Cider Days

One thing that's fun about living all over the country is experiencing the traditions, or customs, or way of life, or whatever you want to call it, of the local life.  While living here in upstate New York, I've observed a love of festivals, numerous terms for varying snow conditions, a strong concern for social justices, a heavy bent for local, organic food, a pride in all that is old, and a partiality to the outdoors.  And all these bring me to my current point... that I could see so many of these fun localities in this past Saturday's event, Cider Days!  We made our own apple cider with our fabulous church!!

It started with a drive to a local apple farm, a wagon ride (with a cider cake donut, of course) and some real apple picking. 

And of course, apple eating. 

And apple running.

After we picked our half bushel of apples, we headed to the church for a big meal and the pressing of the cider. 

It is actually quite a bit of work. 

And the glories of our 1/2 bushel.. 6 quarts of fresh apple cider. 

Such a great experience.. I'm so glad our church does such cool things! 

One Year

One year (and one day) ago we moved to New York and into our first house. 

Thinking back to this time last year, I am so grateful it is behind us! Last year, during the last week of September, Jarod had already been in New York six weeks without us, living at a campground, a hotel, a friend's futon, a park bench... okay not really a park bench, but the others, yes.  I was ansy back in Missouri to see my husband, load up, and get moved and settled into our New York house. I had enjoyed my summer with my family, but with the key word being "summer", and here it was the end of September, all parties involved were ready to be where they were supposed to be. The realtors and mortgagers and whoever else kept needing more and more paperwork and hoops for us and no one could land on a closing date. 

Finally, Sept 27, Jarod called and said, there's a possibility we will close this week. So on a hope, we rented the truck, drive to Oklahoma to get our things out of storage and on eastward to New York.

(Dad and Jarod's Dad loading up our stuff in Oklahoma). 

(At my mom's cousins farm about two hours south of Rochester). 

September 30, we showed up, spent a few days with distant family in Mid New York while we waited for an official date to close and have keys jingling in our hand. At last, October 2, 2012, 9am- our closing date. By 10:30 that day we were unloading the truck into our place. Such a fiasco to get here, but well worth it. And so glad I'm not doing it all again THIS year! 

Home keys!!

Day two at our new house. 

Our first winter.  

Spring snow. 

And our first summer. 

Love our house!!

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

It's a cool, crisp and cloudy, lazy Sunday; it's one of those days you need a pot of hot soup going.   One of those days you need a hot dish to warm up with after raking leaves or during the half time of the Jets and the Bills game.  You know, one of those days.

So right after church, I came home and threw this together.  It turned out beyond amazing.  So amazing, it is definitely worth sharing.  Enjoy.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

Serves: A LOT!  Fills an 8 qt crock pot to the brim!  **Can easily be halved if smaller amount is desired

Ingredients
3 large chicken breasts
2 TBS olive oil
Home Made Enchilada Sauce (see below) or add two cans of enchilada sauce
2 purple onions, chopped
2 green peppers, chopped
1 jalapeno, diced
2 (14.5 oz) cans of diced tomatoes
1 can rotel (tomatoes with green chilis)
1 bag frozen corn
1 can chicken broth
2 cups water
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt
1 tsp dried cilantro (or 1 TBS fresh, if you have it)
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 bay leaves

Directions
1. In a large slow cooker, add olive oil and chicken breasts.  Turn on high, cover.  Let cook, while preparing everything else.
2. Make Home Made Enchilada Sauce.  See below.
3. While Enchilada Sauce is simmering, chop onions, peppers and jalapenos.
4. Add all ingredients above to slow cooker, including Enchilada sauce.  Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-7 hours.
5.  Serve with shredded cheddar, sour cream, avocado, tortilla strips, fritos, corn muffins or whatever sounds good!


Home Made Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients
4 TBS vegetable oil
4 TBS corn starch
4 TBS chili powder
4 cups water
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
2 (8oz) can tomato paste

Directions
1. In a medium pot, heat oil, cornstarch and chili powder for 1-2 minutes.
2. Add water, spices and tomato paste.  Whisk together well.  Bring to a simmer.  Simmer 20 minutes.

I will never buy enchilada sauce again... this is super easy and tastes and smells amazing.  I think it's why this soup is so phenomenal.

ENJOY!

Little Man

Dear Little Man,

I hope you don't feel neglected being the second born.  Your daddy and I are just as excited and anxious about you as we were with your sister.  Just because I haven't been blogging about all the ups and downs of carrying you, doesn't mean you are loved any less.

You were a great surprise, like was sister was too.  I always wanted more than one kiddo, and I am so happy it's you!

Here is a picture of me and your sis just a few days after we found out you were on the way.

I started feeling pretty sick, pretty early on, around week 6, but as unpleasant as it was, it meant that things were going well and you were healthy!  I drank A LOT of gatorade that first trimester with you.  And I ate a lot Wendy's frosties.   And ate my fair share of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios with extra milk.  And I slept a lot.  Great friends from church brought us meals (lots of pasta, cause that is what you liked!) and helped to take care of your sister, so I could rest.  It was a rough few months, but we made it and I don't regret a second.

At 15 weeks along, I finally went to the doctor, silly insurance delays... and at that very FIRST appointment, we found out...

And that your due date is December 9th, although the ultrasound tech said your unofficial due date is December 5th because you are measuring further along than what they expected.  I guess you are a big boy! And Mommy is measuring bigger too.  I do hope you arrive on the earlier side.  We just cant wait to meet you.

We also got to see your sweet face :)

We mailed the grandmas and grandpas in Missouri a fun package to surprise them with the news of you being a boy... thanks to a great idea from Daddy, we sent them a big box of nesting boxes alternating in blue and pink wrapping... this is the last box..  

