Happy Birthday Matt and Wade

Yesterday we celebrated Matt's and Wade's 31st and 23rd birthday. Wade had his usual ice cream cake and Matt had Miami Beach Cake.

"I Like It"

I received a call last week from Danny's teacher. An eighth grade technology class has to do a research paper on disabilities. One group is doing Down Syndrome and they asked their teacher if they could interview Danny. She said she will send home the questions so I can help Danny answer them. This group is going to video tape the interview. Danny is so excited, he told me, "I'm going to be in the movies!"

The first question was, "What's it like to have Down Syndrome?" When I asked him, he thought for a minute and then said, "This is hard." I told him to just think about it for awhile. So he sat there thinking for a minute and then said, "Fine. It's good. I like it."

Visitors

Adrian and his parents came to visit. This little guy is either sleeping or smiling. He's such a smiley baby! It was so fun to see them. (I can't get that bottom picture bigger.)

Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup

I found this recipe on Jennifer's favorite food site, foodgawker.com. I went on there and searched Turkey Soup. It was very tasty! I made my sister Kristin's Reiska from the family cookbook to go with it.

Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup
Courtesy of The Recipe Girl

1 Tbls. vegetable oil
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or turkey stock or broth
1 can diced green chilies, drained
2 cups milk
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground cumin
2 cups shredded turkey
¾ cup corn, fresh or frozen
3 Tbls. chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

1. In a large stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add vegetables and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Add chilies.

2. In a bowl, whisk together milk, flour, salt, chili powder and cumin. Increase heat to high and whisk milk mixture into soup. Stir until thick and bubbly, about five minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add turkey, corn, cilantro and cheese; stir until cheese is melted and soup is hot, 5 to 10 minutes.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made Matt's Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies from the family cookbook this weekend. They are very good. You roll the cookie in sugar before you bake them. I didn't have enough regular chocolate chips so I used part milk chocolate chips. Next time I think I'll use all milk chocolate chips. Like Jeanie said, "They taste like those cookies you make at Christmas with the candy kiss on it."

Danny Goes Hunting

These pictures didn't come out too good......Brad took Danny hunting last night. He was pumped! I was trying to take a picture before he had the face mask on and he had such a goofy grin going that I told him, "don't smile". He kept grinning and said, "I can't help it, I'm so excited!"

I thought he might get bored but he loved it. Brad said he was a good hunter. Very quiet. They didn't see anything but heard coyote. In fact by the time they were coming in, Brad said it sounded like they were surrounded by coyotes. As they were walking in, Danny says, "I'm just curious.......Do coyote bite and eat people?" The funny thing is, he wasn't a bit scared. I guess he felt safe with his big brother there to protect him.