Grandma came to visit!

My mom so graciously came to visit us relatives in the great North . I knew she was sad to leave the snow in Utah, so I made sure it snowed four inches the day after she arrived. No thanks necessary mom! It was so great to have her here. The boys LOVED having her here! We miss you!
A very exciting thing happened in Forest Grove a few months back...wait for it...a new McDonalds was built! It may not sound exciting to anyone else but it is the only place around where there is an indoor place to play where we can escape the constant drizzle that is Oregon winter! It is also the only place around where I can get a large diet Dr. Pepper for $1.00! Don't judge!
Benson and Lincoln had a great time playing with Grandma. Lincoln was here but was being a little uncooperative, hence that lack of pictures. Benson is at such a fun age. I think he will walk before he crawls. He loves his big brother Lincoln and laughs hysterically every time he gives him the time of day. His new favorite thing to do is clap! Such a sweetie!

This is Lincoln and Benson's new cousin Sage Elle. Eric and Heather, you done good! She is pretty much the cutest thing! She is going to be heartbreaker! Love you Baby Sagey!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

WISHING OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS A HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Cuteness: adj- the act of being cute!

Celebrating Handsome Dave's birthday at OMSI

Fulfilling my day-long dream of being a meteorologist

Dave has become a true Oregonian. Look at the weather he is predicting. Come on Dave, please just a little bit of sun!

As if Mom!

These boys are so ridiculously good looking! Love them!

Ok, I give in!

I love my squishy!

Lincoln storing his nuts for the winter!

Lincoln being an amazing traveler during our three-day trek from Utah to Oregon. Thanks goodness for Cheetos and gum!

Benson loves helping with the laundry!

Benson's favorite toy! He thinks he is so tough!

This is Benson's favorite bear, Jimmy. Jimmy was given to Lincoln at Legacy Emmanuel children's hospital after his MRI. Lincoln doesn't seem to mind that Benson has taken ownership of Jimmy. What a sweet brother.

I think this picture speaks for itself!

Benson likes to sleep with his arms around Jimmy. How cute is that!

Weekly Recipe!

So, at the request of my sister I decided to post a weekly recipe. Something tried and true...and delicious. Enjoy! This is a super easy slow-cooker recipe.

Fajita Pulled-Pork Wraps with Avocado-Onion Slaw

INGREDIENTS
1tablespoon vegetable oil

1lb boneless pork shoulder roast, trimmed

3/4cup mild salsa

1teaspoon chili powder

3/4teaspoon ground cumin

3tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing

1tablespoon white vinegar

1/4teaspoon salt

1medium avocado, cubed

1/2cup halved and thinly sliced onion

12small flour/corn tortillas or taco shells

1/4cup chopped cilantro


DIRECTIONS
1 Spray 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook pork in oil 6 to 8 minutes or until brown on both sides. Place pork in slow cooker. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours or until pork pulls apart easily with fork.
2 Remove pork from slow cooker; shred pork. Reserve 1/4 cup liquid in slow cooker; discard remaining liquid. Stir pork, salsa, chili powder and cumin into liquid in slow cooker.
3 In medium bowl, stir together mayonnaise, vinegar and salt. Gently stir in avocado and onion. To serve, place pork in tortillas; top with avocado-onion slaw and chopped cilantro.
The avocado-onion slaw adds creaminess as well as crunch, but for those who are not avocado fans, try substituting diced tomato or shredded lettuce in its place.
If you have no chili powder or cumin on hand, substitute 1 3/4 teaspoons taco seasoning mix in their place.

Love my boys!

Here is Lincoln Chillaxin in his favorite chair. He thought it would be better to drink the cup of marshmallows rather than pick them out one by one. That's my boy!

I have always felt that the best part of baking is the beaters. Lincoln and myself really enjoyed licking these whipped cream covered beaters clean. He knows something good when he sees it!

Here is Benson sporting his winter/I wish I were hunting hat.

We decided to have a real Christmas tree this year. So, the week before Thanksgiving we piled in the car and headed to Parry's U-Cut Farm. Despite the pouring rain, the dogs chasing us, and the bitter cold, we had a great time. I thought we really picked a great tree, believe me it wasn't easy. This farm consisted of thousands of trees all different varieties and shapes and sizes.

Here is my rugged mountain man of a husband using his Paul Bunyon manly skills to chop down our six-foot whopper of a tree. Good job honey! You look great!

Benson really took a liking to the tree and has attempted to pull it over on several occasions. I have also noticed due to our wonderful children, thru the weeks the ornaments have slowly made their way to the upper half of the tree. I am just trying to love the moment!

Dang Benson! You are so stylish!

This is a trick Benson learned from his Aunts...go straight for the wallet. Can't you see him eyeing that twenty? They learn so young these days!

Dave and I were blessed with the happiest little boys! I don't think we could love them any more than we do. How could you not love this face?

I couldn't have said it better myself!