Meal of the Month - June

Feeling like Mexican food tonight?  These exquisite Chicken Enchiladas are a great new twist on an old idea.  These are always a regular on our menu.  We made them this month for Gerald's parents, but I forgot to take pictures - SORRY!

Chicken Enchiladas

• 1 package of tortillas
• 2-3 chicken breasts
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 to 1 1/2 c. sour cream
• grated cheese
• 1 1/2 c. salsa

Cook the chicken breasts until shred-able.  (I put them in my crock pot for the day with a little water, but you can also boil them.)  Shred the chicken using two forks.  Mix the soup, sour cream, and salsa together in a mixing bowl.  Stir the shredded chicken into the mixture.  Roll the mixture and some grated cheese into each tortilla as desired.  Leave out some sauce and cheese for the end.  After all the tortillas are rolled, spread the remaining sauce mixture evenly on the tortillas.  Top with the remaining cheese.  Makes 8 - 12 enchiladas - about one 9 x 13 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 45 minutes.

These restaurant style Black Beans taste great on the side.

• 1 can black beans
• 1/3 c. tomato juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 2 T. oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 T. chopped cilantro

Heat the oil, cumin and garlic.  Throw in the rest and heat until warm.  Serve.

Finally, for dessert, serve this easy and scrumptious Fried Ice Cream.

• 3 1/2 c. cinnamon life cereal, crushed
• 1 c. coconut
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. pecans
• 1/2 c. butter, melted
• 1/2 gallon ice cream (I prefer vanilla)

Mix all the ingredients except the ice cream.  Sprinkle about 1/2 of the mixture on the bottom of a sheet cake pan.  Cut the ice cream into thin slabs and place on top of the sprinkled mixture.  Sprinkle the remaining cereal mixture on top of the ice cream.  Freeze or serve immediately.

And, for your viewing pleasure, here are a few photos of the most enthusiastic cook in the house!

Look at those cute little hands...

While I Was Talking

The other day Katelee and I went outside to play and visit for a few minutes.  Katelee was wearing jeans and a T-shirt and summer sandals when we left our house.  I got talking to a few of my friends for a minute, and suddenly wondered aloud where Katelee was.  Just then Katelee came walking out of the Pfunder house, dressed like this:

The entire transformation must have taken less than five minutes.  Not to mention that she probably was not invited into the house (maybe Reagan invited her inside...maybe not).  Sorry, Pfunder family.  But thank you for making all of Katelee's dreams come true, at least for a few minutes.

Oh, dear.

Good-bye to Utah Adventures, Week 2

Last week we visited the Thanksgiving Point Gardens.  They were absolutely exquisite.  It was a beautiful evening and we had a wonderful time.  

A couple nights later we also visited Cafe Rio.  Did you know there is no Cafe Rio in the state of Colorado?  It's almost enough to make us reconsider our decision...  ;) 

Our Latest Thrill

You know how kids are when they suddenly discover something new in the world, and they become slightly obsessed with that new discovery?  Katelee did that when she first learned to pull herself up and stand on her own two wobbly legs.  She was so thrilled with her new talent that whenever I would lay her in her crib, she would immediately pull herself up into a standing position.  The only problem with that was that she couldn't get back down by herself.  Nap times were interesting for a little while. 

She became a little obsessive again when she first learned to crawl and walk, amongst other things.  It is exciting as a parent to be able to share in all of Katelee's new discoveries.  It makes old things truly feel fresh and wonderful again.

This week Katelee made a new discovery.  She learned how to take pictures with our digital camera.  I know - it's not a huge developmental step, such as standing or crawling.  But she is obsessed.  She asks me every day all day long if she can take pictures.  If only her new talent didn't involve carrying around a very important and very expensive part of our lives...  But I have still let her take pictures a few times while supervised.  I was shocked today when I downloaded the pictures to the computer to find that Katelee had indeed taken 154 pictures!  Wow.  Maybe we'll be asking Santa for a kid digital camera for Christmas, do you think?

Anyway, as you might expect, of the 154 pictures, most of them were only worthy of the trash bin.  (Wow!  ANOTHER picture of the carpet.  Brilliant!)  But I kept some for fun.  I really like all her 'self portrait' pictures that shoot straight up the nose.  Here are just a few for your personal enjoyment.

Hey, and this shot's not bad...

Oh, Katelee, I sincerely hope with all my heart that you never lose your enthusiasm for the new things in life.  Thanks for reminding me to find joy and excitement in the little things.

