Leaving On A Jet Plane

We're leaving...on a jet plane

don't know when we'll be back again!

Just kidding...we'll be back in a week!

See you then!

Lady Luck

Do you believe in luck?

I don't so much.

But if I did...I might say this could be lucky.

What am I talking about??

You know....lady luck?

As in the ladybug variety.

Well, luck or not...I certainly feel lucky.

You see, as luck would have it...
We are headed to Disney World for a week with our cousins!

Lucky indeed!!!

Missing You

Since Ryan took his new job, he has not had to travel much at all. Most of his traveling involves driving. However, this week he had to go to Montana. He has been gone since Monday, and was supposed to be home by now. Sadly, the weather is not cooperating. He is sitting in an airport, just waiting for his connecting flight to bring him home.

Hope you get home soon Babe!

We miss you!

Wordless Wednesday...Luke

Wordless Wednesday...Finn

A Note to the Henry Doorly Zoo

Dear Henry Doorly Zoo,

I am writing to sincerely thank you. When we purchased our zoo membership before even officially moving to Omaha, I knew we would get good use out of it. The truth is, I had no idea that we would log countless hours at your zoo on an almost weekly basis. I almost feel bad that we are taking advantage of you. After all, your membership rates are ridiculously affordable!

Yes, I thought it would be nice to have a membership so that we could "pop in" for an hour or so every now and then. In reality, we just can't spend less than 3 hours each time we come. And because so many of your exhibits are housed inside comfortably temperate indoor "houses", we have yet to let rain or windy, cold days keep us away.

The aquarium is one of our favorite spots to stand in utter fascination.
We could watch those fish swim 'round all day.


We have even watched scuba divers dive down and wrangle fish into nets to move them to different exhibits. That was really fascinating!


And the amazing pictures those tanks make for...well you should charge just for that!

We also really love to visit the gorillas. They each have their own personalities, that we are slowly beginning to know. We love how they play peek-a-boo around the edges of the glass. And who would not be exhilarated by how they love to come swiftly bang on the glass, giving us a little scare, yet truly exciting us!

Yes, sometimes we just relax there for quite some time.



And sometimes, they relax right along with us!


We love how close we get to all those big cats! It almost feels like you could reach out and pet them.

We are in awe of the lion's powerful roar, which he bellows out each and every time we visit. How does he know how much we love to hear him "talk" to us??

I would also like to add, that due to pushing my double stroller up those unbelievably steep hills, I feel that a visit to your zoo is a fair trade off for a day at the gym! Thank you for keep us baby toting moms in shape!

In closing, I just would like to thank you again. We have truly experienced all sorts of wonders at your zoo. We will definitely be renewing our membership next year!

Sincerely,

Jaysi

Overheard

This conversation was overheard the other day between Luke and the nice lady cutting his hair.

Stylist: So what are you going to do today?

Luke: Go mini-golfing.

Stylist: Oh you are? (She glances over at me) Does your mom know this?

Luke: She does now.

It seems he is already perfecting the male version of communication skills!

Falling for Fall

One thing that I was most excited about when we decided to move to Nebraska, was having seasons again. Especially fall. Arizona is beautiful, but it is in a perpetual state of summer/spring. I missed fall more than anything.

So, when our days became cool and the air turned crisp, I was overjoyed.
For about...a week.

Then it got really cold, and rainy. Every day seemed windy and dreary. This is not why I came here. I am certain of that. We even had snow already, but we were not here. We missed it. How sad (insert sarcastic tone). Did we skip right over fall and go straight into winter?

When we get peeks of sunshine, the boys and I are out the door before you can say Jack-o-lantern!! Here are some pics from one of our days at the park.

The boys love spending time down by the water!

Finn getting lost in the grass.

This is Finn belting out his ABC's. This looks like the finale!!

Luke loving the curly slide.

Finnie blue eyes.

No trip to the park would be complete without peeing in the bushes :)

Because I Love You So

Ahhh...fall is upon us here in the Midwest.
I will be writing more about that later, but for now I wanted to share something with you.
Because I love you so; and because it is too good not to share.

My kids LOVE the Broccoli Cheese soup at Panera.
Make that my kids and my husband.
Oh who am I kidding...our whole family!!
So Ryan found the recipe online, and I
of course made it.

Now, I almost had a heart attack (literally) when I saw the fat and calorie content.
Therefore, I lightened mine up a bit.

Here is the recipe.

1 tablespoon melted butter (I used less)
1/2 medium onion chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half and half (I used fat free)
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 lb broccoli chopped (I used more)
1 cup carrot, julienned
1/4 tsp nutmeg
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese (I used about half that)
salt and pepper

1. Saute onion in butter. Set aside.
2. Melt butter and mix with flour using a wisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and add the half and half.
3. Add chicken stock. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat 20-25 minutes.
5. Stir in cheese and nutmeg. Salt and pepper to taste.

This makes 4 servings. Serve with crusty bread.

Believe me when I say the boys gobbled this up.
Even Finn was gulping down spoonfuls of broccoli!!
Let me know if you make it.
I would love to hear what you think.


What are some of your favorite fall foods?

Cheese

Every time I ask Finn to "smile" this is what I get...

No worries. I just entered him the Kraft Cheesy Smiles Contest.
Not sure what my prize will be...
perhaps a year's supply of mac and cheese.
I'll take it.

What do you think?
Is this the cheesiest smile you have seen lately?