Halloween Update

Hello everyone....I thought you would enjoy some picture updates.....


Our church has a Fall Festival every year at the property we are building our building on . They had pony rides for the kids! So we introduced Alex to ponies for the first time. Alex was eating apples at the time, so one pony had a little nibble on Alex's hand because it smelled like apples. Alex was not sure what to think about it! He did not actually take a ride on the pony, maybe next year!
This year we passed out candy to trick or treaters. It was great to see the neighbor kids all dressed up! Plus it was fun to be a part of a neighborhood again! We decided that Alex did not need to trick or treat this year. One reason, I really did not want the candy around the house for me to eat and the second reason is with all of Alex's allergies, he would not have been able to eat any of it!!! It might be awhile before he goes trick or treating. So we bundled Alex up and he sat outside with us while we passed out the candy. He enjoyed watching all the kids!

The missing pumpkin

Sunday morning, as a pulled out of the driveway, I looked at the front of my house and though that something was amiss but could not put my finger on it. I pulled into the driveway when I came home and realized what it was my pumpkin, MY PUMPKIN IS GONE! Well, who ever took, if they were planning on carving that pumpkin, they were disappointed when they got home. The pumpkin they took has a big crack on the bottom from being dropped! It was probably already starting to rot! At least I still have my pumpkin by my door. Apparently that one was to close the house to take.

Alex's favorite past time

It is Pumpkin Time

Since it was a beautiful day today, after Alex's nap, we went to a Fall Festival. What I was really wanting was pictures of Alex with pumpkins to go with the pictures I have of him from last year. Not only did we find pumpkins but we also found, pony rides, hayrides, a haunted barn, tilt a whirl, petting zoo, and much much more. We made a mental note that Alex will love to go back there when he is two! There was not much for him this year. Here are some pictures of our afternoon!

When we first sat Alex down...he really did not want to touch the pumpkin. Here is is being so brave.

He is just so cute!

This pumpkin weighed 319 lbs! That would be 16 of Alex!! I will stick with just one, Thank you! (A note from Dave: The pumpkin being referred to is the orange one.)

Taco Soup

I had a request for the recipe for Taco Soup. So, I decided to share it with my faithful readers. Dave found this recipe in a magazine during our first year of marriage and we have been eating it every winter since!

1-2 lbs of browned ground beef (or ground turkey)
2 cans whole kernel corn, undrained
2 cans chili beans (hot or mild), undrained
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 envelope Taco seasoning

Dump it all in a pot and cook it until hot. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips or anything else you put on a taco.

I always make this in a crock pot so that it simmers all day (like chili, the longer it cooks the better it tastes). This last time, to get more veggies in it, I browned the meat with sauteed onions and green peppers. I have also used half the amount of meat and a can of back beans (increases good fiber and reduces the saturated fat without getting rid of the good flavor that ground beef adds to the soup). Change and adapt this for you family. I am sure it will be your family favorite!

Birds

So it all stared in Tuesday. Alex and I ran out in the morning to run some errands. As we were getting out of the car at home I could hear a bunch of birds singing. I went looking for them, but could not see them. I thought that it was strange for it sounded like a huge flock of birds, I should have been able to find them easily. That afternoon, during Alex's nap, I happen to look out our back door and there they were, hundreds of some kind of black bird. They were covering our backyard and our neighbor's. They soon flew off and disappeared. Until Wednesday, I heard them again. There in our front yard, hundreds of that same bird. It was freaky, when something would spook them and they flew off, your could he them taking off. I am sure that if I would have been standing outside, I would have felt them taking off. I watched them move from one yard to another like a dense fog. Then today....gone...did not see them. Not even a stray.

Thankful Thursday

Here is what I am thankful for.....

