Looks can be deceiving!

How about all that snow?!?! Chase's 4th birthday party still happened this past Saturday, even though we had an understandably limited amount of guests...the weather was crazy and we were thankful for everyone who was able to make it! Definitely some brave souls out there! Bruce was out with the snow blower all morning on Saturday trying to make parking spots and a safe path to the front door for our party guests...as he was shoveling and snow blowing it quickly filled back up...crazy!

We finally ventured out into the snow on Sunday to play and had a blast. When I pulled the pictures off the camera this AM I knew I had to share this series of photos...too funny!








Things start out innocently enough...Addy posing on a huge mound of snow -->


She finally was able to stand up..."Ooh, look at this big snow ball, too bad mom put my hands into my mittens without putting my thumbs into the thumb-holes, I can hardly pick it up" (That's what she wanted you to think, at least! Do you see that smirk on her face?? Totally a classic Addy face...the wheels are turning...) -->

"Hey Chasey, can you show me how to throw these things?? Ok, thanks...this one seems pretty light, let me see what I can do with it" Note the look of sheer JOY on her face -->



snowball in mid-flight...you can't even see it! -->


Take that, Brotha!!! (can you see the snow-ball splattering all over Chase's sled-shield!?!?!?) -->



Sister got a few more good ones in...Chase finally turned his hat around to cover his face ;o) -->



"Hey Brotha...remember that next time you want to mess with me...I might be half your weight and 13 months younger, but you don't have anything on me!" (look at that face!!!) -->


That's my girl! *sigh* We are going to have our hands full!

What are you thankful for?

Chase had to do a project for preschool, a feather listing something they were thankful for, for their thanksgiving turkey display. When asked what he was thankful for, he rattled off quite a few things, Mommy, Sissy, Color Dots (we were getting ready for bathtime, OK?) Daddy, God, Our House, His friends at school, Grandma, Pap-Pap, Grammy, Paw-Paw, right on down the line. So, his feather was
Addy happily joined in on the action (Note To Self: Get THIS girl potty-trained and 3, ASAP, she NEEDS to go to preschool to learn some sharing, manners, etc...Addy, Mommy Says CHILL...love you ladybug)

Chase worked very hard...we were very proud

He got to have an after art snack, while leaning on the counter...what, you don't climb onto a chair to hang out? The leg up on the back of the chair was killing us.

This picture was taken RIGHT before he put his hand down his pajama pants...seriously.

Here's to hoping everyone has a warm, safe and Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Just Because...3rd post in a row!

I have Tuesday mornings off to be able to do stuff with the kids. Chase has preschool on Tuesday/Thursday AM's so, normally it's just me and Addy, doing "stuff" which could be cool stuff like the library/park/target,etc or be being totally lame and cleaning and doing laundry while Addy "helps" A few weeks ago (I am SO lame at posting) Tuesday was a school holiday, so Chase hopped onto his bike, I got Addy into the jogging stroller and we took a cruise over to a local park (Trailside) for a change of scenery. I was so proud that Chase made it the whole way there without saying he was tired! Here are a few pictures of our field trip...FYI, Addy DOES smile, she just prefers not to do it for the camera...she was WAY too busy!

Chase, on the other hand, was more than happy to cooperate!

My ladybug...on the run, much too busy to stop and smile for mommy!

remember that doll "My Buddy"? You know, with the commercial with the song "My Buddy, My Buddy, My Buddy and Me" That is these two...BFFs...I love it, even if they do fight like cats and dogs!

Checking out the tee-pee...Chase wasn't a fan

When we got home I changed lenses on the camera (this one is a super zoom lens...I need to find a good middle-ground lens for my Rebel DSLR if anyone has any suggestions!) Here are Chase and Addy climbing the rock climbing wall on the playset (Addy's inner monologue: "If he can do it, I can do it better" gee wonder where she gets that from? ha)

Zoo Trip!

