My Baby Boy...still NOT walking...what?!

I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me a little bit, but I kept waiting until our little guy could walk until I did this "review" post, BUT I don't know how long I will be waiting...so here we go.  

I know you aren't suppose to compare but Ella & Asher were both WAY talking and walking and running and singing full songs by his age, so good thing he is UBER cute!  I think we all baby him a lot and do a lot for him unlike the other other ones and I am always on the go, poor thing has probably spent half his life in a car seat...ha ha ha

So onto the cuteness...

Probably my FAVORITE pictures EVER!  We returned the suit after we tried it on, because he despised it. But I almost wish we would have kept it for entertainment!

He loves to talk, most of it is nonsensical or Dadda for the first few months. But he also says Ella,

more, Nana, all done, down, up, Mama, and a few other nonsensicals.  Exhibit A video from gymnastics..

He is very selective on WHO he loves (ask my poor sister Hayley) BUT if he loves you HE LOVES YOU!  He is full of love and SUCH a happy baby!  He really is easy and happy.

A highlight of his year this year was getting Asher from preschool. He thought he was pretty cool sitting on Asher's mini couch in the reading area.  He also enjoyed (most of the time) his siblings attacking him in his crib.

Big Bear Zip Line Adventure

For Christmas I purchased Ned a Zip line tour in Big Bear for 4 (Yep, called and asked if the kids could join us on one of our many adventures and they said yes. I shared the deal with all my family and the only other crazies that took the bait were my parents!

We had such a great time!  And it is always good to step outside your comfort zone and do something hard. We were particularly proud of Miss Ella, who not only did it (we were worried it wouldn't even happen with her) but she did it on her own!  As they were giving instructions Ned and I looked at each other and later confirmed that we were both thinking there is NO way she will do this on her own. Well she did and she did GREAT!

Ella on her practice run!  She did great, even using her hands to break perfectly.

We officially decided Asher is the BEST entertainer of all!  I could tell loads of stories just from this trip alone, but let's just say that the 32lb boy THOUGHT he was truly the tour guy, telling people (whom we did not know) "Follow me guys, and watch your step!"  WHAT?  Wild 4 year old that's for sure.

The whole group on the tree top stop. It was REALLY high and the tree swayed, this one freaked me out a bit!  That is Asher sitting on the branch, Ella in the middle, and my mom peaking through the bottom.

While we waited Ella got a hold of the camera and took some pictures as her and Asher explored.

Ned and Asher on the practice run!  Asher loved it!  Fist pumps and all after...

You can also go to Nana's Blog for more pictures and details.

Weekend Recipe: Chicken Tetrazzini and other back post recipes

Because I am a SUPER pasta lover, this is one of my favorites!  I believe I got it from my mother in-law (Karen) who is an amazing cook and honestly MADE me gain 5lbs the first year of marriage.  But because of her I have some good and easy dishes to share with you all...So enjoy

Chicken Tetrazzini

Cook and cut up chicken saving ½ c. broth. 

Cook pasta. Combine all other ingredients. 

Grease 9x13 pan. 

Add pasta. 

Place chicken pieces on top. 

Pour sauce over.  

Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese. 

Bake 350* for 45 min.

2 c. chicken pieces                                    

1 c. sour cream

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Angel hair pasta     

2 (10 oz.) cans cream of celery soup

½ c. chicken broth                                           

½ tsp. Salt

Dash of Tabasco                                             

¼ lb. Grated cheese

PAST Recipe Posts:
Broccoli Salad (souplantation style)
Southwest Chicken Soup
Crock Pot Mexican Chicken Filling

Crock Pot Mexican Chicken Filling - SO SO SO EASY

Just in case I forget tomorrow (because I have been gone or busy the last 2 Friday's) this is my Friday post...

The easiest thing I do at home (which can be used for burritos, taco fillings, just plain, over rice, etc) is this Mexican Chicken Filling, which CANNOT get any easier:

·         4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

·         1- 15oz. can black beans

·         1- 15oz. can corn

·         1- 16oz. jar salsa

Place all items in the crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Remove chicken and shred.  (It usually shreds VERY easily and without much effort or even removing).  Return chick to crock pot.

Serve over brown rice or use as a filling for tacos or burritos.

Makes 8 generous servings

P.S. I LOVE... 

SIDE NOTE: THE BEST!!!  You can get them just about anywhere, I usually just do Target or Walmart (if I dare) or online for a pack of 4 for about $2 and let me tell you it is SO SO worth the hard scrubbing of the crock pot for me. Just make sure if you shred in your crock pot (like me, the lazy way with a fork) don't punch through.  Even though you wont have a burnt on mess you still have to clean up more than is necessary!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Reynolds-Slow-Cooker-Liners-4-ct/11027103

Tate's FIRST Birthday (Dr. Seuss)

Wowzers, it was a doozie!  Dr. Seuss themed party!

My baby Boy's 1st Birthday was March 12, 2012.  And I really wanted to celebrate, so I sent out the invitations...

I made them in photoshop, then printed them at Costco) and thought they turned out pretty cute! 

 (Little did I know that of course my baby boy would wake up sick (pretty much how it has been continually for us the last few months!)

But he was still his happy self all day, enjoying his special day!

Tate and Nana!

We also had family and friends join us at the park (for easy easier clean up) and enjoy some Costco pizza and tons of goodies and junk to go with our 

Cat in the Hat theme.

We did a pinata, balloon popping game, and a scavenger hunt, the kids had a blast being wild outside.

Some opted to just chill out on top of the play ground (Alejandra, Asher, and Ella)

And you know when you are busy hosting a party and you don't have a lot of time to do anything else but host.  Well that is my excuse for:

1. Ella having no shoes on (above picture) that would usually never happen
2. Asher coming to the party with a cowboy hat and cowboy boots on (I blame dad for that though, since he meet me there)
3. The doozie: someone yelling "hey look at Asher". Then looking over to see my sons bare butt shining at the rest of us as he is peeing in the bushes with his shorts around his ankles (yes there was an open restroom)

Kids were dancing on tables that, how fun it was!

Check out how cute these 3 are dancing together on the table. Peyton is my niece singing, Asher is dancing, and William is my nephew enjoying the entertainment!

It was so nice to celebrate this sweet baby boys life! I appreciate all the family and friends who came to celebrate with us and those who brought such wonderful things to share or for Tater.

Tate didn't care for all the boys wanting to share in his new turtle sandbox though...

You can see I tried to do all the treats and goodies with the theme to Cat in the Hat.  My friend Michelle made the little marshmallow/goldfish treats (One Fish, Two Fish) & Amber made the jello squares.

I put stickers on goodie bags for treats to take home.  And treats all in funky colors.  I bought the stickers, boxes, funky suckers, candles and hat from Oriental Trading Company.

We had MORE than enough cake and cupcakes.  I bought one just for Tate to destroy, but since he was sick we decided it would be best not to clean up blue puke.  It's little fish sprinkles with tags that have lines from Dr. Seuss on them.

I used cotton candy to top the cupcakes for a funky look.

I also found water bottle labels with his picture and 1 on them.

Overall it was a great party and I hope Tate can look back at these pictures and see how much he was loved!