Levi Turns 3!

We love you LEVI!  Happy Birthday!

We celebrated with finger painting....and

 

and trip to Gigglebugs!  Levi - You are getting so big!  Mommy & Daddy are so proud of you!  You love to play bowling on the Wii, play with your puppy Diesel and wrestle with your brother!  You make us all laugh and you still give the best bear hugs!  WE LOVE YOU!  Happy Birthday!

Back Yard FUN!

Some of our friends were getting their kids a new play set for Christmas and offered us this one!  

Matt spent all day putting it together!

Diesel and I were there to keep him company...and occasionally handed him a tool!

The look of excitement in the boys eyes....

made the hours spent outside in the cold putting it together worth it!

THEY LOVE IT!

Happy Anniversary & Early Christmas

Keep your eyes on the ball!

Here are some pictures of our little sluggers!

Both of the boys enjoy playing baseball -

 but Levi is the one who always gets the ball and bat out and is still playing long after Ian is done.

They have a T-ball stand, but they like it better when I throw the ball to them!  I am impressed with how far they can it it! 

Christmas Parade and a Journey to Bethlehem

The boys and I went to the Christmas Parade with some of our favorite friends!

In the van after the parade..
I asked them what their favorite part of the parade was..

Levi said - "THE RUBBER DUCKY!"

Ian said - "the drums"  

His head was bobbing and his hands were clapping to all of the marching bands.

and I think Teya said

"the dog in the stroller!"

After the parade..we went to a local church
for a journey to bethlehem

Paying taxes to Cesar

Ian making bread

Petting a donkey

There were several drama performances through out the town of Bethlehem... 

(above) Mary & Joseph were asking if there is room in the inn

This was a wonderful reminder that....

JESUS is the true reason that we celebrate CHRISTMAS!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:11

Playing in the leaves

Leftover Turkey?

I got this recipe from a friend (who got it from a friend) and with a few small changes....it has become my new favorite soup!

Chili Soup

• 6 cups of water seasoned with chicken bouillon or 6 cups of chicken stock
• 2-3 cups of cooked/seasoned shredded chicken or LEFTOVER TURKEY!
• 1 onion diced
• 1 green pepper diced
• 1tsp of garlic minced
• 1tsp cumin
• 1tsp chili powder     * i didn't have cumin so I used 2tsp of chili powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 16 oz can of white beans * i used pinto or chili beans
• 10 oz can of Rotel tomatoes or diced tomatoes
• 8 oz pepper jack cheese shredded
• 8 oz sour cream
• 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro
• 1 cup of of uncooked orzo * cook as directed on box

Saute the onion and pepper in a little olive oil until tender.  Add garlic and saute a minute more.  Add tomatoes, broth, chicken, beans and cooked orzo and bring to a simmer.  Add cheese, sour cream and cilantro just before serving! 

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

 

• 2 pkg. Uncle Ben's long grain and wild rice (cooks in 5 mins)
• 4-6 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed or LEFTOVER TURKEY!
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1-1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Cook rice as package directs.  Place rice in bottom of 10-inch baking dish.  Cover with cubed chicken.  Mix together soup, mayonnaise and cheese.  Spread over chicken and rice.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.  Serve with a green vegetable or salad.  

Enjoy!