A few weekends ago we took advantage of the nice weather and headed downtown for a last-minute trip to the zoo! As a kid we would always go around this time of the year and it was great, no crowds, pretty fall colors and less stinky! We had a great time, scored an awesome parking spot, and we were so happy to see how "into" the animals both kids were! On a side-note, if you were to ask Addy what her favorite part of the trip would be, she'd tell you the elephants, and you'd ask her why, and she'd tell you (as LOUDLY and animated as possible) that they were "taking huge stinky poops!" awesome. But they totally were, all 3, as soon as we walked up.

Here are a few pictures of our trip:

It was pretty chilly at first, Chase and Addy snuggled up with their blankies (and you can't really see in the picture, but Addy had a DEATH-GRIP on her french fries from her happy meal...she didn't put them down until we were about half-way through the zoo!)


Chase warmed up a bit and soon was navigating us all over the zoo, he did a great job!

Inside the Ape House (no way to get around the stinkiness in there!)

On the way out we finally got them to pose with the sign, ONLY b/c they saw other people standing up there doing the same thing...I think Chase thought we'd get in trouble!

Token family picture...silly kids!

OH! I wanted to pass on that the zoo has a great website for the kids to go to. Chase is a puzzle master, and he LOVES doing these online...check them out:

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Audiences/Kids/jigsaw.cfm

Chase can finish each one in like 30 seconds flat...AND he calls us into the office to show us each one, so much for some quiet time :o)

Crustess Spinach Quiche Cups

Why do I have a picture of my kid on a blog post for a recipe? Any blog-reader knows you CAN'T post a recipe without pictures...heck, I waste all the time I should be posting, reading all of my food blogs that I follow...yum! So, back to the pictures...I didn't take any photos of these quiche cups, I contemplated taking a picture of them this AM as I sat at my office desk, but for some reason the glare of the computer monitor and the Styrofoam plate I was eating them on just didn't scream delicious! And they are just that...delicious. So! Instead, you get a few pictures of my pretty girl helping me cook the other night :o)

It was a rare treat for both of us, for Addy, she got to stay up later than Brother (who, on a side-note, hasn't slept well AT ALL since the time change, so it's best for all of us if he's asleep by 7:45-ish...doesn't happen every night, but we're trying!), she had my un-divided attention and didn't have to share the spotlight or throw elbows to get a chance to help me cook

For me, it was a chance to spend some one on one time with my Addy Grace, just the two of us, without the bickering back and forth that siblings that are ONLY 13 months apart seem to do ;o) We get that time with Chase during Addy's nap-time, but normally not with my ladybug. Addy is such a sweet, charismatic, smart and vibrant little girl, she (and her brother) amaze me every day!

OK, back to the quiche cups! These are adapted from the south beach diet (I just add more egg), and the great thing about them is that they pack a serious protein punch, with some veggies thrown in, and are only about 80-100 calories per serving (2 quiche cups!) We don't follow the no/low carb diet, and we typically supplement these with oatmeal or toast and yogurt.

CRUSTLESS SPINACH QUICHE CUPS

You will need:
1 box frozen spinach, thawed
1.5 cups egg-whites/substitutes or 6-8 eggs (the original recipe only calls for 3 eggs or 3/4 c substitute, I think they need more for the protein, and we use just the whites to keep the cholesterol down)
3/4 c shredded low-fat cheese (whatever you have on hand, I've used both cheddar and mozzarella and both are good)
1/4 c diced onion (I prefer red)
1/4 c diced bell peppers (I prefer red, green is fine too)
1/4 tsp Tabasco sauce (or a good amount of dashes)
pinch of kosher salt

1) Preheat Oven to 350
2) Prepare a 12-muffin pan by inserting FOIL liners into each spot and spraying with pam (this is a MUST or they will stick to the pan/liners)


3) drain thawed spinach to remove all water, I like to double up a paper towel, plop the spinach in the middle and squeeze the spinach into a ball, this works really well (if you microwave to thaw, be careful, the hot water will burn your hands when squeezing...trust me...I do it almost every time, you'd think I'd learn!)
4) Combine the rest of the ingredients in a medium sized bowl until well blended


5) Use a 1/4 cup measure to scoop the mixture evenly (about 3/4 the way full) into your 12 muffin cups
6) Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, they will puff up a little bit in the oven
7) Cool for about 5 minutes and remove from the foil liners (which will be super easy b/c you sprayed them w/pam) and pop into snack-sized baggies or small containers to throw into your bag/lunch etc

reheat in microwave for 20-30 seconds...they don't take long, you don't want to overcook them!

