Saturday, February 7, 2009

Evylee's First Birthday Party

Evylee's official birthday party was held at our home the Saturday following her birthday.
 
She was very curious about her very own cake and touched it gently here and there.

Anxious to get a good messy picture, her daddy encouraged her to stick her hand into the cake!
Evylee was not happy about it!

She really preferred using a fork.
I think we have a "little lady" in this small fry.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Recipes from our February Birthday Bash


Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken Salad


Café Rio Dressing

1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet (make as per recipe)

2 tomatillos (tomato like vegetable with a husk around them)

½ bunch of cilantro

1 clove garlic

Juice of 1 lime

1 jalapeño (Use the seeds too if you like it spicy.)


Blend all the ingredients well. Refrigerate.



Cafe Rio Chicken

1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing 

1 T chili powder

1 T cumin

3 cloves garlic—minced

5 lbs chicken breast


Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour. (Makes enough for an army -- we just save it for left-overs.)



Café Rio Rice

4 c water

4 t chicken bouillon

4 t garlic –minced

½ bunch cilantro

1 can green chiles—or equivalent fresh

¾ t salt

1 T butter

½ onion

2 c rice (see note)


Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes. (This also makes up a boat load.  Might want to make half a batch for family size meal.)


Black Beans

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt


Cook garlic and cumin in olive oil.  Add beans and salt. Place on medium heat and stir until heated through.  


Toast flour tortillas in skillet and top with shredded cheese.  Layer beans, rice, chicken, lettuce, guacamole, salsa, and a sprig of cilantro.  Top with crunchy tortilla chips and dressing. 


Everyones Favorite - Homemade Hot Fudge Topping



Boil together until smooth.

1 cube butter

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup canned evaporated milk


Add 1/2 tsp. vanilla, and 1/4 cup corn syrup. 

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Happy Birthday, Emily!

I was looking through my journal and found an entry about Emily written on her birthday when she turned TWELVE-YEARS OLD.

Monday, February 3, 1997 - Happy 12th Birthday, Emily!  Let's see if I can describe you accurately:

"Spirited, fun-loving, ever-smiling.  Mostly silly, seldom serious. Contagious cackle. Crazy about cooking, piano doodling, singing, and listening to broadway soundtracks. She can often be found pounding nails with Dad or gardening with Mom. Nickname - "Ed" but right now it's "Honey" because it's close to Valentine's Day. 
Want to know her friends nicknames?  They're Sugar, Foxy, and Babe... but just for the month of February. Whenever she uses barbecue sauce or ketchup, WATCH OUT! More often than not it ends up all over her plate, her front, and her fingers. She still isn't too crazy about the dark. Often she can be found sleeping with Audrey... in the same small twin-sized bed. She likes to be casual... VERY casual; she doesn't mind being grubby or having mussed-up hair... until she dresses up for fancy events, that is. Then wow, is she ever a knock out.  She knows her scripture stories, has already read the Book of Mormon on her own.  She really is a Honey."
I get a kick out of the fact that a lot of this old journal entry still describes her!  (Except for the ketchup, etc.)  

Happy 24th Birthday, Emily!  I can't wait to see what this new year will bring your way!

And Desiree!

Obviously, Evylee gets her looks from YOU!  (only Michael was pretty cute too.)
Michael made the best decision in his life when he asked you to be his wife!  
We love having you as our "daughter".
Can't imagine how it must have felt to receive the best gift imaginable on your birthday last year!  You are such a terrific little mother.

Have a wonderful 22nd birthday, Desiree.  We hope all your dreams this year come true!

And Evylee!


Happy First Birthday, Evylee!  Potts and I just can't get enough of you!
We love to watch you and the excitement in your eyes as you grow 
and learn new things each and every day.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Three Birthdays on ONE Day -- and another close by!

It's not often that three family members have the same birthdate! And Randy's was just four days before.
So while the rest of America watched the Super Bowl, we Celebrated with our Birthday Babies!
Emily sported the latest in Backyardigan Birthday hat fashion design.
Who says we're crazy?
(FYI - This is Desiree in the "twotwo" that gets handed down to the one who turns 22)
We're just one sizzling happy family!