bird watching

this is Daegen attached to the cage!

So our friends had there house exterminated and they needed some one to watch there bird. So of course I volunteered because I knew Daegen would love it for a couple hours. I was right for the first two hours he was attached to the cage. Then after his nap he would go play and come back to check on the bird literally every 2 minutes (I was watching him it was hilarious). Then by the time the bird had to leave, daegen was not that interested. It was the perfect stay for our little bird friend.

I'm glad I don't have to get a bird now, the first two hours I was worried that I had to get a bird because Daegen was so interested, but that passed. whew!!

almost 10 months

This morning I realized that Daegen is almost 10 months. I haven't gotten any pictures of him in awhile. I mean I have tons of pics but not ones I would want to put up in my home or give to Grandma's and G.G's. so here I some I have a lot more I need to do. I have his Halloween costume and a cute hat I need to take pictures of him in. So this is what I have edited and there are more to come:

never ending tomato soup

Brock loves this soup!!! last year I made it and froze a bunch and it only lasted about a month. So this year Brock wanted more. So he some how got an in with a friend and ended up with a huge box of tomatoes. Since that box has hit our doorstep I have been making this soup morning and night plus some salsa and spaghetti sauce. Enjoy! Roasted Tomato Soup

2 1/2 pounds fresh tomatoes (mix of fresh heirlooms, cherry, vine and plum tomatoes)

6 cloves garlic, peeled

2 small yellow onions, sliced

Vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, optional

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 quart chicken stock 4 cups / 2 cans

2 bay leaves

4 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, optional

3/4 cup heavy cream, optional (Brock prefers the cream)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Wash, core and cut the tomatoes into halves. Spread the tomatoes, garlic cloves and onions onto a baking tray. If using vine cherry tomatoes for garnish, add them as well, leaving them whole and on the vine. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, or until caramelized.

Remove roasted tomatoes, garlic and onion from the oven and transfer to a large stock pot (set aside the roasted vine tomatoes for later). Add 3/4 of the chicken stock, bay leaves, and butter. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has reduced by a third.

Wash and dry basil leaves, if using, and add to the pot. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return soup to low heat, add cream and adjust consistency with remaining chicken stock, if necessary. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish in bowl with 3 or 4 roasted vine cherry tomatoes and a splash of heavy cream

Serve with good Bread

our stay with beth

For aunt beth

Before I went to AZ I discovered that Daegen was afraid of this ball. So I took a video of it. I didn't realize it was really that funny tell I showed my family and heard me taunting Daegen. Enjoy!!!

becks baby blessing

cute little family

we traveled to Arizona over labor day weekend. My sister Beth and her husband Brandon blessed theirbaby so we went out to see them. It was so fun to see everyone, but we did miss our brother.

here is G.G. and her Great Grandsons.

aunties and there nephews.

grandma and grandpa and there grandsons.

Of course Daegen entertained everyone.

first day of school and hopefully last

I made Brock take the first day of school pic again this year. We were in AZ and I was staying for the rest of the week and I was going to miss his real first day so we had to pretend. I love that he has a random old book (that was beths decor) as his school book and the no shoes. love it!! this is our last year of this school stuff I'm so excited he will graduate in June 2010 .

I smell trouble

There is an older man at church and every time he sees me he says I smell trouble. Well I think that my nick name "trouble" has rubbed off on the little man. He is in to everything. I have a hard time saying no. But I think the time has come for me to set some boundary's!!! I also would like to note that he also loves brocks cell phone charger cord and any other cords for that matter. I haven't gotten a picture yet but that is his favorite place to be is under the desk wrapped up in all those cords.

9 months

Dear Daegen,

September 2 you turned nine months old. You’re sprouting before our eyes. There is so much to say about you. Boy, you are learning more and more every day. Growing up so quick, making me laugh and making me proud.

I find myself in awe that you were once a snuggly baby on my chest, wrapped in a tiny bundle while I dangled toys or read to you. I once wondered what it'd be like for you to pick up things or smile at me. Now you see something across the room and scoot your way over without thinking twice. You smile at me and show me your adorable 2 pearly whites. You sit and scoot and sip from a sippy cup and jabber and smack your lips. You are one industrious lil boy; you love shuffling the books on the shelf, discovering computer cords, trash cans, TV remotes and shoes. you like to lay your head on my shoulder before naptime, sit cozy in my lap at story time and reach up for me to hold you. Just a few things I love about you.

You are one wonder baby; eating well and sleeping well. I love you for waking up early and being such a happy boy. I have found joy in watching you find joy in the simple things; like watching the ceiling fan go round and round.

I love your expressions; I love when you find your reflection in a mirror. You lean over and touch the mirror and giggle and slap your hand up and down. To you, a game of peek a boo is the best thing since sliced bread. You give me a hearty laugh, every time. And daddy only has to show his face for you to know that, that’s who you want to play with. Then he tosses you in the air and you laugh uncontrollably as he throws you on the bed.

Daegen thank you for the best 9 months of our lives. You have taught us what life is really about… the simple things in life. We love you daegy .

this morning

I woke up to a babbling, giggling baby being brought to me. I was still in bed and wishing I could push a snooze button, but when mother hood calls, motherhood calls. So I woke up and sang a couple renditions of "Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes." Then we moved to the living room and played with some toys while I made our hot cereal and cut up peaches. I turned on Daegens favorite CD (right now) "guitar hymns" (really anything with a guitar or bob Marley is his fav.) As I was dishing up his cereal he was looking at me with those big blue eyes. It made me think, "what could he be thinking about looking at me so deeply"? Then I started to feed him his cereal and he was eating like he was a starving boy. I took a pause because I thought, he wont be this age in a month or so, so I better remember this sweet memory I get to share with the still 8 month old Daegen. He is so curious , and eager to learn and loves having people talk to him. He knows that if he smiles at you and laughs you will come back for more and keep talking to him. lately he has been a good flirt with the Lady's, he will look at the girl and smile then when she says something back and he will hide his face in my shoulder. It is so cute and the funny thing is he doesn't do it with his aunts or little girls or any males, he knows who to flirt with.