been loving it.  The dogs are so good Linkin has learned how to swim and Merc gets to roam around the island.  After he gets sick if that he just lays and relaxes under a tree.  He does not like getting wet, only up to his belly.  We cant get Link out.  Kellen plays ball, scoops sand and if course floats.  I wasn't able to get a picture of him floating but it was cute.

Hanging out talking to Mason, Katie, Clay and of course Dennis. 

Some sort of serious conversation.  I was so proud of that little man!

He was VERY excited to go out on a boat ride. 

More pictures soon, and I will have to try and get one of him floating. 
It will be a little while, our pontoon had to go in and get fixed.  When we bought it someone didn't do a very good job of "servicing" it.  The gages didn't work along with a few other things.  We are waiting for parts and then it will be back on the river next weekend.

XOXO

Cleaning

Playing with the vacuum, loves cleaning like mommy.

Pita pockets

Yummy tuna pita pockets for lunch.  It's supposed to have lettuce in there too, but we ran out.  Very healthy and delicious.  You can also use while wheat wraps too instead of the pockets.

All smiles

Our little man.
He saw me taking pictures and he said, "Kellen smile too."  He loves taking pictures.

Linkin

Our little puppy is already 1, such a big boy.  Happy birthday Link :-)

Merc

My Mr. proper puppy, can't believe he is 6, time flies.

Baby T and daddy

Taylor snuggling with daddy

It has been so long since I have blogged, I just haven't had time with a two year old running around and a 3 month old little baby girl that doesn't like to be put down :-).  Life has Andy and I very busy and we wouldn't have it any other way.  Here are some pictures of food I have been cooking, I have been cooking everything from scratch, nothing pre packaged.  I started working out as soon as I could after baby T was born and decided to finally start eating healthier.  I have noticed I don't crave the bad things and I feel so much better.  Andy has been such a trooper in this whole process and is finding things he really enjoys.

 Scrambled eggs with shallots, smoked salmon, spinach and red peppers.  It was fantastic!

 Grilled Salmon salad.

Poached eggs served over tomato slices, avocado, and bacon.  I hated or thought I hated avocado, but this was so good and I have started to love them. 

 Grilled fillet on a bed of lettuce served with a tomato salad, YUMMY

 Beef stir fry

 Guac

 Baked almond crusted chicken.  This dish is one of my favorites.

Broiled Tilapia with mushrooms and stuffed tomatoes.  This was also just wonderful, the tomatoes turned sweet.  I served with tomatoes and artichokes with this, which is below.

This is a side dish, it is shallots, with tomatoes and artichokes

Yummy vegetable soup

Now here are some pictures of the kids, you didn't think I would leave them out :-)

Always giving her kisses

Loving her jumper

Taylor loves her little pad, and Kellen has to be right next to her watching toons. He will usually cover her up too. I missed it, but she was holding his finger for awhile.

Kellen decided he wanted to eat like Linkin after spilling his popcorn....he is a wacky one

We put Taylor in the pack and play so Kellen could still play ball and she would be more safe....but Kellen still has to be as close as possible. We caught him trying to climb into it the other day....one leg over and all haha

  So big in her bumbo, she loves this also

Jaycee and Charlie, my dad's new puppies. Our dogs love to play with them. I find it super funny considering one dog is 75 pounds and the other is 110 :-)

Hopefully next time there wont be so many at once.  If anyone wants the recipes to the dishes let me know and I will add them.

Enjoy your Wednesday!!

Our little Taylor

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Smile

Being goofy going to Easton's baptism.  I say smile, this is what he does ha.

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Cool & Creamy Chocolate Fondue

Light and fluffy, delicious!

Served up and ready to eat

Strawberries, Pears, Peaches and some Cinnamon Chips.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon rum or vanilla extract (optional)

Assorted fresh fruit dippers such as whole strawberries, apple, peach or pear wedges
Cinnamon Chips or Chocolate-Drizzle Cinnamon Chips

Directions:
Place chocolate morsels and half of the whipped topping in microwave safe bowl.  Microwave uncovered on high 1 minute or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring after each 20-second interval.
Fold in remaining whipped topping, cinnamon and rum extract, if desired; mix until smooth.
Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes

Serve and enjoy

Yield: 2 cups (16 Servings)

Nutrients per serving (2 tablespoons fondue): Calories 80, Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrate 7g, Protein 0g, Sodium 0mg, Fiber 0g,
Cinnamon Chips:



The yummy chips
Ingredients:
8 (7-inch) flour tortillas
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly spray tortillas with water.
Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over tortillas.
Cut each tortilla into eight wedges and bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and crisp.
Remove from baking stone; cool completely. Repeat

Yield: 64 Chips (16 Servings)

Nutrients per serving (4 Chips)
Calories 40, total fat 1g, Saturated fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrate 6g, Protein 1g, Sodium, 130mg, Fiber less than 1g.