Flashback Friday

My husband, the boy scout.  Isn't he cute?

Friends

Jake and Carson are two neighbor boys that Katelee has literally grown-up with since birth. While they were over at our house recently I snapped a few pictures.  Katelee always wants to play with Jake and Carson.  She will sure miss them when we leave!

Fun on the Farm

Today I'm thinking in rhymes.  

Beware: lame poetry below.  You have been warned.

Last week we went to Wheeler's Farm,

A historical spot with lots of charm.

It was interesting, fun, and so pretty,

But the best part is it was completely free!

We went with my high school friend, Ashlie,

And her daughters: McKadie -

(what cute names!) - and Sadie,

and of course, I was with Katelee.

We fed the ducks bread by the ton,

Katelee squealed, "This is SO much fun!"

We watched them swim and fly and eat;

Kate loved their feathers and their feet.

We saw horses, cows, and baby pigs,

And fluffy chicks that were not very big,

And chickens and geese and roosters galore,

And goats and calves and so much more!

The kids climbed and played on the gnarled trees,

And ate a snack while enjoying the breeze.

They watched the river go rushing past,

Collected sticks and feathers they hoped would last.

At the end of our exciting day,

We took a ride for which we did pay.

Our wagon was pulled by a tractor green,

And all the sights were once again seen.

Thank you, Ashlie, for having us come

And spend this fun day with you in the sun!

Katelee loves her newly-made friends,

We're sad this day had to come to an end.

Tickling the Ivories

Katelee's new favorite toy is this keyboard I bought for my piano studio.  She has learned how to get the percussion rhythms going and change the sounds, and she loves to play away!  We've had it for awhile now and the novelty hasn't seemed to wear away yet.  I love that she likes to have fun with music!

What a beautiful smile!

Hmmm...How about I try the harmonica?

Look at those fingers fly!

I love Katelee's beautiful eyes.

Happy Father's Day!

Gerald is Katelee's 

prince charming

super hero

expert on everything

cowboy

listener

partner in crime

confidante

storyteller

playmate

and best friend  

all rolled into one perfect daddy.

What more could any girl ask for?

Thank you for being an amazing dad, Gerald. I love you so much!

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

Especially to my dad, who is still and always will be my hero.

And to Gerald's dad, who taught him by example how to be such 

a great father in the first place.

We love you.

Flashback Friday

This pictures was taken on my birthday (May) 2001.

This was my sophomore year of college.

Just looking at this picture makes me miss my old roommates so much!

From left to right is: Gerald, Robin, ?, Annette, Emily, Cat, Me, and Geoff.  

Sorry, I can't remember Emily's cousin's name.

I'm so glad that Gerald and his brother Geoff will forever be a part of my life.

I would love to get back in touch with some of these other girls.  

If any of you who read this blog know how to get in touch with them, let me know!

Fowers Family Reunion!

Last Saturday we attended the Fowers extended family reunion. It was a lot of fun to see everyone and visit for awhile. There were a lot of fun activities to do!  

Fish pond for the kids.  Katelee probably went 'fishing' a dozen times!  She loved it!  

Parachute games (which explains yesterday's random pictures).  It's been awhile since I played with a parachute; it really is a lot of fun!

Playing with one of her prizes from the 'fish pond.'

People visiting and eating the delicious BBQ lunch.

The candies that decorated the tables.  In case you can't tell, the candies say 'Fower Power,' 'Scott's Hot!' and 'Fowers Rock!'  I thought these were really clever and funny!

(Scott is Gerald's cousin who planned the reunion this year.)

Playing dodge ball.

Thanks for a fun day, Fowers family!

Randomness

Now THAT'S a dancing dress.

More explanation to come...

My Favorite Brother

Today I was packing up some old photo albums, and ran across these pictures of me with my very favorite brother, Tyler.  They made me laugh.  He is so excited in these pictures, can't you tell?  ;) And, as today happens to be Tyler's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TYLER!) I decided to post them.

We were on Temple Square when these pictures were taken, waiting for the Christmas lights to be lit.  It was cold.  And crowded.  But still lots of fun!

Love you little brother!  Have a great day!

Good as New!

Katelee got her cast off Wednesday!

It was loud and scary, but she was very brave.

Her little arm looks perfect and beautiful.

Can you see the beautiful rainbow over our cul-de-sac in these pictures?

It was a beautiful day of hope and renewal.

Love you girl!