Libby and Hailey really seem to enjoy each others company! The first met when Libby was only 6 weeks old and we all went to the zoo!
Here’s a photo of the girls (who had snuck down to the Hunt’s basement during Ethan’s 1st b-day party to play) and a similar one of their Mom’s….I can’t believe the one of Betsy and I is 6 years old!
Alison and I got a good laugh on Saturday when we gave Libby and Ethan a bath. Libby was helping to thoroughly wash Ethan while he stood and turned the bath water off and on. I love the expression on his face…and the fabulous hairdo Libby created for Ethan!
Alison mentioned this recipe while I was visiting and I can’t wait to try it. I love gnocchi. LOVE. IT. I typically buy the Trader Joe’s Gnochhi Alla Sorrentina (from the frozen section) because it takes 7 minutes to make and Libby LOVES it. Throw a quick salad together, slice some bread and it’s dinner in 10 min…beat that Rachel Ray! 
I’m going to buy the ingredients we need (zucchini and summer squash – we have tomatoes and basil in our garden) at the Farmer’s Market this weekend and make it Saturday night or Sunday night if all goes according to plan.
On a separate but related note, a sushi place opened up within a mile of our house. We. Can. Walk. There. Danger, Will Robinson, Danger. We got takeout recently and it was outstanding…I can’t wait to try it again (hint, hint, to my hubby who is often in charge of weekend cooking!).
As I mentioned a group of us Gamma Phi’s (we can still refer to ourselves like that 9 years later, right?) and some husbands gathered at Katherine and Bryan Bottareli’s beautiful home (Libby did not want to leave – I don’t think she’d ever seen so many princess toys all in one place! Julia and Paige are lucky girls and so good at sharing!). There were 7 kiddos and one on the way (baby glynn #2) between 5 of us = all 4 years and under.
We got a pretty good shot of all the kids:
Left to right: Paige B. (being held), Libby, Ellie N., Julia B., Keegan G., Jackson N., Ethan H.
Libby (always needing to hold something) has a baby, Princess Aurora doll and one Jasmin shoe!
Libby and I spent a whopping 4 days/5 nights in the Chicago area this past week! We had a great time and were able to see so many friends (in particular Shana was visiting from San Francisco). We stayed at the Hunt’s new house in Glen Ellyn. Alison and Ethan were home alone while Matt was out of town and I think everything worked out well. Libby loved being with Ethan and I loved the girl time with Alison. Special thanks to the Hunt’s for hosting us after just getting back from vacation! Libby was a great girl throughout our trip – including a 3 hour trip to IKEA, both car rides, etc!
The highlight of the trip was Ethan’s first birthday party on Saturday. Alison did an amazing job with the decorations and preparations for the circus themed event. Alison works for Vienna Beef so we enjoyed gourmet hot dogs steaming hot from a Vienna Beef cart! We tried to get a picture of all the kiddos at the party with their Vienna Beef hats, but it didn’t exactly work (see below)!!
Libby is holding Ellie (our friends Sarah and Chris’ twin girl) and trying to comfort her, but it looks more like she’s got Ellie in a headlock! You can see the birthday boy near Libby in the lime green shirt.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted a picture of me and my sweet girl (I’m often the one behind the camera) – but here we are on Mike’s Aunt and Uncle’s deck in their house in Maine….house #3 on the Barron family compound (we’re just like the Kennedy’s – LOL!)…
For a trip down memory lane past pictures here and here.
The London updates will continue – soon – I promise!
reading: Still suffering through The Shack for August bookclub – I just can’t get into it. Sneaking a few chapters of New Moon any chance I get!
eating: fresh corn on the cob & creamy chicken enchiladas (recipe below)
making: still trying to finish up some necklaces and hairbows
listening to: Journey and Heart – saw them in concert last night…what a great show!
planning: for a trip to Chicago with Libby…Ethan’s first birthday and hopefully a visit with the just born Cranley twins
Chicken Enchiladas
1 T butter
½ cup chopped green onions
½ t garlic powder
4 oz can diced green chiles
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (I used cream of chicken)
½ cup sour cream
1 ½ cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
6 (12 inch) flour tortillas
¼ cup milk
Preheat oven to 350; lightly grease large baking dish (I use my 9×13)
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the green onion until tender (about 3 – 4 mins). Add the garlic powder, then stir in the green chiles, cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Mix well.
Reserve ¾ of this sauce and set aside. To the remaining ¼ of the sauce in the pan, add the chicken and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir together.
Fill each flour tortilla with the chicken mixture and roll up. Place seam side down in the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the reserved ¾ of the sauce with the milk. Spoon this mixture over the rolled tortillas and top with the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake in oven for 30 – 35 mins, or until cheese is bubbly.
I typically put salsa on top and serve with a side of guac.
Libby was in HEAVEN on Tuesday when she attended Paige’s Princess themed 4th Birthday Party. Libby is all about princesses and though she donned a Cinderelli dress, Sleeping Bluety (as she calls her) is her favorite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d28GPZEg95o
Video footage and more details about the ADM Chester R. Bender Award my brother received.
We are back from a great vacation – trying to get caught up – it’s been a busy week full of birthday parties, making dinners for friends who had babies and lots of LAUNDRY!!
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