Fall farm fun

This morning we met some friends at a local farm. The kids had a great time running around and seeing goats and farm equipment and fields and lots of pumpkins and produce of all kinds. It must really be fall now - we had to wear our jackets! It was a beautiful day though, and we enjoyed our little adventure.

Titus, Molly, Elijah, and Arlen

Molly especially loved the goats.

This backhoe was also a big hit.

What a fun fall day!

Colorado trip - hangin' out

Here are just a few more pictures of our trip to Colorado in August. The kids had a great time just hangin out at Nana & Grandpa's house and playing. We were all glad to get to spend some time with Uncle Stuart, as well.

Molly shared my Jamba Juice - yum! And now she really, really wants anything I have with a straw. Oops.

Being a silly girl

Playing with Uncle Stuart

Playing the guitar with Grandpa

Playing outside with Nana

There were several days when both kids were just worn out by the time we got home for naps.

Colorado trip - the railroad museum

Another of our favorite days in Colorado was going to the Colorado Railroad Museum with Grandpa. It is a great museum, with lots of kinds engines and cars to see and even climb on and explore inside. Elijah and Grandpa especially had a great time exploring and seeing the trains together.

Labor Day, and a recipe to share

We got to spend Labor Day with Jackie and Luke in Connecticut this year. We had a good time just hanging out - the kids played, the adults talked, we ate good food and played a fun game.

We tried actually taking some pictures, since we never do. Mostly, it didn't work out too well.

Molly was not going to sit there.

So, we tried to get just the older three. This is the best one.

But we did get this one - thanks, Luke!

While we were there, Jackie and I were talking and she asked me for this recipe. I thought I would put it up here, so everyone can try it! I've made this a couple of times, and we love it. It's pretty mild (and we like it that way), but using hot salsa instead of mild and adding Tabasco or a jalapeno would heat it up if you like it spicier. I prefer to use leftover chicken, or to marinate and then bake or grill it - I think it is less dry and more tasty that way. Of course, this way is very quick and easy! I don't think I let it simmer for that long, either, but it always turns out great.


Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or leftover cooked chicken)

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

1 cup frozen corn kernels

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1 tablespoon lemon (or lime) juice

1 cup chunky salsa

1 cup milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 can black beans, drained (optional)

tortilla chips

sour cream

In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the chicken in the oil for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and mix well. Then add the broth, corn, onion, chili powder, lemon juice, salsa, and beans. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes. Add the cheese and the milk; bring just to a boil, and remove from heat.

Break up some tortilla chips into individual bowls and pour soup over chips. Top with a little sour cream.

Yum!

Colorado trip - friends

While we were in Colorado we were busy with family a lot of the time, and some of the time the kids were either overly tired or not feeling well, so we didn't get to do as much visiting as we wanted to. We did get to meet our friends Tori and Matt at the park one morning. The boys had a great time playing, and we enjoyed catching up and talking about mommy stuff.

Picnic lunch

Yelling down the storm drain

Colorado trip - the "dinosaur museum"

Another one of Elijah's favorite parts of our trip to Colorado was going to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, or as he calls it, the "dinosaur museum." The museum is much too large to cover in one morning, but we saw the dinosaurs and some of the animal exhibits - the Colorado habitats, and Africa. Nana and Grandpa and Uncle Stuart all came with us. We had a lot of fun!

We walked in and what was the first thing we saw?

T- REX!

There were more dinosaurs and lots of other cool fossils

And animal habitat exhibits

I don't know if the museum designed things like this on purpose, but ...

there was a lot of climbing on things.

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to climb in to the exhibits!

Molly enjoyed everything a lot more than I expected - she was checking everything out.

I remember this saber tooth tiger (it roars when you put a coin in) as one of the coolest parts of going to the museum when I was a kid. Elijah did not like it - too loud! Maybe he'll appreciate it more when he's older.