Thursday, July 31, 2008

Cafe Rio Night.

Our good friends Mike & Ashley with the little man
Wyatt, Miles, Bella, & Addox eating away.
Just hanging out after a long, hard day of work for the boys.
3 little cuties: Crew, Bella & Finn
Dinner was Delicious.

CAFE RIO SWEET PORK

2-3 lbs. Pork Loin (lean cut)
3 cans Coke (NOT diet)
1/4 c. brown sugar
dash garlic salt
1/4 c. water
1 can sliced green chilies
3/4 can enchilada sauce (I used Old El Paso brand, mild)
1 c. brown sugar

Put the pork in a heavy duty ziploc bag to marinade. Add about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 c. of brown sugar. Marinade for a few hours or overnight.

Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don't let it get TOO dry). Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. Shred pork.

In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste..). If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little.

Put shredded pork and sauce in crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours.

CILANTRO-LIME RICE

1 c. uncooked rice
1 tsp. butter or margarine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 can (15 oz) chicken broth
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tsp. sugar
3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

In a saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, 1 tsp. lime, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice and mix in as you fluff the rice.

BLACK BEANS

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 c. tomato juice
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro

In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving stir in the cilantro.

CREAMY TOMATILLO DRESSING

1 (7 oz.) can Salsa Verde (Herdez Brand)
4-5 fresh Tomatillos (chopped)
1 1/2 packets Hidden Valley Ranch Mix
1 C. Sour Cream
1 C. Mayo
1-2 jalapenos (usually seeded, but can leave seeds in depending on desired spiciness)
1 T. Sugar
Juice of 1 Lime
Cilantro (handful)
Salt & Pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth. Refrigerate. (I think it's better if you make this the day before and leave refrigerated.)

Friday, July 25, 2008

CRAFT DAY

Out here in St. Louis we haven't had the best "Summer" weather. It has been raining quite a bit so we have been stuck indoors. A few of the wives got together at my house and we had a craft day. We all had so much fun learning some new things from everyone...Thanks Austin and Ashley for your cute ideas. Everything turned out so cute and it was even better because the kids played so well together while we were crafting and chatting.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Summer Fun with Papa and Nana...



This past weekend Crew and I were in Arizona visiting Wyatt's parents, looking for a place to live, and for doctors appointments. Crew had such a great time spending time with his Nana and Papa. We both loved their new pool and swam for hours everyday. Crew is already a pro on the slide and has no fear in the water...scary, I know. We found a place to live so we are really excited to move back to Arizona to get settled. Thanks Eric and Kelly, we love your place. Also, I had my 28th week checkup and everything is looking great. The baby already weighs 2 lbs. 12 oz. and we could see quite a bit of hair in the ultrasound. I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going.

Monday, July 14, 2008

We are looking for a house to rent in the East Mesa/Gilbert area. It's been a little bit harder trying to find a place since we aren't actually in Arizona right now. So, I figured I would put the word out there in the blog world and if anyone knows of anything for rent...please let me know. I'll take all the help I can get. Thanks!!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

26 Weeks

I can't believe that I am already 26 weeks along. It is so crazy how with your second pregnancy it just flies by. This pregnancy has been great...sometimes I get so busy that I even forget that I'm pregnant. I get nervous when I look at my baby countdown on the side of my blog, to think that I am going to be in charge of not 1 but 2 little boys here in less than 3 months...I am officially CRAZY!

Monday, July 7, 2008

4th of July





We had such a great 4th this year. Wyatt had to work most the day but luckily the boys got home around 5. Then we all had a BBQ down by the pool and enjoyed yummy hamburgers, salads, chips and desserts. It all tasted so good...there is just something about the summer and BBQ's that I love! After we all ate, most of us headed downtown to watch fireworks under the arch. It was such a fun night and a neat experience to see all the gorgeous fireworks go off through the arch.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Sharlie Jayne Mecham

Congratulations to Randee (Wyatt's sister) and Beegh on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl. Sharlie Jayne Mecham was born at 7:38pm on July 1st. She weighed 7 lbs. 12oz. and was 20" long. Randee did such an amazing job C-Section and all. We love you guys and are so excited for the newest addition to the family. We can't wait to see her in person!

Happy 21st Birthday Elder Dannels

Happy Birthday Kyle. We hope you have a wonderful day out there in Mexico. I wish you were here so I could make you another Mexican Flag cake. We love you and will be thinking about you on your special day. We can't wait to see you in about 7 weeks. Crew is so excited to meet his Uncle Kyle. You are amazing Kyle...keep up the hard work. See ya soon!