ICE

So, we wanted to take advantage of our time in Texas and take the kids to the Gaylord to see ICE with Madagascar characters. We already knew that Kylie liked it because the girls went one year but we didn't know how Riley would act. He absolutely LOVES the cold so I figured he might have a good time. It's always a guess with that one but when it works out, it's sooooooo sweet!

So we made reservations for Sunday at 3:30- right in the middle of the Cowboys game. Oooops! My poor dad never gets to watch a whole game anymore. But I was so glad that my parents wanted to come with. They are troopers!!

We all had scarfs, mittens, and hats and set off to ICE. It was super crowded in there and once Riles saw the Panda inner-tube ice slide, he started backing up saying, "no!" Six Flags really scarred him for life! We reassured him that we were just going to look at Madagascar characters, we were only going to walk, and it would be very cold! He trusted me and took my hand. Love that!

Kylie is pointing at the 'ballana' for his mouth. It's an old joke. :)

They had an ice slide that Riley said he wanted to go down. He went down the smaller one twice and Kylie and Alan went down the big one a couple of times.

Riley wanted all the characters after. My parents got him the zebra and we got him the giraffe. He seemed happy with that.

Cute pic of Kylie in front of the cool tree. Poor Riles is still learning to smile naturally. ha!

Now we are ready to go to Glorias for FABULOUS Mexican food!! I can't even tell you how wonderful that meal was!!

Riley wearing my hat in the car.

Poppy took Riley's characters away when we got back. It was a REALLY fun trip!!

Christmas in Texas 2013

We had a wonderful WHITE Christmas this year! I love going back home! I have always loved my hometown and never wanted to leave. I love NWA too, but I reallllllllllly love McKinney, Texas!! Nothing comes close to the people, the shops, the feeling. You get it.

So, I was the only one who had to work on the Friday before Christmas. Quite a change from the housewife who is frantically packing, cleaning, and hopelessly waiting for everyone to get off work, school, etc. But, I wouldn't have changed it for the world! I am really enjoying working and even though it was party day and craaaaaazzzzzyyyyy, it was all worth it in the end. Plus, Kylie came to work with me. Those 2nd graders adored her!

We got to my parents house pretty late and my mom informed Kylie and I that we were going to a lunch at The Pantry the next day with her cousins. We could hardly wait! I always want to visit Downtown McKinney but we rarely get the chance.

My girl is ready to go. Look how precious she is in her winter beanie. I wish I could find some more in different colors for her.

My sweet Aunt Nikki has recently lost a lot of weight. She looks fabulous!! So we had to take a million pics! ha!

We saw Santa at a shop. Kylie jumped up there and talked to him. Then we went to an antique store where I saw this little baby. Alan and I play so many games during the winter months that it just jumped out at me. I asked the owner how much he was selling it for and he said $75. I jumped at it but Nikki and Kim decided that they were going to get it for us instead. Thank you, Ninni and BoBo!! We love it!

The square looked soooooooo different! They have really modernized it up. Except for the old Courthouse. That will always look the same. Unfortunately they filmed A Candace Montgomery Story there and those old memories cloud my awesome memories. Other than that, I love the look of the outside eateries.

Kylie and BoBo wanted to paint something. BoBo painted a reindeer and Kylie wanted to paint a duck. A duck. SMH.

There is so much to look at and so many great restaurants that Alan took me back to a new Pub that night for a bite and a drink. SO. Needed. That.

Blue Moon and fish and chips is not a bad way to end the night. When we got home I captured this little baby. I love it when my kids love on each other. What a great day!!

Yes, it's blurry but they are BOTH smiling! Come ON!! Next up: ICE!!

Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas! I haven't posted all year but I hope to get back to blogging soon! I have been teaching all year and feel like I haven't had time for myself. But I do have this next two weeks off to spoil my babies (who are not babies anymore) and also to reorganize the house. I have already started and I vow to throw away all papers in 2013 that we don't need so that they don't accumulate allllllllll over the house!!

We had a truly blessed year and I have high hopes for 2013!

Chipotle Cream Shrimp

Since my surgery, I have been laid up on the couch with nothing to do but peruse the internet and watch tv. I think I have watched everything on ON DEMAND possible! I've even watched some things twice! So, today I felt good enough to cook something for Alan since he's been such a great help to me.

I had remembered a shrimp recipe on the Food Network channel, so I felt good enough to go shopping for the ingredients (with Riley) and came home and got to work so I could surprise Alan with the dish.

Not only did I surprise Alan with this dish, after we tasted it- we both looked at each other and the look was OMG!! This was one of THE best dishes that I have ever made! The best part is that it took all of 30 minutes!

Alan is still bragging about it to anyone who will listen so I took it upon myself to take a picture and post it on Pinterest to put in my recipe file.

Chipotle Cream Shrimp
Recipe courtesy Marcela Valladolid

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
2 pounds large raw shrimp (13 to 15 per pound), peeled and deveined with tail on
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
White or brown rice, cooked according to package instructions, for serving

Directions
Put the flour in a shallow bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and toss to combine. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Melt the butter in a large heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and saute until golden brown and just cooked through, 5 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a plate. Add the wine to the same pan and boil until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Add the cream, chipotle chiles, Worcestershire sauce and garlic to the pan and boil until slightly reduced, 2 minutes. Return the shrimp to the pan and toss to coat with the chipotle sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon cilantro and serve with white or brown rice.

Chocolate Cherry Puddin' Cake

I don't want to forget this recipe mainly because my husband and daughter kept talking about how excellent it was! I had a plethora of mismatched items in my pantry from my mom taking care of me last week. Apparently she meant to make a cherry chip cake and some pudding, but she didn't get around to it. We never missed dessert because she fed us so well! But tonight, we all had a sweet tooth!

So, I gathered items out of the pantry and made a delicious, moist cake. I used the cake mix, a large chocolate pudding, vegetable oil, milk, and topped it off with random chocolate chips. It was SO divine! The cherry chips were an added punch of flavor!

Chocolate Cherry Puddin' Cake
Betty Crocker cherry chip cake mix (or yellow cake mix)
large box of Jello chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1 cup vegetable oil
chocolate chips

Mix cake mix, pudding mix, milk, and oil. Spray 13x9 pan with Pam and spread cake evenly. Throw chocolate chips on top. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Voila!

I didn't get a chance to take a picture before they came running for it. Enjoy!