TIP: if you cut up a whole red onion and pepper, you will have 4 perfect 1/4 cup portions to store in the fridge/freezer for the next time you make these (since we both eat them, I tend to make a new batch at least twice a week for work)

Nutritional Information (pulled from original recipe...FYI each egg white contains 17 calories and 4g protein, so I'd say 80-100 calories per serving and 14g protein):
77 calories
3 total fat (2 g sat)
10 mg cholesterol
3 g carbohydrate
9 g protein
2 g fiber
160 mg sodium

Fun at the Oktoberfest!

The last few weeks we were cooped up inside with two sick kiddies...so we were relieved to finally have a weekend where we could safely interact with friends!

We met up with The Samsons for a fun night at the Reston Oktoberfest on Saturday, and we all had a blast! The kids took turns scaring us while throwing pennies into the fountains (I can't believe they all made it out of there dry!) walking in a long line, holding hands, over to the carnival, riding all of the rides...which for Addy, was HUGE...we went to the same carnival (at Dulles Town Center) over the summer, and Addy was petrified of all of the rides...thankfully, with the help of Ava and Chase, Addy wanted to be a big-girl too! We had a pizza break half-way through and headed back over to wrap up the night with some more carnival rides...we had so much fun, thanks Meredith and Donny for thinking to go to the carnival!

Silly kids getting ready to ride the first ride of the night

Addy on the whale
Chase on the whale, worried about where Ava was...she was "all the way" over on the opposite side of the ride and he couldn't see her...crush, anyone? :o)


Riding on the swings


All walking together being buddies...Sophie was SO excited to walk with the "big kids"

The last ride of the night the kids picked to do the jet-ski ride over again, and Sophie (Meredith and Donny's younger daughter) was dying to get in on the action...until she realized the ride was going to move!

Our Special Day...

Good Morning Love,

Happy Anniversary! Today is our 5 year anniversary. 5 years ago September 25, 2004 we became one and every day I thank the Lord for bringing you into my life… You are the love of my life and everything I have always wanted in my wife.

The past 5 years have been full of ups and downs, change, struggle, happiness, joy and many blessings... Which the 2 greatest blessings our handsome son Chase Michael given to us on December 17, 2005 and our beautiful daughter Addison Grace given to us on February 2, 2007 truly our 2 greatest gifts. They’re our whole world and I am so happy I get to share in the joy with you seeing our babies grow into beautiful children. We have come a long way in 5 years and though the path hasn’t always been straight and smooth and even having gone off the path for a short while, I truly believe there is a reason God pulled us back on to the path he has set for us and I am so excited about what lies ahead for us in the years to come. Thank you for being my rock, standing by me and enduring the tough times.

I look forward to growing old with you and enjoying the good times and the bad… There is nothing we can’t get through TOGETHER.

I love you with all my heart and am truly proud & blessed to call you my wife! I cherish everyday I have with you. I love you!

Happy Anniversary...

First Day of Preschool

Chase gave us a hard time over the last few months...saying he didn't want to go to preschool (we were like, whatever kid, you NEED to go!)...his attitude changed last week after we went in and met his teacher! Ok, so Chase didn't actually make it into the classroom last week, he was a bit shy, but the teachers aide sat out in the hallway with him and chatted while we met with his teacher...details, details ;o)

We've been talking it up since then, and Chase was super-excited last night...he dresses himself in the AM, so I was VERY CAREFUL to put everything else away...or else he'd come down looking like this

So, last night, his little outfit was picked out by him...with a very scientific method of eenie-meenie-miney-mo...to pick out his shirt and underwear. We got his book bag ready, and he went to bed super-excited. This morning when he woke up he came running into the bathroom to tell me what today was...I asked if he wanted to go ahead and get dressed and he looked at me and was like "mooom, if I get dressed now, I'll get my shirt dirty at breakfast" in the most exasperated voice. Silly me!

