Cowboy Salsa ...

This goodness - oh this sweet sweet goodness was a HUGE hit at Thanksgiving.  

We might have actually dipped into this before the whole family arrived ... and I must admit, once you have one bite you just can't stop!

What is this you might ask?! Why, it's Cowboy Salsa!

This is best made ahead of time {I made it on Monday evening and we ate it on Thursday}.  The more time it sits, the more it marinates and gets all the goodness soaked into the beans :)

I thought I must share this recipe, it's so easy {even I can't mess it up!} and it's delish!

Cowboy Salsa

What you'll need:

1 can of each - Pinto Beans, Black Beans, Black-eyed Peas, Northern Beans, White Corn, Chopped Chilies

1 Green and Red Pepper

5 Cloves of Garlic

2 Jalapenos {I didn't include these}

1/2 Red Onion Chopped

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/2 Cup White Vinegar

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Veg. Oil

The Process:

1. Drain and Rinse all the "Canned" items

2. Dump everything into a dish {I used a 9x13 Rubbermaid container}

3. Place in refrigerator to marinate for at least 6 hours

See, so easy! Serve with tortilla chips. 

Thanksgiving ...

To say that the Hubs and I were looking forward to Thanksgiving break is an understatement.  We were both desperately looking forward to the little break from work - so as soon as we were allowed to leave work, we packed up and were outta there!

The holidays have proven to be a tricky time for us - we honestly want to please both sides of families but it's pretty hard for us to be in two places at once that are hours away from each other {thankfully Christmas is a bit easier for us to hit both families}.  Our solution is to rotate which family we spend Thanksgiving with, it just works best for us and it's the best way we have figured out to be "fair" to our family members. 

I'll be the first person to admit that both of us are still getting use to this new norm {along with our families}.  Last year we spent Thanksgiving with the Hubs family and it was my first year not seeing my parents on Thanksgiving - I'll admit that it wasn't easy being away from them, but I tried to push those feelings aside and enjoy the time with the Hubs family.  That being said, this year we were with my family and I was hoping that I could help the Hubs in knowing the mixed emotions I felt while spending the first holiday away from my parents. 

This year we headed down to the Lansing area to celebrate with my WHOLE family at my brother and sister-in-laws.  On the way down I realized that the last time we were all together was at the wedding!  Just like us, my brother and his family rotate holidays {We see them at Thanksgiving this year, so next year we'll see them at Christmas} and so we've tried to coordinate to make sure that the years they're with our family for Thanksgiving the Hubs and I will be there too!

My sister-in-law went all out with the decor - from the cute little banner to the beautiful table display for both the adults and kiddos!

The Hubs and I arrived to their house Wednesday evening so we were able to witness all the behind the scenes action with putting together the meal - which included washing the turkey while having it dance to "Let it Go" {Only my bother, only my brother ....}

We all enjoyed some snacks and time with each other before the yummy meal.

It worked out perfectly that there's a perfect amount of people for the kids table and the adult table - I'm just happy I've finally graduated from the kids table! 

I was in charge of bringing some wine - and so wine I brought!  The family was all making fun of the size of the bottle I brought {this picture really doesn't do justice with the size}.  But, I figured why not bring the HUGE bottle of wine from SAMs :)

After the yummy lunch/dinner the boys watched the Lions games they had taped while we were eating - I say watched loosely because two of them ended up taking a little turkey nap :)

Sweet little Ava took a little snooze on Grandma as well.

Things can get a bit crazy with 5 little ones around - lots of giggles, running, screaming - but I wouldn't want it any other way!  These people, oh how I love them all so!

So there you have it, our first Thanksgiving as a Mr. & Mrs. I am so thankful to have this guy by my side - He is my family and we are slowly creating our own traditions :)

Meet Otis ...

Yesterday was a big day for the hubs and me ... like a life changing day because .... our family is growing!

No, this is not a baby announcement {much to my mothers disappointment} - because our new addition is a little furry.  Meet Otis!

This snugly little guy is the newest member of our family and we couldn't be happier! 

The hubs and I drove 2 hours downstate yesterday to pick him out --- we had the choice between two, and I must say it wasn't the easiest.  Both of them were super sweet, but our Otis just seemed a little more chill, and calm :)

In this picture {and video} Otis is the one sleeping while his brother romps around.  Huck {his brother} was cracking us up with how active it was!

We are absolutely head over heals with Otis - and we were so happy to be able to spend some time getting to know him. He was a bit sleepy when we were there {and we know that he will not always be this sleepy!}

 

We tried to wake him up - but even holding him up he was zonked out!

Eventually, he did wake up! Hooray! We were excited to spend some time actually playing with him.

My brother and his family are getting a puppy too - Kona {the golden little fur ball} so we got a chance to have the two play together.  While Otis was sleeping, Kona kept pestering him to play, but then the roles were reversed when Kona fell asleep and Otis really wanted to play. :)

It was so cute to see all the puppies.  We definitely did not want to leave, it was so sad saying goodbye to our fur ball.  But, in a short couple weeks we'll be bringing him home for good! :)

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili ...

It is my goal to try to make a crock pot meal once a week. With long hours teaching {for both the hubs and me} nothing beats coming home to a meal all ready for us!

To make matters even better - I do all the prep possible the night before {like mixing up all the spices needed} allowing me to quickly just dump things in in the AM - and not making me have to get up any earlier than needed :)

This one proves to be one of our favorites - and it's SO easy!!  It just so happened that I had all the ingredients in the house, so it was a perfect meal for this snowy Monday night! :)

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

What you'll need:

1 can black beans

1 can rotel, undrained

1 can corn, undreaned

1 package ranch dressing mix

1 tsp Cumin

1 Tbsp Chili Powder

1 tsp Onion Power

1 - 8oz package light cream cheese

2 chicken breasts

The Process:

1. Drain and rise black beans

2. Place chicken at the bottom of pot, then pour out whole can of corn (undrained), rotel, and black beans.

3. Top with seasonings and ranch mix. Mix together.

4. Place cream cheese on top.

5. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours

6. Stir cream cheese into chili, use two forks to shred chicken.

7. Stir together and serve

*We top ours with a little shredded cheese because, well - we love cheese! Also, ours was in the crock pot on low from 7:30 AM until 4:30PM and it was still delish! 

Meeting Ainsley Drew ...

The hubs and I ventured down to GR on Saturday to meet one of the science girls new little ones.  Ainsley Drew was born on Nov. 6, weighing in at 6 pounds 12 ounces.  Oh my goodness - she is such a precious little peanut! 

Cuddling her was the best!  There was a little awake time after she finished a bottle, then she passed out - mouth wide open {apparently her preferred way to sleep!}

My sister stopped over to meet Ainsley as well, and the girls were so excited to hold her! I cannot wait to see how these girls react when I have a baby {not anytime soon, this is not an announcement at all!}

Addi even asked to hold her multiple times, fitting in some last minute cuddles before they left.  I think she was pretty smitten with Ainsley :)

Easton on the other hand was more excited about taking selfie photos :)  Oh how I love this boy!

The main reason for our down and back trip was to meet Ainsley - but also the rest of the science girls were coming into town too!  Two of the lovely ladies live in GR, but Dee lives in Detroit - so we all made plans to be at Ash's at the same time to not only meet Ainsley but get some time together as well.  These girls, they're simply the best.  I feel like we have grown even closer since graduating college and I couldn't be happier!

We talked, and talked, and cuddled the wee one, and talked some more - such precious time together!

And then sadly it was time to say our goodbyes.  So sad to leave sweet Ainsley, and the rest of the science girls.  Hoping we will see them all again VERY soon!! :)