1. I have recently found the joy of Garage Sales! Alex and I go garage sale-ing every Friday. I love it b/c it gets me out of the house and every so often I find a really good deal. Hopefully the rain stops for awhile tomorrow so we can get out.
2. Taco Soup. This has been a favorite of Dave and mine for awhile. Now I think Alex is very thankful for it. He loves it!!! The best thing....so easy to make.
3. Breakfast with friends. A few months ago some friends and I started going out for breakfast one Saturday a month. This past Saturday was the morning. Dave was in Bloomington...but I really wanted to go. So I got a babysitter and headed out for a relaxing morning with some good friends!
4. My brother and sister (in-law) are having a baby! It is so fun to think about Alex growing up with their son! I can not wait to met him. They are due at the end of November.

Go Team

Well all the hard work that the Wheaton Academy Golf team put into this season paid off. Thursday they headed down to Bloomington IL for the State finals! So Alex and I said Good-bye to Dave for a few days as he went to cheer on his team!!! For those who don't know, along with the communication duties and teaching classes, Dave also coaches golf. After two days of golfing....the team placed 5th in the State. They were a little disappointed, for they did not play well the first day. They stepped it up the second day and finished well. But I say, for being a young team. they did great!!

Yeah for Mars!!!

I can not believe anyone would want to mess with Chocolate. I am guessing that not a lot of women were a part of this decision, for the majority of women would know better!!!! Click here to find out what they wan to do with our sanity. Last I heard, there was not word on what Nestle was planning on doing.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for.....

1. Golf season is almost over. Dave has been very, very busy with work and golf for that last two months! Alex and I will enjoy having him home again! Alex does not get up until after Dave's leaves for work and is asleep before he gets home. I think Dave will be welcoming the change of pace also!

2. Fall is finally here.

3. Pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks! Sooooo good!

Brownies

OK, I found a great little way way to make already great brownies into even better brownies. Make up you favorite box mix or make your own if you want to, then spoon in a few dollops of peanut butter (I used creamy, but crunchy could work also). Using a knife, swirl the peanut butter around and bake according to the box directions! Enjoy them hot with glass of milk!!! Our small group enjoyed them on Sunday and then I enjoyed them the rest of the week!

Look what I can do

We took these pictures today...but Saturday night, while Dave was at Wheaton Academy's Homecoming, Alex accomplished something big!

Funny

I found this in a Reader's Digest. Maybe I will use it in a few years!

"Even through the toddler was having a furious tantrum, his mom was unfrazed. "You may as well give up on the crying," I heard her say as she lead him to the store exit. "You're stuck with me for 18 years."

Cute?!

How could I forget about my son

Here is a picture of Alex at the wedding. He did a great job. It helped that the wedding was outside. The little noises he did make were not noticable. His new thing in life is the throw everything overboard and then sign "please" to have me pick everything up so he can just throw everything overboard again. Let me tell you, it is great fun! At home or in the car...he does without, but at the wedding when I wanted him quiet...his wish was my command! When I got sick of picking everything up, I got out some snacks to munch on. He did not throw those overboard! Thanks Melissa for the use of the stroller! Thanks Kim for inviting us to celebrate with you and for letting Alex come with me!

On the road again

Well, as you read in the last post, Alex and I made a trip to Ohio this past weekend. My friend, Kim, from youth group got married this weekend. I was not going to miss it. Dave had a golf match on Saturday and the wedding was not until Sunday, so he could not go with us. We left him in Chicago Mia! I think Mia enjoyed the uninterrupted time with him! She had a lap and a side of the bed all to herself! Cat bliss!

Anyways back to the wedding. Kim was a beautiful bride. The wedding was sweet and simple. Those are often the best! Her best friend Bekah was her maid of honor. Bekah arrived in town from Disney World that morning. Needless to say, she was a little tired by the end of the day! She married Jake Reeder. They went to the same High School, but did not hang out in the same crowd. So they did not know each other until recently. They started talking at gathering at a mutual friend's house. They have been happily together since. I hope I have the story straight. If I do not, please let me know.

Mary, a friend from Church, watched Alex during the ceremony so I could get some pictures, but I was unable to figure out how get take pictures, talk with friends and take care of my son during the reception. I figured, taking pictures was the least important, so no pictures of the reception. Here some on pictures of the ceremony...enjoy!

