Chelseita's Mexi Meals!

So this little post is for you, Mom and Hab! When I told you about my Mexican food phase I've been going through, you both were really cracking up at the things I've been whipping up in the kitchen for myself almost daily....even though these aren't real recipes, I thought I'd share how I make them. So here is how you'll eat when you visit Juarez (aka mi casa!) Make sure to pack plenty of bottled water, too! jk


"Paco's" Salad:


Romaine lettuce
Rotisserie chicken from Costco, shredded
Black beans (or other fave bean) mom-you may omit the beans; I know you're "allergic"
Avocado, sliced or diced (guacamole is also yummy)
Cheddar cheese, grated
Grape tomatoes, halved

*Drizzle with Salsa-Ranch dressing (just stir together your favorite salsa and ranch, using more salsa than ranch) If you're from "Sac" or live close to a Safeway, my absolute fave is Safeway brand salsa

*Top with crumbled tortilla chips
"OLE!"

"Chico's" Breakfast Burritos:




Burrito size flour or corn tortillas, (Costco has some great uncooked tortillas)
Black forest ham
Hash browns, shredded or cubed (cook according to bag)
Eggs, scrambled with melted cheese
Black beans
Avocado chunks
Salsa spooned inside or on the side for dipping

*Hash browns will make burrito a lot bulkier
Warm tortillas on a skillet, then layer all ingredients in this order. Fold sides in and roll up.
"BUENO!"


"Pedro's" Extreme Nachos:



Bake chicken breasts in the oven and 350 degrees for about 20 min. They won't be finished cooking. Then, dice the chicken while it's still hot and finish cooking in a skillet (sprayed with nonstick spray) rotating so they cook evenly. When the chicken is almost finished cooking, sprinkle with a little taco seasoning. Drain juices.


Spread chips on a baking sheet and top with:
Chicken
Black beans
Avocado chunks
Olives, sliced
(any other desired toppings)
Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese

Bake at 350 just until cheese is melted. These are way better than Kip's (on Napolean) "DELICIOSO!"

Somebodys getting carabiners and a belay device for Christmas

At the beginning of the month little Gretel's crawling quickly evolved into pulling herself up onto her knees and then feet. We first found Gretel pulling herself up onto her knees in her crib and it wasn't long before she was on her feet. (just a quick note: these videos are for Gretel's grandparents - just keep that in mind for when you are watching them and think that they are a little long and/or boring!)

I was hoping that she would make it to 8 months before I lowered the crib, but when she started standing and leaning out, those plans quickly changed.

In her crib, Gretel is now most commonly found standing at the railing. She is always standing there when we put her down for a nap or for bed for the night (she hates to see us go!) And most of the time we will find her there after naps or in the morning, excited to get her play on once again.

Gretel has taken and applied her new techniques to other areas of the house. Favorite standing spots of hers include: the coffee table, the dining table chairs, piano bench, dresser in our room, etc... the list is quickly expanding. Here is a little clip of Gretel getting into some mischief with the coffee table.

Thats our little climber in a nutshell. I've already started looking through the REI catalog for Gretel's Christmas mountain climbing gift...

One last video... This is another new little "treat" from our little gumdrop - while eating she occasionaly likes to spit food back at Chels. I think she spares me because she feels bad for spitting up onto my face and in my mouth when she was younger... it was gross...

So anyway - this is a little shout out to all the Grand's out there (and other fam).

These are a few of my favorite things....

Here are a few things that I just love!


Johnny gave me this phone a couple of years ago for Valentine's Day, and my sister Hailey gave me this awesome pink glittered nail file!

Thanks Mom and Dad for my favorite Juicy umbrella! I like to use it as a parasol, too!

Wetzel's Pretzels!! Hab (aka Hailey) and I sharing one a week after Gretel was born, when she came to visit me...they're so delicious; way better than other soft pretzels!

Below is another perfect gift from my sister: "Onion Goggles"
They save my life (or just my eyes) when chopping onions, because my eyes are so sensitive! My favorite miracle kitchen gadget!!

