Madison's Blessing

Yes, I know this is late, but better late than never! We blessed Madi on June 15, Father's Day. It was such an awesome day, and I thank all my family for being there. Even my sister Becky was able to be there, which meant the world to me. We had a great turn out, and an awesome BBQ after. Thanks to master chef Ryan on the grill!

All about MaCrae

So I have been so caught up it posting pictures of Madi that I feel like MaCrae deserves a post all to himself. I can't believe how big Mac is getting. We have made some changes at our home, and I can't believe what a difference it has made. First, when Mac does something I don't aprove of I get down at his eye level and pull him into me tight, almost hugging him, and talk to him instead of get mad. He has seemed to respond to this very well. The 2nd big change is keeping junk food out of our house. I know anyone who has been over knows what a junk food junkie I am. I love my sweets, so I have really cut back. I stopped buying any snacks that MaCrae eats regularly. So now when he looks in the pantry there is nothing to choose but raisins, bananas, string cheese, or crystal light (to drink of course!). I do keep some of his snacks hidden, so he can have them in the car or while I shop. And then today he asked if he could go potty on "daddy's toliet". So we took his clothes off and he sat on the toliet for atleast 15 minutes. He couldn't seem to go so he got off and I kept him naked so he might still get back on. About 2 minutes after he got off he had an accident. He felt really bad. But he is trying, and it was his idea, so I think we are getting somewhere. I really love my buddy! He might be a hand full, but I don't know what I would do if I didn't have him. He LOVES baseball. And he is actually getting pretty dang good!
He loves his train set. Cars, trains, and planes for this kid. What a boy.
Mac's new favorite food. Watermelon! He learned this trick off his Elmo Potty Show!! And isn't his shirt cool. My sister gave it to him when she came to visit. It is way big, so it is my favorite night shirt for him. Thanks Bec.

So today has been such a terrible day I decided I need to think of something that I can be positive about. And of course, I can always be thankful for my awesome friends. It is so fun to get together and just sit and talk. Thanks for all the fun times we have had recently. So I have included a few pictures that I was suppose to post a few weeks ago. Madi (left), Olivia (bottom right), and Paige (top right). How cute are they! It was hard to pick which picture to post because we could never catch their attention, all at the same time.
Madi, Olivia, and Paige again. Madi is wearing a bubble outfit, and the clothing stands by it's name, she looks like a bubble. But the cutest dang bubble I have ever seen! We couldn't stop laughing at Olivia when trying to get this picture. In every one I took her mouth is open wide. She was so happy she couldn't help herself. I do feel bad, there was one of these pictures that turned out so stinkin cute, and I accidently deleted it. Yeah, I was pretty bummed.
And I just couldn't help but post this picture of Paige. It was seriously the cutest moment.

My Call for Help

So I am sure that I am not the only one with this problem: I know how to make a few breakfasts, lunches, or dinners really well. Or I have my favorites, but am stumped at what to make between these "special meals." Lately when I try something at a BBQ or anywhere I go really, I will ask for the recipe of something I end up liking. So I thought it would be fun to start a shared recipe box. I hope you will all help me out, bloggers and non-bloggers, friends and strangers. I know you all have delious recipes that I would love to try, and make available to everyone else. If you don't want them shared with everyone please let me know, but I would really appreciate some ideas. If you would like to add a picture with the recipe, that would be great! So please, oh please, share your recipes. I don't care if they are original or from Betty Crocker. If we all share just one a week, think how many awesome recipes we could have!! The Recipe Box blog is now in a work of progress, so please be patient. If anyone would like to help design this blog let me know (obviously I'm not the most creative person!)

Mac and Gavin at the Water Park

Mac and Gavin at the Water Park Cont...

Believe it or not but this was our first time at the Rexburg water park! And it is so fun. I wish I would have known how cool it was, and I would have worn a swimsuit or something that I could play in. Gavin was a lot more into it than Mac at first. Mac was too scared to leave my side. But thanks to April (Gavin's mom) Mac warmed up to the water. But once they found the carousel (don't mind my spelling, you can figure it out!) the water park was not cool enough. At first I took the kids on to sit on the horses, and thought it was the perfect time for pictures. Then they started the ride on us, so we got a free ride! The kids loved it, and the weather was perfect. Thank goodness for playdates!!

