Thursday, March 31, 2011

Perfect Timing.

Eden has been running a super high fever for the past 3 nights and it’s no fun. She’s still her happy, chipper, hilarious self but she’s just on fire! Craig is feeling sick as well, but he’s not handling it quite as well as Eden is (typical men).

If there is ever a perfect time to get sick, this week was definitely it!

Why?

Because Tangled came out on DVD! Being sick is the perfect excuse for cuddling on the couch with my beautiful girls for 3 days straight watching this movie over and over. What’s my excuse? I’m not sick, I just love the movie :)

tangled

There is nothing that makes me happier than these girls of mine. They drive me crazy with their cuteness! I love waking up in the morning with them - Brea always has the cutest morning face and hair. Eden is extra cuddly in the mornings so I always take advantage of that!

My little Tangled buddies in their PJ’s:

coll

Monday, March 28, 2011

Three Years Ago

Boston and Eden

Went from this (March 2008) -DSCN2502

To this (May 2008) -
106_1517

To this (March 2011) -
IMG_3311
IMG_3313

{CUTEST COUSINS EVER!}

Sunday, March 27, 2011

GG’s 80th Birthday Celebration!

Wow, what a life! Craig’s Grandma just turned 80 and we had a blast celebrating it with her. Lots of friends and family came to celebrate her special day with her – she is definitely loved by many people! We had a surprise luncheon for her at the Landmark Restaurant and she was so surprised! Just look at her happy face. After The initial shock of the surprise wore off, she started applauding at all of us who were applauding for her.

IMG_9083

One of GG’s friends, Barb, traveled all the way from Wisconsin (I believe!). She surprised her at the luncheon and Grandma was so happy.

IMG_9122

I hope Grandma enjoyed her day, I know we all did!

Derek, Sue Sue, Bryan (love this picture, it’s so genuine):
IMG_9111

So typical of my MIL! IMG_9128

IMG_9151

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Zoo

We took a little trip to the Zoo today. The girls had a blast and they were totally worn out which was nice for me! IMG_3377 IMG_3387
I can’t ever get a picture of them both looking and smiling at me. This is as good as it gets!

IMG_3457x

IMG_3451

IMG_3435
Eden and Emma

IMG_3414
Little Livvy Bug

IMG_3422
Can’t get enough of my Brea!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Recipe Edition: Sweet Pork Tacos

Sweet pork tacos were on the menu tonight. I just got this recipe from my mother in law over the weekend and I was anxious to try it out myself. I’ve had a few different “Cafe Rio/Costa Vida” sweet pork recipes but this one is by far the best yet! It is so delicious and super easy to throw together. It was the perfect meal for a rainy and slightly gloomy day.

I started with a raw flour tortilla. 30 seconds on each side in a skillet and you have the yummiest tortilla:

IMG_3323

First, add some cilantro-lime rice (jasmine rice, cilantro, lime juice, butter and salt):

rice

I’m not a fan of beans, but I added some anyway. Black beans spiced with cumin:

IMG_3326

Time for the Sweet Pork deliciousness:

IMG_3330

A little thrown-together-at-the-last-second pico de gallo:

IMG_3333

Drizzle on some Creamy Cilantro Ranch:

IMG_3337

Top it all off with some lettuce and voila!:

IMG_3339

You can also add cotija cheese, avocados and/or tortilla strips. Mmm!

Craig was a happy man tonight. Eden had 2 helpings and Brea just picked the cheese off of the cheese quesadilla I made for her and dipped it in sour cream.

Sweet Pork

4 lb pork roast
2 c. Dr. Pepper
2 c. water


2 c. Dr. Pepper
1 large can of red enchilada sauce (I used Macayo’s brand)
3 t. honey
3 t. pressed garlic
2-3 c. brown sugar (I used 2 cups)
4 t. cumin
pepper


Cook roast in CrockPot on Low for 8 hours or overnight in 2 cups of water and 2 cups of Dr. Pepper. After 8 hours, drain and discard liquid. Pull pork apart with a fork. Add second set of ingredients to the pork and simmer on Low for 2-4 more hours.

