What's for dinner?

Yes, it yet another Mexican dish. 5 out of 7 dinners at our house are going to no doubt going to be Mexican dishes. This recipe just might top them all though...and I have David to thank. Er, well, Mens Journal really. And as always, it is cheap, easy and delicious!
Warning: This is SPICY so if you can't take a little heat, this dish is not for you!

Tacos Recalentados (Makes 8)
1 Small Onion, sliced
1 Garlic Clove, chopped
2 tbsp Olive Oil
2 cups shredded roasted chicken (or if you are real cheap like me, 2 cans of can chicken)
Kosher salt
1 Bay Leaf
13oz can of diced tomatoes
1 tbsp of roasted chipotle, chopped (from a can)
Flour Tortillas
Shredded Cheese
Sliced Avocado- this is KEY

Saute onion and garlic with olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes. Add salt, bay leaf, tomatoes and chipotle. Simmer for 5 minutes. Warm up tortillas, fill with chicken mixture, add cheese and avocado. Serve with Roasted Tomato Chipotle Salsa.

Roasted Tomato Chipotle Salsa
2 plum tomatoes, quartered
1 tbsp onion, chopped
1 garlic clove
1 serrano chili, seeded
2 tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt
Pepper
1/2 cup cilantro
1 tbsp chipotle (from a can)
1 tbsp sherry vinegar

Heat oven to 350 and toss tomatoes, onion, garlic and chili in roasting pan with olive oil, salt and pepper. Cover with aluminum foil and roast for 30 minutes. In the food processor pulse the roasted tomatoes mixture with the remaining ingredients.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Emily

The baby girl is not a baby anymore. I must keep telling myself that...she is in a regular bed, she is almost potty trained, she is drinking from a cup, etc, etc- all the things that remind me she isn't a baby. Here are a few pictures from the fun filled birthday weekend!

  

A little fun with friends at the Cool Shark 5K. Seriously these girls look like they could be sisters. 

Especially Ruthie and Em (far left)!

Cinderella made an appearance at Emily's Princess Party too! 

That girl is crazy about some dress up.

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Emily Eloise.

9 years strong

We celebrated a little early this year with a trip to the mountains- hiking, horseback riding, spa treatments, tour of a vineyard-  the perfect way to unwind and reflect on the last nine years of our marriage. Thank you Groupon Getaways! Curling up in front of the fireplace with an Irish Creme was heaven. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty, but the kiddos were with their grandparents and having a blast so everyone was happy! 

Can't believe it has been 9 years already.

Happy Anniversary David!

Christmas Morning

I almost can't sleep on Christmas Eve. So much excitement in giving gifts! Here are a few shots from the morning.  

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Service at Wesley. One of my favorite. 

Must also mention that David, John and Josh did a hysterical rendition of Christmas Time by the Chipmunks during the children's time at the service. Helium and all. Priceless. 

 Sam is the only one that will take a picture for me these days without serious bribing.

 All three of my munchkins. Emily's dress was actually mine when I was her age. So fun to pull out old treasures that my mom made almost 30 years ago.

Couldn't get the whole family to pose but this will do! 

Christmas Festivities

We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas spent with family and friends. 

I think Grandmother & Papa just might have had more fun decorating the gingerbread house than the kids did!

Cousin Christmas party at the park did not disappoint either... especially followed by a hot dog at ZuZu's and a treat from Yobe. We went back to Yobe on Christmas Eve too and thankfully the boys listened to me the second time around and chose wisely with their yogurt toppings. The first visit they wouldn't even eat their yogurt creation, nor could I since they piled it up with gummy worms, chocolate sauce, cookie dough, sprinkles etc. Disgusting.

Aunt C showed out too with a Cookie Decorating Party! Sam must have decorated 5 cookies...I think he ate almost all of them too.

 Emily was more interesting in the toppings. And Eli wasn't even available for a picture, he was too busy working up a sweat in the backyard.

A Christmas Story

This week is just full of Christmas Traditions! One of my favorites being the Christmas Program at Sam's Montessori. This year he was the shepherd and his good friend Elizabeth was the angel. I was so scared he was going to knock someone out with that staff!