Madi's Update

Madi is 9 weeks and 2 days old. We had her 2 month check up today and she weighs in at 10 lbs. and 23 inches long. Not only is she growing, but she is starting to show her fun personality. She is all smiles and loves to laugh with me. Her pediatrician even commented on what a happy baby she is. I know I sure love her and cannot believe how fast she is growing up. But she also had her first shots today, and it didn't go so well. She screamed louder than I have ever heard her scream. I felt terrible, and it took a minute of holding, cuddling, and kissing her to calm down. Poor babies! They did give her one vaccine orally, a new thing I guess. I wish they could all be done that way. Easy and painless.

Delicious Chicken Enchiladas

Cut up 1 onion and microwave for 2 minutes. Add 1 can chopped green chilies, 3 cups shredded or cut up chicken, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 can Cream of Chicken, and 3/4 small can sliced black olives (optional, we prefer without). Mix. Soften 12-18 (I use 18) corn tortillas with hot oil (about 4 seconds each side). Blot dry. Fill each shell with about 2 tbsp. chicken mixture and shredded Monteray Jack Cheese. Roll up. Pour 2 cans (14 oz. each) Green Chili Enchilada Sauce (I like the Hatch brand) over rolled up enchiladas. Top with cheese and remaining sliced olives. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

My visiting teaching companion made these for us after I had Madi, and they were so good I had to get the recipe. We love them and they are not that hard to make. Well worth the effort. I made them for dinner tonight, and wanted to include a picture, but the picture wasn't worth looking at! But they are so yummy, so try the recipe and tell me what you think.

NO MORE DAYCARE!!

Maybe once a week, or once every other week I take Mac to daycare so I can go shopping and and have some away time. Well yesterday was one of my alone days, but I had a terrible experience with the daycare. I will not say the name of the daycare, and if I affend anyone who might be affiliated with the daycare, I'm sorry. But I am a very upset mother. So, I pull into the daycare to pick Mac up and get out of the car when I hear "mommy, mommy." I immediately know it's Mac, but I was very suprised to see him. I look around, and there is nobody in front of the daycare with him! So I talk to him for a good 30-60 seconds before we go inside to get his diaper bag. I walk in and the owner is looking at me with big eyes, and asks if Mac was outside!! Are you kidding me, no one was even going out to look for him! I know my kid is a hand full, and that he moves fast. That is why I PAY someone to watch him so I can have a break. I was so mad, and still am furious. I haven't recieved any apology, just excuses as to why he was outside by himself. It takes only seconds for accidents to happen, especially on a busy road. I am just very lucky I showed up when I did. I love Mac so much, and if something happened to him I would probably never forgive myself. So, obviously Mac will never be going back to that particular daycare, and I hope that nobody else ever has to experience something like that.

My Family

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

Camping for the 4th

4th of July weekend was full of fun. We loaded up and headed off to Island Park with our camper on Thursday. Saturday morning we went to the lake for Jet skiing and Sunshine. Instead we got jet skiing and a lot of wind so we didn't stay as long as we would have liked. MaCrae fell off the deck without a life jacket, and Brian (Ryan's brother-in-law) was able to pull him out by his leg. It was very scary, but we are safe, and learned quickly that the kids keep their life jackets on at all times.
Most of the family got up early Friday morning and went through Yellowstone Park, Ryan and Mac included. But I have struggled with waking up lately so Madi and I slept in until 9:30! That doesn't happen very often. But I must say that Madi has supprised us early and started sleeping through the night. At first I thought it might be a one night fluke, but she has been consistent for the past week. She will have a bottle between 9 and 10 at night and wake up around 6 the next morning. Yes, Madi has spoiled me, she is a wonderful baby. And adorable too! Anyway. The group that went through the park saw 4 bears had a ton of fun.
I gave MaCrae his first lesson at driving a big boy 4-wheeler. The small 4-wheeler makes me look huge, and I am sure lots of on-lookers had a good laugh, but Mac loved it. And he was actually very good at driving.
Mac was either on a 4-wheeler or his bike almost the whole time. The first night we were there he was on his bike until almost 11! Yes, this kid never stops.
And of course, we had to get a picture of Mom and Madi on her first camping trip. But don't you worry, we are not even close to roughing it. We even have direct T.V. and of course a flat screen in our camper. what can I say, I like Ryan's style of camping! We had such an amazing time. I have to thank Ryan for letting me sleep in every morning, some much needed rest. Madi also had a first moment. I had her on my bed this morning and I heard her restling around, so I look over and she has rolled onto her side, so I walk over to her and just wait. She rolled over to her belly just for me to swoop her up so she didn't fall off. She is just growing up too fast. I am just glad for her big smiles and "coo's". Being a mom really is awesome.