2008 was a good year for the little Allendorf Family. It pretty much encompassed the majority of Morgan's life and we saw her go from a newborn to a big BIG Girl! She is just the joy of our lives! The year went quickly, but we were able to savor the time along the way.
Looking forward to 2009 we are excited about the year ahead. Yes, the economy stinks, and there a lot of uncertainties, but looking back on how God provided in 2008, how can we doubt that all will be well in 2009 as well? There may be less "things" along the way, but we don't need those things anyway. Family and friends...relationships are what is important.
I hope you've enjoyed our blog this year. I know I've been a bit of a slacker of late, but I think I was being a blog "overachiever" at the beginning. It's hard to keep up with posts most days of the weeks, so my norm may be about 3-4 posts per week from now on. Who knows...inspiration may bring more. I'm working on keeping the camera ready, but Morgan moving so fast lately it's hard to get good shots anymore. We will do our best.
Happy New Year to all!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Debdoozie's Blue Ribbon Chili
We had a few GREAT chili recipes for Morgan's first birthday party. A few people have asked me to send them this really easy MEATY one...here you go!
Ingredients
1 lbs Ground Beef
1/2 Onion, chopped
1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
2 1/2 cups Tomato Sauce
1 (8 oz) jar Salsa (Pace Picante Medium, recommended)
4 Tablespoons Chili Seasoning Mix (Rec. Williams brand, I used Schilling)
1 (15 oz) can Light Red Kidney Beans
1 (15 oz) can Dark Red Kidney Beans
Directions
1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and saute for 10 minutes, or until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired.
2. Add the ground black pepper, garlic salt, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning mix and kidney beans. Mix well, reduce heat to low and simmer for at least an hour.
I had "toppings" on the side: Sour Cream, Cheddar, chopped Green Onions, Jalapenos, more Salsa and chopped red onion. We also served it with cornbread.
Enjoy!!
Ingredients
1 lbs Ground Beef
1/2 Onion, chopped
1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
2 1/2 cups Tomato Sauce
1 (8 oz) jar Salsa (Pace Picante Medium, recommended)
4 Tablespoons Chili Seasoning Mix (Rec. Williams brand, I used Schilling)
1 (15 oz) can Light Red Kidney Beans
1 (15 oz) can Dark Red Kidney Beans
Directions
1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the ground beef and the onion and saute for 10 minutes, or until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain grease, if desired.
2. Add the ground black pepper, garlic salt, tomato sauce, salsa, chili seasoning mix and kidney beans. Mix well, reduce heat to low and simmer for at least an hour.
I had "toppings" on the side: Sour Cream, Cheddar, chopped Green Onions, Jalapenos, more Salsa and chopped red onion. We also served it with cornbread.
Enjoy!!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Snowblower Guy
There is a new character around our house since the snow starting flying. I call him Snowblower Guy. He pops out of bed early...usually it is to the sound of the neighborhood snowblower. There are actually two snowblowers on our block, one electric and the other gas powered. Snowblower Guy is especially in tune to the sound of the gas powered one that lives next door. This morning he peeked out the window and spied it at work. He said "I'm going to go out and shovel the driveway...and since I hear the snowblower maybe I'll get to use that too." And off he went!
This morning Snowblower Guy was outside for over two hours. Every time I peeked out the window he was in a different neighbor's driveway or working on the sidewalks. That is something great that has happened with all the snow we've had this year...many of our neighbors within a four house radius all help each other out. We borrow each others shovels (I think ours has been at the house across the street for about a week now), snowblowers and if someone is out of town we make sure their driveways/sidewalks/walkways don't get too snowy. I was especially grateful for this when David was out of town when we got our first huge storm about two weeks ago.
I think the secret is that Snowblower Guy really enjoys the social part of the neighboorhood snow clearing...he gets to keep up with all the latest details and hang with the guys. Once he walks out the garage door I'm not sure when he's coming back...but he enjoys it...and enjoying something that most people think is an annoying chore is a big bonus! We hope Snowblower Guy stays in service as long as the weather keeps calling!
This morning Snowblower Guy was outside for over two hours. Every time I peeked out the window he was in a different neighbor's driveway or working on the sidewalks. That is something great that has happened with all the snow we've had this year...many of our neighbors within a four house radius all help each other out. We borrow each others shovels (I think ours has been at the house across the street for about a week now), snowblowers and if someone is out of town we make sure their driveways/sidewalks/walkways don't get too snowy. I was especially grateful for this when David was out of town when we got our first huge storm about two weeks ago.
I think the secret is that Snowblower Guy really enjoys the social part of the neighboorhood snow clearing...he gets to keep up with all the latest details and hang with the guys. Once he walks out the garage door I'm not sure when he's coming back...but he enjoys it...and enjoying something that most people think is an annoying chore is a big bonus! We hope Snowblower Guy stays in service as long as the weather keeps calling!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Our Christmas Day
We had an excellent Christmas Day here. It was tough to choose pictures because we took so many, but here's basically how the morning/afternoon went in our household.
