Happy Halloween

We decided to put all those princess costumes we've had given to us to good use this year...2 beautiful princesses and the little UPS delivery girl were ready for some candy. Check out the package strapped to Delaney's back, which her daddy made.
The Pumpkin Party at Germantown Baptist Church has been a fun place for us to take the girls for the past 3 years. The girls enjoyed all the carnival games and candy galore. And we all enjoyed the free hotdogs and soda.
The Collierville Square is all decked out for fall. We checked it out this afternoon with Daddy in tow. Free music, and lunch at one of the local eateries made this a really great day. The weather was terrific, too.
Daddy is the official family pumpkin carver every year. He did a fine job.

$ 1.99 A Gallon Gasoline !

On the way to work this morning Rick went by the Fillin' Station and gas was selling for $1.99 per gallon...never thought we'd see those prices again in our lifetime!

"Spread The Candy Around"

Chicken & Hominy Soup

Chicken & Hominy Soup

3 tbsp olive oil
2 small yellow squash, diced
2-3 bunches green onions, sliced (2 large bunches or 3 smaller ones)
4 tsp ground cumin
2 1/2 tsp paprika
10 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (14 1/2 oz.) can petite tomatoes in juice
1 purchased roast chicken, meat shredded, skin & bones discarded
(about 4-5 cups of chicken) I used boneless chicken thighs
4 tsp. hot pepper sauce
3 (15 oz.) cans golden or white hominy, undrained
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 avocado, sliced

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add squash, green onions, cumin and paprika, saute 3-5 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes with juice, chicken and hot pepper sauce. Puree hominy with liquid in food processor or blender (you will likely have to do this in batches). Mix this pureed mixture into soup, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer 15 min. Stir in cilantro. Ladle soup into bowls. Add slices of avocado before serving. Makes about 16 cups.

I found this recipe in our local paper. It is delicious! We had it again last night when all the kids were here and everybody enjoyed it. We topped it with Archer Farms Black Bean & Jalapeno tortilla chips (from Target) and served it with toasty garlic bread. Try it, you'll be back for more.

Who? Who? Who?

Lindsey and I are both wondering the same thing...who is it that visits both our blog pages that lives in MARTIN, TN? Will you tell us who you are? Pretty please?

Fall Break @ the Memphis Zoo

Celina, Adam and I took the kids to the zoo last week. A beautiful, albeit warm day for October, and our little United Nations group enjoyed the animals as much as they enjoyed being with each other.

Ruby's New Look: Tiger?

Ruby looked funny after being spayed. Her stomach area was shaved, as was one leg where the IV was. So we took her in and had a summer cut done on her to get things evened up. Now we think she looks like a tiger. "Brindle" is the correct name for her coloring.

Hangin' With the Cousins

We recently stopped in at the Mendoza house to see what was going on. Lots, it turns out. Sydni had lost more teeth, and I joked with her that she's probably made enough money off the Tooth Fairy to get her own apartment. She looks so toothlessly cute. Jordyn isn't far behind. She's got loose ones on the top and bottom. Then the girls showed us how they've learned how to ride without training wheels. They were terrific at it, and Celina is surely patting herself on the back for choosing a house in a cove (or cul-de-sac for most of you). Makes riding so much safer, especially when you're watching out for two. The video is for you, Grandma Corrine. The girls are really proud of this accomplishment.

Fiona...She's So Cute

Fiona is a GREAT kid. She has been a wonderful baby, so easy to love. Those double dimples melt you when she smiles. She is the most polite toddler you will meet...she nearly always remembers her thank-you's. She is the cuddler we prayed so hard for. We just feel so blessed to be raising this little dynamo. We went to the park the other day and here are a few photos I snapped of her. She's wearing the new outfit we got at Target that morning. You can tell she feels pretty wearing it.



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