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.

Baby Drama

Where has the summer gone! I can't believe its almost August, our little guy is coming on August 4th! I had hoped for a VBAC, but this lil' guy is as stubborn as Ryker (he's transverse breech). Today we scheduled the c-section for this Wednesday. I'm over joyed, it is definitely more uncomfortable to be pregnant during the HOT summer months. Not sure I could go another week being pregnant! But the baby is healthy and that's all that matters.
Ryker and I have been working on getting potty trained before the baby comes....he's half way there. He's done a really good job, so long as he isn't busy playing or doing something more important! Ryker has become Mommy's big helper, he insists on doing the dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, cleaning the toilet, and making the bed. I think he'll be a good helper once his little brother comes along.
Hopefully, it won't take me too long to post pictures of our new addition next week.

Update

We've been back in Rexburg for about 3 weeks now. Ryker is loving our back yard, if he could he'd stay outside all day long. He's such a little boy now, he explores all over the yard and love loves to play in the dirt or rocks. I'm glad to be back in my house, it still feels like home here.

The baby is growing healthy and strong. He is kicking way harder than I remember Ryker ever kicking! We still haven't settled on a name, Ryan really likes Hezekiah (means my strength is from God) I'm undecided on any names so far. We want a name that has a good meaning, naming a second boy has become a real challenge. I've decided to have a VBAC, I'm hoping all goes well and no breach baby this time around.

Ryan has been working diligently to find a counseling position so he can quit Applebee's. He's had a few offers and has another interview this week. If all goes well he will be able to do just counseling and not have to do any PSR. I'm so proud of him, he's worked so hard to get through school, juggling family life, school, and supporting us financially. He's a wonderful husband and daddy, Ryker and I adore him.

Last week my sister-in-law took some picture of Ryker for her senior project. I had to share, they turned out so well! I love them!

Boy Oh Boy

First of all, we found out we're having a boy! He's healthy and right on track for an August birthday. I was super excited for a boy, a playmate for Ryker. We have everything we need for a boy already so now I can get some fun baby stuff! Choosing a name is the hard part, we didn't have any other boy names we liked other than Ryker. Any ideas?

Ryan and I decided to move back to our house in Rexburg in May. Since our drama with our tenants and the way the house looked last week, there was no way it would sell the way it is now. We can't move on until we are able to sell the duplex and we want to get a good price out of it. We'll work on the curb appeal and small damages caused by our previous tenants. So after much thought we are going back. I have mixed feelings about moving to Rexburg, it will be so strange to live in Rexburg and not be a student. Hopefully we can sell the house in a couple years and move on with our original plan.

Lost and Found

We've had some problems with some of our tenants these last few months. A few weeks ago we found out that they had skipped town without paying rent, leaving us high and dry. Anyways we made a trip down to Rexburg so that we could clean and do some work on the house, the house was disgustingly filthy inside and trash was all over the lawn. While cleaning the bathroom we checked behind the vanity and found my wedding ring! I had lost it a year and a half ago, what are the chances of finding it again! Even though our house has been causing us some stress and headaches, we've been greatly blessed. I'm so happy that Ryan found my ring again, it makes up for having to clean the house.

A Baby

We're expecting! I'm due August 11, the hottest month of the year! We're excited for a new little baby. We told Ryker about the baby and he thinks there's a baby in his tummy too. I'm sure Ryker will be an excellent big brother!