Oooh! Pretty tree! Do you like my Christmas jammies? They say "Santa's Favorite".
Is this for me?!
Pretty ducky from Great Aunt Berri... it quacks too!
Pop beads from Grandma and Grandpa B! I love them!
Is that an angel I see?
That's pretty too!
I think I want to eat it...
Not fair Mommy! I wanted to eat it!
Post-tantrum: Pretty clothes and something furry from Gramma and Grampa A
Ooh! It's soft...
Oops! We almost forgot the stockings!
My very own ornament!
Mmm...this wreath tastes good!
Look at all my loot! If you look VERY closely, you will see TWO Cal cheerleading outfits, one from cousins Jamie and Regan and one from Grandma and Grandpa B. I'm set for a while!
GO BEARS!
And another one, just because she's SOOO cute!
Oooh! Pretty tree! Do you like my Christmas jammies? They say "Santa's Favorite".
Is this for me?!
Pretty ducky from Great Aunt Berri... it quacks too!
Pop beads from Grandma and Grandpa B! I love them!
Is that an angel I see?
That's pretty too!
I think I want to eat it...
Not fair Mommy! I wanted to eat it!
Post-tantrum: Pretty clothes and something furry from Gramma and Grampa A
Ooh! It's soft...
Oops! We almost forgot the stockings!
My very own ornament!
Mmm...this wreath tastes good!
Look at all my loot! If you look VERY closely, you will see TWO Cal cheerleading outfits, one from cousins Jamie and Regan and one from Grandma and Grandpa B. I'm set for a while!
GO BEARS!
And another one, just because she's SOOO cute!We had some friends over for a yummy dinner that night. Overall it was nice and relaxing. Who knows where we'll be next year? We'd love to get away from the cold/snow and see family, but traveling around the holidays is always stressful. Sigh. Well, we've got another year to figure it out.
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Day!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Baby Bookworm
Lately Morgan has been very into her books. She can often be found sitting on the floor paging through them, forward, then backwards...sometimes looking at them upside down. In the picture below she is looking at her "Good Night San Francisco" book given to her by her Aunt Ali. Can you see the page with Lombard Street?
Tonight when we were doing the bedtime routine Morgan was sitting on my lap and David was reading the stories. He didn't always hold up the book for her to see. This annoyed her a bit because she'd stop drinking her sippy cup of milk and lean over to see the book. Whenever we finish the stories she always looks at the pile of books as if to say "read another one!"
When I read to her before naps she likes to turn the pages. I have to be stealthy about it though and not actually make the page "available" to turn until I'm almost done with the words. If I hook my finger in the next page too soon she'll grab it and turn it before I'm ready.
We're glad she is enjoying the stories and hope she continues to develop a love for reading.
Tonight when we were doing the bedtime routine Morgan was sitting on my lap and David was reading the stories. He didn't always hold up the book for her to see. This annoyed her a bit because she'd stop drinking her sippy cup of milk and lean over to see the book. Whenever we finish the stories she always looks at the pile of books as if to say "read another one!"
When I read to her before naps she likes to turn the pages. I have to be stealthy about it though and not actually make the page "available" to turn until I'm almost done with the words. If I hook my finger in the next page too soon she'll grab it and turn it before I'm ready.
We're glad she is enjoying the stories and hope she continues to develop a love for reading.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
My Bottle-less Baby
Tonight we quit the bottle...hopefully for good. For a few weeks now, Morgan has been down to one bottle a day, before bed. I dragged my feet on this for a few weeks after her Dr. appointment. It just breaks my heart to know my baby is so big she doesn't need a bottle anymore. Sniff sniff.
I decided it was going to be harder on me than her so I set a deadline for tonight to change the routine. We did her normal bath time routine. After we put on her jammies, we turned down the lights and I sat with her in the glider. I gave her a sippy cup with her milk instead of the bottle. While she sipped David read her a few stories, then we sang a few Christmas songs. Finally we turned the lights all the way off, had kisses and prayers and in the crib she went. She took a little while longer than usual to fall asleep, but she wasn't upset. Possibly it was because she had a late nap today.
Eventually the sippy cup will go too, but we thought it was a good transition from the bottle (as suggested by the doctor). One more hurdle jumped...we hope, as I hear her stirring in the other room. Sleep baby sleep...
I decided it was going to be harder on me than her so I set a deadline for tonight to change the routine. We did her normal bath time routine. After we put on her jammies, we turned down the lights and I sat with her in the glider. I gave her a sippy cup with her milk instead of the bottle. While she sipped David read her a few stories, then we sang a few Christmas songs. Finally we turned the lights all the way off, had kisses and prayers and in the crib she went. She took a little while longer than usual to fall asleep, but she wasn't upset. Possibly it was because she had a late nap today.
Eventually the sippy cup will go too, but we thought it was a good transition from the bottle (as suggested by the doctor). One more hurdle jumped...we hope, as I hear her stirring in the other room. Sleep baby sleep...
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