**NOTE**
Place 1/2 Cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl, microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-1 1/2 minutes, stirring after each 20 second interval or until chocolate is melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate evenly over cinnamon chips; let stand until set.


Enjoy
Jess

Spring Pasta Salad

This is a wonderful, and healthy pasta and very light for summer!

Veggies cut up and ready to sautee

Sauteing in some garlic and olive oil

Noodles added

The final product, we decided to add a little shrimp to the pasta.

Ingredients:

1 package (12 oz) uncooked Fettuccine noodles

1 large carrot, peeled and cut into julienne strips

1 small yellow summer squash, cut into julienne strips

1 small zucchini, cut into julienne strips

3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into strips

2 table spoons olive oil, divided

2 garlic cloves, minced

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1/4 cup snipped fresh bail leaves

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 ounce shaved fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook Pasta according to package, drain. 

Return to stockpot, keep warm

Meanwhile, prepare vegetables.

Cut carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini into long julienne strips.

Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and remove seeds; slice tomatoes into thin strips.

Heat stir-fry skillet over medium heat.

Add 1 tablespoon of oil and minced garlic, cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until garlic is softened and beings to brown.

Add carrot, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt; stir-fry 1-2 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Add remaining oil, remaining salt, basil and black pepper to pasta; toss gently.

Stir noodles into vegetables, toss gently.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; serve immediately.

Yield: 8 Servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 180, Total fat 5g, Saturated fat 1g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrate 26g, Protein 7g, Sodium 360mg, Fiber 2g

**Note**

We added some shrimp to the dish the nutrients do not include shrimp.

Heat olive oil and garlic in a sautee pan 1-2 minutes

Add shrimp and cook through

Toss in or serve on the side.

Enjoy

Jess

Apple Berry Salsa & Cinnamon Chips

This Apple Berry Salsa is sweet, Delicious and Healthy

Ingredients:
2 medium Granny Smith apples
1 pint strawberries, diced
2 kiwi, peeled and diced
1 small orange
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple jelly or apricot jam

Directions:
Peel, core and slice apples and coarsely chop
Dice strawberries and kiwi place everything in a bowl.

Zest orange to measure 1 teaspoon.
Juice orange measuring 2 tablespoons.
Add juice, zest, brown sugar and jelling to fruit mixture; mix gently.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Spoon into serving bow, serve with baked cinnamon chips

Yield: 3 Cups (16 servings)
Nutrients per serving (3 tablespoons)
Calories 30, total fat 0g, saturated fat 0g, cholesterol 0mg, carbohydrates 8g, protein 0g, sodium 0mg, fiber 1g.

Cinnamon Chips:

.

Ingredients:
8 (7-inch) flour tortillas

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly spray tortillas with water.
Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. 
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over tortillas.
Cut each tortilla into eight wedges and bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and crisp.
Remove from baking stone; cool completely. Repeat

Yield: 64 Chips (16 Servings)

Nutrients per serving (4 Chips)
Calories 40, total fat 1g, Saturated fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrate 6g, Protein 1g, Sodium, 130mg, Fiber less than 1g.
**NOTE**
Place 1/2 Cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl, microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-1 1/2 minutes, stirring after each 20 second interval or until chocolate is melted and smooth.  Drizzle chocolate evenly over cinnamon chips; let stand until set.

Enjoy!!
Jess

A Sunny Saturday

Today my dad and Cindy came over to hang out, the weather was beautiful.  Kellen got to play outside all day long.  It is so nice having a deck that I can lock and watch him on.  While Andy and I cleaned all the windows and the house, Kellen got to sit outside, play ball and drive his car.  The sun came out and he really wanted his glasses.

Driving his car on the deck in style

The dogs got to play outside all day, and the sun came out just in time.
Dad and I cooked (since I can't do all that work at the moment) while Andy was playing and swinging with Kellen.  He is getting really good at hitting and catching. (we work on these things daily).

