CABO Meeting/Vaca

Last week, James and I headed with the our friends, Brett and Kate to Cabo San Lucas. 

Our purpose was two fold, dental meetings and RELAXATION

arrival, very happy for some R&R

We stayed at a resort called Las Ventanas al Paraiso, definitely one of the nicest places we have ever been

Every meal was a feast...shrimp tacos the first day lunch

Margarita anyone?!

before dinner, so much fun getting to travel with the Woods, we have very similar vaca styles :)

My husband was in cerveza heaven

we enjoyed this private cabana one afternoon

Cheers! Don't worry Kate and I were tame

One of my favorite parts of any vacation is breakfast in your room or in this case, on your patio. Something about wearing your bathrobe as you enjoy fresh pastries and coffee is heavenly. 

banana french toast

The resort was stunning at night....think candles, twinkling lights, etc. everywhere

One highlight was the authentic Mexican Fiesta night on the beach...

it was gorgeous....an example of how detailed this resort is is that they landscape the sand. every morning all the sand is freshly raked and sculpted to say something or for decorative purpose. you can't really tell in this picture but they had "steps" in the sand that led to our table. also fire pits in the sand...

Desserts, I might have tried everyone :)

pots with all different Mexican dishes...my favorites were the shrimp and chorizo and rice

the night was completed with flamingo dancers and a mariachi band

James, me, and 14 weeks Baby O #3

Good Morning Cabo

One of the best parts of the trip was the weather...80 and sunny every day

Another cool thing was it was whale season, and we saw whales right off the beach multiple times a day. They would blow this horn and that meant look up, a whale is jumping!

14 weeks and 13 weeks,  respectively 

Brett took James on a fishing trip to try to catch a big game fish (one of his bucket list items)

They BOTH caught stripped Marlin and were very happy campers. Above is James's fish

they said these seals would swim up to the back of your boat and beg for food

The only negative to the vacation was three of us (excluding James) had a stomach bug for a day...not sure if it was something we ate or something we took with us as ALL of Selma, including my two had it this past week. (by the way BIG THANKS to Pie and Pal for not only babysitting, but babysitting kiddos with the stomach bug)

If you ever need any information or have any questions on the resort or Cabo in general, please ask!

THREE

 My favorite buddy Lane turned three last week.

He was so proud that he understood he was "THWEE"

I hate that this is so blurry, but Holden wanted to give him the biggest birthday hug (moments that are rare, but cherished)

choc choc donut breakfast

such a big boy

He got so embarassed by all of the attention when we sang to him

so he had to pause to hug his daddy :)

We got to celebrate with the Osborn fam on Thursday at Chuck E. Cheese in Decatur...I was not sure about how the boys would like Chuck E Cheese, but the LOVED it (well except for the mouse)!

Uncle Michael helped with all of the games

Lane adores Dee, and they has so much fun playing

too bad this is blurry, because you can't really appreciate the hysterics

And finally, the last THREE announcement

                        

We are so excited Baby O #3 will arrive the first of September.

I am eleven weeks and feeling great! 

VERY THANKFUL AND BLESSED!

Snow Day

We were very excited about the snow that came to town...

well maybe not the husband

Their "it's cold" faces

see that little snow nugget in the back? It was his first snow, and he had a ball...

We headed over the Jones fam's house to play on their hill...here I am with Kristen and baby Oliver who is due in 2 weeks!!!

Central Alabama's version of sleighs

It was a fun day for kids and adults!!

Thankful that we were expecting it, so everything closed down in time for safety...thoughts and prayers to all of my Birmingham friend who got stuck and stranded away from their family...