Kim and her Dad

Jake and Kim Reeder

Home Sweet Home

It all started the weekend before when Dave, Alex and I went to Indiana for our niece, Julia's Birthday and Dave's Dad's Birthday! After School on Friday, Dave come home, we ate dinner finished packing and we were on our way. Alex must of been to excited to sleep, for he us awake for the whole three hours! Mind you, we left at 7:00, which is his bed time! We had Dave's Dan's Birthday Saturday morning and Julia's Sunday afternoon. In between, we had a blast with family. Alex decided that playing with his cousins was more important then naps.


After Dave's Dad's Birthday, Alex decided not to nap. So, we all got to go watch Jack play football Saturday afternoon. Isn't he cute in his uniform?
Sunday afternoon, we packed up the car again and headed home just in time for Small group!

Alex and I spent that next week getting ready for our weekend trip to Ohio. Dave had to stay in Illinois for golf. So, Friday morning, I packed up the car and headed out yet again. My friend, Kim was getting married and I was not going to miss it! Alex spent the weekend visiting great grandparents and playing with my friend Melissa's two kids. By Monday morning, Alex and I both were ready to go home! With a short stop in South Bend to visit a friend, we completed our 11 hour trip home with much relief. I have never seen Alex get so excited to be at home and play with his toys again! The boy went down for the night like butter!!

Dinner and a nap

Alex ate a chili dog

You can see Alex's fifth and sixth teeth

Dave and Mia took a nap

I wish I had a picture of this

Eating time with Alex is getting interesting. He is developing specific tastes to certain foods and he loves to eat what we are eating. Well today at lunch, I gave him some meatballs, corn and peaches. He polished off the meatballs, when he sat there long enough he ate the peaches, and would not touch the corn. I had made myself a chicken sandwich and when I sat down to eat it...he got really excited. I cut off a few pieces for him but he kept eyeing my big sandwich. I gave him a quarter piece of my sandwich and sat there in awe of my son polishing off the sandwich, big chucks of chicken and all. He loved it! No choking or gagging. He chewed it up with 5 1/2 teeth and some powerful gums!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for.....
1. Alex is now pulling himself up to stand and every so often you might get lucky and see him slowly walk along the coach (I have seen him do it twice!)
2. Dave's heart for trying to make his family a priority, even with his very busy schedule.
3. Our sitter, Angela, who comes and watches Alex when I am at work and Dave is with the golf team. It is great to have someone who is flexiable and is great with our kid.
4. Alex signs "more" and "hungry" to me. When you have a son who does not have words....it is wonderful when he is able learn other ways to communicate without just yelling at you! Even if it is only two words.
5. The cool weather is wonderful. The other week, I stopped by Starbucks for a little treat. I got a Pumpkin Spice Latte, the taste just made me long for Fall and everything it brings with it! BRING ON THE FALL!

Time with friends

Brian and Sarah, from Indiana, came for a visit this weekend. Dave and I enjoy our time with them. Last time we hung out, out kids where maybe a month or two old. Lauren was born two weeks after Alex. I think Alex spent the first 15 minutes watching Lauren play with his toys! And Lauren was having a blast playing with Alex toys! As you can see below, they did have some fun together.

It was a great break for Dave and I to spend some time with friends hanging out, eating, playing games, laughing. Thanks for spending time with us Brian and Sarah!

Wanted: An Ark

It just keeps raining and there appears to be no end in sight. That is all I have to say about that! (I should be thankful that it is not a hurricane, right?)

Two great pictures

We took these a few weeks ago, but I just never got around to post them.

Thanks Gramma Miriam for the hat. This was Dave's hat that HE bought when he was a kid. His mom found it and brought it to us.

Yes, My son is wearing shorts!

Thankful Thursday

I should just start calling this "Thankful Thursday on Friday." Anyways....

1. We had Alexander's year wellness Dr. appointment on Thurday. He is a healthy little man! For that, I am very thankful.
2. Alexander faces forward in the car! I love being able to see his cute little face when I look back. I feel like he is in the car with me instead of in his own room in the back of the car!
3. Living so close to Target. Alex and I went shopping yesterday, and just wandered around Target. I found a few things to buy and a few things to put back! I figured I needed to keep something there others to buy!

