Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup

Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup

4 quarts of chicken broth

1 rotisserie chicken, pulled off the bone and shredded

drippings from rotisserie chicken

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

2 stalks of celery, finely chopped

1 large handful of chopped fresh parsley

8-12oz of egg noodles

Combine all of the ingredients in a large soup pot and bring to a boil.  Reduce to low, cover, and simmer for one hour.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Fun day at the park

Today was a beautiful day, so we got McDonald's and went to the park for a picnic.  We spent several hours eating, walking around, and playing on the playground.  It was so much fun being able to spend time together as a family!

Big bite!

Happy with my McDonald's!

Happy Meals make happy babies!

Da throwing rocks and chunks of ice out onto the frozen pond...

...much to the delight of Moose!

If you look carefully you can see all the little cracks in the ice from our throwing fun!

Baby escaping down the slide...got him by the ankles!

Who is that baby?

Fun in the tunnel with Da!

Moose with a new friend he met at the playground.

Mommy and Moose

Da supervising Moose on the climbing rocks.  He made it all the way up by himself!

Moose thought this spinning toy was amazing!

Back in the car and tuckered out.

Banana Split

Tonight Moose had his first banana split with his Mommy and Grandpa.  I cut up a banana for him, put some vanilla ice cream on top, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.  He was in love with the taste of it.  After his first bite he started clapping to show his appreciation for such a delicious dessert!

Thanksgiving pictures

We spent a lovely day out with my parents at their place.  We started the morning off with a 3 mile walk with a bunch of the neighbors.  Then Moose had a blast playing with the dogs and showing off for Grandma and Grandpa.  We ate an absolutely delicious dinner and then had it again later in the evening.  Yum!  After it got dark Moose stayed inside with his grandparents while Branden and I went outside to put up Christmas lights on the house for my Mom and Dad.  I didn't get a picture, but they turned out really pretty!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope all of you did, too!

Moose with Jazz and Picker

Picker had just given him a kiss!

Walking and pushing his tractor.

Group effort pushing the tractor!

Branden with our precious Picker

The most amazing dog that has ever lived...Jazz!

Workin' on the tractor.

Mommy and Moosey

Showing off how he can walk.

One word.  Delicious!

Moose agrees that Thanksgiving dinner was amazing!

Look how big I am!

Darling little snowman jammies!

Busy little helper!

Moose had a busy day today.  He went shopping with his grandparents and Mama.  While riding in the car on the way, we were laughing at my Mom over something she said.  Moose was listening and suddenly burst into his little laugh.  Then laughed even more when we started laughing at him.  He loves to show off!

This evening he was getting into everything while waiting for Da to get home.  I wanted to start a load of laundry, but he was pulling clothes out as fast as I was putting them in.  He was sure he was being very helpful!

He finally tired of the laundry game and went over to pull things out of the cupboards.  He pulled my cupcake Tupperware out, and sat in it.  Then he drug his toy house over and sat in the Tupperware while playing with the house.  He was extremely happy with how clever he was!

When Branden got off work he called me to let me know he'd be home in a few minutes.  I have a special ringtone for Branden, and somehow Moose must know it's for Da.  As soon as the phone started ringing, Moose got a huge smile on his face and yelled "DA!!!"  Then happily repeated "Da, Da, Da" during my entire conversation.  It's so sweet how much he loves his Daddy!

Just for fun, here's a little video of Moose eating dinner tonight.  He was enjoying his broccoli and mashed potatoes!

Tomorrow we are heading out to my parents house for Thanksgiving.  Moose is going to hang out with Grandma while Branden, my Dad, and I go to an annual 3 mile walk near their house.  We are going to take two of the dogs, too.  When we get home we intend to stuff ourselves with Thanksgiving dinner, then put up Christmas lights at their house, then eat again!  Branden has to work all day Friday and Saturday, so Moose and I are going to spend one or two nights with my parents.  It'll be a mini-vacation!  I'm looking forward to it, and I know Moose will love having more people around to show off to!  In case I don't get a chance to blog tomorrow, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Sympathetic Moose

A couple of mornings ago I was feeling nauseated from morning sickness, and was gagging a little bit.  Moose was nearby, but I was distracted and not paying attention to him.  Branden yelled down the stairs "He's copying you!" and sure enough, Moose was sitting next to me making the exact same gagging sound as I was.  It was absolutely adorable!  I guess Moose gets "sympathy morning sickness."  This could get interesting! :)

Birthday!

Today is Branden's birthday as well as mine!  November is birthday month for us, since Moose's birthday is also in November.  Poor "little thing" is going to be born in July, though, and will not be part of birthday month. :)  It'll be fun to have a summer birthday to celebrate though, as we can do outside things!

Last night we went to a nice dinner with my parents, brother, and sister in law to celebrate our birthday.  It was a lot of fun!  Branden and my brother nearly ate themselves sick, as it's an all you can eat meat place.  Very much a "guy place" I think!

