Family Resemblance

At Connor's 1 yr birthday party (post coming soon), we started looking at some old photo albums.  Here are some pictures of the kids when they were one.  I think you'll see a slight resemblance. :)

Daddy Daughter Date

Rich took Mackenzie out for a Daddy Daughter Date. Ya, he's a good dad.  She was so excited. She got all dressed up in her princess dress up and shoes from Aunt Kel, and off they went to the Corner Bakery for dinner.  The Corner Bakery is always the place the Mackenzie picks when she gets her own special one on  one time.  I think she likes the name.

Fire

A few weeks ago, Rich and I attempted to go out on a date night.  We went to the Medical Marriages Night, which is a catered dinner and panel discussion on how to have your marriage survive medical school.  It's always a fun event.  There is babysitting available there.

We had just finished eating our Cafe Rio enchiladas when the smoke alarm went off.  Everyone scrambled to pick up their kids and head out the door.  Sure enough, there was a problem in the broiler room and smoke was spewing from the building.  The good news is that no one was hurt and the damage was minimal, but the date was a bust.

Missing Front Tooth

To Bob or Not to Bob

I used to own a Graco single stroller, and I liked it.  It was pretty easy to push and had a decent basket for stuff underneath.  Sadly, it was stolen, along with my car, and I was left scratching my head wondering what to do for a new one.  With two kids at the time, I decided I definitely wanted a double stroller.  After much test driving,  review reading, and a third baby, I settled on one of those sit and stand kind.  It was <$150.  I hated it.  It was so long that it was really hard to steer, especially heavy with my oldest on board.

Last summer, my SIL, Kara, got a Bob Duallie stroller, and she said she loved it.  She got a KILLER deal on it, but they are normally $$$.  So much so, that I automatically crossed it off my list.

However, I've been thinking about it ever since.  I've talked to anyone who owns one, and they've said it was worth every penny.  Long story short, last year's models went on clearance and I caved.  We are now the proud owners of a Bob Duallie.  So far, I love it.  I can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can really put it to the test.

Aunt Kel's Enchilada Sauce

Something I've always wanted to know how to make and never figured out is enchilada sauce.  I've used those little spice packets you buy in the store and added to tomato sauce as directed, and been sorely disappointed.  So, I've always ended up using Rosarita Enchilada Sauce when I make enchiladas.  That is until Aunt Kelly showed me how to make real enchilada sauce from scratch.  She is an artist, so she doesn't measure her ingredients.  I have done my best to figure out the measurements to my taste and here is the recipe.  It makes a lot, but it's nice to have extra on hand so you don't have to make the sauce every time you want enchiladas. 

Aunt Kel's Enchilada Sauce

1 gallon water
6 tbsp Knorr Chicken Bullion granules (the secret ingredient)
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp onion powder
2 tsp crushed Mexican Oregano (the little packets you can buy from the Mexican Spice section at the store)
4 Tbsp McCormick Taco Seasoning
1 small can tomato paste
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup flour

Add the water to a giant stock pot, then add in the bullion, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.  Bring to a boil and add cleaned chicken breast.  After about an hour, remove the chicken and set it aside.  Add in the taco seasoning to taste.  Add in the tomato paste and mix well.  Simmer for 2-3 hrs.

Note: If you want to make Spanish rice,  you can use some of the broth (before adding in the tomato paste); remove enough broth for the amount if rice you are making--2 c. of broth for 1 c. of rice.  At this point I also shred the chicken for chicken enchiladas and let it marinate in 1-2 ladles full of the broth (after adding the tomato paste).

After the broth is done simmering, remove one cup of liquid and gradually add in enough flour to the cup of broth to make a thick paste.  I add one tablespoon of flour at a time, for a total of 2-4 tbsp of flour.  Gradually stir the paste back into the broth, and stir until thickened.

 

Use the sauce to bake your favorite enchiladas in.  Freeze the extra to use in your next batch.