Has it been a year???

This past Saturday, Alexander turned one year old! What a great weekend we had with family. I had just a great time watching my son having so much fun with his cousins. He enjoyed laughing at them when they did silly things! Alexander laughed so much! I do need to give a shout out to the moms in my life! They helped me so much this weekend with the food! Wow, I have never fed so many people for a weekend! If you ever need to find room in your frig for more food, call Miriam! She is amazing!

Here are some picture to enjoy !

Alexander's cake and my first time making a layered cake (4 layers to be exact!)

He was not sure about the cake. He got a few good hand fulls in

The boy has not offically eaten until he has sucked this thumb.

The only present he helped open up

Thankful Thursday

I have 15 more minutes to have this done on time!!

- I have a great house that I enjoying spending time in (which is good since I spend ALOT of time in it) God provided for us in mighty ways with this house!
- Internet, to help keep me in touch with outside world while I stay inside the great house that I live in
- My job! I enjoy getting out in the evening and building relationships with co-workers and my clients (professionaly of course)
- That I am not longer the only family member in the United States! For the past week, my parents, brother and sister in law where in Costa Rica. That left me and Dave alone in USA! I am thankful they had a good time and that they made it home (At least I am assuming Joel and Lisa made it home, I have not talked with them yet?!)

Speaking of Trader Joe's (see the following post)

I love Trader Joe's I would love to hear from the blog world what is yours (or your family's) favorite thing to buy at Trader Joe's? I would love to hear what other people love from TJ's, Then I can try them also!

Pacheco Favorites
- Roasted black bean salsa
- TJ white corn tortilla chips
- TJ flour tortillas
- TJ Jelly (any fruit)
- Orange Juice
- 1 lb block of Dark Chocolate

In case you do not know, at the bottom of every post, you can click on the work comment. You can then post a comment on our blog. You do not have to be a member of Blogger, you can post anonymously.

Thankful Thursday

I know, it is Saturday morning! But since I have missed the past few Thursday, I figured it was not a big deal!

- That I am a Mom!
- My son is able to crawl. I have just loved watching him crawl around and get into everything! He loves to open and close doors. He has recently found the kitchen cabinets. He will open and close them while I am cooking. It is a riot!
- I have a husband that thinks I am the greatest. It just makes a married work better when both people think the other the best since sliced bread!
- For two naps! There are some days that Alex will only take one nap. but that means I am just that much more thankful for the two nap days!
- My parents and brother and sister-in-law are able to go to Costa Rica together on a missions trip with my brother and sister-in-law's church. They get back on Tuesday night
- Soymilk! Alex loves it.
- Trader Joe's, they have good stuff. I love their salsa.

Not much of anything

Well, I got my wish. We were really busy during June, so I told Dave that I do not want to go anywhere in July. I just want to stay home and enjoy our house! That is what happened and boy am I bored! I am just looking for things for Alex and I to do between naps just to get out of the house! So, that being said, there is not much to bring you up to date with. This is a picture from a picnic that Alex and I went on the other day.

So how about some mundane Pacheco facts.
1. Alex is officially allergic to Milk.
2. I have been unable to fall asleep until midnight for the past two nights
3. Dave played golf yesterday
4. Dave played golf today
5. Alex ate bits of carrots tonight for dinner.
6. I changed 4 diapers today
7. During Alex's morning nap, I cleaned bathrooms
8. Alex was asleep tonight by 7:10

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'

Dave here. Well, our son is rolling over like there's no tomorrow. In fact, he said to me the other day, "Dad, I just love rolling over." Okay, that last sentence isn't true, but if he could talk, I'm sure that's what he would say.

Well, we've been working out now for almost two weeks and I have already lost 62 pounds. They're literally falling off. I now weigh less than Esther, it's weird. :)

We had a crazy storm on Wednesday, with horizontal rain, a lighting display was akin to Chicago's Fourth of July show and some deep rumbling thunder. I have never driven in such heavy rain before. I had the wipers going full tilt and there times when I still just could not see.