We are also very ready for this baby girl to come and join our family, we will be 38 weeks on Monday....and counting down :-)

I love, LOVE that he can play outside all day, he was beyond ready for bed tonight and so am I.
Hope everyone enjoyed the weather and the weekend.

Love
Jess

Tuesday

SORRY, it has been awhile since I have blogged...we have been so busy.  Last weekend I was gone at a retreat, I sure missed all my boys.  They kept busy playing outside and working on some much needed yard work.  Kellen is really enjoying being outside and playing.  If I can't chase him around all day because, well I am 37 weeks pregnant, I just let him play ball on the deck.  Our deck has a gate and it locks so he can just play out there with the patio door open playing ball.  He loves driving his 4-wheeler and he car that Grandma Carol got him for his birthday last year.
 
We all head up the road and went to his cousins Cole & Austin's birthday party on Sunday.  He sure had lots of fun, he kept wanting to play with Chopper (their dog) like he plays with Linkin.  Chopper is a pug and he did not enjoy Kellen laying all over him, but he found a nice spot on Andy's lap so he could be apart of the action and stay away from our little man.  Kellen really liked when Chopper gave him lots of kisses. 

 He loves running around outside, and this is one of my favorite outfits :-)

I was going through some pictures and found these two.  This is my cousin Angela back when they lived next to us when we were youger.  Look at how innocent she looks....love this picture.

This one is of Ashley and Angela at our house around the same time....oh my :-).

Jess

Bike

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Swinging

Just melts my heart

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:)

Someone had a long day with daddy

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Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Sauteing the onions, peppers and garlic, smelled wonderful!

Letting all the ingredients simmer

Finally, the pasta is added and is ready to serve.

Ingredients
Serves 4-5

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded {or shredded rotisserie chicken…I used the breasts} and I just cut them into tiny bite size pieces….it is easier then shredding them.

2 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 {4 oz.} can diced green chiles
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
2 {10 oz.} cans green chili enchilada sauce
2/3 cups red enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheese {I used colby & monterrey jack}
1 cup sour cream
1 box Penne pasta
Directions

Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet and cook onions for about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic & red pepper and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Add cooked chicken, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, salt, & enchilada sauces. Let sauce simmer for about 8-10 minutes.

Add cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and heated through. Now toss in the sour cream, but whatever you do, DO NOT bring to a boil! Cook on low heat or the sour cream will curdle. Stir until sour cream is well mixed and heated through.

Drain pasta & return to pot.

Pour sauce over pasta and mix well.

Serve and garnish with avocado, tomato, green onion, and a dollop of sour cream.

Enjoy

A Beautiful Day!

Today has been a wonderful day so far, we woke up to little (or not so little) Linkin barking at nothing, had some breakfast and went to play outside. Kellen got to drive his 4-Wheeler, and he even said, "Grandpa, drivin," it was really cute!! He played ball, went on the swing, went on the slide then we went walking in the woods, the dogs even got to come along. They had lots of fun running around and playing. My dad snuck up on Andy, Kellen and Linkin.....Linkin started barking and was being the little protector of the house.

 Kellen got to ride his 4-Wheeler all around, he was having so much fun and knew exactly what he was doing!

 He played on his little jungle gym for awhile, he loves going down the slide!

We were trying to play fetch with Linkin, but Merc wouldn't leave him alone to play....so they just played instead.

The dogs were really running around playing

Merc was tired, but was having so much fun!

Kellen kept Grandpa on his toes!

Of course Kellen had to play ball, that is his back swing....swinging lefty already.  I am anxious to see if he is lefty or righty!!

Then we all went hiking in the woods behind our house.  Kellen had lots of fun and held Andy's hand the whole time.

After the hike Kellen went down for a nap and I layed down to rest.  Andy and my dad took Merc and Linkin and went hunting for sheds.  They were gone for an hour or so.  They got back just in time for Kellen to wake up and started playing again.

For supper I made Chicken Enchilada's; Cassie, Joe, Easton, Layla, and Cindy came out to enjoy the supper.  Kellen was very good with the baby and the dogs played some more.  When we went to bed last night, Linkin fell asleep and was snoring sooo loud...I think they had a a fun day I know we did!


Hope everyone had a wonderful, beautiful Saturday!
Jess