Family Pictures 2009!!

Travis and Heather Taylor are A-MAZ-ING!! We had a blast posing for them....did I say posing? I meant chasing Lilli in every direction possible....and they were still able to get some amazing photos! Thanks to Travis for being hilarious and getting Lilli to smile (which seriously is a TRUE challenge) and Heather for guaranteeing no "prom Pics"....you guys are awesome!! We can't wait to hang out in Illinois!

It's official....

My MoNkEy....is PoTTy TraIneD!!!!

The Best Soup Recipe. Ever!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I've been chasing a good chicken tortilla soup recipe for years now! I have finally perfected it (after many failed attempts) and it's SO DARN GOOD, I have to share it with others!!


Ingredients:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (shredded)
1 can sweet corn
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
15 oz. Swanson Chicken Broth
2 1/2 TBS minced garlic
2 1/2 TBS Chili Seasoning (I like the McCormick)
1 tsp Cumin
1 TBS Lime Juice
1 TBS Olive Oil

Saute the olive oil and minced garlic for about a minute and then add....EVERYTHING!! No need to drain the corn or tomatoes....the juices make it even better! You can add more or less chicken broth depending on the consistancy you want it. Bring to boil and let it simmer for at least an hour. Serve with 2% shredded cheese, lowfat sour cream and saltines.

This is an easy, yummy, HEALTHY meal for the whole family!! My kids absolutely LOVED it....even Mr. Picky Mason! Kyle said it was a hit as well!! I'll definitely add this to my 20 rotating meals that I prepare over and over again! (I'm always looking for good recipe's by the way!)

ENJOY!!

Hilarious quotes from my sweet hubby!

So this is what I hear while folding the clothes yesterday afternoon.

Kyle: Come on buddy lets go pee-pee
Mason: Okay daddy
Kyle: Okay, now take out your pee-pee

(a few seconds pass....)
Kyle: NO MASON, not my pee-pee, yours!
Mason: Oh, sowwy daddy

HAHAHAHAHA....this just cracks me up everytime I think about it!

Mason is SOOOO CLOSE to being potty trained!! We're SO EXCITED!!!!

Two movies and a whole lot of EXCITEMENT!!

It's JUNE....that means one month closer to.....

HARRY POTTER and the Half Blood Prince

***************AND*******************

NEW MOON

Here are the trailors....just so all you book lovers can share my excitement!!

July 17, 2009 - Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince



I'm so excited!! I remember reading the sixth book when I first moved to Oregon. My house was in disarray as we were moving in and I couldn't put it down!!

November 20, 2009 - New Moon



I CAN'T WAIT!! Stephenie Meyer is a genius!!

Introducing: Dr. Lindsey Alexander

It's been a long haul....I'm ready to spend the next few months with my munchkins and enjoy tons of books that are not even remotely eyeball related!! Then it'll be off to Texas for work! (unfortunately the loans are calling!).

It's been long but SO MUCH FUN!! Putting aside the sleepless nights, long hours of studying, and STRESS....I've had the time of my life! I gave birth to my two sweet babies and I've met people who have changed my life! Thank you to all those who helped me along the way!!!! One in particular deserves to be mentioned on here.....not only did she keep my hair in check, but she coached me through BOTH my labors, watched (and helped raise!) my children and was ALWAYS there for me to cry/laugh/hug/be silly with!! Michelle Lambson you're the best!! I just love you and your family to pieces!

Yay for Graduation!!

Happy Easter!!

I absolutely LOVE Easter! We had a Wonderful morning....consisting of a very nutritious breakfast, including: Reese's PB cups, Marshmallow bunnies, cupcakes and pancakes with chocolate chips!! The kids had a blast discovering what the Easter Bunny brought them....now the sugar high has worn off and we all need a nap!!

What a joyous day....celebrating the the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with sweets, family and prayer!!

Cheeeeesse!

I love this little StInKeR!!

Mom! Wook!!

Mason made a canvas out of his wall!! He was SO EXCITED about his art work!!

Wow....Kyle and I need to get a wall eraser (or 100)....or maybe a gallon of paint!

PS - What you don't see....3 other walls decorated just as pretty.