Bruce made breakfast...here's Chase and Addy going to town...Chase is wearing his book bag at the table...we were certain he was going to fall out of the chair...he made it through

After we got the kids dressed, we headed out front for a first day of school photo shoot...we just got a "new" used camera (a Canon Rebel SLR...I love it) off craigslist last week, and I'm still getting used to how it works. The great thing is it takes rapid-fire shots...but the kids (Addy mainly) don't really cooperate with the whole "look at your mother when I'm taking your picture thing"

After dropping the big-guy off (it went really well, up until the cluster-you know what at the door going into the classroom with everyone else coming in, kids crying, etc) Addy and I went to the park, the library and even made a trip to Target...Addy wasn't amused, she was lost without her brotha...and was a bi-polar mess all morning :o) When we picked Chase up, Addy lost it...she cried that she wanted to go in his room (couldn't...same Chaos as the AM drop off was going on at pick-up) and as Chase was going through the details (circle time, snack, playground) Addy cried about each thing, saying she wanted to do it...sigh, the girl is going to win an academy award some day.

(Thinking to herself..."this isn't much fun without my Chasey")

We are sooo proud of our little guy, and thrilled that we were able to get him in at a pre-school we felt good about...it was touch and go there for a while over the summer, when we didn't know if he was going to get in or not b/c of the wait-list...and then we moved into a house 5 minutes away...it doesn't get much better than that!

He knows how to pick 'em

I have to give Chase credit, where credit is due...and I hope he keeps his top-shelf taste for the ladies when he's a bit older ;o)

Chase is in love with our super-cute, blonde, pharmaceutical sales rep neighbor (I say that only b/c every pharmaceutical sales rep I know is super-cute...so it kind of helps you get a picture of her in your mind), Beth. She's always out watering her plants when we head over to the pool, or on our way back. Chase could sit and talk to her for hours...and she is nice enough to sit there and talk right back, while she's outside gardening. Chase and Addy draw her Sidewalk Chalk pictures on her driveway all of the time, has invited her to his 4th birthday party (in New York...and he's hiring a party-bus, in case you didn't know...he has big plans), we've shared glasses of wine while Chase chats away with her, etc.

Most recently, Chase was riding his bike home from the pool, saw Beth, spun out of control and wrecked in her driveway (I missed this...I think I would have peed my pants) and jumped right up, brushed his hands off, yelled "I'm alright!" said Hi, and asked her if she'd like to take him out to dinner sometime (I know!) I think he even suggested Del Rio in Leesburg. Anyhoo, a while later that night while still talking to Beth, he ran inside and got her a cupcake we had baked earlier in the day for his Aunt Erica's b-day. He was SOOO careful carrying that cupcake down the steps to her, it was so sweet.

So, we go outside this AM to head over to the park, and Beth happens to be leaving for work at the same time. She stops her car, and runs back into her garage and grabs 2 huge gift-bags for the kids...full of Sidewalk Chalk (the 3-D kind on the commercials...she's always talking about it) flashlights, cotton candy, etc. It was so nice of her! The kids were in heaven, and I'm sure we'll be making some BEEEutiful drawings in her driveway (and 2 or 3 of the other neighbors driveways...one is probably having her baby today (MEGAN AND MEREDITH...I saw Glenn this AM...I think Tallerie is going to have her baby today!!!), so I'm sure the kids will want to make something special for them too)

I was so touched that our single, 30-something neighbor was kind enough to do something like that for the kids, for no reason! Made my day...

Not Ready!

