Recovering

Maybe it's time I posted about Kyle's birthday since it was, oh, a month ago! We had a fun second birthday, complete with Elmo cakes (below are the cupcakes, but there was also a full-size Elmo cake). He also got lots of fun things to play with, wear, and watch.

Opening presents


Out at dinner

Being cheesy

He is just getting so big and smart. Well, maybe not that big. We went to his 2 year checkup, and he is still hanging out around the 15th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference. He's just a little squirt! And he has been sick lately, so for about a week he has refused to eat much of anything. I was thrilled this morning because he ate a few bites of his banana and a couple of Cheerios. That is more than the past few days!

He also knows all his letters now. He can even say "L" without sticking his tongue all the way out! (although that was super cute). Now we're working on numbers. I think he can recognize 3 and 4 now. He is really funny because he sees letters everywhere. Just a minute ago he was on my lap at the computer and saw a partial water glass stain on the desk, and said "C! C! C!"

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm totally in the mood for comfort food lately. Probably because Kyle succeeded in giving Ricky and me his delightful cold (could be because he sneezes and coughs in our faces all the time!). Anyway, the other night I made a chicken pot pie. I usually use cream of chicken soup for the gravy, but this recipe was so yummy! Try it:

http://karaskitchencreations.blogspot.com/2010/01/cookbook.html

It's a really good, yummy blog!

TTFN!

My Smarty-Smart-Smart

Ky's getting so big and smart! I just have to brag on him for a minute. He knows some of his colors! Yellow is his favorite, but he also likes green and black. And last night, he totally blew me away. We were playing with his puzzles, and while we were working on the alphabet one, he picked up the Y and said, "Y!" A while later he picked up the U and said, "U!" Those are random letters to know, and I certainly didn't teach him those yet. All I can figure is that he learned them from Sesame Street. Yay PBS! He also put that whole alphabet puzzle together by himself! It took him a while to match up all the letters with their pictures, but he did it. I'm so proud!!

Catching Up

I'm trying to play catch up, so here are some pictures from Christmas! Hasn't Kyle gotten so big?

Here he is trying out cousin's new pocket rocket.

Hanging out in his awesome Elmo jammies.

Opening presents with Mommy and Daddy before we left for Arkansas.

" Seriously, Mom? You chose this?"

Being cheesy.

We had a really good Christmas and New Year, but I'm glad it's over. Travel is stressful! I like to start the new year, because it just feels fresh. Hopefully I can keep this fresh feeling for a while before the winter doldrums set in.

As most of you know, I'm obsessed with reading. I just finished a super good book, and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Read it! It is so funny and sad and touching. I learned so much about what went on during and after the Nazi Occupation in Europe. Basically, I couldn't put it down.

Also, don't you love my new background? My friend April designs blogs and she posted some free templates on her website. They're super cute! Check them out.

Happy New Year!

10 Things that Make Me Happy!

My friend Vicki tagged me to post 10 things that make me happy, and since it is Christmas Eve, what better time, huh? So here goes:
1. My family. All of 'em, but especially my hubbs and cute kiddo.
2. My super good kid! (This really is different from the previous one). So yesterday, we were in the car for 3 hours, airport for 5, plane for 2 1/2, and car again for 3. My kid is such a good kid!!! He thought the plane ride was awesome fun, and only screamed for the last 30 minutes of our car trip. Can't blame him though; he'd had a super long day, and it was late late.
3. Thunderstorms. We drove through a wicked one last night, and they make me happy, although a little nervous when the lightning is striking really close to the road.
4. Christmas! Nuff said.
5. The internet! I'm 2000 miles away from home, but accessing my website and keeping in touch.
6. Sweets. Nuff said again.
7. The gospel, and the temple. Nuff said again.
8. Mom's homemade chapstick. Can't live without it. No, really.
9. Sleep!
10. Smelling good.

I could keep going, but I've got to go break up a wrestling match between Ricky, Kyle, and 6 yr old cousin Blake. I wonder who's gonna win? Probably Kyle, because at this moment, he has the power of "stinky heinie" on his side. Merry Christmas everyone!

Ahhh, Christmas memories

I totally forgot that I had these pictures! I haven't seen them in a year, and I found them yesterday. The first ones are of Kyle's first Christmas when he was opening his presents. The next two are the ones every parent has of the first time their child sees Santa Claus. So sad! I can't believe how grown up Kyle looks now. I always thought he still had that baby face, but after seeing these pictures, I realize he has grown up so much! What a cute boy. We love him.

It's been a while!

I know, I'm a slacker. But I have some cute pics to post, and another recipe discovery!! First for the cuteness:

I took this picture right before church yesterday. Kyle is OBSESSED with Elmo, so he insists on wearing his slippers any chance he gets. Nothing says Sunday best like big red monsters on your feet!




This picture was taken probably over a month ago. Kyle had just gotten a haircut (which he hates, but he likes the bath afterward), and he was doing his evil face again. I can't figure out why he does that!

And now for some yummy. Last night I wanted something sweet and crunchy, and I thought that I might pass out without kettle corn, but the microwave stuff is totally sub-par. So, to those of you who have Stir-Crazy popcorn poppers (and I know several of you do), here is a recipe for homemade kettle corn that you can do in your popper.

Put the following ingredients in your popper, and pop like normal, but be careful! The melted sugar makes the popcorn way hotter than normal when you flip it over. Enjoy!!

1/2 c. popcorn seeds

1/4 c. oil (I hear butter flavored oil is the best for kettle corn)

1/4 c. sugar

Remember to salt it afterward!

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season. Love to all!

Halloween and recipes!

Holy cow, I haven't posted since we moved! We love love love living in Idaho Falls. Kyle loves being closer to cousins and playing with them.


With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I would share pics of Kyle's costume. Last night we went to a little carnival, and he was the cutest kid there! My favorite part is the red underwear! Haha!


Now some good recipes I've tried recently. I know, I am obsessed with food. It's a weakness. First, I found a good one for carne asada marinade. Winco sells pre-sliced carne asada, which makes it totally easy:

3 lbs. flank steak (or carne asada meat)
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 limes, juiced
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon of each of the following: salt, ground black pepper, ground white pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, and paprika.

Mix all together and marinate for 1-8 hours, then cook the meat however you like. I pan-fried it because it was easy, but it would be really good on the grill, too!


And now for Rosemary Chicken with White Beans. I love this one!
2 T. oil
4-6 chicken breast halves
1 cup carrots, sliced
1/2 cup celery, sliced
1 can Great Northern or other white beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 t. rosemary
1/3 cup fat-free Italian dressing

In a large skillet, heat the oil and brown the chicken breast. Remove and drain (I always skip this part, because I'm lazy). Place the carrots, celery and beans in the bottom of a slow cooker and add the chicken. In a bowl, combine the salt, pepper, rosemary, and dressing and pour over the food in the cooker. Stir. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

Enjoy!