Coach Otis ...

I'm currently doing my third round of the 21 Day Fix.  It's been a lot of hard work - daily workouts and HUGE changes to my eating habits {aka cutting out a lot of snacking and sweet treats} but it has been SO worth it!  Since Aug 14 - I've lost over 20 pounds! Hip hip hooray!!

Typically, I do my workouts as soon as I get home from work.  Sometimes the hubs takes Otis for a walk during this time, sometimes the hubs brings Otis upstairs during this time, and sometimes the hubs goes biking while I workout and Otis stays in his cage for just a little longer ...

But, I feel bad about him being cooped up more than he has too. So, tonight- I tried my workout with him out and about.  I figured it was pilates which doesn't include any jumping so hopefully I wouldn't draw attention to myself.  I should have known that I'm on the floor pretty much the ENTIRE workout - so of course the pup would want to be RIGHT by me ...

And yes, he was.  Staring me down during planks ...

Between my legs during the "C" series ....

Stretching it all back out with me ...

"Encouraging" me during the leg series ...

And pretty much barking at me whenever I wasn't touching him {During the superman series} ...

Lesson learned - the pup will not be helping out with workouts from now on! :)

Happy Birthday Otis!!

Happy 1st Birthday to this sweet Pup!! 

Yes we are crazy dog parents who spoiled our pup like crazy today! It seems like just yesterday he was a little fur ball who we were constantly tripping over.  Now, we still trip over him but he's put on about 25 pounds - and that fluff is gone {but hopefully will return once his hair grows out again!}.  We think we got pretty lucky in the pup department, and really can't imagine our life without him in it!

Of course we had to celebrate today in true crazy dog parent fashion.  We both felt bad that Otis was locked up all day in his cage while we worked, so when we got home we broke out his special birthday bone! {Free from the D.O.G. Barkery in TC!} 

Otis wasn't too sure what to do with the huge treat ...

But eventually he gobbled it up!  And yes, he keeps going back to that spot in the yard looking for crumbs. :)

After a bike ride for the hubs, a cardio workout for me, a yummy taco dinner & dog food for the pup, we took the pup on a walk to get a pup cup.  Your birthday only comes once a year and he deserved to be spoiled too!  

It's funny because he KNOWS what the ice cream store is now - and just sat inside there looking as everyone ahead of us was served their ice cream.  They all got quite the kick out of him!  And when it was finally his turn, well he had that ice cream down in two minutes flat! 

Happy Birthday to you, sweet boy!  Here's to many more fur ball years ahead! :)

Fall is here & maybe winter?!? ...

Truth be told ... the pup LOVES to be outside.  When we told people we were getting a puppy in the winter time, they told us we were crazy because a puppy would not want to go out in the cold to go to the bathroom.  We definitely lucked out because Otis LOVES to be outside regardless of the weather {unless of course it's raining, then we have to throw him outside to do his business}.

Otis has LOVED the leaves - running like crazy at every opportunity outside!

But the other night when it was snowing - someone didn't want to go outside! I think he forgot how much he loved the white stuff because the next morning, he was in heaven once again! 

And of course I must mention the big game this weekend.  Yes, I might have splurged and bought Otis his very own Michigan jersey while at the grocery store.  I must admit, he kept it on all afternoon and didn't seem to mind it at all.  Does this mean I'll be buying more clothes for him - probably not! :)

The boys enjoyed watching the game ...

And someone was a little depressed after the outcome ... we had to give him a reminder that it was just a game and life will go on :)

Turbo Fire Chili ...

Nothing says fall more than football on the TV, windows open with a cool breeze, sweatshirts on, and chili in the crock pot!

This recipe was one the hubs deemed a repeat recipe - so very delish! {and easy too!}

TurboFire Chili

What you'll need:

1 pound lean ground turkey

1 can diced tomatoes

1 large can tomato sauce

8 oz. whole kernel corn, frozen

1/2 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic {I didn't include this}

1 can black beans, rinced

1 can pinto, chili, or kidney beans, rinsed

2 tbsp minced garlic

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes {I didn't include this either}

1/2 tsp ground cumin or dried minced garlic {I included both}

shredded cheddar cheese

The Process:

1. Brown turkey.  Drain and discard any fat.

2. Place all ingredients except cheese into crock pot

3. Cook on low for 4 hours or 2 hours on high.

4. Serve and top with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.

5. Enjoy!

**If you're following 21DF one serving is 1 1/2 cups, which equals one red, yellow, and green {count a blue if you add cheese}

Round Two ...

