Taquitos for one!

PJ was away all day (4:07am-11:30pm) at North Carolina's SEBTS (Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminar). I'm use to cooking dinner for the whole family and occasionally for visitors, but today I figured I wouldn't cook since it's was just me and Elijah BUT my cravings got to me and I ended up cooking yummy taquitos. I ate all by myself....Elijah was on the couch.My version of taquitos (well, I inherited them from my mom)-

-heat up corn tortillas,don't burn them
-take off heat and wrap with shredded chicken. When I boil my chicken I add onions and tomatoes and salt (or whatever your choice: beef,seafood, etc),
-heat large skillet with vegetable oil or olive oil
-add rolled up taquitos and make sure all sides get crispy
-put on paper plate to drain excess oils
-serve with shredded lettuce (or spinach), tomatoes, sour cream, and homemade guacamole, and Mexican rice and beans on the side if you like.

Snow Flakes...

On Wednesday it finally snowed for Elijah...what a joy! PJ rushed home to show Elijah the beautiful snow. He enjoyed it very much, as you can see in the pictures.
Right outside our front door.
He called the flakes "bubbles"
Abba always does this to him when it rains--so why not when it snows!
Eating snow.
Yay, snow fight!
Well, maybe next time, a little too cold for the bare hands :)

Thank you Lord for allowing it to snow. You are kind in showing your gracious gifts to your children.

Girls Day Out

On Monday, PJ & Elijah were our coffers. They drove us around and since the boys weren't with us, I declared it "Girls Day Out." It was weird not having my husband and son around, and it was weird taking pictures with someone else other then them two, but we had loads of fun and I felt single, but weird because I have a huge belly that reminded me I totally wasn't. Don't get me wrong I love being married! Up at the Old Post Office Bell Tower, it has a great view.At the Botanical Gardens. It was beautiful and it smelled great because of all the different Orchids. Smell testers.
I was trying to hide from Jazz...but she found me :)

It was so scenic in the garden. We both enjoyed ourselves. As Jazz wondered around, I tried finishing the cross word puzzle they gave at the garden. Jazz was laughing at me and I felt like I was at school again in Botany class.

Jazz was brave and went out on her own while we went home and put Elijah down for nap time. She went touring around, while it was raining, but here in D.C. nothing stops the people from walking. It was fun having Jazz around. Elijah would always say her name and ask for her, but the next day when she was gone he didn't even ask where she was. I think he understood she was leaving and didn't bother asking. Don't worry Jazz he loved hanging out with you.

Satuday "and all that Jazz!"

On Saturday we had a familiar face in town! We picked up Jasmine from the airport and after a 2 hour nap for Elijah and Jasmine, we then headed to the Natural Science Museum, Washington monument, WWII memorial, reflecting pool, Lincoln Memorial and then yummy dinner.
Elijah was so excited to see the elephant. He kept doing his little cute impression of it (he sounds like the Phillsburry Doughboy).
At the Smithsonian Natural Museum.
Jazz having a good time in D.C.
Representing...

Josh hung out with us too. We then headed over to our favorite--Bistro Italiano.

V-Day=Choco Day!

All I have to say is chocolate dipped strawberries...yummy! We love you Abba!!!

Our West Wing Tour

On Saturday we went on the "West Wing" tour. This west side of the White House could only be seen by those invited by White House staff. One of the interns at CHBC hooked all of the new interns to get a tour with a church member who works there. They were both very generous in thinking of us interns and their families.
On our way to our tour. No photography is allowed inside :(
Right behind Elijah is the Oval Office. It was much smaller than I thought and some furniture was uncoordinated (due to the furniture's history it meant much).
In the Rose Garden.
When the President is at the White House there is an armed Marine standing guard at this entrance.
Elijah giving a news briefing (this is the mic President George Bush uses!)
The Brady room is where the reporters gather and hassle the President or his staff, during news briefings. As you can see these are the hassler's today.
Elijah sitting in CBS's chair. All these chairs are assigned.
We gave the tour a thumbs up!
A nice top view of the House. The President & family live in the middle portion of it. An advent mountain biker. He's in great shape and is known to tell others if they want to bike with him, they need to keep up...yikes!
Good night White House!

One of the coolest things in the White House is that there are big pictures of President Bush and others displayed all around the West Wing. The photographer is a graduate of Cal State San Bernandino.

A sibling bond...

Elijah began to rub my tummy and Key Hava began to jump in my belly!We can't wait until she arrives...exciting.

We perservered outdoors

Elijah and I decided to get out of the house and take a stroll to pick up daddy.

Recipe...

So I've been making this salad recipe for months now and thought I'd share it. I love it, and I think I invented it, but not sure. If the recipe is out there, then kudos to the one who created this wonderful salad! :)

The picky hubby gives it a thumbs up...
And the cute kid gives it a thumbs up.

Recipe---
it includes:
1 red pepper without the seeds (or amt of your liking)
half a mango (or amt of your liking)
almonds
a bag of spinach
croutons and
Trader Joe's Raspberry dressing

Red pepper would have to be sauteed in olive oil until tender. Wait for red peppers to be cooled to include in the salad.

Our family day "...of Independence" and our "Monumental" time

So yesterday morning we got up eager to explore two city sites! We headed to our first stop the National Archives, where they have the original Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. These pieces of paper have everything to do with the way we live our lives today. It's amazing that men took it upon themselves to fight for the freedoms we take to conveniently.

Inside the Rotunda, it was absolutely amazing. This is where they hold the documents that are guarded by men in uniforms. I tried "pulling a fast one" but they tackled me to the floor, j/k.

A smaller legible version of the Declaration. The original is there but the writing is barely legible.

The names of the men who toiled for our freedoms.

Elijah needed more hands on exhibits, so we headed over to the invention exhibit, where you could push buttons and they would tell you what they invited with the particular gadget Elijah was pressing.
Off to our 2nd stop...
...The Washington Monument.

Daddy leaving me behind because we must make our 1:30 ticketed appointment!

Elijah was enjoying the birds that were near as we tried to eat quickly to head over to the monument line.

I gave Elijah some treats to throw to the birds, but he decided not to share.

Why the stare Elijah?

A nearby lady gave Elijah bread to befriend the birds

Once Elijah threw some of his own treats, the birds came flocking towards him so close! Thank God they didn't pooh oh him! As we were feeding the birds, a group of protesters strolled by...rock on!

Elijah wanted to hangout with two little girls who were running around as their parents waited in line.

Upon closer inspection, we were astonished at what we saw!

Oh no, Elijah's pants fell off, I laughed hysterically :0


Standing right by the ginormous Washington Monument!
Finally at the top overlooking the city. We were able to see 30 miles out, it was a spectacular view.

Peace out, The END....