So In Love

Just had Charlie's 9 month pictures and Christmas pictures done! I'm so in love with our little boy! I love seeing him with his 4 older siblings and just how much they love him too. He's crawling and getting into things, especially the Christmas tree. He LOVES paper! Time to move everything to higher ground everyone! Here's some of my favorites from his photo shoot!

Home Sick Home

Yeah, I wish that was a typo but it's not! I told Brian that I now know the downfall of larger families! Sickness! And of course having 5 children that pick up germs from 3 different places(high school, grade school, and daycare), we are just bound to get socked with some illnesses. Right now I just wish that everyone would just get sick all at the same time & be done with it. Instead, they are all taking their sweet time and being sick with 1 thing after another. Then it moves on to another child. It also isn't the flu that you can get the shot for. It's the stomach kind & then we've also got strep on top of it.

So how have I spent my day so far being home from work with a sick Jackson? Lysol & lots of it! I've been wiping down everything I can & spraying all door handles to keep the germs from spreading even further. Guess we'll see if that will help or not!

Oh, I guess the other thing I've been doing is keeping Charlie out of the Christmas tree! Yep, he's crawling & he's gotten good at it too! He's so proud of himself when he gets where he wants to go & he got himself stuck in under the tree yesterday & he just giggled. Love that little boy!

Well, better keep cleaning! Is it spring yet??

Tasty Tuesday

Yes, I feel like the only time I have to pay attention to this blog is to copy & paste a recipe for Tasty Tuesday. Life has been crazy but we've been having a great time with everything! Here's one for all you busy mom's who want a healthy recipe! I served this with white rice & all the kids gave it 2 thumbs up! This is from www.skinnytaste.com. Enjoy!

Crockpot Sante Fe Chicken

2-3 pounds chicken breast
14 ounce can diced tomatoes with mild chilies
15 ounce can black beans
8 ounces frozen corn
1/4 cup cilantro
14 ounce can chicken broth fat free
3 scallions
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
salt to taste

Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in crock pot. Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning. Serve over rice.

This is even better on day 2!! Wow! I did have a couple of family members that still preferred to use flour tortillas but I used rice to try to make it healthier.

Tasty Tuesday

Ok, it's just nasty cold outside & I don't particularly like cold temps(-5!). Well, who really does? If you say you do, don't tell me because I don't want to hear it! Anyway, the only good thing about colder weather is that I love to make soup!! This one will knock your socks off & even my oldest daughter who hates tomato soup loves this one & begged me to make it again soon! Found this gem on www.food.com!

Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)
• 2 (28 ounce) cans muir glen organic fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or 1 teaspoon sherry wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 1/2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup half-and-half or 1/2 cup soy coffee creamer
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, basil, bay leaf, and broth. Cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
 
2. Puree soup in blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through fine mesh strainer into sauce pan; return to simmer. Remove from heat, and stir in half-and-half. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with basil.

I also did grilled cheese sandwiches with this but did them with smoked provolone instead of velveeta or american cheese. You also MUST use the fire roasted tomatoes! I can't imagine the flavor being as good with just regular tomatoes. So enjoy!