Gavin the Chef

On Sundays, we are starting a new family tradition. Gavin is going to plan a meal, and then we are all going to cook it together. Tonight was our first night, and it was a huge success. Joe was on Lincoln duty, but hopefully he can be in on it next week. :) Gavin was excited to learn some cooking techniques, and VERY proud of his dinner.

Recipes: (both from Cooking Light recipe book)
Dinner: Thai Beef Tacos with Lime-Cilantro Slaw
Dessert: Butterscotch Blondies

Steak:
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp minced peeled ginger
1 1/2 tsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce
1/4 ground pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb. flank steak, trimmed
Cooking spray

Slaw:
1/4 c fresh lime juice
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp minced peeled ginger
1 1/2 tsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups shredded cabbage
2 c matchstick carrots
1/4 c chopped green onions
1/2 c cilantro

8 flour tortillas

To prepare steak, combine first 6 ingredients in bag, add steak and marinade for 20 minutes. Prepare grill (I used a grill pan on the stove) Place steak on grill for approx. 5 minutes each side. (or desired degree of doneness) Let stand 5 minutes, then slice against the grain.

To prepare slaw, combine lime juice and next 6 ingredients in large bowl. Add slaw and next 3 ingredients. Toss well.

I heated the tortillas on the stove, then assembled the tacos, with steak & slaw. Yum!!


For dessert, we made Butterscotch Blondies. They were certainly tasty, but I probably wouldn't make them again. We are definitely adding the tacos into our dinner rotation.

*If you would like the recipe for the Butterscotch Blondies, leave a comment and I can give it to you. If you don't want the recipe, leave a comment anyway. ;)

My Lil' Inch Worm

Lincoln is coming up on 4 1/2 months. He has been sleeping on his belly for a while now, and sometime I notice when I get him up in the morning he is in a different spot. Well yesterday confirms- we have a "scooter" on our hands. He gets on his knees, and elbows and pushes himself forward. It might be the cutest thing I have ever seen. Last night, he went about a foot! Although it is SO exciting to see him growing and changing, I thought I would have a little more time of him being immobile. I guess I should figure out what to do with Gavin's 50 million Legos that are constantly strewn all over the floor...Hmmmm....Scooting is hard work!

I'm going to charge my camera and see if I can upload a video of our lil inch worm this weekend. :)

Gavin has also made a self-discovery this week. Spikes are in, and he thinks he is just about the coolest kid ever. (Which I TOTALLY agree.) I'm loving the "rock star" hair.

Oldies, but goodies...

Here are some random pictures I had uploaded close to two years ago...They are oldies, but still very cute!He gets that from his Daddy!

Mr. Smarty Pants

Gavin's preschool days are quickly ending. Gavin absolutely loves his school, and his teacher is amazing. He has gone on so many cool field trips, including the dentist office, pumpkin patch, fire station, nursery, kangaroo farm and the beach. It's hard to believe that my little boy will be starting kindergarten soon. Here are a few things Gavin learned at school this year:

1. All the ABC's and the letter sounds
2. Can count from 1 to 100
3. Can count to 100 by 10's
4. Some planets have volcanoes on them
5. The moon is a rock, and the sun has a lot of explosions
6. There are 8 planets, and Pluto is not a planet anymore.
7. If your clothes are on fire, first you cover your eyes, then STOP, drop and roll. If you're in a fire, don't be scared and get out fast.
8. You have to have soil, rain, and sun to grow things.
9. You have to take good care of your teeth, cause you only have one more pair.
10. A baby kangaroo is called a little joey. (Same as my daddy's!)

(Dictated by Gavin Boyd...aka Mr. Smarty Pants!)

And this is only the beginning! I'm so amazed at how much he has grown and learned this year. He is such a bright, kind-hearted, fun-loving kid. I'm so blessed he is part of our family!!! :)

Milk Does A Body GOOD

With all the studies that have been done about hormones, anitbiotics, high fructose corn syrup and all the other "junk" that is in our food, I have really made an effort to be conscience about the types of food I buy and the ingredients in them. Being on a budget, sometimes it's hard for me to spend a couple extra dollars to buy the healthier option. When I went to the store I bought Organic Milk. Although it certainly pricer, I think it is TOTALLY worth it. The milk is delicious and I can totally taste the difference between this and the cheaper version. Not only does it taste better, I'm feel much better about spending a little more to make sure my family is healthier. :)

Whew...

So I finally have a few minutes to write...

The past few days have been beyond hectic, but tomorrow is Friday, and I can finally see some relief in sight. Joe is in CA for training, and I came home from my great weekend in Santa Cruz to an empty house and mounds of laundry. Lucky me! I have managed to make two trips to the grocery store, drive Gavin to and from school twice, get gas, do three loads of laundry, pick up the house, shower, unpack, work, and spent about 20 hours in the car. (or so it feels like...)

Only two more days until my hubby comes home. Oh how I miss him!

Cali Bound

I'm heading off to Santa Cruz, CA tomorrow. Every year all my old college roomies get together for a "reunion." I wasn't able to make it last year because the budget was super tight, but I am so excited to be able to go this year. Although, it's not a total girls weekend because Lincoln is coming with me, a weekend with only one child is definitely a break. There are 10 of us all together, three of us with kids now, and one more on the way... I have so many wonderful memories with these ladies- they have seen me at my worst and loved me just the same. I definitely would not be who I am today without the love and support of these girls.