The day after my SIL and the girls left, I picked up my sister's three kiddos for a weekend stay.  Last year we had the little loves for a weekend and not only did they have a blast, but we did too!  So, I asked my sister if she would like us to take them again - and of course she wouldn't turn that down! 

We picked them up later in the evening - so I told them as soon as we got home we'd be heading to bed, but we had to make a quick stop for ice cream first ;)

Otis, once again, loved having kiddos around.  I'm pretty sure he would have stayed here if we let him! 

The next morning I was not prepared for the 7am wake up as my sister always says how the little loves usually sleep in, so playing started right away! 

We did go into my classroom for a little bit too - they let me get some work done and they enjoyed playing with the toys I had there too! 

For lunch they each got to make their own pizza - a hit for sure! 

Otis LOVED all the attention he got from the little loves, you'd think we never show him any attention - ha! 

Rest time for the four kiddos :)

That night we grilled out and had one of my friends over with her little girl for s'mores.  And would you believe it, I didn't take a single picture!  Shocking I know!  

Again, Otis wanted to sleep with the little loves - Kylynn wanted him too, but Addi wasn't too sure about it :)

A little science fun with one of Kylynn's tinker sets - a rocket! 

And then it was time to bring the little loves back down.  It was down pouring rain during our drive - and I thought all three of the little loves would pass out, but Addi stayed strong! 

A fun visit for sure - and I'm pretty sure they're already planning their visit for next summer :)

Spaghetti squash lasagna ...

We always have a spaghetti squash laying around our house - it's pretty much a Webb staple.  I'm always trying to find new recipes for them - and sometimes they just turn out too good to be true.  Tonight was one of those nights!

Typically I'll cook up the squash on a Sunday afternoon and then have it for easy meals during the week - but tonight, I cooked it {so time consuming!} and tried to use the time wisely while it was cooking for this new recipe ...

Because tonight was my first night making ...

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

What you'll need:

2 1/3 cups of spicy italian turkey sausage, casings removed {I used pork sausage because that's what we had at home.}

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 cooked spaghetti squash

2/3 cup of mozzarella cheese

The Process:

Cook your spaghetti squash (cut in half, take out "guts", rub with EVOO, sprinkle on salt & pepper, place upside down in baking dish cooking for 45-60 minutes at 350 degrees). While spaghetti squash is cooking, brown the turkey sausage until no longer pink.  Spray an 8x8 casserole dish with a little cooking spray and begin the laying process.  First, spoon about half your sauce on the bottom of the dish.  Then add the spaghetti squash.  Next, the sausage and follow up with about 1/4 cup sauce and about 1/3 cup of mozzarella cheese.  Then add the ricotta and finally top with remaining sauce and the rest of the mozzarella.  Bake until cheese is melty and bubbly - about 15 minutes.  If you want your cheese to brown more, increase time or raise temp to 400 (that's what I did!), just keep an eye on it.

Enjoy! 

{Now this is a 21 day fix recipe - so if you need the containers it is 1 green, 1/2 blue, and 1 1/2 red.}

Little Visitors {plus their Momma} ...

Last week my sister-in-law brought her two girls up for a visit.  She works weekends so we don't always get to see her that often.  It was an added bonus to have them come stay a night, to show them our town, and just relax together. 

Otis, well, I'm pretty sure his world was rocked a little by our visitors!  He did REALLY well with them, besides getting very jealous whenever I would pick up one of the girls.  His word will be rocked when we eventually have kids !

We enjoyed some time outside playing - Chloe loved Otis' ball gun ;)

And Miss Ava - she is just a cutie! 

The hubs had to leave shortly after they arrived to head downstate for a project - so we soaked up a little time with him outside. 

Ava loves books - and Otis loved being a good audience :)

Playing with some more toys in the house - this girl, she's the cutest! 

Watching the hubs leave - I promise Ava did not go through the screen, ha! :)

We walked over to the school as Chloe wanted to see my classroom - and we spent a good chunk of time playing on the playground.  The girls loved all the different slides!  Even Ava had a blast going down them! 

After dinner - we walked to what else but ICE CREAM! 

It was an adventure with the ice cream - blowing winds, sun out, ice cream melted - we'll just say baths were needed when we got home! :)

Ava's favorite thing was emptying out Otis' toys - it was the cutest thing to watch her offer him every single toy in his bin, made me giggle! 

And that was the quick - but oh so fun visit!  Can't wait to have them visit again soon - and hopefully with their dad this time too! :)