Happy belated New Year!!

First...let's give a big shout out to my boys for the best Christmas gift ever-My iphone!! That will make blog entries easier.... As I reflect back on last year, I think everything and everyone we have been blessed with.

Just to name a few..

- Our Lord who is always present in good times and bad. He sacrificed hi life so we can live ours.

- Prayer and how much closer our family is because of it

-my husband and sons., I love that I am able to spend everyday with them and when they are at school- they are just as loved by their teachers

- our family .. who never cease to support us with love and prayer, even those who live afar

- my sister and best friend
- our friends...who inspire me as hard workers, mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses....the list could go on
Could go on forever

Here are a few pics from their New Years eve

Mom,dad, Bridget and joe took boys to waffle house and did firecrackers . They were great babysitters so Brett and I could hang out with friends...

Popcorn parties!

This update has one of my favorites.. plus a little update on the boys and what we've been doing around town since it's been beautiful..

I will start with my favorite!

For the last couple of weeks, Keegan has been phasing out his naps. It's bittersweet..and I think all you Mommies know why.. But, instead of naps.. Keegs and I will sit with bowls of popcorn.. tell stories, play games, read books.. or most days watch an "oldie but goodie" episode of THOMAS the TANK ENGINE..
So, not having the quiet time to myself, with both boys napping VS. getting to make one of my fav things everyday...that's a toss-up...

So, here is how I make the yummiest all natural POPCORN in the world..

1. purchase the organic or natural popcorn kernels
2. Grab any pot with cover
3. For every 1/4 cup of kernels, I put 1 tbspoon of olive oil (you could use, coconut oil, canola oil, grape seed oil, veggie oil..)
4. Put kernels and oil in pot, cover with top, and turn on high
5. Cook until you hear no more kernels popping.

I serve Keegs with Spray butter and a sprinkle of salt.
Mine.. I add.. SALT, SPRAY BUTTER, PEPPER..

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

Now, for a little of how we've been enjoying the good weather..



Fun at our fav playground, Leeward!

Enjoying the Zoo

Thanks to Aunt Bridget... Daddy and I at the LSU - Auburn game...




We had an incredible DINNER WITH THE COUSINS a few weeks ago.. We merged the Miciotto and Tonores... and everyone had a great time! Can't wait to do it again!!!

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Wine on my mind... a few more I love..

-   HESS - Cabernet - This is a great tasting wine that is also affordable... between $10-15...  According to the winemaker.. "Earthy flavors enhance the fruit flavors in this wine, especially with foods such as herb roasted chicken, grilled pork, caramelized onions, eggplant, sautéed greens, roasted potatoes  or vegetables and aged jack and Gouda cheese."

 

Winemaker goes on to say.. ".... full-bodied wine with rich flavors of blackberry and currant paste. Aging in American oak barrels for 16.5 months (25% new) brings a toasty nose of vanilla and nutmeg. "

  --- LA CREMA  - PINOT NOIR
This is a great Pinot with aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum.. and a little minty-ish.  This one would be a great one to bring to any holiday dinner...accompanies food and dessert very well. 



More Favorites... Oatmeal and pecans!

Ok.. here are a few more things that I love....and some good reasons why you should, too :)

 --- OATMEAL - To be completely honest, I think I go through at least a pound a week. I add oatmeal to everything. And, I get the raw, fresh, organic (if I happen to go to Whole Foods)..

     A few reasons why I love it!
     - tastes so yummy
     - A cup is only 130 calories..
     - High in fiber and protein, and low in fat (highest protein of any grain)
     - Gluten - free, and supposely my family has a history of being gluten senstive.. trying to be proactive.
    - protects against heart disease and cancer
   - protects against heart failure .. which also runs in the fam

  -   if you are nursing, it is said to help your supply ..

THINGS I SNEAK IT INTO...
 - Pancakes
 - Muffins (box mixes, too)
- I also put more oats into any oatmeal cookie recipe.. a little extra gives it a little more chew
- meatloaf
- yogurt... along with fruit and nuts
- homemade bread

Favorite really REALY healthy recipe..
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=7415526




---- PECANS

 For a while, I cooked with pecans all the time just because my parents were the "typical southern family" with a pecan tree in their front yard..and I HAVE bags and bags of them in the freezer..  Now, I do it for that reason and much more....



