{thank you!}

Wow, what great timing for Izzy! She received this package in the mail today, which was such a treat after her traumatic visit to the doctor's office. Thank you McKay, Cupcake, Benson, Adam, and Ashley!!
She LOVES it!

{taco soup}

when Isabella was born, my mom came--of course.
one night, she made us her infamous taco soup and it has been a weekly meal ever since. Sabe is a little too macho for soup, so he usually has to fend for himself or eat outside with the cat when the rest of his normal family members eat this. i thought you might enjoy the very easy and simple recipe...there's nothing better than soup when its so freakin' cold outside :)

Taco Soup
2 cartons chicken broth (Costco sells the free range kind with 6 in a box)
2 cans of canned chicken breast (I get this at Costco)
4 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes with green chilies (Costco has just started selling these!)
3 cups corn
2 14.5 oz. cans black beans, drained
1 1/2 T. taco seasoning

I actually blend my tomatoes since my kids don't like the chunky tomatoes. So after that, I just dump every thing into a big pot and simmer for a good 30 minutes to let the flavors set in.
Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, and tortilla chips.

I love having this in my fridge for lunch the next day and even dinner the next night. My kids LOVE it!

this beverage goes really well with it.....and its all Sabe's fault!

Izzy doing the "taco soup dance"

the finished product

and look at all this recycling!! woohoo!

{ouch}

So, I took Isabella to get her physical done because she is starting speech therapy at the elementary school. I prepped her for a really easy appointment--no shots. Well....there was a little change. Not only did she get her toe pricked for a blood sample, she received the flu mist and 5 shots!! It was so sad to see her so afraid and in so much pain. I know its for the best and she should be good with immunizations until she's in middle school. Cuddle time with the Iz...

{coco's latest CaTcH}

This is what I came home to today...right on the front step. I know, its disgusting, but its kinda nice they are not running around my house!

{its cold outside}

its so great to finally have a studio space, especially when it is bone-chilling cold outside. Izzy and Jax are such great sports for me to let me continue to learn this whole studio lighting thing. my studio mate had this awesome wallpaper from Anthropologie laying around and I decided it was the perfect backdrop for one of the walls. i won't say how many times I said swear words hanging this stuff up. I wish it was easier cuz I would love to do some in my house.

{REWIND part 2}

just came across some cute pics of our time with the Lake family during Thanksgiving. Our kids wouldn't know what to do without each other. Izzy and Garner played SO well together, Olivia and McKenna are soul sisters, and Jaxon and Cole are constantly on the go with each other. Those two are sports fanatics and really have to work hard to keep up with each other. They are 2 cute boys! And little Brielle just gets her picture taken :)
src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd253/jenniferganderson/holiday%20with%20lakes/DSC_6204.jpg">
Queen of the Barbie Jeep!

saying goodbye.....until next time!

{REWIND....}

Julia included all of us in her work party to the tree farm. It is so odd for there to be any snow in VA before Christmas, so to have such a snowfall at this time made this day one to remember. The kids were in heaven and little Izzy could NOT stop eating the snow--its like it was white, fluffy cotton candy. The snow ball fight in the lanes of the Christmas tree was like a scene out of a movie. I really do wish I had a video camera for that one. We ate yummy soups and drank way too much hot cocoa.
We came away with the best tree we've ever had and a memory never to be forgotten.


I'm going to post each and every one of these photos of Jaxon. They are priceless...


now what young lady would not want to join him and drink some hot cocoa----he's single!