Best Pasta Ever

This recipe is amazing!  I can never find something spicy enough... this one isn't for little ones. I'll add a picture next time I make it!

Chicken Chipotle Pasta

What you need:

whole box of penne
2 chicken breasts cubed
1/2 red pepper chopped
1/2 yellow pepper chopped
1/2 red pepper chopped
1/2 bag frozen peas
1 crown of brocolli or a bunch of asparagus
jar of alfredo sauce
small can of chipotle chillis in adobe sauce (international isle)

While boiling penne to aldente, fry up chicken and add chopped veggies to steam.  I put on a little salt, pepper, garlic powder and a little spicy seasoning.

For sauce- puree the peppers in a food processor or blender and mix 1-3 tablespoons with the jar of alfredo depending on how much heat you are looking for... these peppers are HOTT! (I freeze the rest for next time).

Dump all penne into the large pan (or a big bowl) with all of the meat and veggies.  Add alfredo mixture and a large cooking spoon full (no a whole ladle full, just a spoon) of the starchy noodle water.

Garnish with cilantro, parm cheese and french fried onions!

Sweetness!

Jason LOVED his first day and he brought me home this AWESOME picture!  I LOVE school!

Success

I think it is very safe to say that Lexie is fully potty trained!!!  Whoo hoo!  She has been totally accident free for over a week now, including bedtime! She wears underwear to bed! I started potty training her on August 12th, two days past her birthday.  Prior to that day she was staying dry a lot at night sometimes and even in the day.  When I would change her during the day she would often by dry and go on the potty.  She got the pee part down right away.  I had her go often at first, but now she goes to the bathroom and does her business when she feels the need. She was afraid to go #2 for about a week or so which wasn't fun, but once she finally did it we were in the clear. Our only obsticle left is her not being able to take her underwear off herself. She was able to take her own diapers off, but underwear are a challenge.  We even bought ones that are too big so it would be easier... hopefully soon! We are so proud of our big girl!

The Drop Off

Me and the little kids took Jason to his first real day of school today.  He didn't seem nervous at all.  He was very willing and excited to go. He chose to bring cheese and crackers for snack time today, and we packed it in his little pack with a firetruck icepack. We got to the school 2 minutes early and lots of other classmates and their parents were gathered. Soon Mrs. O' Connor appeared through the door with a big smile and a wave, and all the kids went running, including Jason. I had to call for him to give me a kiss, which he did and then ran up the stairs and through the door. I felt a little teary eyed but Lexie burst into tears, so I sucked it up and calmed her down. What a big day for my little guy! 

Jason's 1st Day of School

Tuesday, September 6th was Jason Ryan's very first day of UPK!  It was a "meet n' greet" type day.  I got to go with him and we met his teacher, explored the classroom, filled out forms, volunterred for various things, and played with all of the awesome toys! It was so much fun. His teacher seems awesome.  The classroom was more than perfect, and all of the other parents and kids seemed great.  I am so excited for him!

Apple Picking

We just happened to choose a 90 degree day in September to go up to Becker Farms to pick apples.  It was HOT!  We met up with some friends and family and had fun in the sun. This really was a perfect day.  We went to IHOP at 7 am (had the greatest waitress), and then played at the park until it was time to meet everyone at the farm.  As soon as we got home from the farm, we jumped into the kiddie pools, and then went in the house for some AC relief and a viewing of RIO!

Lexie talking to a parrot. He really liked her and he talked and laughed.  It was so cute.

Lexie caught a little toad!

And of course she tried to kiss it!  EEK!

Wagon ride to the orchard.

Stephanie, Cameron, and Tim

They loved it

Colden in the orchard with his pal Cameron

They had a cool playground too!

Lexie got to feed the goats!

Pasta Night

Everyone stripped down to their undies to eat! For the record we always have salad with our pasta, but it was time to go shopping!

Colden pretty much skipped the baby food stage. Once he learned to swallow he only wanted real food, even though he didn't know how to eat it.  Yesterday was his first ever taste of pasta, and he LOVED it! See the little noodle in his hand!

See were teaching him table manners... he is using a spoon!

He was so excited and made so many funny faces.

This one makes me laugh.

When he was done, of course he had to lick his bowl clean!

Milk-Vador... Jason saves his milk until he is finished eating.  Then we warm it up and he chugs, without coming up for air... it's pretty funny!

The aftermath... their 1st bath all together!  Colden LOVES the big bath, and was so happy to be one of the big kids!