Parties and Parades

A blogging bum...yup, that's exactly what I've been these days.

So, sorry about that.

This past Thursday was Evan's birthday. The big 32. He had a week long of celebrations...lucky guy. Wednesday night, I cooked Evan's special dinner request and my family came over. We had steak on the grill, salad, mashed potatoes, and rolls. His birthday dessert you ask?...a cookie cake of course. Cookie cakes are his favorite.  I learned a little lesson about cookie cakes this year. Stop going to the cookie store for cookie cakes. This year I ordered a cookie cake from Harris Teeter and let me tell you...it was WAY better than from the cookie store, and cost WAY less. Lesson learned!

 

Michael and Ethan getting some snuggles in

 

 

Ethan loves to help open gifts!

 

 

His birthday week continued with two more days of fun. Friday night his entire family gathered at his mom's for another special request...hamburgers on the grill. Do you see a trend here? Of course another cookie cake was in order. Then Sunday, Evan's dad and stepmom took us to PF Chang's (yum) for dinner. I will never complain about a free dinner just because it is someone else's birthday! Sadly, the celebrations must come to an end at some point...right? That's because it's time to make way for my own special birthday celebrations! :) 



 

 

Saturday morning...bright and early... we went to the Raleigh Christmas Parade with Evan's sister, her husband, and Ethan's two cousins. Yes, it was cold. But, we made the best of it. We got there early enough to get a close parking spot, and a good spot on the sidewalk. The boys were able to sit up close and personal on the curb. We brought plenty of blankets, hot chocolate, and Bojangles biscuits. What more could you need?  The parade was great, the kids had a blast- and naps afterward were amazing. (myself included :) )

 



 

 

It was a busy, but fun week! Happy birthday to the man I love more everyday. You are such a blessing in my life!!!

 

 

"World's Best Potato Soup"

"World's Best Potato Soup"- a recipe we tried this weekend while in the mountains (Boone) and really enjoyed it.

It was perfect soup weather, since it was pretty darn cold. We took Ethan with us this time, and Evan's parents watched him while we went to the App State football game on Saturday afternoon. We were very thankful that they were willing to watch him for us. They had a blast while we were at the game.

App State played Louisiana Monroe, and ended up being one of the closest App State games we have seen in a very long time. It was back and forth the entire game- neck and neck. App State won by a filed goal putting the final score at 31-29. Aren't you impressed with my wonderful game recap? You should be since I really don't know that much about football...I mean lets just be honest. :)

I didn't really go crazy with the pictures this time- but did manage to get a couple cute ones...

 

After a walk outside Saturday morning (it was cold!) we had to make a grocery store run!

 

His Mimi took this picture while we were at the game. They managed to find a patch of snow leftover from the day before.

Okay- so onto the recipe. I hope you enjoy it. I will say, it is very heavy and makes the perfect comfort food. Perfect for the upcoming colder months. It tastes just like a loaded baked potato, just in soup form.  (recipe from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

Original recipe makes 8 to 10 servings                    

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

                       

8 unpeeled potatoes, cubed  (I used red potatoes)                                                

                  

1 onion, chopped                                                   

                     

2 stalks celery, diced                                                    

               

6 cubes chicken bouillon                                                    

                       

1 pint half-and-half cream                                                    

                     

1 pound bacon - cooked and crumbled                                                    

                  

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup                                                    

              

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

In a large stock pot combine potatoes, onions, celery, bouillon cubes and enough water to cover all ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer on medium heat until potatoes are with in 15 minutes of being finished.

 

Add half and half, bacon, cream of mushroom soup and stir until creamy. Add cheese and stir until completely melted. Simmer on low until potatoes are done. Serve with sour cream.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Trick or Treat

"Trick or Treat, Trick or Treat, give me something good to eat!" Yes, that was the phrase my 2 year old learned very quickly this past week!

Halloween night was lots of fun here in the Boutwell home. We had a full house- my mom, Evan's mom, my sister, her boyfriend, my cousin Beth and her husband, and their son. We ordered pizza for dinner and enjoyed some down time (well as much down time as possible with 2 year olds running around!) before hitting the road.

Ethan wanted to be the "working man" as he calls it for Halloween. AKA- a construction man. His cousin Zane was a train conductor. Trying to capture pictures of these two- well, lets just say it took an entire group effort! Goodness gracious that was hard work.

 

"Hey man, how much candy do you think were gonna get?!"

 

When one is looking, the other one isn't!

 

 

...And even after all that hard work, you would think would could have managed to get one decent picture! 

We pulled this kids around in the wagon, and everyone had a great time. Our neighborhood is huge...and really goes all out for the holiday. I have never seen so many decked out houses for Halloween before. Music, lights, blow up figures, haunted houses, strobe lights, fog machines, you name it. All I can say is our neighborhood knows how to party.

The first thing out of Ethan's mouth on Saturday morning was "can I have a lolly pop now?" All I can say is that candy "went away" really fast! :)

I hope all of you enjoyed the day with your little ones. I loved seeing them all dressed up!