Red High Heels

Well....not really high heels but still CuTe!!!!

Happy Birthday Mason!!

March 2, 2009 - Mason's 3rd Birthday!! We didn't get to celebrate that day because a nasty virus decided to infest our home (we're all better now.....thank goodness!!)....so, we made up for it Sunday!! Oh.....what a fun day it was!

The day began with Kyle and I surprising Mason to breakfast in bed!! Kyle made him pancakes with cholocate chips....his FAVORITE!!

After he finished breakfast, we headed downstairs to surprise him with presents and cake! He was sooo excited! He kept saying "Look at this" (which sounds more like wook at dis!) and "Wow, Cool!"!! It was so cute!! His big present was a big boy bike and he LOVED it!

After several trips around the block, we surprised Mason with a trip to the children's museum in Portland! WE HAD A BLAST!! Mason and Lilli thoroughly enjoyed themselves!! Kyle and I were thrilled to see the joy on their faces:-)

After a long day, we came home and read scripture, said prayers and sang songs....it's so much fun seeing Mason following our lead and trying to copy us as we say prayers. I just love that he's starting to take interest in that!! We couldn't end the day without one last outing to enjoy Mason's new bike. Mason and Kyle rode their bikes while Lilli and I hopped, skipped and ran after them!

What a joyous day! I'm so happy Mason had such a wonderful birthday!

My handsome Mason,

Words could never express how much I Love You! I'll never forget the day I found out I was pregnant....so many emotions.....shock, fear, excitement, excitement, wonder!! The first time I saw you and held you in my arms was a moment of pure joy. The love I felt was overpowering and so emotional!! I cried my eyes out and stayed up all night staring at you my sweet baby boy! Over the past three years, you have filled my life with so much laughter and love. You and your "stista" mean the WORLD to me! I'm so proud to be your mommy and look forward to years and years of fun with you!!

I LOVE YOU!

Mommy

Blog without a Blogger?

Okay....so I realized I need to start blogging. My poor little blog exists with no author....how sad!! Not to mention my family keeps bugging me to keep them updated!! There have been a TON of happenings in the Alexander world....I'll try to catch up on a few and then start posting regularly (fingers crossed!!).

First of all, I just returned from an internship in our nation's capitol....Washington DC! It was an AMAZING experience (you know....except for the whole Obama thing)....I met some great people and learned a ton. In addition to all the clinical things....I also learned how to be a defensive/aggresive driver and to not get offended when people flip me the bird. SERIOUSLY....I try to be kind while driving and I get the bird....WHAT ON EARTH!! The first couple times I was really offended and hurt but quickly realized to ignore it. I would just smile and wave when they did it. I took the "kill them with kindness approach". The sad part about my whole experience is that Kyle couldn't be there to explore with us:-( We missed him SOO MUCH!!!!

We're back in the grove now. It's not the same without our dear friends, the Lambsons, but we're just happy to all be together again. "Singlemomhood" is DEFINITELY not for me! We moved to a new house (the one on Snapdragon sold....way too fast) so I'm adjusting to life here. I miss our house but this one will do. It's been great to see a lot of our friends and the kids are thrilled to be back with Jordan and Lyla 3 to 4 days a week! She's so good to them....we love you Jordan!

On a more frustrating note....Mason is REFUSING to be potty trained. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO!! I think with all the moving this year he's just confused but GOOD-NESS I'm so tired of gagging everytime I have to change his #2's (or "poops" as he calls it:-). Kyle dry heaves when he does it....I must say it has left me with some good laughs when he runs to the toilet (he never has puked....but come really close). So....any suggestions would be GREATLY welcomed and appreciated!

So....I'm totally addicted to guitar hero. I've had some frustrations with the x-box in the past....until now. Kyle and I have a GREAT time playing together and the kids have a great laugh. I'm even mastering the drums with Lilli on my lap!

Okay....this post is getting out of hand. I'm really going to try to keep up from now on! My family keeps bugging me to keep it updated (sorry yall....I LOVE YOU!!).

Here are a few new pics of the kiddos....getting so big! I JUST LOVE THEM SOOOO MUCH!!!! I can't wait to have more!!