Future MVP

Brent is back to coaching football this year. He really loves it. He coaches for the school he went to and played at. If he wouldn't have gone to school to be a police officer he would have gone to be a teacher. I think coaching gives him that fix ;) The relationships he makes with these kids is awesome. Brent first started coaching when I was pregnant with Emily. Em's first football game was when she was 3 months old and she loved it! Brent's last year coaching was while I was pregnant with Mason. So he took a two year break to spend with us but now he is back to it. I don't think people understand how much time these guys put in with these kids unless you are a coaches wife. I love it. I love watching him interact with the kids...I love football in general.
A couple of months ago someone gave him a helmet. We decided to put it in Mason's room since his room is decorated in vintage sports. Lately that is all Mason wants to wear. He looks so stinking cute in it too. It's hilarious because it is way to big for him. I think I may have a future MVP on my hands. And of course Emily had to join in on the fun!

Swim Lessons

We decided it was time to get the kids into swim lessons. We are going to Orlando in December and the house we are renting has in ground pool. I just thought I would be a little more comfortable if we got them a little more comfortable with the water. It only took 1 lesson for me to decide they are little fishy's!!! Emily went from being scared to getting in by herself to jumping off the side and going under water. I loved watching her. Mason loved when we would sing songs and paddle to getthe balls. The Y did a great job! We will definatley be going back

We Love to Swim

Brent's dad got us one of those blue pop-up pools a couple of weeks ago and boy are we getting a ton of use out of it! The kids absolutely love it. Our typical day consists of waking up and eating breakfast while we watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Then we play in side for about an hour. Around 11 we get on our swim suits and head outside! We play in the pool until about 1 and then come in for lunch. Emily and Mason go down for naps at about 1:30. Daddy get's home at about 3:30. They are usually up around 4. We get up and go outside and do it all over again until dinner.

Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My!

We had some beautiful weather a couple of weeks ago. We decided to head the Toledo zoo with our good friends the Ziegler family. Jason & Kerri have 3 kids; Elizabeth is 6, Jake is 4, and Joey is 2. Brent and Jason have been friends since they started coaching in 2006. Emily and Jake are in the same preschool class and have been friends since Emily was 3 months old. Plus they think they are getting married one day. Mason and Joey are only 2 months apart and have been buddies since Joey was born. I love having good friends with great kids to hang out with all the time. When we do stuff together it is quiet a large group. HA!

The zoo was awesome. They have a new baby polar bear that the kids loved. Of course we all loved the elephants. Mason had a lot of fun making all the animal noises.

Happy Birthday America :)

We had such a nice 4th of July! Brent's parents came over for a cook out. The kids swam and played and we watched them have fun.

What's For Dinner????

I LOVE making this for dinner. My stepmom got me hooked on it. It's from Cooking Light.



La Bamba Casserole
Ingredients
1 (5.25-ounce)can whole green chiles, drained
Cooking spray
1 pound ground turkey breast
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1 black beans
2 cups frozen whole-kernel corn, thawed
1 (16-ounce) can fat-free refried beans
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cup chopped green onions

Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.

Cut green chiles in half lengthwise. Arrange chiles in a single layer in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray.

Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add turkey, onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes, stirring to crumble. Add diced tomatoes; cook 5 minutes or until liquid evaporates.

Spoon turkey mixture over chiles. Top with corn. Spread drained black beans. Carefully spread beans over black beans. Sprinkle cheese over beans. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes; top with chopped tomato and green onions. I also like to put a little low fat sour cream on top too!