Creamy Cilantro Ranch

1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
8 oz salsa verde green salsa (in a can)
1/2 bunch of cilantro with stems (washed)
2 garlic cloves chopped
1/4 c. mayo
1/4 c. sour cream
1/8 t. hot sauce (I used Tobasco)

Put all ingredients in a blender, and mix till  smooth and creamy

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Camping

We just got home from taking the girls camping for a couple of nights. We went with our good friends, The Tidwell’s, who also happen to be our next door neighbors (we have some super cool neighbors!). There was this cute little wash about 100 feet from where we set up camp so the girls spent all day in their bathing suits keeping cool. I can’t believe how warm it is already! The water was constantly running down stream, but it wasn’t enough to have to worry about them drowning or anything so we just let them play until they couldn’t take it anymore!

IMG_3109

Eden and her friend, Peyton

IMG_3115

IMG_3120

IMG_3229

IMG_3247

IMG_3258

I think I take way too many pictures of these girls. Eden usually cooperates for a little while but she will let me know when I’m being annoying. Brea just doesn’t stand for picture taking at all! {none, whatsoever!} It’s like she can smell the camera as soon as I take it out of the case because she just automatically shuts down. I don’t think she likes the attention and the shouting at her to “smiiiile!” or “sayy cheeese!” in the super annoying voices I make. She has been getting better though. She will occasionally make eye contact with the camera, so that is an improvement! This is the face I have been getting lately when I point the camera at her -

goofyface

I remember Eden going through a super cheesy phase, but at least it was a decent looking smile!! Brea’s crazy face is just out of control!

Luckily, I got a few good shots of Brea which I am so excited about because it rarely happens. She really is so pretty and sometimes I feel like I can’t ever capture a good picture of her cuteness because she is such a camera hater. If you’ve never witnessed the enormous amounts of cuteness that she is, here are a few pictures to prove it!

IMG_3186  

IMG_3197

IMG_3187

Back to camping {sorry, I get sidetracked easily}… it was a blast! Eden and Brea LOVE being outside so this was like the best 3 days for them! I was dreading bed time with them but they had played so hard during the day that by the time 8 o’clock came around they were both practically begging to go to bed! It was a little cold at night, but we survived.

When the girls weren’t playing in the water or eating (they eat nonstop!), they were hanging out in their special camping chairs. I couldn’t resist buying these bright pink fun-sized camping chairs for them, they are so cute!

IMG_3149 IMG_3179 IMG_3206 IMG_3278

This morning as we were making breakfast, Eden announced that she had to go potty. We had a little kid potty set up for the big girls to use and Eden made her way over there. I started getting the food ready and next thing I know Brea was out of my sight. I looked over at Eden and this is what I saw -

IMG_3296 

I laugh every time I see this picture! Brea had to follow her to make sure she pooped safely! They even had to hold hands. Every potty break after this, Brea was sure to accompany Eden and make sure everything went smoothly. They sure love each other! I love that this picture totally captures what they look like in the morning. {They can’t be totally glam 24/7!}

We made our way home this afternoon and Eden was so sad! She is already talking about wanting to go camping again! I knew they both had a good time when I loaded them into the truck to leave and not even 5 minutes later I found them like this -

IMG_3307

Ahh, I love them! I love the little family that Craig and I have created. My heart just beams when I look at these girls. {I love being their Mom}

Monday, March 14, 2011

Just another typical morning

It was too beautiful this morning to not go outside and ride bikes! Brea is happiest when she’s outside and Eden could ride her bike for hours if we let her. Craig sits in a camping chair while the girls run around and wear themselves out for an hour or two. It’s cute. I love them. They are so lucky to have such a doting Dad that loves playing with them and spends so much time with them. I’m glad that Craig enjoys playing outside with them since it gives me time to fold a load or two of laundry or throw the dishes in the dishwasher. :)

Here are just a few shots from this morning. Brea has this darn rash on her face that just won’t go away.

IMG_3038 

 IMG_3039 - Copy
This is the face she makes when I tell bring out the camera

IMG_3041 IMG_3043 IMG_3048 IMG_3065 IMG_3053 

Eden and her friend, Brielle.

IMG_3066 IMG_3080 IMG_3085 IMG_3087