Happy Birthday Gammy Patty

Sunday is my mom's birthday.....actually we have been celebrating it for a week now!! Last week we had a celebration at my Aunt Judy's house and most of my extended family were able to come. It was such fun because we were not all able to get together on Christmas this year, so it was fun to see most of my cousins. We had a delicious Mexican dinner that my Aunt Judy planned and it was so yummy ! On Friday we celebrated again! My dad took my mom to dinner and then they came back to our house and I made her her favorite Blackbery Cobbler....it was pretty good even if I do say so myself!! She opened her presents, or shall I say Madison opened her presents and Parker played with the birthday balloons.....I don't think there is anything more that holds his attentions more than a couple of balloons! And yes, I know you not supposed to let small children play with balloons, but they were closely monitored!!

My mom, or as my wildflowers call her "Gammy Patty" is such a wonderful person. She is so thoughtful and caring. She is also the best cook EVER!! She bakes the most delicious goodies and she is always taking a tin of her famous chocolate chip or sugar cookies to someone that is sick or just to someone that she cares about. She takes such good care of everyone around her. My wildflowers are definately spoiled by Gammy Patty and Papo Larry and they are always so excited to see them come over. Several people that I know have lost their mothers this year, and honestly, I would be completely lost without my mother. My world would come crashing down for sure and I just pray that she will be around for a long long long long time!!

So Happy Birthday Gammy Patty and here is to many many many more!!!

Gammy and the Wildflowers

My blackberry cobbler....

My parents last week at the pary at my aunt Judys party....

My aunt Judy and Uncle Tom..

Madison and Gammy....

A Bouncin Good Time

Today the wildflowers and I met Bonnie and her three boys at Art Sports World!! Talk about fun!! They have all these trampolines and foam pits that the kids can just go crazy in and on!! It is $5/kid and they can play for an hour. They had the best time and they are exhausted so I am hoping that means a good nap!! It was so good for them to get out and run around....seems like we have been housebound for months......3 to be exact!!

Bonnies middle son Liam .....her oldest Jacob

and her baby Ewan......who we sat up a cone zone around so no one would run over him while he was sleeping!!

You would think Parker would be hurt, but they were just very long skinny trampolines and he bounced right back up!!

Don Fernando's Tortilla Soup

Last night we had some delicious Tortilla Soup from one of my favorite cook books from Taos. The kids loved it and there is something to be said for that!! It is super easy so here is the recipe if your interested:

*

1/2 C Green Onion, diced

2 tsp minced garlic

3 C cooked rice

1 1/2 C shredded chicken

3/4 C diced green chilis

6 C chicken broth

1 1/2 tbls lime juice (I added extra)

I also added:

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 tsp cumin

salt and pepper

*

Saute your garlic and onion

Add the remaining and cook 10-20 minutes

Enjoy!

Garnish with dicecd tomatoes, diced avacado, cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips!

Yesterday we made it thru the whole day without watching TV!! Now that us huge at our house! So needless to say, it can be done!! Today, on the other hand, is a different story!!

Here are daddy and Parker in their do-rags!! Too cute!!

Hola!

Due to the not so tropical forecast I am forced to decorate my blog with all that is Mexico, for I am there in my heart today and the rest of the week. And I am sorry, I don't consider 40 degrees nice!!

I have been assisting my cousin's fiance, Amy, in planning her Mexican honeymoon and I have the fever to go!! They will be staying here in March.....fun fun!! I would love to tag along, but I doubt they would be there on their honeymoon!! The last time we went to Mexico, the summer I was pregnant with Madison, this is where we stayed....unbelievable! Actually all the new pics on my blog layout are from this resort, the Barcelo Maya.





And honestly, this is what the wildflowers wanted to wear today!!

Praise The Lord It's Friday

We made it!! That's all I can say......Here are some pics from the week....Have a great weekend!


All clean from a bath...

Sick on the floor watching Charlette's Web...

I love how she sits like this....

Chillin with dad on the couch....

Parker Man....

Is Today Only Wednesday?

That is the question I asked my husband this morning. This week is just seeming to drag by. The wildflowers have noses that resemble a waterfall and a cough to match. We have been housebound because I do not want to infect other small children. Plus, we have had snow on the ground for several weeks now so we can't play outside. They are not sleeping so I think my sleep was disrupted about 5 times last night, and this has been going on for several weeks. They haven't been sick that long, but Madison has decided she is scared of the bears that live in our heater and wakes up at least once during the night screaming for mommy. Parker never has been a great sleeper, but I don't think he hasn't slept thru the night for an 8 hour stretch since before Christmas. Needless to say, if you look at me the wrong way I will break down in tears. Here it is the new year and of course this is when you are supposed to start a diet .....which I haven't. I intend to pay a visit to our local Weight Watchers this Saturday, so wish me luck. I feel like I am just trying to get thru my day, not really doing anything productive, just trying to survive with these two toddlers who are so cute and so fun at times, but who just destroy my house and drain my patience. At the end of the day I am just a mean mom who yells and counts the minutes until they will go to bed....

So there you have it.....the honest truth that I am somewhat of a mess this week! Hopefully, next week will be better and I will have something more positive to say!! Hope your week is going better than mine : ) At least tomorrow night I can look forward to Greys Anatomy and ER!! That's pretty pitiful...

Who Needs Cinnabon When You Have Aunt Judy

Before Christmas I joined my Auntie Judy, Cousin Bobbi and my mom in an afternoon of making my Aunt Judy's Famous Cinnamon Rolls.......Now I make that sound like I was the was doing the baking, but really I was doing more of the child watching, observing the baking process and taste testing, which isn't to be overlooked! My auntie has been making these rolls at Christmas time ever since I can remember. You definitely considered yourself lucky if you received some of these from her...they are tooo die for!! Soo yummy that really none can compare! We had a fun afternoon complete with our favorite Papa Murphy's Gourmet Veg Pizza and salad for lunch....mmmmm. I always love getting together with these girls.....we enjoy each others company and I am so lucky to have these ladies in my life...

Auntie Judy and Cousin Bobbi

Auntie showing Madison how it's done..

Haley and Madison playing dress up..

Having a tea party..

Parker was real impressed..

Ready for the oven....

The finished product!!

A blanket and 4 chairs

Do not overestimate the power of a blanket and 4 chairs! Today was "build a fort day" at our house......this is the first of many I am sure! One of my resolutions was to "play"more with my kids and get more creative with them. I know, we never had built a fort! Crazy! They are having a tea party as we speak, so I best go and join in on the fishies and pretend coffee!