Greetings from Kansas!

Hello all, from Great Bend, Kansas. Jenn and I have been in Kansas since Saturday, on a mini-vacation, sans kids and husband. Amazing!  We've been here since Saturday, visiting Abby and Jared, and most importantly... I'm meeting Stella Moon for the first time! Stella is a beautiful, happy little girl. Even more precious than I imagined. We are having a great time, relaxing and enjoying the warm weather and great food.

Meeting my niece for the first time! 

I took some photos of Stella and family. I'll share more of them later, but here is a preview of one of my favorites.

While I've been away....

 Ben has been Mr. Mom. He's been sending me photos of their time together, which I love seeing. It makes the distance seem easier! Before I left, I laid out Mackenna's outfits, including socks, for Ben. Heaven forbid she not match! 

On Saturday night Ben and Pete took the kids out to dinner in the minivan.

Clambake dinner! 

I left Mackenna and Ben a 'gift basket,' and included a kite in it. 

Mackenna doing what she does best, wearing accesories!

Carrying her babies to the door.

Teeth time!

Heading off to daycare today in her camo hat.

More Kansas photos to come! 

Now this, is my kind of weather.

Tonights weather was perfect for a PB&J picnic at the playground. We went down to the local Primary School's playground. A glimpse into Mackenna's future, if we stay in Windham...

She loved her first peanut butter and jelly, and had a blast at the playground. As usual, she was a girl without fear, and thought she could conquer any part of the playground. No fear of heights. No fear of slides, or stairs. She thinks she is 5 years old, and forgets she is not even 20 months old. Such a big girl. 

"The boys" birthday party, and other weekend fun.

Note: Catching up on old posts!

A few weekends ago we celebrated Peter and Jack's birthdays at The Childrens Museum in Portland. It was a Nascar theme, which they both LOVE, and a great time had by all! 

After the boys party, we thought we'd go out to a late brunch at The Frog and Turtle in Westbrook. We knew it was a little risky, given that it was Mackenna's nap time. Turns out, it was a meltdown of epic proportions. I ended up taking breakfast to go...

At least I got to catch all of these funny faces! 

We stopped at Blue Seal on the way home and Mackenna got to see the baby chicks. She was a little timid, but interested!

Ben and Pete tying some flies, their new hobby. Mackenna was mesmerized by it.

Shopping with Nana. Picked out a "baby" at TJ Maxx.

Happy Birthday Ben!

We love you.

xo, Bethany & Kenna

Welcome to the world, Stella Moon!

Today the world gained a sweet baby girl, and I got a niece.  I am so excited about the birth of Stella Moon McGuire, and thrilled for Abby and Jared. They are already wonderful parents.

She weighed in at a perfectly healthy 7 lb 12 oz. And best of all, she came on April 3rd. After April 2nd which is Abby's birthday, and April 1st which is Jared's birthday.

I can hardly wait to hold you, little Stellie!

Beautiful dark hair! 

I see Mackenna in this photo!

Mackenna meeting her new cousin. 

"Baby!"

Santa Fe Stuffed Peppers

This meal could quite possibly be in my top ten favorite meals of ALL time. It was so fresh tasting, and a perfectly layered flavor combination. Honestly, it was THAT good. This is a 100% Paleo recipe, if you omit the cheese. Hence, the two different looking stuffed peppers in the photos. Ben: No cheese. Bethany:  Cheese topped. As a side note, yesterday marked 4 weeks of Ben eating a strictly Paleo diet. No beer, no carbs, no processed foods. He is looking and feeling great. And I have loved eating all of the 'clean eating' meals along with him.

For the filling:

• 1/2 lb 99% lean ground turkey (We did 1.2 lbs of 93% lean) 
• 3/4 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 3/4 cups frozen corn
• 1 hot pickled serrano pepper, chopped (or jalepeño) more to taste
• 1 large diced tomato
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp chopped onion
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
• 1 tsp cumin
• kosher salt to taste

For the peppers:

• 3 red bell peppers, cut in half lengthwise (We used four, for lunch leftovers.)
• 1/3 cup reduced sodium, fat free chicken broth
• 9 tbsp shredded reduced-fat Sargento Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped scallions, for garnish

In a large skillet brown the turkey and season with salt. When the turkey is browned,add onion, garlic, black beans, cilantro, serrano pepper, diced tomatoes, and cumin.Mix well and simmer on low, covered for 20 minutes. Remove lid, add corn and simmer an additional 5 minutes or until all the liquid reduces. Preheat oven to 350°. Cut peppers in half lengthwise, removing seeds and stem.  

Place peppers, cut side up in an oven-proof dish. Fill each pepper with 1/2 cup turkey mixture. Pour about 1/3 cup water or chicken broth on the bottom of the dish. Cover tight with foil. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until the peppers become soft.  

Remove foil, top each with 1 1/2 tbsp of cheese and bake uncovered an additional 5 minutes.  Top with scallions. And... I used LOTS of sour cream. Ben: Not so much.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/09/santa-fe-turkey-stuffed-peppers.html

Nineteen Months.

I'm 19 Months Old!

• I love anything Elmo.
• I love babies, and say 'baby!' whenever I see a little one.
• I have a new 'scowl' face that I make when I don't like something.
• I'm definitely in a Momma phase at home. I want her to hold me all the time. Yes, all.
• At home, I'm learning my colors and animals.
• I'm starting to have an interest in books.
• My favorite activity at home is trying on all of my coats, hats, and mom's scarves. I parade around in the house with different accessories on. 

Happy Easter!

We started the morning off with an M&M-Easter-Egg-Filled-Hunt. She easily got the concept of looking for the eggs, and loved finding the chocolate inside.

All dressed for Easter, and looking beautiful. Mackenna is into being a 'mom' these days, and often carries her 'baby' around the house with her. Its so sweet to watch. 

Food and Elmo at Nana's Easter gathering? Mackenna's two favorites!

Oh, just giving Elmo a stroller ride.

How GOOD is Ben looking these days?

Aunt Talia! 

Aunt Abby and Uncle Jared, via Skype!

After Easter dinner, we all went out for an afternoon walk down to the ocean. It was a beautiful, warm day.

After dinner desserts, homemade Peeps from Foleys Bakery. 

Happy Easter, from our family to yours.

My, look at how much she has changed since last year: Easter 2012