We are sooo not ready for the summer to be over...we have all enjoyed the many, many trips over to the pool on the weekends and in the evenings, the kids getting to play with their friends after work, and the shirt-less bike rides by Chase over to the pool-house. The cutest thing is that there are a few other boys in the neighborhood in the 3-4 range, and they have all started riding their bikes over to the pool...we got there the other night, and there were all 3 bikes, all lined up in a row, too cute! It made me a bit sad to think that we'll be moving to another neighborhood next week, and how the kids finally have their buddies that they look forward to seeing! I am sure the kids will be fine with our move, and knowing Chase, he'll have bike-rides and popsicle breaks lined up the day we get there!


Here are some pictures from the pool yesterday...I never take the camera with us, and I have missed so many funny moments over there! We are so proud that Chase has taught himself to "swim" over the summer...my little big boy!

Waay past due

We had some professional photos taken while we were in the OBX in July...Lyndi (http://www.lyndiharris.com/) did an amazing job and we were thrilled at how the photos came out! Here are a few of my favorites (I just found a collage-making website online...www.picnik.com)

Keeping it real

Dear Chase and Addy-

I would love to blog about the wonderful 2 weeks we had at the beach late last month, or about Addy at Ballet class, or Chase swimming like a fish...because all of that is so great...but you know what?

I want to thank the two of you for being terrors tonight at dinner...yes, really! It was sooo great! All of the standing on the chairs, yelling "I'm stuck!" from inside of your high-chair, the staring from the other guests, the throwing of crayons, the yelling for phones, cameras, etc...all of that was fantastic. Thanks so much. The next time your daddy and I will take the two of you out for dinner will be when you are 16 and we can send you back into the kitchen to wash dishes if you act up.

Love (with very clenched jaws...and hiccups from 2 margaritas at dinner)
your Mom and Dad

Men At Work

***Editors Note***

Can I tell you one of the reasons I haven’t been blogging as much? I get frustrated with trying to layout pictures, drag them around, type in—between the photos, etc. I just figured out how to blog via email...woo-hoo! Since I email all day long, I’m hoping this will be an easier way to get my blog on! :o) Adding: I couldn't get my images to upload that way...back to the old drawing board!****************

A few weeks back while up at Grammy and Grampy’s, Chase and Addy (ok, Chase) helped Grampy unload the whole back of his truck full of dirt, into the wheel barrel and then dumped it around their ornamental well...I saw the pictures a few weeks later and about died!

Here are Chase and Grampy, hard at work...Chase is only in his boxer-briefs and Crocs...I love my mom’s mind-set...why have him work fully clothed, he’s only going to get filthy anyways, right? All of the men, including Frank the dog, working hard

Another action photo...with proof that the dirt does make it into the wheel-barrel!

Serious look on his face...he’s working really hard...Addy couldn’t be bothered, she’s busy building sand castles in the background

AND this one...is amazing/silly/ridiculous/awful and it is CHASE to a T!!!

Definitely on the list of photos to mortify him with later in life!

The Carnival Came to Town!

We were on a play date last week and the kids were mesmerized by the carnival they could see over by Dulles Town Center Mall...so that night we loaded the kids up and headed over.

Chase was my little wild-man, holding his arms up in the air like he was on a roller-coaster (Ok, I taught him that!) and Addy was a MESS! She hated the little intro, "even babies like this ride" kind of ride...the choo choo train. After that, we went to more familiar territory...the merry-go-round. After the horror of the train massacre, she took a while to warm back up on the ponies:

Here is proof that we weren't torturing her (yet!)...see, she is smiling doing that bucking-bronco rodeo thing on her pink princess pony...please keep this in mind while looking at the next sequence of events ;o)

After the pony warm-up, we headed over to the little dirt-bike/jeep ride...Addy was exited b/c she got the glittery pink one...Chase was super-psyched as always

"Oh Crap, what have I done!?!?" "Moooom..."

Nooo!!!

She rode like this the rest of the time...we were laughing...I felt really bad (sort of!) Maybe if we would have put Chase in front of her, she would have been ok? They could have even ridden together on the same little buggy...way to go, Mom!

After that Chase and I left her with Bruce and headed off for the "cool rides" with Chase...we were too busy being bad-asses to take any more pictures!