A-ward Winning Chili

Ok, so I guess my chili recipe won the grand prize at our Ward Chili Cook-off last Saturday. I knew it was good, but I didn't expect to win since I'm on the Activities committee and kind of helped come up with the idea. Anyway, I'm glad so many people liked it, but I just wish I hadn't made a fool of myself when they asked me to say a few words from the microphone. I think I mentioned something about everyone being gassy because of all the beans we had eaten... embarrassing!

Anyway, here's the recipe if anyone wants it:

White Chicken Chili

½ stick butter
¼ cup flour
¾ cup chicken broth
2 cups half and half
1 ½ tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
2 small cans diced green chilies
3 cans Great Northern beans (Bush brand are best)
1 cup diced cooked chicken
½ onion, chopped and sautéed
1 ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese
sour cream for topping (optional)

In a large stockpot, melt the butter and then wisk in flour. Gradually add broth and cream and bring to a low boil over med heat until thick. Wisk constantly so it won’t burn. Turn the heat down to low and stir in the seasonings. Then add the rest of the ingredients and turn the heat back up to medium to heat through. If desired, top with a dollop of sour cream.

West Salem High School Cheer Camp

As an extension of her birthday, Sarah went to a little cheerleader day camp at the high school. She had a great time and was relieved to see a friend from her class, Maddie, also there so she didn't have to be nervous. There were actually several girls from her class and from our ward there. It was pretty hilarious watching the routine that they learned. By the looks if it, I'm not sure many of the girls were actually paying attention to the instruction. I guess the point is that they had fun, right?

Jacob and Grace liked hanging out in the bleachers for awhile. Why is it so hard...

to get both kids to look at the camera...

and smile at the same time?

February 6, 2009 - Sarah's 6th Birthday

I helped out in Sarah's class yesterday (her b-day) and she thought that was pretty special. I brought some treats for her to pass out to the kids in her class. The funniest thing was that as soon as we walked into the classroom, several of the children started wishing her a happy birthday and she looked up at me surprised that they would know that, until one of the kids reminded her that she's been telling them everyday for the past week that it was going to be her birthday on Friday. She is such a character.

This is Sarah with her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Feltz.

We played it pretty low key. I wasn't too excited about having a bunch of kids over for a party in our apartment, but we did invite a few families over for cake and ice cream so that was nice. So here's some video footage of singing and blowing out the candles.

She is such a sweetheart. I love you, Sarah! Happy Birthday!

Now you see it...

Now you don't!Right after I posted that Sarah had her first loose tooth, I looked over and it had fallen out and she was holding it in her hand. Now she can't decide if she wants to give it the tooth fairy or not. She keeps asking how much she pays. Is that a bad sign?

Back to being a single mom...

Thought I would post some recent photos of the kids. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. We sure enjoyed having Shawn around full time for a whole month. Shawn started back to school on Monday, so it's back to being a single mom. I love it though. The kids and I do have a lot of fun, and it helps to have a routine to follow.

Some exciting news though: Sarah has her 1st loose tooth. She asks me at least 20 times a day when I think it will come out. That's driving me a little crazy.

And Jacob is potty training and doing really well (don't worry, I won't include a picture of that). I've had 2 kids in diapers for almost 2 years and I can't tell you how nice it is to only have one now.

Nutracker Ballet

We had a girls afternoon with my mom, sisters and our daughters on Saturday. We went to lunch at a Mexican place downtown and then went to the Northwest Ballet production of the Nutracker Ballet at the Washington Center in Olympia. We had a wonderful time and my favorite quote came from Claire immediately following the show, "That was WAY better than last year." After which Liz whispered to me, "It was exactly the same." I hope we can make this an annual Christmas tradition.

Grace's must have accessory...

For the last couple of days, the first thing she wants to do when she wakes up is put on her sunglasses. And she pretty much keeps them on all day. I have to insist that she remove them to sleep, and she gets very upset about that. Do I really have to endure another drama queen daughter? Thanks a lot, mom.