A Day Off

This past Saturday Chad did not have to go to work. It was a beautiful day so we first headed off to the park. The kids loved being pushed in the swings, sliding on the slides and running around. Time with Dad it was great.After the park and some errands we were off to the Bean Museum in Provo. I love how kid friendly this museum is. While we were walking around they made an announcement that a tiger head and a lion head would be available to touch. The kids loved it.

"Can I feed my brother to the lion or tiger?"

"Check Please"
This bear was huge. I couldn't get a full body picture of him.
Benjamin loved touching everything he could and Rebecca kept looking for a panda bear (they don't have one. She was very disappointed.)

Dip Sauce Soup

My friend Rachel passed on this recipe and I tried it out last night...and.it.is.sooooo.good!!! Rebecca and Benjamin loved it. I gave Rebecca some soup and while I was getting some for Benjamin and me she proceeded to put some sour cream and cheese in her soup. When I sat down she showed me what I was supposed to do and even helped me with the cheese. She then proceeded to "dip" her tortilla chip in the soup and eat it like a dip. She said "mmmmm good dip mom" and named in dip sauce soup.

On to the recipe. Rachel told me how I can make this soup in the crockpot instead of on the stove top. Following is the stove top directions and then after I will tell you how I did it in the crockpot.

Enchilada Soup

saute:
1/2 c. chopped onions
1/4 c. chopped green peppers
1 clove minced garlic

add:
1 can of chicken broth
1 can of beef broth
1 quart tomatoes
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
Bring to a boil and simmer 30 minutes.

add:
3 chicken breasts cooked and shredded
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of black beans (rinsed)
1 small can of mild enchilada sauce

Bring to a boil and serve. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, crushed tostito chips, and chopped avocado.

The crockpot way is very easy. In the crockpot put in 3 frozen chicken breast. Add the rest of the ingredients. Put the lid on. Turn on low. Six hours later, in the crockpot, shred the chicken with 2 forks and put the lid back on. Now the soup is ready for whenever you are ready to eat.

I hope you enjoy this soup. It is supposed to snow Tuesday and Wednesday so this is a good soup to have around for leftovers.

Trouble Is A Brewing

Benjamin and Kayman are buddies. Benjamin always gets really excited when I tell him that Kayman is coming over to play. The two boys are just a few weeks apart so they always seem to be on the same page.

How much trouble can we get into with this? Little Angels for now.

We might be able to hide over here?

I hope they stay friends for a long time.

Two New Purchases

Tuesday night I was taking dishes out of the drying rack (yes I don't have dish washer) and there was a shift in weight distribution and the lid to my crockpot fell to the floor. It shattered on the floor, no gluing it back together. I decided that in the coming days I would have to make a trip to DI and try and find a replacement. Wednesday morning I started to brown beef to make chili (it was a cold and rainy day and chili is so good on a cold, rainy day). I finally remember one problem my crockpot no longer has a lid. I packed the kids in the car and off to Walmart we go. I purchased this crockpot for $25. I wanted to spend $20 but this one has a 7 qt capacity and is oval so I thought an extra $5 wasn't bad. The chili got to cook all day and it was delish.

Saturday morning I was vacuuming up some spilled cereal and the normal morning cleaning when my vacuum quit, just stopped working. Chad tried to fix it. He kept asking me what I was doing when it stopped, my only answer was vacuuming. I checked online and we decided to buy a new vacuum. Also at Walmart I purchased this vacuum for $39. It had wonderful reviews. So far it works great. Very lightweight only problem is the cord isn't as long as my other one. (A side note to this story is that when Chad's dad came to pick us up for dinner we pulled the broken vacuum out, he plugged it in, it works. Just over heated. Now we have two vacuums. Maybe we will need two vacuums soon.)


This is sometimes the only excitement I have during a week.

A Zoo Trip

It was a beautiful Saturday. Chad did not have to work. Off to the zoo we go.

Mama and baby orangutan

Chad, Benjamin and Rebecca (being sassy)
Gorilla
Rebecca and Benjamin measuring up
Mama Elephant and new baby
Chad and Benjamin

I can't get enough of this baby elephant

This is the first time I have seen the Rhino's moving. Whenever we come they are hiding.
Black Bears were moving around also.
Should be through her in...no I think we should keep her.

The Zebras
Rebecca and the Tigers

A Benjamin smile
The new carousel

Chad wanted to see the new baby elephant...check

I wanted to see the baby giraffe...check

Rebecca wanted to see the zebras...check

Benjamin wanted to see the monkeys...check

A fun day together as a family...double check

Rebecca turns 4

Rebecca turned 4 last Monday. I am so excited to have a 4 year old (see above picture taken on her birthday at the zoo). Rebecca started out small but she has turned into a spitfire. Chad and I are so happy she is part of our family and Benjamin loves having her as a big sister.

4 things about Rebecca:
1~Rebecca loves making new friends and playing with her friends.
2~Rebecca loves playing dress up
3~Rebecca is really good a gymnastics
4~Rebecca gives the best hugs and kisses

At the splash park yesterday I had two fun comments from opk (other people's kids).


Child 1~Where are your kids? (I am waiting for her to come down the slide so I can help Benjamin down)


Me~My son is right behind you and my daughter is playing right over their.


Child 1~Why do you have a boy?


Me~(Deciding not to give her the facts of life talk) Because that is what heavenly father gave me.




Child 2~What are your children names?

Me~Rebecca and Benjamin.

Child 2~Mine is (I can't remember what he said) my sisters name is Lucy or we call her ornery.



I am starting to wonder what my kids are saying. Hopefully they are not talking to strangers.