Moving?

Today we are loading up and moving out. There might just be some blogs scheduled to post while we are on the road visiting family and friends and driving 36 hours with a 7 month old.

We'll let you know when we're arrived safe and sound and south. Its weird to think that the next time I write a blog we'll be in Georgia. We'll be in our new home. We'll be covered in sweat and humidity.

(P.S. ABF is the cheapest way to move across the country and you don't have to drive a u-haul. I'm not endorsing, I'm just saying.)

Balloon Boy

The cashier gave Henry a blue balloon. I told her he was a little young. Case in Point: string is more exciting than floating blue ball.

When 2 Become 1

I know you're all thinking of that awesome Spice Girls song like I am but you're wrong. Well, how can the Spice Girls be wrong? I meant that's not what this post is about.

We are now a one car family. The Honda and Toyota have been traded in for a 2009 Ford Fusion. Hello V6, I love you. It also has room for all of us and our ipods can hook up right into the stereo and all can be controlled by the steering wheel. And the best part is we don't have to caravan to Georgia!

Speaking of, blast off in 4 days. 4 days!

Chicken Tikka Masala over Fluffy Couscous

In an effort to clean out our pantry before the move, I have been trying to creatively use what we have. Hence couscous + chicken + cilantro + tomato sauce= Indian Food night. Recipes and photo courtesy of My Kitchen Cafe (with my substitutions).

Chicken Tikka Masala
from Kylie W.

1 cup plain yogurt (I used 6 oz and it was fine)
1 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (I used paprika)
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (I used ground ginger as I didn't have fresh)
1 teaspoon salt
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Combine all ingredients except chicken. Pour sauce over chicken and refrigerate for one hour. (I marinated overnight because I am prepared like that.) Grill or cook chicken in frying pan. Discard marinade.

1 tablespoon butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped (I left this out)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 cup cream
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for one minute. Season with cumin, paprika and salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Add grilled chicken and simmer for 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve over hot rice.

I also made this couscous recipe to serve with it. Note: it makes way too much for 2 people. Add some garlic naan I bought at the bakery and it was Indian heaven. Yum.

Henry: 7 months

What is life like with a seven month old? Very squirmy. Yesterday Henry turned 7 months which is strange because since when do I have a 7 month old? Seriously. In the blink of an eye, they go from tiny little blobs to won't stop putting things in their mouths.
Here are some things Henry likes/can do:
-If you have something, he wants it especially the remote. If he has something, its in his mouth. Period. Whether its toys, a book, the remote, a box of gobstoppers, its in there. (And if it is gosbstoppers, he will soak the box to the point that he can rip it open and then as you frantically try to keep him from swallowing one, a wet rainbow will spread across your white duvet cover. You were right, Steve.)
-He currently eats 2 solid meals a day. One dinner consisting of vegetables-he will eat anything if it is mixed with butternut squash-and one dessert of rice cereal and fruit. Pears are his favorites. And if you put him in his booster seat before you have everything situated he will start to get very excited and start squealing and flailing his arms around for you to work faster. Its pretty funny.
-He loves to roll all over the place and enjoys playing with whatever he rolls into whether it be bike rack or tv box.
-He loves to fly either in the air or on the ground by turning his arms and legs into propellers.
-He still loves Mickey Mouse
-He still is cool being in his car seat. Thankfully, as we have quite the drive ahead of us .
-He went swimming last monday for the first time and kind of like being in a swing it was only okay.
Overall he is very chill except between 5-7 pm when he gets kind of moody but that's what binkys are for, right?

Farm Country

A couple of weeks ago Steve's sister Jenny and her family came into town and we met up at Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point.We saw cows, horses, ducks, pigs and llamas. Henry didn't seem very excited about anything but at least he wasn't terrified.
Aunt Jenny with Henry and the llamaSome of the older kids were a little too cool for horseback riding.But Alex was always good for an enthusiastic yee-haw! on each round of the ride. Side Note: What a terrible life those poor ponies must lead. So sad. Circles, never ending circles...
The kids thought the pig's nose ring was pretty cool. Steve thought it would be funny to try some different hats on Henry. I like the sheriff hat personally. That is why I love my husband. And I finally remembered to get a picture with me in it. No more phantom mother!
We're glad we could meet up with the Cawley's one last time before Georgia. We will miss our annual July hang out.

Thanks FSA!

Thanks tax free insurance cafeteria plan. You run out today so I got $150 worth of band aids, medicine and first aid stuff for free. And yes, I checked the expiration dates.