Kason's First Pumpkin

John's sister Amanda has been growing a pumpkin in one of her flower beds all summer long.  It unexpectedly started growing, and we thought it would be fun to have Kason take pictures in the pumpkin patch... so we made her keep it.  One of the pumpkins is perfect size for Kason and it is starting to go bad on the bottom... So we picked it today and took picture of Kason with it.  They turned out GREAT!!!  I just love how they came out.  He did so good!!!  Thanks Aunt Man-Man for the pumpkin and helping get the poses. Enjoy!

This is probably my favorite

Holding one of Daddy's Milk Trucks

He has on Lance's cowboy boots from when Lance was a toddler.
They are still too big, but SOOO cute

John's dad bought him a knife and
cowboy hat when he was born.  The
hat finally fits!!

Doesn't he look like a baby George
Strait here.  He's so handsome.
I love this.

Here's another one of Lance's shirts
from when he was a baby.  This is
one that my dad gave me from his
auto store back in the day.

This one's for you dad. :)  So cute, thanks for the shirt.
I love it!

this just makes my heart melt.

Unexpected Day off WORK!!!

Well, I very unexpectedly took a day off work today.  So unexpected, I showed up to work... and then just left.  LOL.  I got to work and realized that I had left my computer at home (DANG IT!!)... then Kason has been having this eye "goo" and dry cough/sneeze going on for the last week so I finally decided to take him to the doctor.

He's fine... he's on the tail end of a virus (regular cold)... He's still happy go-lucky... just with green goo coming out of his eye.  He's napping now, he missed his morning nap because of the doctor's appointment.

So, in lieu of going back and forth to work three times today, I just took the day off.  It's actually been WONDERFUL!  So fun!  I got home and went on a 4 mile run, picked Kason up, went to the doctor, fed him, got him down for a nap, ate lunch w/ John, yada, yada, yada... all in all, good day so far.

I also cooked a noodle-less lasagna for dinner.  I wanted to share the recipe... It's baking now and smells SOOO YUMMY!!!  I can't wait to eat it for dinner.  I'm quite positive this is a dish that adults and children will both like, so you should try it.  It is pretty healthy (in moderation of course).

Zucchini, Spinach and Italian Turkey Sausage Lasagna (without Noodles)

Preheat your oven to 425

Mix: 8oz of onion and chive cream cheese, 15oz of Low Fat Ricotta Cheese, 1/2 cup chopped basil (fresh), 1 tsp salt.

Brown sausage

Slice (thinly) 4-5 zucchini's and sauté with 2 cloves garlic, add 10oz spinach (fresh or frozen will work), let wilt if you used fresh.

Layer zucchini mix, cheese mix, sausage, zucchini mix, cheese mix.  Sprinkle with Mozzarella.

Cover with sprayed foil.

Bake 30 minutes covered, Bake 5 minutes uncovered.

WA-LA!  Super easy, only takes about 20 minutes of prep-time.

Finally, add spouse, children, kitchen table and a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord and your sure to have a great evening!!!

Enjoy! Kason's awake, time to play!

Kason's into Baby Food!!!

I am so excited we are to the baby food stage!!  I love it!  I love the mess, the gagging, the smiles, the spoons.... and did I say the mess!  He is just so cute eating!!!

We have dappled into Rice Cereal, Oatmeal (his absolute favorite, like his mommy), Peas and Green Beans so far!

Rice Cereal!!!

Kenna feeding Kason oatmeal

mmmm... peas.  These took some getting used to.

I love real food!!!

LOL.. here's one where he's gagging.  I love this

Dad feeding me Green Beans

The other day, I read a startling article...  What is the #1 most eaten vegetable by 2 year olds (and probably older children)?........  French Fries!!!  Oh my gosh!!!  Why?  There are so many fabulous vegetables out there, why fried potatoes?  Look, I'm not saying that I don't like a thing of fries and a milk shake every now and then... I just don't want that to by my child's number one vegetable eaten.  His favorite "fry" will be baked sweet potato fries, I'm sure.  LOL.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE to make his baby food.  It's so easy, and INCREDIBLY inexpensive.  I bought a 2 dollar bag of peas the other day and it made the equivalent of 40-50 dollars of baby food.  For containers, I just bought the small Glad containers instead of the traditional baby food containers.  Most baby food containers at $10 for 4 small containers.  You can get 8 of the same size glad containers for $2.50.  Seems like an obvious choice to me.

Also, you can easily make your own baby food with a stove, pot of water and a blender or food processor.  This is what I did with the peas while I was waiting for a part to come in for my baby food maker.  Yes, I do have a baby food maker (thanks Donna and Holly)... but is a hand me down.  I love it!  But, I would not have gone and bought one.  They are quite pricey!!  Yes, they are "easier".... but the other way isn't hard either.

Here's what we do.  The doctor said to start with the greens and then work towards the yellow and orange veggies... We've done peas and green beans quite successfully.  This week we are going to try spinach so he can be strong like popeye; then we'll move to broccoli and zucchini.  I was going to get him some asparagus, but it was still kind of pricey.  I'm going to see if it goes on sell.

Thanks Christyn for the wonderful strainer as a wedding gift, I use it all the time.

Don't these veggies look yummy!!!  Obviously, I clean the vegetables thoroughly first, then I use my baeba food maker.  You just put it in the cup, add some water and turn the nob to steam... and forget it... literally!  It finishes in about 20-45 minutes depending on what veggie you are making.  Then you turn the nob to purree and pour it in a container.  I freeze mine and use them when needed.

Here's  my complete set up...  pretty simple, huh?

this is all you need.. the spinach is making in the maker while i took this.

Here's how I see it...  I could go trample thru Walmart buying baby food wanting to rip my eyeballs out because that store drives me crazy... or i could run to the local grocery store half a minute away... buy some nice veggies and spend about 30 minutes making 1-2 months worth of baby food.  I think I'm actually saving time AND money making it.  Seems like an obvious answer to me.

I can't wait to see his face when he tries the spinach!!!