Friday Thoughts

 

I have finally put my Fall decorations away.  I feel so behind.  I pulled out my Christmas stuff last night and finally got most of them out today.  I still have the wreaths outside and the banister going upstairs to do.  Oh yeah and the tree, duh. 

We had planned to put the tree up tonight but we are just too tired and it didn't happen.  Hopefully everything will be done before the end of the weekend.  

 Colton has already tried to grab the ornament balls in the coffee table centerpiece (they are shatter proof) and Ryan has rearranged the nativity about twenty times.  I'm hoping they don't completely restore the tree this year.  

Colton is a walking machine! I love it!  He has discovered Ryan's wheeled backpack and loves to tot it all around. 

Ryan went back to the doctor today and still has lots of fluid in his ears.  His doctor was cleaning the gunk out of his ears and his tube came out.  He said sometimes the pressure from the fluid builds up it pushes the tube out.  He got a new prescription and hope it takes care of the fluid.  

 Love these new fleece moose pajamas I got for the boys.  They are their Christmas pajamas this year.  I love they can wear then even after Christmas.  

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet w/ Bacon

  Thursday mornings I usually have MOPS and Ryan goes to preschool.  Since it was a rare fifth Thursday of the month we didn't have Mops so I went to Starbucks to hang out with some of my favorite friends.  Colton was great and started toddling around.  He walked right up to the lady sitting behind us (who looked a lot like my friend Laura) and hugged her leg and smiled so big (of course I was standing right beside him).  She picked him up and he snuggled her like he knew her.  I didn't know exactly what to do.  I didn't know if I should be embarrassed or flattered.  I totally think he thought she was my friend Laura and not a complete stranger, ha!  He loves Laura and always reaches out for her.  So funny but a little awkward!

It's been a weird day!  I picked up Ryan at school and when we came home he wanted to play outside.  Sure, why not.  I told him he could play while I made his lunch.  He played for about seven minutes and I started feeding Colton.  I glanced up and saw him with his pants ON THE GROUND!  I run outside and say "Ryan, WHAT ARE YOU DOING???" He turns around and says "mommy, I had to go poop"!  And there was the evidence on the ground that he really had to go.  What in the world???  Keep in mind - he has NEVER seen anyone go potty outside nor have we ever talked about it!!!  I said "Ryan, why did you do that? Why didn't you go to the potty" and he said "well mommy, the doggies goes poop outside."  Oh my word!  I just had to laugh as he waddled into the house while I explained we only go poop INSIDE on the potty.  

So I found and made this recipe months ago.   I think I found it on Pinterest and I had to laugh when I saw the website is called "Picky Palate".  It was really good so I decided to make it last night.  It's not hard at all and it's even better warmed up!  I'm a leftover snob so it takes a lot for me to say that, ha!

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet Dinner with Bacon

by Picky Palate

Ingredients:
1/2 pound applewood smoked bacon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
4 cups steamed white rice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: Render bacon, drain and set aside.  Reserve 2 tablespoons bacon drippings.  Place butter into a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Once melted whisk in flour, and pepper until smooth and bubbly.  Slowly whisk in chicken broth.  Increase heat to high whisking broth until thickened.  Reduce heat to low and stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese.  Reduce heat to a simmer and set aside.

Place reserved 2 tablespoons bacon drippings back to skillet.  Stir in cooked rice.  Add chicken and cheese sauce, mixing to combine.  Top with 1 cup cheddar cheese then top with crumbled cooked bacon. Place under oven's broiler for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Seventeen Months

Colton!!!  You are 17 months old as of yesterday!  

You are getting SO big and growing SO fast!

 

LOOK WHO IS WALKING!!!!  

Praise the Lord Colton started really walking last week while we were at my parents house in Memphis.  

Before our trip you were taking 4-5 steps at a time.  It didn't take long for you to find your confidence and just take off.  So proud of you sweet boy!

You weigh 21 lbs.

You wear mostly 12-18 month clothes.

You wear size 4.5 shoe.

You wear size 4 diaper.

You are acting more like a big boy and not a baby anymore.  These pictures make you look like such a big boy to me.  You want to do everything your big brother does.  Though you act big, you are still mommas little boy and love to snuggle.

You ADORE Ryan and love playing with him.  You laugh and giggle at everything he does.  You boys fight over toys and I have to remind you to share constantly but you love playing together and laughing.  Ryan totally thinks he is the "Colton police" and will correct you a lot.  He looks out for you and makes sure you don't get in trouble or get hurt!

This past week your Nana and Grandad said you have the funniest personality and are such a little character.  You are so animated and make the funniest faces.  You have such a fun and big personality. You always make us smile and laugh.  You are so sweet and a little cuddle bug.  You love to hug and kiss.  You want to be right with me and either me holding you or you are hanging on my leg at all times.  

You are super busy and in to EVERYTHING!!!  You are a very curious little boy and so smart. 

You are a great eater and will eat pretty much anything.

 Colton you bring so much joy to our family and we could not imagine life without you.  You are such a blessing to me and your daddy.  We love you so very much.  You are growing so fast and I want to cherish every day with you.  

Memphis Eats

 

We love spending time with family when we are in Memphis but we also love to visit our favorite restaurants and places to eat.  Our must to place to go is Rendezvous.  It was our first date so it's a pretty special place to us.  

