Almost Like Old Times

 Emily Woolstenhulme had a basketball tournament at Uintah this past weekend.  So, Dave and Karen came out and we got to go watch games together.  It was just like old times and the years and years we spent sitting on the benches together.  Afterwards, we ran into the Nielson's and the Blake's so we all went to Plaza Mexicana and enjoyed the amazing food there.  We're pretty sure that this must be how Cado and Gavin are eating in Mexico and Ecuador on a daily basis!  LUCKYS!!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Our Version of Cafe Rio’s Chicken Tortilla Soup

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Ingredients

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• ½ tsp cumin
• a dash (or two) cayenne
• ½ tsp. chili powder
• 5 c. chicken broth
• 3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• juice of ½ lime
• pepper, to taste
• .
• 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• vegetable oil (to taste)
• pico de gallo (click HERE)
• 2-3 avocados, diced
• 2 c. pepper jack cheese
• tortilla strips (Click HERE)
• cilantro (for garnish)
• lime wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a small skillet, saute onion in 1 Tbsp. oil until onions become slightly soft. Stir in cumin, cayenne, and chili powder and saute an additional minute or two.
2. Transfer seasoned onions to a small crock pot (or medium-sized saucepan). Add chicken broth, cliantro, lime juice, pepper and pinto beans to onions and simmer on low-heat for at least 2-3 hours.
3. In the meantime (when you are close to serving), combine taco seasoning and paprika. Brush chicken with oil and rub with taco seasoning/paprika mixture. Grill chicken over medium-heat until cooked through (try to turn only once during the grilling process). Remove from grill and shred.
4. In individual bowls layer chicken, about ⅓ c. pico de gallo, ⅓ c. diced avocado, and ⅓ c. pepper jack cheese. Ladle about 1 cup of chicken broth directly over the layers. Top with tortilla strips and garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.

Making Cado's Pillowcase

 We did a little family decorating on a pillowcase for Cado's Christmas.  You know when Bo's face looks like this, he is up to something.  We're pretty sure Cado will laugh as he sleeps on Bo's picture filled with Rodrigues and all of their cats, dogs, chickens and even chili peppers. 

Hunter's New Favorite Place

We're pretty sure we have found Hunter's new HAPPY PLACE.  We took him to the preschool and he could have played for hours.  Brooke and Dayton had to carry him out kicking and screaming!

Cosmic Bowling

After Dinner Music

Yep, our family knows how to get out of clean up duty.  They still pull the "I will go play the after dinner music" card!

Grandma Lessons!

 Well Hunter successfully learned his latest "Grandma lesson."  He now knows how to go down the stairs.  It took a little patience and practice but he loves it now.  My family may razz me, but I'm still quite confident that Grandma Shirlene has basically taught him everything he knows!