Stay Warm Soup

We had this for dinner last night via Pioneer Woman, Hamburger Soup (thanks Tyne for the suggestion). It was a hit with the boys. Thought I would share in case ya'll need some warm inspiration on this cold snowy day. It currently is sleeting in Selma, and the snow is suppose to start in a few hours.

via Pioneer Woman

Hamburger Soup

Prep Time:

 15 Minutes

 

Cook Time:

 30 Minutes

 

Difficulty:

 Easy

 

Servings:

 12

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 pounds Ground Chuck
• 1 whole Large Onion, Diced
• 2 stalks Celery, Diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 can (14.5 Ounce) Can Whole Tomatoes
• 3 cups Beef Stock Or Beef Broth, Plus More As Needed
• 1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
• 4 whole Carrots, Peeled And Sliced On The Diagonal
• 5 whole Red Potatoes, Cut Into Chunks
• 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt (more To Taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, More To Taste
• 2 teaspoons Dried Parsley Flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (more To Taste)

Preparation Instructions

In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the meat with the onion, celery, and garlic. Remove the pot from the heat and drain off as much fat as you can. (Discard the fat once it cools.)

Return the pot to the heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, then cover the pot and simmer the soup for 15-20 more minutes, until potatoes are tender but not overly mushy.

Soup should be somewhat thick, but if you'd like it to be more "soupy," add 1 to 2 cups more broth OR hot water and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt if needed.

Serve with crusty bread!

Happy Snow Day!

Box Mix Recipes

I love to bake. I have since my Aunt Meg taught me how to make oatmeal cookies when I was five.  I love it still...the measuring, mixing, and of course tasting. It is the one are that I feel like I slow down and enjoy the process. Now that being said, sometimes you need a dessert quick. Last minute dinner party, friend coming over for coffee, husband wanting a warm sweet before bed (think food people!)
These are a couple of my favorite, "box mix recipes". Easy to pull out and put together, but still a little more than just the mix.

Chocolate Pudding Cake (via my friend Maggie, via her friend Michelle)

pic via internet

1 yellow cake mix (pudding in the middle)
1 small box of instant chocolate pudding
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup chocolate chips 
1/2 cup butterscotch chips (I use peanut butter because I heart peanut butter chips)

Mix all except chips, then add chips.  Bake at 350 in bundt pan for
45-50 minutes.  Cool 1 1/2 hours or more.  Flip it out and sprinkle
w/powdered sugar.
***The only negative to this cake, is that it is sooo moist it sticks to the pan very easily. To help prevent this, I always double butter/flour the pan and let it cool after for HOURS. Even if it sticks a bit, you can cover with plenty of powdered sugar :)

Chocolate Toffee Trifle

picture via internet

I might have shared this one before as it is my nephew Sam's favorite. 
2 boxes of brownie mix
1 large box of chocolate pudding mix
heavy whipping cream, vanilla, sugar to make whipped cream (don't know measurements, I just eye ball and taste)
1 bag of toffee chips
Bake brownies according to instructions, allow to cool and then break up in bite size pieces. Make pudding and whipped cream. 
Assemble trifle: brownie, pudding, whipped cream, toffee pieces. Then repeat.
I like it best after 4+ hours in the fridge.

Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies
 (I also like the straight up cake mix cookies, which is very similar and I'm sure most of you have in your arsenal)

1 box of yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/4 c. of unsalted butter (softened)
1/3 c. of water 
1 c peanut butter (I like crunchy)
1 to 2 c. milk chocolate chips
any chopped nut optional (sometimes I use 1c of nuts and 1 cup of chocolate chips or sometimes no nuts, so I increase the chips...whatever you are in the mood for!)
Preheat oven to 350. Cream, eggs, butter, water, and peanut butter together. Add cake mix, chips and nuts. Drop on cookie sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Don't overcook as the best part is the gooey middle. 


Cinnamon Coffee Cake (adapted from all recipes)

picture via internet

1 box of yellow cake mix
1 package of vanilla pudding mix
1 package of butterscotch pudding mix (I have used this and also left it out, not a big difference really)
4 eggs
1 cup of water
1 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup of chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan, or a 10 inch Bundt cake pan
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, and butterscotch pudding mix. Add the eggs, oil and water, mix until well blended. In another bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Pour half of the batter into the pan, spread evenly. Sprinkle with half of the nut mixture. Cover with the rest of the batter, and sprinkle with the rest of the nut mixture.
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then turn the oven down to 325 degrees F  and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes. *I have never done more than 35 minutes