Also pictured are some dangerously divine gingersnaps! It was my grandma Nan's recipe and favorite cookie, and definitely one of mine too!

Hab also blinged up these items for me: a 3-hole punch and a stapler! Who says you can't feel sexy while using practical office supplies?

These dried mangoes are the best treat ever, and you can find them at Costco. Now my brother Teal can't live without them!

Something I am addicted to lately are making hair clips! My sister-in-law taught me how, and now I can't stop...

I've been hosting crafty nights-here are a few of my friends who have come over to make hair clips and headbands with me: Heather, Katie, Bee and me

So fun; thanks for getting me started, Erin!! This has become quite the hot trend with a bunch of friends from my ward

I love giving Gwen a "puppy massage" before bed at night

I just love Gretel's "busy face" when she's really concentrating on a toy. She purses her lips, and looks so cute!

And these are a few of my favorite (sleeping) faces!!

What are some of your favorite things?

Our Newport Beach Trip!

Last month (I'm a little slow) we got to go on a little vacay with Johnny's whole family. Every May for the past few years we have gone to Newport Beach. We don't get to go on many trips, so we always really look forward to this! It was nice to see everyone, because it had been a whole year since John's entire fam was together.

Unfortunately, Johnny had to miss the first half of the week due to summer school, but he joined the group for the last 3 days. Here are some highlights of the week:

-We had TWO EARTHQUAKES!!! (Sunday 4.7, Monday 4.1) It's been my biggest fear, ever since I was a child. Somehow, we all survived....freaky!
-Ate lunch at my favorite place right on the beach at "Beachcomber" and I got my salad I've been talking since the last time we ate there 2 years ago. Yummy!!! Also, I dipped Gretel's toes in the ocean and sand while we were there!
-We took Gretel swimming for the first time!!! She looked so cute in her little swimsuit; I love a wet, slippery baby in the pool! She didn't really seem to care either way about swimming. But it was really fun for us!

-I got to snuggle in bed with Gretel during her naptime, and it was delish!
-We went to see the Disney's "Earth" movie which I thought was horribly sad. I left the theatre hating the "circle of life." How sad for little kids to see this, even though it's reality. I feel guilty about the In-N-Out burger I thoroughly enjoyed today.
-Went shopping at Fashion Island and visited the pet store there. Caitland and I were very tempted to buy new puppies; I had my eye on a very sweet-looking, tiny white Chihuahua.
-We celebrated Devon's birthday and ate Cheesecake while watching the American Idol finale!

-"Grandma Cherry" treated her grandgirlies to a bunch of new books after visiting a children's bookstore...Thanks!

-We walked through the house Johnny's parents are building there; it's in the framing stage right now and we're way excited we get to stay there next year!

Every time we'd ride in the car Gretel's cousin Ellie would reach over and hold her hand. They were great friends all week long, and played really cute together. Ellie would place little toys on the floor and watch as Gretel would crawl to get them. Then she'd move the toy to a new spot, so they could repeat the game!

The next few pictures were taken at Balboa Island:

A picture with all the girls: Ellie, (kind of) Caitland, Me, Gretel, Erin (and baby girl due in September) and Cheryl aka "Grandma Cherry"

Gretel's first little lick of ice cream!

She looked so funny to me in her swim diaper...

A funny story about this picture:

I thought of you, Hab when I saw this picture because you LOVE fixing bad haircuts! We were at Newport Beach and I was a few yards away from the rest of the group at the time I was taking this pic. While looking through the camera lense, I felt someone come right up to my ear and I heard a creepy raspy voice say, "I've got my eye on YOU!" I thought it was just Johnny playing a joke until I turned and saw a stranger (maybe in his 30's) I was horrified, and gave him a disgusted look and walked away. Later when I told everyone about it, my mother-in-law asked, "Did he have an eye patch?" A totally different guy had started talking to her. It was like Land-of-the-Letches that day. All the pervs were out!

My little naked cherub!

Thanks, John and Cheryl for taking us on such a fun trip-we had a great time!!