Wordless Wednesday: In Loving Memory of Grandpa Carson

Grandpa Carson (my husband's grandpa): Sept. 19, 1913 - June 13, 2007 (married to Grandma for almost 63 years!!)

You will be missed!!






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A break from cooking and Menu Plan Monday

On June 13th, we got a call saying that my husband's grandfather was not doing well. I called my husband at work to let him know, as I wasn't sure what he would want to do. He decided that we were flying to CA. My sister and her family were still here visiting, but they had planned on leaving the next morning, so we got tickets to fly out mid-morning. Turns out that Grandpa passed away the night we got the call. He was almost 94 years old and was married to Grandma almost 63 years!! Anyway, we took an unexpected trip and I had a break from cooking last week. Check back later in the week to see pics from our trip and pics from my sister's visit. Tackle it Tuesday will consist of unpacking, and Wordless Wednesday will be dedicated to Grandpa. Also, I'll tell you all about our experience with NWA and why you might not want to fly with them. Talk about a nightmare.....

I have not gone shopping, so I am trying to use things that we have at home. I do have a short list of things I need to go buy.

Anyhow, on with this week......

Monday--chicken strips, mac and cheese, corn

Tuesday--steak wraps, chips, salsa

Wednesday--Poppy seed chicken over rice, green beans, carrots

Thursday--Italian chicken, chese-filled shells, salad

Friday--bacon cheeseburger Wellingtons, mixed veggies, salad

For more menus, head over to Laura's blog!

Wordless Wednesday...

Be sure to click on the pictures for the full effect...LOL!! (My boys and their cousins)





For more Wordless Wednesday fun, check out Wordless Wednesday or 5 minutes for mom!

Menu Plan Monday

My sister and her family arrived on Friday night. I'm not sure what order we will have things. We went to Mt. Vernon on Sunday, will go to DC today to tour the Capitol and go to the Musuem of Natural History (check back later in the week for pictures!!). Not sure what else we will do yet. Here are the meals I have planned plus we will eat out one night.

Saturday--Penne a la vodka, salad, bread
Sunday--taco salad (recipe below)/crunchy or soft tacos
--Philly cheesesteaks, fries, hot dogs (for kids)
--Poppy seed chicken over rice, green beans, carrots
--sweet n spicy kielbasa, macaroni and cheese, corn
--Cheeseburger in Paradise (eat out)
--leftovers

For more menus, head over to Laura's blog!

Taco Salad..
I found this recipe in a Betty Crocker cookbook. You brown your hamburger meat (1 lb.) and add taco seasoning as directed on packet. In a med. bowl, mix 1/2 c. sour cream, 1/2 c. salsa, and one small can sliced olives (drained). Drain hamburger meat and add to sour cream mixture. Place in fridge to cool (I like to make it the day ahead). You serve this mixture cold over Fritos and top with cheese, sour cream, and salsa.

Wordless Wednesday...

Winter Fun
(maybe these will cool you down!!)

For more Wordless Wednesday fun, check out Wordless Wednesday or 5 minutes for mom!

Menu Plan Monday and 7th Anniversary...

Wow...my husband and I have been married 7 years today!! In some ways it seems it has been 7 years, but in others it seems like yesterday. We were married in an apple orchard in northern CA. He joined the Army and left for basic training in SC one month after we married. Nine days after he left, I was in a wreck and almost totaled our new car!! When he graduated, I drove from CA to SC all by myself...I was proud of myself considering I had just been in a pretty bad wreck and I was now afraid to drive at night. I did stop and see family and friends on the way. From SC, he went to AZ for his training. I drove from SC to FL and stayed with my sister for about one month. Then I drove from FL to AZ to be with my husband. His training wasn't supposed to be very long, so the military did not pay for my move and he had to live in the barracks for most of his time there. Finally, about 4 weeks before he finished his training, he was able to move off post and live with me. Some people thought I was crazy to go to AZ to be with him considering it was only going to be a few months (he was there from end of Sept. through mid May), but I just kept telling myself that I didn't know where he would go next. Sure enough, his orders were for Korea. After he finished his training, we drove from AZ to CA and spent some time together before he headed off to Korea. He was there for 7 months and then came home on mid-tour. While he was home, we decided we were ready to try to start a family. I was nervous!! Truly, I didn't think it would happen, considering he was only home one month. He returned to Korea on Feb 2 and on Feb. 14th, I went to the doctor and found out that it did indeed work!! He came home when I was 5 months pregnant and just in time for our 2 year anniversary (2 years of marriage down and only lived with him for about 14 weeks during it!!)! Then it was off from CA to MD. He stayed in the military for another 2 years and then got a job in the DC area. We moved to VA to be closer to his work and had just started to talk about when we would like to try for another baby (and thought we would try in one year). Come to find out, we didn't need to plan. The very next month I woke up in the middle of the night and I was sick. I talked to my friend, Christi, and she said that maybe I was pregnant. Well, I was taking the pill, so I didn't think I would be. And besides....we weren't trying. But, sure enough I was!! Lucas has certainly been the best little surprise ever!! I love my husband, I love my children, and I can't wait to spend many more years with them!!



Monday--Today is our 7th anniversary!!--meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, lemon crunch veggies---> I think I will make a yummy dessert, but not sure what yet. Have any suggestions?

Tuesday--40 clove garlic chicken (my turn to try it!), rolls, rice/spinach combo (dh asked for this, so I will just kind of throw stuff in it...LOL), carrots

Wednesday--goulash (freezer meal), rolls

Thursday--honey mustard chicken, cheddary veg. gratin, rolls

Friday--sandwiches, chips, fruit salad (my sister and her family will arrive, but not sure what time)

Saturday--Penne a la vodka, salad, rolls

Sunday--Mexican pile on

For more menus, head over to Laura's blog!

My little peanut...

I took Lucas to his 15 month well baby appt. on Tuesday.

At his 12 month, they took a urine sample and it came back with red blood cells in it. They wanted me to repeat it making sure to get a first morning urine. Boy...that is hard to do. So, they told me to try to get it before I let him up to play. I kept forgetting to put the bag on him once he was up, but before letting him down to play. Anyway, I finally decided I'd just do it and take it with me to his 15 month check up since I had waited so long. It came back normal this time :).

Apparently he was measured wrong at his 12 month check up. They had measured him at 28 inches, but this time they meaured him at 27.25 inches....we checked it several times to make sure. He weighed in at 16 pounds...still a tiny guy!!

What is funny about that is that he is still in his infant carrier. It seems most people think I am keeping him in it when he no longer should be. Most make comments about their child out growing their infant seat at 6 months old. Thing is, my infant carrier goes up to 30 inches and 22 pounds. I was laughing saying that at this rate I might be able to keep him in it until he is 2!!

I love his infant carrier and it was one of the more expensive ones, so I'm going to use it as long as I can!!

His doctor did ask that I give him lots of calories and bring him back in one month for a weight check. I'll do that, but I know that I just have small children. Lucas eats and eats...we don't withold any calories from him.