all tuckered out

the perfect 4th of July appetizer

This dip is a sure winner for the Fourth of July. 

I have been making it for the past few years and everyone loves it!

I honestly haven't met a person that doesn't like it.  If so they aren't sayin'.

It has become a tradition in our Fourth of July celebration.

*Warning* Warning* Warning* Warning*Warning*

It is not low fat!  But heck...we all need to splurge on holidays...right?! 

I do, I look for any reason to eat bad...teehee! But hey, beans have fiber,

and all that calcium in cheese.

Warm Mexican Dip aka Crack Dip

The things to put on your grocery list:

8oz cream cheese

8 oz sour cream

2 cans Frito's bean dip

4 oz chopped green chilies

10 dashes of Tabasco

1 packet of taco seasoning

1cup cheddar cheese

1cup Monterrey Jack cheese

pinch of salt

How to make the magic happen:

Mix all ingredients with half of the cheese in a 9x13 Pyrex.

[or get an oven safe disposable pan if you are taking it to a

picnic or neighborhood Barbecue.]

Sprinkle rest of cheese on top.

Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes.

Serve with chips, or wrapped in a tortilla, or with crackers,

or just grab the closest spoon and shovel into your mouth as

fast as possible so no one else gets any. 

I wouldn't know about the last tip.

i ♥ faces 'pets'

This week for the first time ever I am participating in

i {heart} faces.

As most of you know this is a picture of one of our dogs, Harley. 

She is 11 years old and still as spunky as the day we got her. 

We rescued her from the animal shelter 10 years ago, and we are so happy we did!

I have the biggest place in my heart for pets, and that is why I decided to participate in this weeks contest. And my puppies don't turn up their noses [like my kids do] when I take a photo of them!

If you want to see more pictures of other adorable pets click on the  i ♥ faces button below.

In a festive mood

Y'all, I am so excited about the 4th of July this year.

I can't wait to make this below for our neighborhood block party on the 4th, next Sunday. The moment I saw it in The Food Network magazine I just knew I had to make it!

(pic from FoodNetwork.com)

And how fun would these be to make?

(familycorner.com)

I love sugar cookies with icing...yum-o!

I found this craft...a hand wreath online.

Last night I got all the stuff together to make it,

and Layla said it was too much cutting.

Poooo!  I'm gonna make it myself.

found wreath at dltk's

 

Now that her little brother has discovered our [BIG] pool, Layla wants to splash and play with him all the time.  We have already been out there this morning.  I can't get anything done.  Hayden is still a bit wobbly in the {new for him} pool, so I can't take my eye off of him.  I'm hoping for fun Fourth of July crafts and food fun this week, but I'm sure the kids have other plans.  

Lots & lots of splashes and giggles...oh how I love summer :)

Tomorrow I am posting one of our favorite Fourth of July dips.  It has become a tradition in our family.  In fac,t one of my great friends requested it recently. So of course I shared!  It is so good and well, dippy!  I have shared it before, on here, but just have to post it so you can all go get the stuff for it.

What are you doing for the Fourth this year?

Sunny day in the sand

  We took the kids to a sandy beach at a nearby lake. 

The lake we went to is amazing, and a quiet peaceful place. 

We were lucky to be there when it was not crowded!

Layla & Hayden both were so impressed with the SAND!!!

Hayden was rolling around in it, throwing it, and yes he even tasted it.

Layla loved the way it felt on her feet, and in between her toes.

Hayden sat right down in the sand and ate his PB & J.  Before he was done he had eaten more sand.

This is the view I had of Layla most of the day.  The top of her head. 

She was swimming around like a little fish!

She had to have her floaty to go WAY out in the Deep!

We paused to say cheese for dad...but just look at the background of this photo.

Not to bad for a sandy beach in North Texas!

Full heart!!

Look who I got to meet today...........It is baby Connor! 

And, I got to meet his pretty mommy Becky too :)

I have been following Becky's blog for a while now and come to find out we live about 15 miles away from one another.  We met today IRL [in real life] for the first time.  She is just as sweet in person as she seems on her blog!  She is 'what you see is what you get'!  She loves to shop for Connor, loves her chocolate, and she even got her daily dose of iced coffee! 

She treated me to a piece of Godiva white chocolate and I am sure my life will never be the same.  It.was.so.good.  I had to fight Hayden off, he tried to eat the whole thing.  HA!

Thanks Becky...it was so yummy!!

I am so excited to have met her and can't wait to plan more fun outings with her and her boys.  I got to meet Terence too.  We will defiantly be getting Terence and Gary together for a golf outing soon!

While Becky, Connor, Hayden and I visited and had lunch, Layla and Auntie went to see Toy Story 3.  I think they had a wonderful time.  Layla told me all about it.  They even got to see it in 3D...we now have 3D glasses to put in our eyeglass collection.

They were so ready to get outside to play in the pool.  I'm surprised they were even looking at the camera. I begged them to throw the specs on really quick so I could get a pic. That explains the blank stares...I'm pretty sure the lenses are so dirty with fingerprints neither one of them could see out of them.  Heehee!!