I think they were pretty happy!

I finally started feeling better about week 17.  I could tell things were starting to get back to normal when coffee smelled (and tasted) good.  And things other than ice cream and milk and crackers and bread and cheesy pasta sounded appealing :)

Here is your sister and me about week 20 (5 months along).  She loves you already and so do we.

Kinda blurry, but you are definitely a big bump in this picture!  I am about 23 weeks preggo and your Daddy and I are at a Cardinals Baseball game in St. Louis, Missouri.

  

I am 6 months pregnant (24 weeks) in this pic.  You are much, much lower than your sister was.  And I am so thankful that you aren't sticking your feet in my ribs :)  But speaking of moving... wow!  I think you might be a professional kick boxer.  You are a regular Mike Tyson about 23 hours a day.  Phew.  Does this mean you are going to be a busy, busy little boy?  I hope so!  Your daddy and I like to watch you bounce around in my tummy at night, you are pretty funny and are making us laugh already.

Here's a picture of me and your daddy on our fifth wedding anniversary, ready for a date night out.  I am 26 weeks pregnant with you!  Who would have ever thought we would have two kiddos at five years married!!  Such a blessing!

Right now, I am working on your baby blanket during nap time.  It is very special because I have never sewed before and you are definitely getting a "first" from Mommy.  I am hoping to have it finished by this weekend.  I cant wait to snuggle you in it this winter.

And speaking of getting ready for you... we are transforming the office/guest room to your very own space!  I hope you like the colors aqua, lime, gray and a little orange... because those are the colors of your new pad.  And I hope you like bicycles.  We are going with a vintage bicycle theme.  We are busy busy busy here.. only 84 days until you are supposed to be here!  

Also, a couple of weeks ago, your Dad and I settled on your name!  We are keeping it a secret until you're born, but it's so nice to call you by name instead of just Baby Boy.

Can't wait to kiss your little hands,

Mommy

Nineteen Months (and Eighteen Months)

Where has the time gone?  Much has happened in the last two months since my last post.  Mercy.  Not quite sure where to begin.  I will start with the weather.. it has stopped snowing!  I was looking through the pictures of my last post and I remembered that it snowed every morning on our way to swim lessons..  So THAT winter weather is over and we are in full on summer swag!  Thank goodness.  

Also, this will probably be my last post of the monthly updates on Charlie Ann.  Tis time for a new theme.

So on that note..  let's commence.

NINETEEN MONTHS OLD!

New Likes: finger painting, crayon coloring, water color painting, throwing balls and chasing them, helping clean up, feeding herself, cuddling on the floor, having her back scratched (she is definitely her father's daughter and goes into a creepy, catatonic-like state mid-scratch), zoos, and playing in the water.

New Dislikes: getting in her high chair (weird?!), transitions (from playing to eating, bath time to bed time, outside to inside, etc.) letting anyone else help her eat, being bored.

New Tricks: blowing her nose in a kleenex (hence, Mom has to always make sure there is one handy, cause she blows regardless...) smiling and showing us her teeth on demand, making an elephant, dog, sheep and rooster sound, calling me "Mimi" and Daddy is "Daddy-da" on her own, climbing up and down the cement step on the back porch alone, running (a few scraped knees in the process), laying on her tummy or back and reading books or putting together puzzles.

Favorite Toy: Melissa and Doug's chunky wooden farm puzzle

Favorite Book: "Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter, board book

Favorite Song: "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk (for kitchen dance parties) and Wheels on the Bus (for motions)

Favorite Food: grapes, dip (!) we have a serious Ranch lover, yogurt, applesauce, anything off Daddy's plate.  And... we said adios to the bottle last month!  The transition was a piece of cake.  Of course it was, Mommy always makes a bigger deal about these things than she does.  

Favorite Past Times: having pretend picnics, petting Taiga, reading with Mommy, taking evening walks before bed, playing outside in the morning while Mom and Dad drink coffee on the patio, flying Daddy's mini helicopter

Size: 23 lbs, size 3 diapers, size 4-5 shoes, size 18-24 mon clothes

Sleep: 12 hours night, 3 hour nap, 1 hour rest time.  There has been a little change these past two months, and that is that she is occasionally taking her long nap in the morning.  It happens at least once a week, if not more.  

Big girl eater! No help from Mommy or Daddy allowed.  

Little Water Color Suzy.

Taiga time.

So, she thought she was a big girl going up and down the brick steps... then she face planted.  Poor thing.

Park in early May (still in fleece)

Warm Days ahead! And green grass.  Airing out those toes.. my little ragamuffin artist.

Little bookworm - loving her Fisher Price "Noah and the Animals" flap book.

Springtime finally.

Walkin' and talkin'

Helping unload the dishes.

Family photo at the Lilac Festival

Pointing at the Sea Lions at the Rochester Zoo

Bath times are always a highlight.

Cousin visit!

Puddle walking 

Cooling off in the hose..

And in the sprinkler

Peek a boo from behind our new fence!

Loving the Sesame Street Exhibit at the Museum of Play

Just hangin' out...

What happens in the kitchen in the mornings..

Silly Sauce at the Buffalo Zoo.

Someone refuses to sleep in her car seat (this is after an all day trip to the zoo, and 1 1/2 hr car ride home) She'd rather be delirious with mom's necklace than sleep.

Working on the "smile on demand" and "show me your teeth" while eating the best toddler food out there, cheese stuffed tortellini.

And the last photo...

As I said at the start.. a LOT has happened in the past two months... more to come later.