One Year Until Hes Two

Our little boy is the big 1 now and had a very fun party to celebrate it. Thanks to everyone who was able to come out. It means a lot to us. Ive put some pictures in the gallery from the party so check them out.

Someone is Turning One

Weve decided to have Jacks birthday party at Pinewood Park in Kentwood. There is a pavilion in the middle of the park with picnic tables that we will be meeting at. Its going to be on Saturday October 10th from 4pm until 6pm. We are going to have cake and ice cream and anyone whos inclined to may come. We certainly dont expect it but if youd like to get a present, Jack could use clothes size 12 month or bigger. Im sure hed like toys too if thats more fun for you. He does have plenty of bibs, blankets and stuffed animals already.


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There are also about two dozen new pictures up in the gallery.

Who is that handsome boy?

So, we've caught some flack as of late for not updating this site.  True, the last pictures of Jack are in Arizona, and when he didn't have hair.  He is now 11 months old...almost a year!  I can't believe it.  We are in the beginning stages of planning a Birthday Party for him.  He is adorable and amazing and more than I ever dreamed I could have.  He makes everything worth it.  He's so happy being back home with Grandmas and Grandpas and lots of little baby friends.  He crawls like a mad man, cruises on all the furniture, and has taken several steps!  Today I thought he was going to just start walking.  He took three steps from a chair to his little shopping cart without a second thought.

Dave is at Sears at Woodland and just started delivering pizzas for Village Inn again.  I'm at J. Crew again, and I found a long term sub position.  After several interviews and rejections, I took a first grade position until November 2nd at my mom's school.  It's been great so far, and just like having my class back!

Here's what you really wanted:

Home at Last

We completly missed the month of May, and honestly there was so much going on that I dont remember any of it. In the end we are back in Grand Rapids and happy to be here. Dave is working at Sears and Jaime is working part time at J Crew again while she searches for a teaching job. Jack is very busy being the cutest little man in the whole world and is having lots and lots of fun with his grandmas and grandpas.

Weve added a couple dozen new pictures to the gallery so be sure to check them out.

Jackie Bananas

If you're wondering about the nickname, it was given to him by one of the toddlers at the babysitter's...and we love it.  So many new things every day.  On Friday, Jack decided it was time for him to sit up.  So, he sat on his side from all fours and then sat up!  He's almost crawling...a lot of rocking and lunging going on.  All this is still not fast enough for him it seems.  He's just not content sitting around.  On Saturday we took him swimming for the first time.  He wasn't really sure what was going on and probably wondered why we were in such a big bathtub...be he sure was cute!  We're getting anxious for our move.  It's only five weeks away...so close now!  Jack can't wait to meet everyone!

Action Jack

Wow, it's been busy around here!  Grandma and Grandpa DeBruin came to visit Jack.  He turned 6 months old and visited the doctor.  Today is his first Easter, and he's so excited he's trying to crawl!  And, our upcoming move is getting closer and closer.  Dave told me yesterday that we're only here for 7 more weeks...that's insane!  We couldn't be more excited.  We wish you all a Happy Easter, and can't wait to see you!

With Grandma DeBruin

6 months old already!

Happy Easter!

Attempting to crawl!

Yes...he has a tail.

Best Friends Are We

Mr Jack and Hudson have become best buddies the last couple weeks. Jack has learned that the doggie is soft and loves it when he licks his hands or feet. Hudson has learned that the baby is messy and tasty so he likes to lick his hands and feet.

In other new I should have a job waiting for me in GR. Hopefully I dont jinx anything but I heard back from one of the Sears in Grand Rapids and they should have a position open for me as a tech there when we move back. Now its still two months away and any number of things could happen between now and then but things are looking good as far as thats concerned.

There are a bunch more new pictures in the gallery.

Jack is 5 months old!

Wow!  Time goes so fast.  Jack is laughing and rolling over and eating rice cereal and applesauce now.  What a big boy!  So many changes in the last month.  We are getting so excited about coming home...yeah, we've already planned out our route and everything.  Jack's Grandpa DeVries was just in town, and we're also looking forward to Grandma and Grandpa DeBruin's visit soon.  We'll be very busy until the end of May.

Loving his big "Fred" bear.

Jack woke up this way.

With Grandpa DeVries

Mmmm...enjoying some rice cereal.

4 Months

Today is Jacks 4 month birthday!

Fabulous Wet Burrito

Tasty burritos found on allrecipes.com.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef


• ½ cup chopped onion


• 1 clove garlic, minced


• ½ teaspoon cumin


• ¼ teaspoon salt


• 1/8 teaspoon pepper


• 1 (4.5 ounce) can diced green chile peppers


• 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans


• 1 (15 ounce) can chili without beans (We like to make this one with 1½ cup of leftover homemade chili.)


• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup


• 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce


• 6 (12 inch) flour tortillas, warmed


• 2 cups shredded lettuce


• 1 cup chopped tomatoes


• 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese


• ½ cup chopped green onions

Directions

1. Crumble ground beef into a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Add onion, and cook until translucent. Drain grease, and season with garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir in the green chilies and refried beans until well blended. Turn off heat, but keep warm.


2. In a saucepan, combine the chili without beans, tomato soup and enchilada sauce. Mix well, and cook over medium heat until heated through. Turn off heat and keep warm.


3. Place a warmed tortilla on a plate, and spoon a generous 1/2 cup of the ground beef mixture onto the center. Top with lettuce and tomato to your liking. Roll up tortilla over the filling. Spoon a generous amount of the sauce over the top, and sprinkle with cheese and green onions. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Vegetable Beef Soup

Another soup creation from Dave that is based loosely on this recipe.

Ingredients

• 1-1½ pounds stew meat


• 2 garlic cloves, pressed


• 8 cups water


• 4 beef bouillon cubes


• 1 envelope dry onion soup mix


• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce


• 1 potato, diced


• 1 medium onion, diced


• 3 stalks celery, chopped


• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen vegetables


• 1 cup elbow macaroni

Directions

1. Brown stew meat in pressed garlic.


2. Mix water, bouillon, soup, sauce, potato, onion, celery and vegetables in large pot and bring to boil.


3. Add noodles and cook until al dente.


4. Add browned stew meat, mix and serve.

Bruschetta Chicken

Flavorful chicken recipe from our Taste of Home cookbook.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup all-purpose flour


• ½ cup egg substitute


• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)


• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese


• ¼ cup dry bread crumbs


• 1 tablespoon butter, melted


• 2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped


• 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil


• 2 garlic cloves, minced


• 1 tablespoon Crisco® Light Olive Oil


• ½ teaspoon salt


• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. Place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. Dip chicken in flour, then in eggs; place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine the Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over chicken.


2. Loosely cover baking dish with foil. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 170°.


3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon over the chicken. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes or until tomato mixture is heated through.

Today my family is remembering and celebrating my Grandma Crane.  I wish I could be there.  Grandma, we are celebrating and remembering you here too.  We love you and miss you.

Fiesta Chicken & Rice Bake

Campbell's Soup recipe originally found here.

Ingredients:

 

• 1 can (10¾ ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)


• 1 cup Pace® Chunky Salsa OR Pace® Picante Sauce 


• ½ cup water 


• 1 cup whole kernel corn 


• ¾ cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice 


• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves


• Paprika 


• ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

 

Directions:

 

1. Mix the soup, salsa, water, corn and rice in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Top with the chicken and sprinkle with the paprika. Cover.


2. Bake at 375°F. for 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Sprinkle with the cheese.

Christmas Morning Egg Dish

Jaime's mom makes this deliscious egg dish every year for Christmas.

Ingredients

• 8 eggs, beaten


• ½ cup flour


• 1 teaspoon baking powder


• 16 ounces small curd cottage cheese


• 2 cups shredded montery jack cheese


• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese


• 8 ounces diced green chilies, drained


• ¼ cup butter, melted


• ½ teaspoon garlic powder


• ½ teaspoon chili powder

Directions

1. Combine eggs, flour and baking powder. Mix well.


2. Mix in remaining ingredients.


3. Pour into lightly greased 13x9 baking dish.


4. Bake at 325° for 35-45 minutes or until solid in middle.

Egg Salad Sandwich

Jaime's famous egg salad sandwich recipe. Dave likes to add some celery for a little extra crunch.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, boiled


• 2 tablespoon mayo


• 2 teaspoon mustard


• celery, diced


• paprika


• bread

Directions  

1. Mix all ingredients and put on bread.  

Cheesy Ham & Potato Frittata

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, this Kraft recipe is always good.

Ingredients

• ½ cup milk


• 1 pkg.  (10.23 oz.) VELVEETA Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes


• 2 cups chopped ham


• 1 small  onion, chopped (about ½ cup)


• ½ of a medium green pepper, chopped (about ½ cup)


• 5 eggs, lightly beaten

Directions

1. Combine 1¾ cups hot water, milk, Seasoned Potatoes, ham, onion and green pepper in large skillet. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 12 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.


2. Stir in Cheese Sauce until well blended.


3. Add eggs; mix well. Reduce heat to low; cover. Cook 15 minutes or until set in center. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into 5 wedges to serve.