Clean Laundry...

Who wouldn't want to fold this cute little bundle?

Recipe of the week...

WOW. I sort of forgot that I was going to post recipes...sorry:)

Taco Pie

1 tube crescent rolls
1 lb hamburger
1 small onion, diced
1/2 package taco seasoning
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
shredded lettuce
diced tomatoes
salsa

Cook onion in large skillet, add burger and cook until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning; drain fat. Meanwhile, line pie dish with crescent rolls. Add burger. Mix cheese and sour cream together and plop it on top of burger mixture. (sometime I add a little more sour cream) Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until rolls are golden. Serve with lettuce, tomatoes & salsa.

I learned how to make this in 6th or 7th grade home ec. I have been making it for a long time:)

Fall Snap Shots...

I had this bright idea to take some fall pictures of McKinley. I got her all dolled up to go outside (what for?) Within 3 minutes she had her shoes off, dirt on her head and was sitting on top of a mole hill throwing dirt. What was I thinking? I guess I should have just put on regular clothes for the photo shoot:) They turned out pretty cute, regardless of the dirt.

Here, Fishy, Fishy...

This nice group of ladies took our picture. After they were done, McKinley puckered up to give them kisses. It was hilarious. They were good sports and didn't mix germs with our little peanut:)

Don't we look like were going for a ride on Shamu! Ha, imagine that!!

Friday, Mom and I took McKinley to the Seattle Aquarium. It was so much fun! After lunch on the waterfront, we toured the aquarium. McKinley loved the whale fin and loved looking at all the fish in the big tanks. We also hit the market and Macy's. We spent the night at grandma Gerry's house (McKinley's great-great grandma!) and the rest of the family came over on Saturday for lunch/visits. It was fun to get away for the weekend.

Colton, AJ, Uncle Kenny, McKinley and Teagan

Great-great grandma Gerry. (She just turned 85)

Tyler is still hunting in Idaho. McKinley definitely notices that he is gone. She will go into the shop and look by the jeep saying "Daaa, daaa, daaa..." We are ready for him to come home!!! I am OK with being a hunting widow for the first few days, but I get bored when I don't have two people to pick up after:)

Tag...

All about McKinley-

McKinley was tagged by Dailey...

Name/Meaning: McKinley Lynn. I was in our office looking through a baby name book. I had marked a few names down on a stikcy note, McKinley being one of them. A while later I went into the living room to watch TV with Tyler. He was watching a program on Mt. McKinley. He looked up at me and said..."that's it- her name is McKinley." Her middle name is after Aunt Stacy. :)

Age: Almost 17 months

Nicknames: Doodle, peanut & Kinley

Favorite Activity (ies): Playing outside, swinging, getting into everything shes not supposed to be in, working in the shop with her daddy and going up and down the stairs at Nana's house.

Favorite Foods: Goldfish crackers, raisins, fishsticks, peaches, bananas and anything sweet.

Least favorite foods: Pickles, grean beans and anything you TRY to feed her.

Favorite Music: Hmmm...she really likes all music so far. She does the baby bounce when she hears music.

Favorite toys: Clips on her highchair, nuts & bolts, anything that has wheels, the babyjogger and tools from Tyler's tool box.

Favorite books: the Peekabo Who book from Aunt Mimi, the Disney car book that makes noise (I bought it- don't know what I was thinking!), the Hungry Catipilar and Cowboy Small.

What makes her happy: going in the hottub, being in the shop with Tyler, being naked, giving kisses and doing anything outside.

What makes her sad: When she doesn't get her way or when her daddy tells her NO.

Tag: Sophia, Ceci, Olivia, Emma, Marcus, Cooper & Rumi

Fall colors...

McKinley and I just returned from a hike with Granny. It was so beautiful!

Pumpkins...

The night before Tyler left, we carved a pumpkin. McKinley was totally into it and loved pulling out the guts. I had a lot of help separating the seeds. The next day we went to the pumpkin patch with Becca, Rachel, Dailey & Skylee. The girls had a great time picking out their pumpkins.

BurnOUT...

FUN...

We had a birthday party for Tyler on Saturday afternoon. Tyler's dad cooked the best tri-tip I have ever eaten- puts prime rib to shame! We had our families and friends over for dinner and fun. It is pretty amazing how the parties have changed from adult oriented to totally child oriented. We hope everyone had fun. We sure did!!

Koleman & McKinley doing hot-laps around the yard in the jeep.

Dailey & McKinley. Daily was pushing the pedal and McKinley was steering. Well, holding the steering wheel anyway:)

Dailey thought it was easier to push the pedal with her hand:) Pretty cute!

McKinley gave good-bye kisses to everyone. She loves giving kisses- pucker up.

The swing-set was a hit with the kids of all ages.

Recipe of the week...

Today is Tyler's birthday!!! This one of his favorite things to make us for breakfast...

Dutch Baby:

3 eggs
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup milk
2-3 TBSP Butter

Melt butter in iron skillet or dutch oven, mix ingredients together, pour mix into skillet, bake for 20 min. @ 375.

Serve with syrup, powdered sugar and lemon juice.

Enjoy!!

Lights out...

Peek-a-boo.

Ps. Nana-go to the bottom of the page and click on the pause sign to stop the music:)

Choc-o-hollic...

McKinley has been doing so well at using her utensils. I know you don't believe me when you look at this picture. She not only looks like her Granny Poppy at times, but she LOVES chocolate like her too. I took this picture last night. She was doing so good at staying clean, but she couldn't shovel in the pudding fast enough, so she resorted to her using hands. Can you blame her? Needless to say, she went straight to the tub after dinner. Oh the joys of childhood.

200...

It's official. I have posted 200 blurbs about our life on this blog. When I started the blog I was unsure about how it would turn out and I had no clue what I was doing. Now, I am totally addicted to it and love looking at our older posts and posts of friends and family we don't see often enough. I truly hope you enjoy McKinley's blog- or should I say McKinley's Momma's blog:)

This is what life looked like 200 posts ago...WOW!

Love to all!

Recipe of the week...

Sweet corn muffins:

1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal (white is fine too)
1 TBS baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 can cream corn
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 TBS melted butter
1/8 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350. Paperline muffin cups (or grease 8-9 in. baking dish). Combine dry ingredients. Combine liquid ingredients in separate bowl. Mix with dry ingredients- just until moist. Place 1/4 cup batter into muffin cups, or pour batter into baking dish.

Bake muffins for 18-20 minutes
Bake dish for 25 minutes or until center comes clean with toothpick

Sooo good. I took the regular corn bread recipe off the box and jazzed it up a bit- enjoy:)

Fall Blessings...

My canning season has come to an end. I canned peaches, pears, raspberry-mango jam, pepper jelly, tomatoes, beans, asparagus, pickles and salsa! WHOA! Holy canner!!
These are tomatoes and peppers from our garden and dad & Jackie's garden. I made a batch of salsa with them.
Relaxing:)
Happy Birthday Grandpa Jim!!

Have a wonderful weekend.