Memorial Day 2009

SO, I've had better weekends. I was sick the whole week before this weekend and I unfortunately still didn't feel good this weekend. Thankfully, Gabe seems to be better and we did manage to have a good time and get out in the beautiful weather despite it.
Bryan got off early Friday, BBQ with Friends Saturday, BBQ with family Sunday, Bryan finished his mockup for Vibe of Portland, playing in the pool and we finished off the weekend with another BBQ with friends.

Here are a few favorite pics:

Hanging out at the Duffy's
Gabe after playing/splashing in their pool "What mom?"

Getting dry with the princess towel

Chillin with Miss Mia

We put the pool up

Gabe wanted to wear his Cars swim shorts

He would fill up the bag with water and shake the bag getting all wet.

This is what I saw when I went in to get him after his nap. lol

Busy Bee

Bryan has A LOT on his plate and one thing that he likes to do at work is write all of his daily tasks down on a noticeboard. I found this AWESOME one at IKEA and got it for him so that he can keep track of everything he needs to get done and it allows me to see everything too. LOVE IT!

Oops! I did it again...

Yep I did! It's really not unusual for me to do this, but I just can't seem to let his hair grow out. This little guy has some wacky hair. I actually think he has curly hair like me. Poor thing. lol

I thought it would be fun to compare:

This is Gabe at 8 months the first time I shaved his head. SO CUTE

This is Gabe today

Love LOST

I love Lost, I really do. But I don't know how long I can handle having tiny snippets of information when there is still SO much to be revealed. I can't help but constantly remember that it is a show and they want it to run forever, which it won't do once they really answer our questions. I have about a hundred questions in my mind. So I get it, the writers have no motivation to give us real understanding, just tiny revelations mixed with a lot more questions, or the show wouldn't continue to entertain us for as long. I respect that, as it does entertain me... but I'm always kind of mad at the end too.

SO, like it should be, love is the verb, LOST is the noun, instead of the other way around. I can't wait to see what the next season will bring. I'll be counting down.

I'm SO sad that 2010 is the final season, but I guess we'll finally get our answers.

Mother's Day

Because of her I grew.

I ate.
Because of her I took my first steps and
learned how to take care of myself.
Because of her I know who Jesus is and
know how to be compassionate.
Because of her I learned lessons in honesty and virtue.
Because of her I know how to work hard and to not give up.
But most of all, I feel that I am a good mother because she is!
I love you Mom- so much!
Thank you for all you do and all that you are!
Happy Mothers Day!

And to my sweet little "Gabey Monster," thank you for making me a mom.
I love being a mom to you!
You are everything to me!
I love you!

Happy Mother's Day to all my favorite Mamas!!!!

Today

It looked like this this morning...


So, we did a lot of this...

Yummy Cinnamon Bread (thanks Kate)

Sweet potato muffins, Cake cookies and Banana muffins

Lounging

Reading

Course the sun came out when Gabe went down for his nap, but that's ok it was a fun day. I am pooped though. I baked a lot which made a lot of dirty dishes for me to clean up. lol
We had some food issues today. sigh. Gabe's new favorite phrase is "I no want to" or "I no want this/that".

Fun times!

Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco

YUM YUM YUM YUMYUM!!!!

I went to a Pampered Chef party Friday night and they made this amazing pasta dish. It was soooo good. I'm making it tonight for Bryan and Gabe and I can't wait.

Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco

Ingredients:
4 garlic cloves, peeled
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
3 cups uncooked mezze penne pasta
3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup dry white wine such as Chardonnay

1/2 tsp each salt and coarsely ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, divided
1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup packed)
2 cups diced grilled chicken breasts
Additional grated fresh Parmesan cheese and coarsely ground black pepper (optional)

Directions:
1. Spray Deep Covered Baker with olive oil using Kitchen Spritzer. Slice garlic into baker using Garlic Slicer. Add tomatoes. Cover; microwave on HIGH 4-5 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst, stirring after 2 minutes. Crush tomatoes using Mix ‘N Chop. Add pasta, broth, wine, salt and black pepper.
2. Return baker to microwave; cover and microwave on HIGH 16-18 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring after 10 minutes. Meanwhile, coarsely chop basil with Chef's Knife. Reserve 2 tbsp for garnish. Grate cheese using Rotary Grater.
3. Carefully remove baker from microwave and remove lid, lifting away from you. Add remaining basil, cheese and chicken to baker; mix well. Garnish with reserved 2 tbsp basil, additional Parmesan cheese and black pepper, if desired.
Yield: 8 servings

Nutrients per serving: Light (about 1 cup): Calories 240, Total Fat 2.5 g, Saturated Fat .5 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Carbohydrate 35 g, Protein 17 g, Sodium 450 mg, Fiber 2 g

Cook’s Tips: An additional 3/4 cup chicken broth can be substituted for the wine, if desired.

Any tube-shaped pasta requiring 9-11 minutes cook time, such as penne or rigatoni, can be substituted for the mezze penne pasta.

To grill chicken in the Grill Pan, season 2 chicken breasts, about 6 oz each, with salt and black pepper. Heat Grill Pan over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Spray pan with oil. Cook chicken 4-6 minutes or until grill marks appear. Turn chicken over; cook 4-6 minutes or until center of chicken is no longer pink and Pocket Thermometer registers 170°F.