Layla is showing Auntie all about how to swim.  Layla has come so far the past few weeks and is now doing the Nestea plunge like her daddy.  Here she is showing her Auntie how it is done!  I am so proud of Layla and the little fish she is becoming!  And holy hotness.  You can't be outside without being in the water.  It is so hot!

While us girls were doing our fun stuff during the day, Gary and Uncle Donny Ray were golfing.  Hayden was so happy to see the guys when they got home.   He wouldn't leave his daddy and Donny Ray's sides!  I just love this picture of the silly boys being goofy and grinning.  Gary is suffering the effects of no sunscreen on the golf course.  He gets so dark in the summertime.  He uses sunscreen and still gets super dark.  Gotta love that summer tan.

I had a wonderful day. 

I'm so blessed to have met a wonderful new friend! 

I am so happy to have spent time with the kiddos, Gary and my Aunt and Uncle. 

I am one lucky lady and am so happy to surround myself with happy, positive people.

a month away from 2

I can't believe that in a month I will have a 2 year old and a 5 year old. 

Yes, both of my babies birthdays are in  July! 
We have a busy month coming up.

Hayden is getting to be such a big boy. 

Most of this post is a scrapbook post for our memories.

I just had to post this kool aide picture again.  It makes me smile every time I see it!

HC weighs in at 30 lbs and wears a size 5 diaper. 

Most of his clothes are a size 2T.

It seems like he learns a few new words every day.

Some of the words he says are:

Bubble,

 rash=trash,

 boobies,

weiwah=Layla, 

eigh=airplane,

nana=banana,

haynen=hayden, always followed by a giggle. 

 His name makes him laugh. 

mulk=milk

juice

whoohoo! 

zissy=sissy

rolf=golf

bee ball=baseball

He loves the water on his terms.  He loved the sandy beach we went to yesterday.  He isn't a big fan of the public swimming pool, he'd rather walk around and say hi to people and point at the trash cans.  Everywhere we go he greets people.  He loves to say hi and bye.  No joke, we talk to every person we pass at the grocery store.  Some days I get frustrated b/c I just want to get in and get out of the store.  He wants to talk to all things moving.

He is most comfortable playing golf in the backyard and lying in his small swimming pool. 

He gets really cranky when someone 'Layla' splashes him with water.

Oh I just love this boys obsession with golf!  It makes me happy! 

He also likes to play tee ball.  He is pretty good at it too.

He has watched Layla dribble a soccer ball and likes to kick the soccer ball around.

He looks at every airplane when Gary isn't around and points to ask if dad is on that plane. 

Gary travels for work and one time I drove him to the airport. 

Ever since then Hayden 'gets it' and knows that usually daddy is flying!

I love to see his little mind work and when he pauses and thinks it is priceless!

I just love this little man and am so happy to be his mommy!
It is so fun to see the differences in raising a girl first and a boy second. 
They are so completely different and equally fun. 
I really am one blessed mommy!

the hubs is on vacay

As of this morning Gary is on vacation!  Wooop! 

 I am so excited. 

He has the kind of job {Director of Part and Accessories for a major motorcycle retailer} where he is always on call.  He doesn't get a day off, he is always answering phone calls and emails. 

So, for his sake I am hoping that he gets to truly relax and enjoy these few days.


*******


We are going to have a ball...

we are planning on hitting a local sandy beach, at a nearby lake.
We have never been, I hope it is fun and nice.

he is going to play golf while I meet a blog friend for the first time...I am so excited.

we are going to cook up lots of yummy food....surprise surprise!

Hopefully we will see a movie in the theater.  It will be Hayden's first time. 
 I think we will either see Marmaduke, or ToyStory 3. 

We haven't made the decision just yet!

So, If I am a bit absent from commenting on your blogs the next few days you will know why.

Also be ready for a guest post on this here blog coming soon. 

It has to do with food and you will love it, I know you will. 

 I'm not sure exactly when it will be posted, but soon my friends!

Have a great weekend.

wild wednesday

This morning started with me dragging the laundry basket into the laundry room to start a load.

An empty basket is the best toy ever!

Hayden wants to get in so badly, and Layla isn't listening because she is watching TV.

Apparently laundry baskets make pretty good chairs.

I love when my kids have that sleepy faced look. 

Fresh morning faces are the best!

My clock says 8:53 am. 

I wonder what the rest of this day holds?!

Sweet Tea Time

The best drink in the summertime is sweet tea!

So...boil up some water,

throw in two tea bags, I use Lipton decaf.

bring water to a rolling boil and then turn it off.

pour hot tea into a pitcher...

While tea is still hot add 1 cup of sugar. 

Yes, one whole cup...you will thank me later!

Add cold water to the mixture

Stir stir stir....

Put ice in a cup and taste it...oh what yummy sweetness!!

Your welcome :)

And since it is decaf the kids had ice tea for the first time today.  

And yes they are having iced sweet tea in their PJ's! 

It is summertime and we are veggin' today.

Drinkin' up all the sweet tea in the house to keep us cool.