Hazelwood

It's official! We've put the house up for sale. I can't believe it's actually happening. Our sweet realtor, Lindsay Craig, came by today with the sign.

We only have plans to stay in the Allen area. We're not moving away anywhere, just ready to grow into something else.

5 years ago we moved into this house with just the two of us. Now we've added two more to our family and with toys, beds and relatives visiting here and there, we need more room;) It's bittersweet, especially for me, bringing 2 of our babies into this house. (Now I'm getting all emotional) I guess I can't hang onto it forever.

Another trip to Lufkin

Swingin at Nanna and Poppa's house

Kate likes to take the toys out of the box and get in it.

At the pond.

Kate testing out the tricycle at Pawpaw Mac's house. Her legs are quite long enough to touch the pedals yet.

Jackson's great grandfather, Pawpaw, helped him build a log cabin with Lincoln Logs.

Jackson is pointing at the catfish that are coming up to eat food we threw out for them. Justin's dad has a catfish pond and Jackson loves to go out and watch them at feeding time.

Jackson helping Kate down the steps. Such a big brother:)

This is Kate throwing a fit because she doesn't want to get back in the car and drive anymore. We always stop at Braums in Athens to take a break and this was in the parking lot.

This weekend was yet another fun weekend in Lufkin visiting the grandparents! Jackson is at an age that he aboslutely loves seeing all of them and doesn't want to leave. We were back and forth between Justin's dad and sister's house and my parents house. It's nice that both of our parents live in the same town. Wherever we were at, it's all about the kids, which I love.

It's not just a plain white cake

It's the beginning of a new, fun hobby and hopefully an investment in many birthday cakes to come;) I started a cake decorating class with my sister in law, Brooke and her friend Kelly last week. It's so much fun! I will say, a lot went into making this simple looking cake. I'm supposed to take this cake to class tomorrow and we will learn how to start decorating our cakes. What you see is what we learned to do last week.

Jackson can't wait to eat everything I'm making. He's already asking me if I can make dinosaur cakes and other crazy, advanced ideas that will take me some time to actually learn. Yes, I have to make a cake every week for 4 weeks. Anyone is welcome to my practice cakes. We don't need cake hanging around here, because I WILL eat it if it's there. They may look funky, but they should taste pretty good;)

Yummy Goodness

These are two of my new favorite recipes that must be shared!

I would show pictures, but I forgot to take some. I'll try and remember next time, because these will be a repeat meal in our house:)

Upside-Down Pizza
2 lbs ground chuck or ground turkey
1 cups chopped onion (optional)
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (1 ¼ oz) envelope spaghetti sauce mix
1 (8 oz) carton sour cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 can refrigerated crescent rolls

Brown ground meat and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until meat crumbles; drain and return to skillet. Stir in tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce mix; cook over low heat 10 min, stirring often.
Spoon meat mixture into a lightly greased 13x9x2 inch baking dish; top with sour cream, sprinkle with cheese. Unroll crescent rolls, and place over cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Yield: 8 servings.

*Servings are easy to measure for this pizza casserole; just follow the natural perforations in the crescent rolls.



I love this one especially because it’s made in the crock pot. Don’t forget your crock pot liner so clean up is super easy!!

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese with peppers
1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chilis
½ cup sour cream
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 (8 oz) container sour cream
1 (8 oz) bottle green taco sauce
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese with peppers

Toppings: chopped tomato, chopped avocado, sliced green onions, sliced black olives, chopped fresh cilantro

Stir together first 5 ingredients. Spoon chicken mixture evenly down center of tortillas, and roll up. Arrange, seam sides down, in a lightly greased 6-quart slow cooker, stacking tortillas, if needed.
Stir together sour cream and taco sauce; spoon over enchiladas. Cover and cook on LOW 4 ½ hours. Remove lid, and sprinkle enchiladas with 1 cup cheese.

ENJOY!!!

Just some of my latest favorite pics!

Giving hugs!
Yes, my 14 month old is wearing pigtails and ponytails. She looks like she's 4 when she has them.

Jackson is ready to go camping. We keep telling him when it gets cooler:)

Jackson trying to teach Kate how to down hill ski on the Wii.