This morning Moose woke up with a cough, so he and I are spending a quiet day at home while Branden is at work.  He was up bright and early this morning for about 1 1/2 hours.  I gave him some baby Benadryl in his bottle after breakfast, and he was down for the count.  The Benadryl must have helped, because I didn't hear him cough or sniffle once the entire time he was asleep.  He slept for almost 6 hours, and I finally woke him up as I wanted him to at least see the sunlight today.  He got up and had a late lunch, and right away he started burrowing his face into his blankie on the floor.  Apparently he was still tired, so back to the crib he went and is sound asleep again.  I think the fact he sleeps so well and so much is the reason he rarely gets sick, and when he does, he gets better really quickly.  He's a strong little guy!

I took some pictures of him eating his oatmeal this morning.  Somehow he managed to get it all over his face, including on his eyelid.  It was quite entertaining!  Also, aren't his snowman pajamas adorable?  My Mom got them for him, and I really like them.  They are Gerber blanket sleepers, and are softer than other sleepers we've gotten in the past.  Plus, it's really easy to get his feet down in them, and they seem warmer and thicker.  Gerber blanket sleepers get two thumbs up from me and Moose!

Tonight we are picking up Jersey Mike's subs (yummy!) for dinner.  We each got a coupon for a free sub and drink (birthday), which is a great deal.  We've been spoiled with a free dinner at Huhot,  free subs, free meal at Rodizio's, free meal from Noodles and Company, free body wash from Sephora, and tomorrow we are each getting a free burger from Ruby Tuesday.  It really pays to be born on the same day, and get to use those coupons at the same time!  It's a very happy birthday for us! :)

After dinner tonight we drove up to Horsetooth Lake to look at the city lights.  It was beautiful!  (See my silhouette?)

Easy Beef Stew

I made this the other night, and it was delicious.  It was also really easy, and as a bonus, Moose loved it.  All of this combined makes this a keeper of a recipe!

Easy Beef Stew

1lb beef stew meat

16 ounces of beef broth (or 1 large can)

1/2 tablespoon garlic seasoning

1 envelope onion soup mix

10 oz can cream of mushroom soup

2 medium potatoes, cubed

8 oz of carrots, cut up

1/2 cup of celery, chopped

Combine all the ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours. Very good served with French bread.

Walking to Da!

 Branden came home for lunch today.  The weather is beautiful, so Moose and I waited for him outside.  Moose practiced his walking, and when Da arrived he was eager to show off his skills.

Walking to Da!

I love his big step in this picture!

Our new "two babies will fit perfectly" vehicle!

Moose is going to be a big brother!

We are so excited to announce that I am pregnant!  Moose may not understand it just yet, but I know he is going to love being a big brother!  Our baby is due July 26.  We can't wait for our little family to become a family of 4!

Silly, spying baby!

Today my Mom came over to have lunch with me and Moose.  Moose didn't like it one bit when she went into the bathroom and left him outside.  He was trying his hardest to catch a glimpse of Grandma or at least reach his little hand in.  It was really adorable watching from the outside, and the picture I took from inside the bathroom of his little hand reaching under the door is precious as well!

Christmas lights are up!

Today we had a fun day together as a family.  We went shopping, drove around town a little bit and looked at houses, and of course, had to stop for Subway.  Moose polished off his entire sandwich again, despite having a Pediasure just an hour before.  We also discovered that he loves pickles.  All by themselves.  He is a strange child!

Having fun with Da!

Later this evening we had hot wings and got Moose put to bed.  Then it was time to put up our Christmas lights and do some of the inside decorating for Christmas.  We lined all of the windows with lights, as well as the overhang in the front.  We are waiting a while to get our Christmas tree, as I am pretty sure Moose is going to be fascinated with it, and try to do it all sorts of harm. :)  I took a couple pictures of our outside lights.  They are a little bit fuzzy, but you can get the general idea.  I am so excited we have our lights up!!  Also, playing Christmas music all the time in the house has officially commenced.  Yay Christmas!!

The front of our place.  Notice our little snow man by the door!

View from the back. There is another snow man, but you can't see him well.

Very tired little boy!

Moose and I spent a fun afternoon with my Mom and Beth.  We went out to lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon shopping.  We were in Target for quite a while, and Moose was interested in things but not overly so.  We went down the toddler toy aisle, and I told Mom and Beth to watch what happens (he always does the same thing in this aisle).  He got big eyes when he saw the toys, and started doing his "whoo whoo whoo" excited sound.  It was adorable!   I am going to try to get a video of him doing it soon.  I love how excited he gets, and the cute little sounds he makes.

We went to several other stores and didn't get home until after dark.  He was such a little trooper about all the shopping.  He enjoyed his afternoon out with the girls!  However, when we got home the poor little guy was completely whooped.  He sprawled out on the floor with his blankie, and just laid there.  He managed to rouse himself enough to eat the fish and peas I made him for dinner, but immediately afterward I took him up to his crib and he feel asleep right away.  Branden and I went in to check on him a little while ago, and he was sprawled out like a little starfish.  So completely sweet and adorable!

So tired.

I think I will just lay here for a while.

Subway

Lately Branden and I have been eating a lot of Subway.  We love it!  On Tuesday Moose had his first kid's size Subway turkey sandwich.  He loved it and ate the entire thing!  I foresee a lot more Subway sandwiches in his future!