March: For Lindsley... and the rest of my poor neglected readers.

Here is Sullivan's favorite new outside toy...
(can you believe those curls???)

Here are 2 really adorable pics I snapped while he played on that new fave toy...

Here is our Wild Man just before breakfast, he loves to play outside...

Same Wild Man just after breakfast, cleaning up...

Mean Mama, I make him sing for his supper...

And then I make him cook it!

We are getting a head start and teaching him to drive...

Sullivan likes to find sticks at the zoo and carry them around all day.

Here he is scoping one out...

And here he is escaping with his treasure...

A Day In The Life - Cute and Stinky

I was sitting on the couch tonight watching my son explore the living room and found it so funny that he finds something new about that room everyday. I seem to always see the same old mess but he on the other hand sees the world fresh everyday. He figured out that he could lift the cushions up and he found our warranty stickers under there. Ahhh the fun of stickers. 8 )
Just about the time I thought that there was nothing that wasn't cute about my son I took a deep breath and got a good wiff of what he was cooking up for me in his diaper.
Sorry guys, I am off to diaper duty.
A wonderful, fantastic, stinky day in the life of me.
I love it!
T

Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween! We had so much fun. We went to the church for our annual Trunk-or-Treat and passed out candy to hundreds of kids from our community and then went to Judson's birthday party the next day. I have posted a slide show for you to enjoy. Isn't he the cutest clown ever?!?

We Voted!

It is early voting time!
We went to the library this Wednesday, the early voting location in our town, and cast our vote. As an American I believe that each of us has a responsibility to educate ourselves and then take advantage of our costly right to vote. So... No matter which side your political beliefs fall get your Red, White and Blue booties out there and vote! And do it while the lines are short. Early Vote! Make sure you are counted. Sullivan did!
~T

In The News - A Success Story

A couple of months ago I received a phone call from Sullivan's Glaucoma specialist, Dr. Karen Joos. I was nervous at first as I have never received a personal phone call from her before and we had been the O.R. just a few days prior for Sullivan's eye exam.

Nothing to worry about, she just wanted our permission to give our information to the Hospital Newspaper. She said that Sullivan and his treatments were a great success story and when she has a story like this she likes to show it off a bit.

Do what you want Doc! You just called us a success story!

We were contacted a couple of days later and within a week an interview was conducted and a photo shoot as well. Above are two of the photos that were taken in the exam room at Vanderbilt Eye Institute and of course a link to the story for your reading pleasure.

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/index.html?ID=6731

8 )

Enjoy!

Trace

Recipe of the Week - Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

OK, This one saved my life after vacation so I am passing this fantastic little secret on.

CampbellKitchen.com

We came home to an absolutely empty kitchen. Shredded cheese was about the only thing left in the fridge. So I headed to the canned and dry goods. Eureka, Cream of Chicken Soup! Who doesn't have a can of this in the cupboard? I remembered a recipe I had used off of a label a long time ago and went searching for it. The website is easy to use and has hundreds of great recipes. It even has a recipe box to store your favorites in.

I had everything in either the freezer or the cupboard. This one is a great one to use on the eve of a much needed grocery shopping trip.

Campbell's® Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole From: Campbell's Kitchen

Prep: 5 minutes

Bake: 50 minutes

Stand: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1 1/3 cups water

3/4 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:

Heat the oven to 375°F. Stir the soup, water, rice, onion powder, black pepper and vegetables in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with the chicken. Season the chicken as desired. Cover the baking dish.Bake for 50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender. Top with the cheese. Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes. Stir the rice before serving.Tip: To try it Alfredo, substitute broccoli florets for the vegetables and substitute 1/4 cup grated Parmesan for the Cheddar cheese. Add 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese with the soup. Top the chicken with the remaining Parmesan cheese.

Notes from Tracy:

I prefer this one without the veggies included and it is really good with the chicken cut up in tiny pieces instead. The whole pieces of chicken can be a bit dry. I also like to cover the whole thing in shredded cheddar... what can I say, I like cheese! 8 ) Enjoy!

We're Back!

So we are home and have been for a bit now but I have been wiped out. I am working on a slide show of the pictures for those of you who are requesting them (some of you are like stalkers, you know who you are!) It should be up today.
We had a wonderful time.
It was 6 long days of park hopping and bus rides which Tyson thrives on, and about 3 days of down time, visiting and pool time which I thrive on. Sullivan thrives on sleep so we did our best to accommodate him. We were at the parks pretty late at night so we let Sullivan be our alarm clock. We shared a room with him so when he awoke each morning he would pop his head up and squawk at us to rise and shine just like a rooster. It was a joy to wake up to his smiling face. He thinks we are great and we intend to soak that up for as long as it lasts. I have heard we have about 9 years, by 10 they are over you. 8 )

My Favorite Vacation Moment
Swimming at the hotel with my family

My Favorite Disney Moment
The Pirate Princesses

Lasting Disney Memory
My son's expressions while riding Small World (His favorite ride. He loved the clock!)

Funniest Vacation Memory
Sullivan being bashful with Princess Aurora after she kissed him. Back off Princess! He is mine for at least another 20 years. Right????? (Notice the lipstick on his cheek?!?)

Home Videos! Daddy learns to dance - Baby learns to play.

A much requested video of our little boy dancing away is now here for your viewing pleasure. 8) It is a bit long but some of you will enjoy that. There is a bit of S dancing, a bit of him crawling and cruising and a bit of a guitar lesson as well - not sure who is teaching who.

Enjoy!

(BTW - The stacks of clothing in the background would be my maternity clothes ready for the attic! Yea Me!)

P.S. Sorry about the vocal stylings of the videographer. Not my best work. 8 )

I'm Going To Disney World!

We are off to Disney World today! This will be our very first family vacation and Sullivan's first trip to Disney. We are very excited. Tyson's whole family will be there and they are all looking forward to their time with Sully.

They always get really excited about family trips especially ones that include Disney. We all have matching shirts and sweatshirts that the sisters made and embroidered. They are really nice so I will be sure to post pics of our giant matching clan when I can.

Included in our itenerary are the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Studios MGM. A couple of rest days are scheduled in as well. Goodness knows we will need them. Tyson has been very helpful getting ready and is so excited that I think I might be able to get the child rate for him at the door. 8 )

I will keep you guys "posted!"

M I C - See you real soon!

K E Y - Why? Because we like you!

M O U S E

Tracy & the Boys

Recipe of the Week - Easy Almond Rocha

This week is a request of Mom's. With the holidays right around the corner I thought it was a good one too. I was given this recipe by a dear friend back home, Linda Baker. It is sooooo easy and very yummy!

Hope you enjoy.

Easy Almond Rocha

2 1/2 Cups Blanched and Slivered Almonds

1/2 lb Butter (2 cubes)

1 T Corn Syrup

1 Cup Granulated White Sugar

1 1/2 Cups Milk Chocolate Chips

1/4 Cup Water

In a heavy skliiet combine sugar, water, syrup, butter and almonds. Stirring constantly, cook to hard crack or until the almonds are toasted light to medium light brown.

Pour into a greased jelly roll pan. (smaller cookie sheet with sides)

While warm, sprinkle the milk chocolate chips over the mixture and spread when softened. If you like you can sprinkle almonds on top too. Makes it pretty. 8 )

Let cool, remove from pan and break into pieces.