A few reasons why I love them

- They remind me of home
- They remind me of how lucky I am to be a southerner :)
    - They are yummy!
    - They supposely protect the mind..
   - Naturally-occurring antioxidants in pecans may help contribute to heart health and disease prevention
    -  19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc
   -  Sodium Free
   - Fats in pecans are heart healthy


A few things I sneak them in...

  -  Throw them in icecream
 - mix in yogurt
 - mix in any cookie I make
 - instead of anything breaded.. I crush pecans and use that as the coating..
 - mix in breads (pumpkin, banana, apple)
- mix in muffins
 - crumble on top of brownies..
 - decorate cakes with them
-- use in about any dish for Thanksgiving.. best with sweet potatoes..

Lately....Football, Tractors, Cotton, ...and such...

We've been busy getting back to school, traveling to PA,  Keegan to Monroe, and hanging out with friends.

I wanted to post pics from an ExxonMobil family day where Keegan rode his first rollercoaster and other rides...I seemed to me more afraid than he is.. I use to think he was my cautious one..but, that changed at some point.

Starting from a few weeks ago.. here are some pics from a day at Blue Bayou for Exxonmobil day..



This was a dream come try for them... they had a blast!



Keegan's first coaster.. he was a pro!




Keegan finally agreeing to ride the horses that go up and down and Conner holding on for dear life..





Just a shot of the boys before they went to school.. it was gameday for the Tigers..



And, off we went to PA. Brett, myself, and Conner heading up to Reading, PA for a visit with the family, then, that weekend ... Brett and I went to Penn State, while Conner spent quality time with his Grammy and Poppy.
Conner had so much fun and we couldn't thank Brett's parents enough for giving us time to go to State College to spend a incrediable time with our friends..
Here are a few shots from the week and weekend....

Meanwhile in MONROE... Keegan was...

PICKING COTTON

ENJOYING THE HUNTING CAMP WITH NANAW AND PAPAW

FEELING WAY TOO COMFORTABLE IN CAMO

RIDING THE FOUR WHEELER AT THE CAMP

FINDING BABY DEER ANTLERS THAT HE BROUGHT IN FOR SHOW-N-TELL

DRIVING THE TRACTOR

GOING TO THE NEW CHUCK-E-CHEESE IN MONROE

HERDING SHELTIES

CLIMBING TREES

RIDING GO CARTS WITH PAPAW

EATING PEARS FROM MEME'S AND PAWPAW'S TREE

Cleaning up my Pantry

Ok..so, I am making some much needed changes to what I have stocked.. I recently watched a very frightening "Doctors" episode while on the treadmill.. and I convinced myself I need to watch a little more of what I am feeding the boys (all Three) and myself. let's start with some of my changes, and move on to the boys.. they'll put up more of a fight :)

A few Changes to begin with...

-----So, let's start with what I start my day off with everyday.. COFFEE

So, I have been drinking about 2 cups of Folgers everyday.. I have been wanting to make a switch to something more natural/organic.. but, everything I saw in stores was so expensive.
Recently on a girls' trip, we stopped at TARGET and purchased  the Seattle's Best Organic Fair Trade Coffee.. It was so good, and, bonus, it was marked down to $3/package. Apparently, if it gets anywhere near the use by date , they mark it down.

 ------ Creamer. Embarrassed to say, I had been using the powdered cream.. and after looking at the ingredients, and seeing it didn't have any sort of milk product, I knew I needed to make a change. So, I splurged adn bought Horizon Organic in Vanilla. It actually wasn't that expensive, and it doesn't take a lot to flavor my coffee.

Hot Day at the Zoo

I admit it, I was desperate for something to do after school last week... So, the boys and I drove out to the zoo.. prepared with lots of water and cool snacks. Drove up, and thought they were closed.. only about 3 cars in the lot. The person at the check out desk looked at me like I didn't get the memo. Whatever.. let's see if they can get creative inside after 3 months indoors..

Ok.. so, here are a few shots..


Conner was questioning this whole zoo visit in the 90 degree weather at this point..




keegan didn't let the heat get to him... he still had a blast!



my boys weren't phased by the tiger jumping up right against the glass in front of them. I mean, not even a flinch. This is probably because they have been to this exhibit since they were little bitty. I would like to think they would at least run if they encountered one in the real world :)



keegan thought this was the coolest thing. i was giving him branches off of the bushes to feed them. We haven't been back to the zoo to see if they survived all the random plants we fed them.



I figured since I was the last one a the zoo.. it would totally fine to go ahead and let them hop in the fountain. Oh, the little things. To be honest, I was about to dive in, myself.. It was brutal.