11.30.2012

fashion according to Eden: holiday edition

This was my first Christmas, and that was my first little holiday dress: 
My mom saved the red dress for me.  
This last weekend we pulled it out and miss Eden got to put it on:
So according to Eden, when you are picking your holiday attire this year, go vintage♥.
Mom, 
Thank you so much for saving this keepsake for me!  I absolutely love that I got to share it with my daughter♥.

11.29.2012

merry and bright

Our christmas lights are up!   
We love the C9 bulbs♥.
 I love our house with christmas lights...
Have I told you how much I love this time of year?

11.28.2012

Creating: pinterest inspired plates

I got these ideas from pinterest:
and this version on a plate:
So my friend and I tried it:
 I really like how it came out:
(ps: I love this little boy's face!)
Make sure that the dish ware is oven safe and make sure the dish has time to cool before cleaning it.

11.27.2012

prayer to start the day

I love Richard Foster's prayer book Prayers From the Heart.
This is one of my favorites and I really wanted to share it with you:
This part just spoke to me today:
"May my scatteredness become your gatheredness.  As I'm contemplating a thousand things, Jesus, may I somehow be contemplating you."
I hope that you have a wonderful day!

11.26.2012

weekend recap

This last weekend we headed out to my parent's house to celebrate thanksgiving.
(And welcome in the Christmas season...)
We had such a great time together!
 The cousins:
 My parents make the best food!
 Dinner:
 Stockings!
 Decorating the Christmas tree:
 My niece.
Isn't she beautiful!
 Sheer silliness:
 The girls:
 Playing games:
We talked, laughed, ate good food, watched movies, played games, and enjoyed being together!
ps. The kids did not sleep well which made it so that Kit and and I didn't sleep well.  However there were large cups of my dad's coffee available and I took a nap when the kids did.  We are still figuring out how to do the traveling thing with two kiddos.  We will get there eventually♥.

11.22.2012

Happy Thanksgiving

Our friend Angelina gave Ryder this shirt for his first thanksgiving and I couldn't wait to get 
Miss Eden in it...
I am not going to tell you how much bribery was involved with getting these pictures:
(I didn't even care that they were a little out of focus!)
I am so thankful for my family and that I get to 
be a wife and a mom♥!
I hope that you have a wonderful thanksgiving being with people that you love!  
See you next week!

11.21.2012

Days off...

Kit is taking from monday afternoon until saturday off.  We have been having so much fun!  On the list was to visit Disneyland:
On our way:
I love having a tour guide:
This was the first time we took the train:
We had some fun in California Adventure:
 And it was our first time doing the Disney Junior show.  Ryder LOVED it!
It was just so fun to be together!
I hope you have a great day!

11.20.2012

Ryder's Turkey Chili


Here is the chili recipe that we used on Sunday.
I hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did.
Ryder's Turkey Chili by Guy Fieri
(Guy's son is named Ryder... 
This recipe literally had our name on it!)

Ingredients


4 tablespoons canola oil 

1 red bell pepper, diced 

1 green bell pepper, diced 

1 1/2 jalapeno peppers, minced (remove seeds for less heat) 

9 cloves garlic, minced 

2 small red onions, diced 

3 pounds coarsely ground turkey (thigh and breast meat) 

1/3 cup tomato paste 

3 cups tomato sauce 

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth 

1 tablespoon granulated onion 

2 teaspoons granulated garlic 

3 tablespoons chili powder 

2 tablespoons paprika 

1 tablespoon ground cumin 

2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

3 cups canned pinto beans with liquid 

3 cups canned kidney beans with liquid 

2 cups canned black beans with liquid 

Shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream, for garnish 

Directions

Warm the oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the bell peppers, jalapenos, garlic and onions and cook until caramelized, about 8 minutes. Add the turkey and gently stir, trying not to break up the meat too much; cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. 

Add the tomato paste and sauce, stir for 4 minutes, then add the chicken broth. Add the granulated onion and garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayenne, 2 tablespoons salt and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Stir in the beans and their liquid, lower the heat and cook, uncovered, for at least 1 hour. Garnish with shredded cheddar and sour cream.

11.19.2012

an early thanksgiving with friends

Yesterday we hosted an early thanksgiving with our close college friends.  It was a really special time. 11 adults. 9 kids.
(We missed you Mark and Hank!)
Here are some snap shots of the day:
(We made chili and Kit requested that this be put in our rotation of frequent meals.  I'll share the recipe tomorrow.)
Watching a slide show complied of pictures over the last 15 years.
The girls:
Ryder did NOT want to be in the picture.  
I was too tired too argue:
The thankful tree...
We love you guys!  
Thank you for sharing life with us.
We are thankful for you...