Ryker's 3!

Ryker turned 3 on December 28. It's hard to believe that he's already 3 and in primary. Here are a few fun facts about Ryker:

*He love LOVES his little brother, they are the best of friends.
*He plays pirates & Peter Pan daily.
*Changes his clothes at least 3 times a day.....he comes up with some interesting outfits!
*He has sound effects for everything he does, including his own theme music.
*Insists on doing EVERYTHING by himself and I mean EVERYTHING!
*He wears daddy's ties as a tail and sometimes has 2 tail at a time.
*Must sleep with his Snoopy, Cat-in-the-Hat, bear, puppy, whale, Bubble bear, Woody, and Buzz each night.
*Loves to give hugs and kisses, but must give the last kiss.
*He helps me do chores.
I love this little guy!

It's Been Awhile

Christmas is almost here! This Christmas season has been tons of fun with Ryker. He discovered snow and must step in as much as possible. He loves the Christmas tree and has a hard time not decorating it with his own toys. I'm so excited for Christmas, mainly because Ryker is going to LOVE what we got him. He's such a big boy now. He's been potty trained now for 2 months, one day he decided that he wanted to go in the toilet and hasn't looked back.




Hezeki is now 4 months old and he is so much bigger than Ryker was at the same age. Hezeki is starting into 9 month clothes, soon enough he'll catch up to Ryker. Hezeki is reaching milestones, he rolls from his back to tummy,smiles, reaches and holds things, sits up with little assistance, and almost sleeps through the night. The boys now share a room, Ryker thinks its pretty cool. When Ryker wakes up he'll climb into Hezeki's bed and cuddle him. Its pretty sweet to hear them in the morning talking and laughing.

Chili Cook Off

On Friday our ward had its annual chili cook off, Ryan has always wanted to enter but hadn't been able to because of work. Ryan entered a chili and won! I also entered in with a cornbread and got runner up. Pretty good for first timers! Here are the recipes, in case anyone wanted to try them out...it is almost chili/cornbread season.

Chili

1. 2 Pounds of Beef Chuck Roast cut into 1 inch cubes. And no do not trim away the fat. It goes in the pot.
2. 1 Pound Ground Chuck or ground beef.
3. 1 Pound of Boneless Pork Chops Cut into 1 inch cubes or 1 pound ground sausage (I prefer sausage because of the stronger flavor).
4. 2 Large Purple Sweet Onions Finely Chopped
5. 2 Large Green Bell Peppers Cleaned and Finely Chopped
6. 6 Jalapenos Diced Very Fine (put less Jalapenos for milder chili but no less than 2 for flavor)
7. 1 Can 4 OZ. Chopped Green Chilies
8. 16 OZ. Red Kidney Beans (That’s 16 oz cooked, two cups if you’re making it yourself or just get a 16 oz can)
9. 16 Oz. White Kidney Beans
10. 32 Oz. Whole Tomatoes
11. 2 16 Oz. Cans Crushed Tomatoes
12. 4 13 Oz. Cans Regular Beef Broth
13. 1 Cup Chili Sauce
14. 3 Tablespoons Oil (vegetable or canola)
15. 3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
16. 3 Tablespoons Ground Cayenne Pepper (less cayenne for milder chili but at least 1T for flavor)
17. 2 Tablespoons Fresh Ground Garlic
18. 1 Tablespoon Cumin Powder
19. Salt to taste (I put about 3 tablespoons)
20. 10 oz apple cider
21. 1 Large Can Tomato Paste
In a large skillet or pot brown and drain your beef and pork. Add your onions, jalapenos, and peppers and Chile's. Cook until your onions and peppers are tender. Place into a large stock pot and add in all your other ingredients but your beans and tomato paste. Cook over low to medium heat keeping just below a boil for 6-8 hours (or you simmer for an hour or so and then chill in the fridge overnight. It’s all about letting the flavors come together). In the last hour add in your beans and your tomato paste.

Mexican Cornbread

1. 1 Cup butter melted
2. 1 Cup White Sugar
3. 4 Large Eggs
4. 1 15 Oz. Can Cream Style Corn
5. 1 4 Oz. Can Green Chile Peppers Very Well Drained
6. 1/2 Cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
7. 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
8. 1 Cup All Purpose Plain Flour
9. 1 Cup Yellow Corn Meal
10. 4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
11. 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees and spray a 9 X 13 baking pan.
In a large bowl mix all ingredients together very well. Pour your mixed ingredients into the baking dish and bake for 1 hour until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean. This cornbread will not dome up like cake…enjoy!

Our New Arrival

Hezeki Tru joined our family on August 4, 2010. He weighed 7 lbs 15 oz and was 20 1/2 in. long. The c-section went well, I felt less drugged during and after the surgery so I remember more of what happened. I'm recovering, plenty sore (but I have pain meds for that!) and Hezeki is adjusting to being a little brother. Ryker gives lots of kisses and hugs everyday and wants to hold and help out all that he can.