I can't wait to squeeze them! (Plus, I always look for an excuse to soak up some California sun!)

Girls Trip '07

Girls Trip '08

Pictures from '10 to come...

Crafting...again...

I saw this REALLY cute tie onesie for Lincoln. I wanted it, but couldn't spend $15 for something he'll wear for probably 3 months. My bright idea...I'll make it. So I headed off to Joanns, picked out some fabric, iron on adhesive and I was set. Total cost: $5. I always have such high expectations for my projects, and I get frusterated waaaay to easily.

Frustration #1: Bought the wrong adhesive. Apparently there is about 5 different kinds, and me (being the crafter that I am... have NO idea what is what...) Luckily I have a wonderful husband who is willing to get what I need, even if it takes three trips. :)

Frustration #2: It's 10 pm when I'm making this project, and at that point my brain has pretty much turned to mush. That reason right there should be enough for me to quit.

Attempt #1
The lighting is REALLY bad, but it's a green and brown striped fabric. Even on Lincoln- I wasn't lovin' it. Not looking "so adorable", but I wasn't ready to give up yet...

Attempt #2

MUCH BETTER! I'm glad I didn't give up yet, because this one turned out halfway decent. (Thanks to Joe picking out the adorable fabric!) I guess I won't give up on crafting just yet... I'm actually giving this one away as a gift. Shhhh...don't tell Linc. ;)

Easter

So this post is a little "overdue"...

Our Easter weekend was pretty crazy! Gavin was super excited for the festivities- holidays are so fun cause I get to re-live my childhood. :) Friday, we dyed eggs with our 'second' family. :) The kids had a blast and managed to not make too big of a mess.

Gavin dying eggs. He made sure NOT to use the "girl" colors. :)

Gavin & Aspen

Me & Christina

The next day we went to a community egg hunt by Beth & Jimmy's house. It was freeeeezing, but Gavin didn't mind. He was determined to get the golden egg, but no luck. Maybe next year...

Then Sunday, we went to church and after went to Beth & Jimmy's for a FEAST! Beth is an amazing cook and everything was delicious.

Gram & Little Shrimp

The Fam

All in all...Good times. :)

Prayer Time

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for everything. Thank you for my bed and everything I have. Please help to make the bad places good. Like the places with volcanoes, to not erupt. And the planet that is sideways, please turn it right.
Amen.
...Gavin, 5

Finding My Laughing Place

Lincoln loves to laugh. Every time I change his clothes he starts cracking up hysterically. He is extremely ticklish. Even when I change his diaper- he starts laughing. (Which is a little weird...) The littlest thing makes him smile- from a funny face, a smiling face, a silly noise, or Gavin walking into the room. Joe and I always joke that Lincoln is going to have a great sense of humor when he gets older. His laugh may just be the cutest noise I have ever heard...

It takes a lot to make me really LAUGH. Which is a little sad. I guess it's time to lighten up and laugh more. Life too short. It's amazing how a three month old can manage to teach ME something...

A Hard Day's Work

Gavin found a new hobby. Taking apart his toys. Although I would like to encourage his creativity and ingenuity, finding tiny little screws all over the house is not exactly what I had in mind.

So this is him hard at work...I'm sure tomorrow he will ask me to put everything back together and I'll have no idea how.

I'm back!

I've always had the desire to be a blogger. I guess I always fear, if I start it- I'll never finish it. It seems that life just creeps its way in, and the moment I have some peace and quiet to unload some thoughts- it's 10 pm and I'm exhausted. So after almost 2 years of no postings, I'm giving it another try. Although my life is probably more hectic than it was two years ago- I guess I'll have more to blog about, right? ;) After all, it's only 9:20 and I have some peace and quiet. That should give me some hope!

About us: Baby Boyd #2 was born in January, Lincoln Joseph. Gavin was such a good baby, I thought for sure I was in for it with the next one. But once again, God's grace is far more amazing that I could ever imagine and Lincoln is an absolute angel. He eats, plays and sleeps. (With very minimal crying in between) He started sleeping through the night at 2 1/2 months, without me trying to "train" him at all! WOW! Gavin loves his brother more than anything, and I already can see an amazing bond between them. Gavin is 5, and ready to start kindergarten in the fall. I can't believe how quickly life is passing by. Since Lincoln has arrived, I have really been able to enjoy the day to day moments.

Joe is beginning a new adventure, working for Tony Robbins as a Coaching Consultant. He is so excited to help people change their lives for the better, and I'm thrilled he has a job he will (hopefully!) enjoy. We both feel peace about this change and excited to what the future has for him.

Yesterday Gavin was helping me make meatballs for dinner. He was a little apprehensive of mixing raw meat with his bare hands, but needless to say- he was a great helper. After we ate, he said "Mommy, thank you for making dinner!" Me: "You are very welcome Gavin" Pause. Gavin: "Aren't you forgetting something....??" Me: "Thank you for helping me!" Gavin just smiled.