I just wanted to get something on the blog so our faithful readers didn't think we had perished.

Just for a laugh

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for....

1. Alex is finally crawling and he is so cute when he crawls. He started about two weeks ago. After practicing for a few days, he is a pro!
2. A great husband who made a wonderful dinner tonight; steak on the grill, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and biscuits.
3. I am going to have a nephew (not to exclude Dave's nephew, Jack, because he is way cool). I never thought Alex would have a cousin on my side of the family.
4. The Rain. It is so great to see green grass!

Where does the time go?

This is what I looked like a year ago. The picture is with my mom and my mom's mom at a baby shower I had last July 3rd. In a month from yesterday, my son (who was inside me a year ago) will be a YEAR OLD! Unbelieveable! Ohhh how different my life was a year ago. Alex was contained nicely and cutely in my belly and now I can not keep him out of the cat food!

He is an amazing kid and a true gift from God!

Fighting the Fat!

Dave here. Normally Esther would be writing her "Thankful Thursday" column today, but there is a minor glitch to that happening this week. You see, since Tuesday, Esther has had a bad case of "liftedweightsforthefirsttimeinalongtime-itis", more commonly known as sore muscles. I don't think she's been out of bed since Tuesday.

We joined Core Fitness on Monday night and the race to emaciate is on! Okay, we won't take it that far. As my dad is fond of saying, "I'm going to be a lean, mean, teaching machine." (You can substitute "counseling" or "communicating" for "teaching" depending on if you're talking about Esther or me.)

Anyway, I swam on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and I lifted weights this morning. Esther dove right into a class on Tuesday morning called "Pump & Flex". My wife cannot climb a stair, laugh, or even walk for that matter without her whole body just aching. I laugh only because I've been there before and I will probably be there tomorrow morning, although I probably did not lift today as hard as she did in her class on Tuesday.

Core Fitness is so inexpensive compared to other gyms that we looked at and they have exactly what we need, including a hot tub! It really is a blessing that we can join a club and not bust our budget. Although our muscles are sore, in Esther's case it goes way beyond sore, it feels great to get back into workout mode.

Britains Got Talent - A Star Is Born

If you have not seen this...it is a must watch. It gives you "goosepimples"

It was great to have the 4th in the middle of the week. Gave us a little break, and we had Dave home for a day! I just wanted to share with you how Alex spend this 4th of July morning.

He sat there and watched Dave mow the back yard. He was a little fussy inside, so I went outside with him and he just sat there and watched. Every so often he would get excited and laugh and kick. It was really cute. I was able to got some things done inside while he just watched!

Dave and I had our friends, Sarah and Wille Bosque over for Ribs that night. They have a son, Jonathon, who is about 4 months older then Alex. They had so much fun just playing with each other. Ok, they really played next to each other, but it was fun to watch thim enjoy having each other around. Jonathon loved to share things with Alex. It was great to watch Alex recieve things from Jonathon and then just laugh! How fun it is to watch little kids get so excited when they see other little kids just like them. It is like they are saying "Yeah, I am not alone in this world full of big people!"

Say Cheese

Alex loves and camera and loves to smile for it. Our camera beeps when it is in focus. When Alex hears the beep, he turn and gives us this really cheesey smile!!! We love it!!!

7+1=Family

As you can see, there are only 7 people in this picture. So, who is this other family member. Well, it may be hard to believe but Baby Boy Robinson belongs to Joel and Lisa! Isn't that the coolest news!!! I think I am more excited then when I found out I was expecting!!!

No word on what his name but we will get to see him at the end of November. I can not wait to see Joel and Lisa as parents...how fun! They will be wonderful parents!!!

We went to Kentucky after our time in Akron to spend time as a family. We decided to spend a day at Natural Bridg State Park. My parents have talked about it alot and have made several trips there. Now I know why.....it was beautiful. But be prepared for a hike if you every go. There is no easy way up!!!

This is my son at the begining of the hike

And this is my son at the end of the hike