We were so thankful for Nana and Granddad who watched the boys for us so that we could go out and have some alone time.  (They were also so great to watch the boys three mornings so we could go to the gym and even get lunch a couple times). 

We always get the BBQ pork nachos!  They are to die for and my absolute favorite!  Matt gets the ribs - their famous dry rub and I get the pulled pork sandwich.  And you have to have their sweet tea - Oh I could have drank a whole gallon!  So good!

We were stuffed after we ate dinner but Matt was wanting some dessert.  We walked around the Peabody hotel for a little bit then went to this place called Kooky Canuk.  They have a s'more dessert that you do right at your table.  We thought it was pretty neat so we got it.  Such a fun and yummy idea.  They were great!

We ate BBQ I think three times while we were in Memphis but that's just what you gotta do when your in Memphis.  We love Corky's and Germantown Commissary.  I think my favorite pulled pork is the Commissary and ribs I gotta say Rendezvous.  

Thanksgiving 2012

 

We spent Thanksgiving in Memphis with my family!  We had a wonderful time and lots of fun.

We drove down on Monday night.  The boys did great on the drive down.

They were so excited to see Uncle Matt and Shelby(Matt's dog).  When Matt walked in Ryan jumped up and screamed "Uncle Matt!!!"  So cute!  So thankful to have family who love on my boys!

On Thursday my granny, aunt, uncle and cousins came over for lunch.  I love this picture of me with my granny and my cousin Amber.  Amber and I are seven months apart and grew up together.  

How cute is this veggie turkey my mom and I made?  My friend Deana made one last week and I thought it was so cute.  I knew we had to try it for turkey day.  Gobble, gobble

 On Sunday we took the boys downtown to the Peabody hotel to see the ducks.  They Peabody hotel is world famous for their ducks that live at the hotel and twice daily are escorted down to the fountain in the lobby.  It's a pretty big production and fun tradition.

Ryan loved seeing the ducks.  We sat right next to the red carpet and he did so good and was so patient.  

Sweet brothers

My mom and I with the boys.  I wanted to get a picture of her with the boys but neither were cooperating very well.  

They had the most beautiful Christmas tree at the Peabody.  It was gorgeous!  I wish my tree looked so good.  

They also had the coolest model train gingerbread house display set up.  It was really cool  Ryan loved it and kept asking to go see it.  The boy loves trains! 

We got home this morning about 4am.  We left Memphis at 8pm.  It was the our first time to drive through the night but it worked great.  The boys slept almost the whole way (Colton slept the entire way) and we didn't have to make one stop.  And there was hardly anyone on the road.  Definitely the way to travel with kids.  

Today we stayed in our pi's all day and just chilled.  We are looking forward to getting back to our routine but we are counting the days til we see our family at Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!  

We are SO blessed and so thankful for all He has done!  

Weekend Wrapup

 

We had such a fun weekend! Saturday we went to a friends house for a wine tasting party.  Matt nor I are much of wine drinkers but it was a fun time with friends.  Sunday night we had a Thanksgiving get together without kids with our church small group.  We had Chili with lots of yummy sides and delicious desserts.  

We had a blast chatting and playing Taboo - one of my favorite games.  I must say that the girls kicked some big boota in Taboo!  Go girls, we rocked it.  Such a fun night!

It was a great weekend!  We are looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving and spending some quality time with family this week!

Little Turkeys

 

What a fun day we had today.  I must back up and tell you that it's been a tough week around here.  Ryan has been testing the limits.  It's been frustrating but I'm glad to say that today was a MUCH better day around the Deepe house.  

This morning we went to the gym then I took the boys to Walmart to pick out items for our operation Christmas child shoebox.  Chickfila sponsors them and gave out boxes recently.  You fill the box with a variety of gifts that bring joy to a boy or girl on Christmas day.  

I loved sharing with Ryan about the gift of giving.  He was so excited and kept pointing to things he wanted to get for a little boy.  We packed our box with lots of little boy goodies and took it to CFA to drop it off.  When we got there Ryan said "Mommy, where's the little boy?" Oh sweet boy!  I explained they were going to deliver the shoebox around the world to a needy little boy. 

I made these adorable turkeys for turkey day next week!  They are almost too cute to eat!

And I've never seen cuter preschool pictures!!!  Love these pictures and love this little boy!

Pumpkin Bars

 I make these pumpkin bars around this time every year.  They are so yummy and I love that I can "trick" Ryan into eating some pumpkin too.  Great fall dessert!

Pumpkin Bars

by Paula Deen

Ingredients
Bars:
4 eggs
1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:
8-ounces package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy.  Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda.  Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth.  Spread the batter into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.

To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electro mixer until smooth.  Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again.  Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

Thirty-Three

 

 Today I turned 33 years old.  It's hard to believe that I'm 33, I feel like I'm 25 most of the time.  It feels good to be in the best shape of my life.  I've worked really hard to shed the baby weight from both boys and get back to my pre wedding weight.  I am thrilled that I have reached my goal...now I just have to stick with it.  

Matt and Ryan made my birthday cake yesterday.  Ryan was so excited to help daddy.  He did a great job.  

I had a wonderful day!  Ryan had school this morning and Colton and I went to Little Gym.  Colton is getting closer and closer to walking.  I got a great run in while the boys took their nap this afternoon. 

 Tonight Matt met us at Chili's for a little birthday dinner.  I am in love with their skillet queso and chips.  It was fun!  Now it's time to kick up my feet and relax in the last few hours of my birthday.