Jessica & Nate's Wedding

Where did the week go? The weekend is here & I haven't had a chance to write about our past weekend in Madison. We had a great time with the Krueger family helping Jessica & Nate celebrate their wedding. Here are the newlyweds!

Jack had an absolute blast running around like crazy with all the kids! Once the music started he ran to the wall & started crying I think he thought his play time had come to an end, but it was just starting!

he got to hang with Aunt Tami

his cousins

good times with dad...

and mom...

and by the end of the night he found the luggage cart in the hallway & thought this might be a good place to take a snooze...

but instead he got to have a sleepover at the hotel with Grandma!

Happy Friday!

Rain, Rain Go Away...

Since it was a rainy day and we were trapped inside we did a little photo session (practice I should say) on my favorite subject - Jackson. Thought I'd share some pics before we're off for the weekend! To Madison we go for a Tetzlaff wedding - hope everyone has a great weekend!

This little smile can get away with a lot!

and this would be the sly guy... I didn't do it look.

Here is the GQ model pose, leg crossed and everything

playing in the rain - this didn't last long it was cold! and check out the cute little hat Grandma W found bargain shopping...

and jack's favorite thing to do right now - read books - he's happy!

Happy Friday!

Boys Night Out, Building a Castle & Off to Grandma's House

Last weekend Jack got to have a night out with the Schlemme boys - I think they were all pretty tuckered out by the end of the night! Quite the trio, huh? There is the wired red head, sleepy curly haired boy & the little thumb sucker... Boy do we love these kids! Curt & I had a great date night at a wonderful little restaurant called The Citizen Cafe . We had so much fun - thank you, thank you Travis & Amanda!

Jackson is a very busy little boy - Friday was spent playing with Maddie & building a castle out of cans (whatever keeps him entertained is jut fine with me!)

The building part takes much concentration as you can see...

then it must be contemplated to make sure everything is just right...

then it has to be talked over with Maddie to make sure she is ok with the build.

and the final work of art - yes I will most likely be one of those mom's that is proud of everything my children do. My dad always said my mom would watch us do absolutely anything - could I be turning into my mother? I'm afraid possibly a little...

and after a long day of work Jackson and dad are off to Grandma and Grandpa T's house for the weekend - mom had to stay home and work (yes, work!) Did I cry? but of course - again I will thank my mom for that trait!

ps - don't you just love this bag? Grandma T hooked Jack up with his very own backpack and suitcase!

Some warm soup for a crisp fall day!

What is better than a yummy cup of homemade soup on a dreary, wet fall day? Here are a couple of good ones.

Smokey Chipotle Turkey Corn Chowder

(this takes on 30 minutes to make, is healthy & delicious!)

2 T canola oil

1 c chopped onion

1/2 t salt

1 lb ground turkey

2 t minced garlic

2 t chipotle chili powder (i just use regular chili powder)

2 t ground cumin

2 c chicken stock

2 c frozen corn

28 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

3/4 c heavy whipping cream

Heat pan you will be cooking soup in - add oil, onion & salt - cook until softened. Stir in ground turkey and garlic; cook until no longer pink. Stir in chili powder & cumin. Add broth, corn & tomatoes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 min. Stir in cream; simmer 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Jamie's Kickin' Chili!

(this is super good and has got some kick - hence the name..)

2 lbs ground beef (or pork)

3 cans chili beans

1 can dark kidney beans

1 can of diced tomatoes (i used 3 bc I love tomatoes!)

1 can tomato paste

diced yellow onion

diced celery

diced green pepper

1 can diced green chiles (I used a jalapeno)

4 cubes beef bouillon

1 can beer

1/4 c chili powder

1 T worcestershire sauce

1 T minced garlic

1 T oregano

2 t cumin

2 t tabasco sauce

1 t dried basil

salt & pepper

1 t cayenne pepper

1 t paprika

1 t sugar

Brown hamburger in pot you're going to use for the chili. Add the diced veggies and saute with meat. Season meat with salt & pepper. Add all the other ingredients & simmer. Best to cook high at first, then turn down. Enjoy!

Pickin' Pumpkins

This weekend we went to pick out pumpkins. It wasn't the storybook - go to a cute pumpkin field and pick out your pumpkins. For the Tetzlaff's this year it was drive to the corner Flowerama and pick them out of the parking lot. Since it had snowed and was quite cold we thought this might be a better option for this year's pumpkins. We still had fun and managed to get a couple of pictures.

and I had to include a pic of Jackson last year picking pumpkins. Isn't he precious!?! We sure love this little man!

Friday Funday

Today is one of those days I am thankful to be home with Jack. Can't say we have a long list of accomplishments for the day, but we sure had fun! It just blows me away that hanging out with a 1 year old can be so entertaining and fulfilling!?! (sometimes) Here are some pics for the grandma's and grandpa's. We had fun exploring the backyard today. Have a great weekend!

Weekend at the Farm

Harvest is one of those smells I wish I could put in a bottle and take home with me. We got to head back to Iowa this weekend & took in a little harvest, pigs (one of those smells you try to forget), Monti Apple Fest and a nice anniversary dinner at home for Brian & Allie.

Here Curt is learning about drying bins...

Jack climbing into the combine - last year Jack slept during his ride - this year was much more fun for him :-)

and learning about pigs... was a bit scared at first and not quite sure what to think

going home with Uncle Brian?

hanging with Aunt Allie

grandpa and the kiddos

and the most precious little girl, Reese Renae

What a Week!

What a week it has been. We started with a weekend full of house painting (thank you Grandma and Grandpa Tetzlaff for all of your help) We were so busy I didn't even get any pictures - we were all so wiped out by the end of the night. Curt and George were both snoring in the basement by 9:00.... so much for that frosty mug of Miller Lite George was looking forward to all day long!!! Here is the only pic I have - Jack in front of his new red door.

On Tuesday the ladies and kiddos came to visit. I think everyone thought we were crazy for getting 7 kids, 4 girls, a crazy dog & Curtis all together under one little Tetzlaff roof but it was great! It was so much fun to spend time together and the kids were wiped by Wednesday. We played outside and went to the zoo.

Here we are at Noodles - getting a team picture. As we're trying to round everyone up to have the Noodles guy take our picture - Kreighton decided to whip off her pants and show the restaurant her sweet little white bootie! That poor guy had no idea what to think... we may have scared him from ever wanting children

Here we are at the zoo - the bears were right up next to the window. They all thought that was pretty cool.

and Kyle...

Jack was in awe all day - loved the animals!

When we got home from our day at the zoo and night with the crew - Jack slept for 4 1/2 hours & got a good 13 hours of sleep that night. He had a blast and can't wait to see all of his friends again. Thank you so much for making the trip up here - we love you ladies!