My first chili cookoff!!!!

For those of you who don't know, my dad sometimes competes (and wins) chili cookoffs. His is the type of chili that will make you cry, well, because it is so hot. For some reason, I have latched onto his chili and have been making my own version for several years. Jan 1 is usually chili day at our house. I make a big batch to freeze and Mark usually hates it. Too spicy. ;) But pretty close to the real thing, in my opinion.

Anyways, at our chuch, they were having their 2nd annual chili cookout this past Sunday. Yep, to coincide with the warmer weather. To be honest, church stresses us out a bit. There are always so many worthy causes that need money and alas, we have none. But I can make chili. It is an apropiate use of my time and talents.



I made my chili the day before and it took about an hour and a half to put it together, then I let it simmer the rest of the day. I backed WAAAAAY off the spice. I think that was a mistake, but Mark doesn't ;) The next morning, I heated it up again, tasted to adjust seasonings, then it was off to church and the cookoff.

This was actually a fundraiser for the middle school mission trip. We served our chili to people who came and donated money for tastes and participated in a silent auction. I named my chili "No chili powder chile". People would wanted would taste and vote. Most people did not have the opportunity to taste all the chilis. There ended up being 10 of all, most of us a little different.



No, I did not win. A "black and white chicken chili" won. Chicken chili?!? I mean, does that even count? But it was fun, and I am glad I did it.

Next up, the "first Friday BBQ competition"!

James's instruments

I have mentioned before that James is very muscial. He loves and knows all the instruments. For a long time, his favorite thing to do was to bring out all his instruments and put them on the table. We would then listen to band CD and he would play and march along. At that time, his favorite instrument was the drum and I made some symbals by covering some paper plates with foil. Good times.



Then he asked for us to make in a tuba and a trombone. That is a little more difficult. However, it was James himself who was inspired when he saw my boppy. That is right, my breastfeeding pillow is a GREAT tuba.





And then he came up with a violin: a paper towel roll and a pink shaker car. Where does he come up with this stuff?

Hey!

I guess I mean, "HAY!"





I just thought these pictures were cute.

Bath time

So, this was the first time we put both kids in the tub. James wasn't that into it at first. He wanted to help with Andy's bath, then he only wanted to take it in Andy's tub (yes, we go through a lot of bathroom cleaner here), but finally, with the promise of a new bath toy (letters!) he was in.







I hope you can't see James's goodies. I think that is illegal.

Unfortuately in the new environment, that made Andy even more difficult to try to get dressed.

I hate those white pants,

but this was my favorite show.

Andy is 9 months old

Mark and I are just having this discussion: "as bad as James was, Andy has GOT to be worse." It is hard to believe when this is all over with, James will be my easy going child.

So, Andy is 9 months old. He is a monster. Crazy. Actually, we call him our Baby Dinosaur because he shreiks and grunts, just like a dinosaur. Most people think he is pooping, but no, just being a dinosaur.



He isn't crawling yet, but oh so close. It seems like he has been close for awhile now. He has seven (7!) teeth, and they just keep coming.

He eats a lot. He isn't so good at the solid foods, but I think that is because of teething. We are working on self feeding and he seems to like crackers, puffs, and beans. By eats a lot, I mean he has a lot of formula. However, even with spending over $100/month in iron fortified formula, he is still anemic. His stats were 23 lb, 4 oz and 29 3/4 inches. I don't normally put that info on here cause I don't want to make anyone feel bad, but it is apparently the only place I write this stuff down.

I don't think he is as smiley as James was, but he can be pretty happy. No one makes him laugh like his big brother though, no matter how hard we try. James says "Andy's funny!"

Here is one more picture. I think he looks like me, big ole baby head and all.