Thursday, April 29, 2010

What's for dinner tonight?

Pasta alla Vodka

So I found this recipe from my friend Jen’s blog (http://3littledutchgirlsmom.blogspot.com/) and it looked so good I had to make it tonight for dinner – sooooo yummy! I guess this is the only way I get to have vodka right now (6 more weeks and counting….). Jen found the recipe from another blogger - Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman.

1 pound Pasta
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped Finely
2 cloves (to 3 Cloves) Garlic, Chopped
¾ cups (to 1 Cup) Vodka
1 can Tomato Puree
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 pinch Red Pepper Flakes
¼ teaspoons (to 1/2 Teaspoon) Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Preparation Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions, being careful not to overcook.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and butter. When butter is melted, add in chopped onion and garlic. Stir and allow to cook for two minutes. Pour in vodka. Stir and cook for three minutes. Add in tomato puree and stir.

Reduce heat to low and stir in cream. Allow to simmer, being careful not to overheat. Stir in red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water in case sauce is too thick. Add cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to combine. Splash in a little water if it needs it. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Pour mixture into large serving bowl. Garnish with more Parmesan cheese.Eat it out of the serving bowl. Faint. Repeat as needed.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Getting ready for Baby G2...

So in preparing for the arrival of Baby Boy Gayeski #2 I have realized that we need a whole lot less "gear" than we did when we had Aidan. A couple of things that we did need though are a new bed and a new rocking chair. I am happy to say we now have both and they are set up in the room! I made the baby bedding and it coordinates with Aidan's, so it looks really cute.


The rocking chair looks like a cream color in this pic, but is actually more of a tan and matches the walls. I love the color.


Thanks Mom & Dad G - we LOVE the rocking chair! Aidan has been testing it out quite a bit and has decided it's a pretty good chair to read books in. We are looking forward to spending many nights in this chair rocking our little ones to sleep!

Sucess!


Yea! 5 days in a row we have potty training success...happiness in my house!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Skater boy...

Aga bought Aidan some new skates today!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Bring your child to work day...

Update: here are some pics from Aidan's day with daddy at the office...





Today was a big day in our house - it was "bring your child to work day" at Nate's office. Aidan was SOOOO excited. He had to bring his toy laptop with so that he could help daddy do some work. Nate's office has a whole agenda planned for the kids - I know he is going to love it!


Here is the agenda:

9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Picture time
10:15 am Arts and crafts /GYM
11:15 am Tour of the office
11:45 am Mail Procedures
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Scavenger hunt
1:30 pm Prizes/Cupcakes
1:45 pm Ira and Kevin present “Around the world in 15mins”
2:00pm Goodie Bags & Raffle

Hopefully he'll make it through the day - it looks like a lot of fun!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Crazy things my 3 year old says….



“I said hi to that girl mom…I guess she doesn’t know how to talk…”

"I so happy all these times..."

“I’m having some privacy mom….”

“Where is the ribbon to tie up my ballerinas?”

"Mom, you look like sleeping beauty"

“He looks like a mad guy…”

After pulling Chloe’s (our dog) tail… “Chloe’s my best friend”

“but I’m having such a hard time falling to sleep mom”

“we need to go to the store mom and get me some rocket boots!”

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

“own your words…even if occasionally you have to eat them”

I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. It has been fun catching up with people I haven’t seen or talked to in a very long time. It is interesting to get a glimpse at what goes on in other people’s daily lives. But I wonder, what is it about Facebook that makes people say things they wouldn’t normally say out loud? This drives me crazy – especially when it comes to religion and politics. There doesn’t seem to be any respect or integrity in their words. I understand and quite often respect other people’s opinions on religion and politics. I have my own strong opinions, but quite often keep them to myself because they are just that…my own opinions. I get frustrated when people take what they hear as fact, post it for the world to see, but haven’t done their homework to see if what they are saying is actually truth.

And the insults – the childish name calling, the lack of any form of respect for the leader of our country…what does this teach our children? I was not the biggest fan of President Bush. I did not respect A LOT of the things he did while in office…but I never would have called him Satan, the Devil, and a whole lot worse that I have seen on FB about President Obama. I have even seen a faux "prayer" to God for Obama's death. Nice.

My “friend” list on FB may have to be shortened...it’s too bad, because again, I enjoy a good, healthy debate every now and then…but the rest of it I can do without.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

10 years....

10 years ago today we were on this little island off the coast of Venezuela getting married and starting this adventure together! I can't believe it has 10 years already. I wish I had pics from our wedding scanned in so I could post them here. It was such a beautiful day - and the scenery was amazing. I hope someday we can go back (unfortunately right now it is too dangerous - thanks Chavez).

I can't imagine these past 10 years without you - you are a wonderful husband and an amazing father. I am so glad our boys have you as their dad! I look forward to many, many more years with you!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Keeping it "Green"


I recently came across two receipes for homemade "green" cleaners that I am going to try out. I definately want to keep our home clean and a non-toxic environment, especially with a new baby coming along, but I also don't want to break the bank on the expensive options out there (I no longer get wholesale pricing since I sold the boutique)...so check them out:


All Purpose Cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax)
1/2 gallon (2 liters) water

I will probably also add some Lavendar essential oils just because I love the smell!


Furniture Polish
Mix 1 cup vegetable or olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
(could that be any easier???)

Sunday, April 11, 2010

I am a mom of boys...

I am a mom of boys (one here, one on the way)...and I am fine with it!

People say all the time "Oh, I bet you were hoping for a girl this time..." Well, truth be told, having a daughter this time would have been fun. But I am equally as excited about having another boy. I am excited for Aidan to be a big brother and to have that special bond that boys do. I am fine with the fact that there will probably be more trips to the Lego Store than to the American Girl Place...really, I am. :-)

On this lovely Sunday afternoon I even opted to spend the afternoon at the Reptile Fest...cuz that's what a mom of boys would do!





Aidan and Chloe...



Good Morning Sunshine!


Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Just an April day at the beach!

Aidan and his buddy Sienna had a blast at the beach yesterday...I don't know how he did it but Aidan fell in the water three times...and LOVED it!




Sunday, April 4, 2010

Easter Family Pics...

Us
Kevin and Stephanie
Mom and Kev
Kim, Mom, Kate

Nate, Dad, Kevin, Aidan and Ken
Daddy and his girls!

Aga, Hoppa and Aidan

Mom and Dad

Loved spending the day with my family. So, so happy that Dad is feeling so great these days and that he is able to enjoy these special moments with Aidan. Looking forward to him sticking around a LONG LONG time and getting to know his new grandson soon to arrive!
Happy Easter everyone!

Easter Egg Hunt

Aidan had his own little Easter egg hunt over at Aga's house today...can't wait for him to have a little brother to hunt for eggs with next year!





Easter Eggs...

Aidan and i colored Easter eggs...he was very excited to get his hands in the food coloring (look at that face!)....

He drew the "squiggles" on the eggs with a wax crayon....

and couldn't wait to eat the finished product!

We had only one casualty...his bunny rabbit got blue food coloring all over his foot...and I can't even blame Aidan for that one!