Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

So much to say, so little time...
Christmas was great. We had family in town and then we went to visit more family! It is always great to have everyone together.

Our trip to Philadelphia included meeting our newest niece Elsa, playing in 24" of snow that (thankfully) fell before we got there, and going to the Please Touch Museum.

Here are some pictures from our adventures.

Leah with her aunt Jenni

Leah's first snowman

Tim, Sara & baby Elsa

The grandparents with the granddaughters

Leah took holding baby Elsa very seriously.

The Please Touch Museum

And to share some more exciting news - we are expecting our second child! I am due in July. We told our parents by having them open a picture of the ultrasound. The reactions made for some good photos.

"Thanks for the picture frame."
No mom, the frame isn't the gift.

"Why are they giving us a picture of Leah's ultrasound now?!?

Oh! Your future baby?!?

Hmm...

Well yeah, I know it's a picture of a baby.

Ha! You're pregnant!

Have you heard?

I'm 30 now. The big 3-0. Joe was sweet enough to take me to Vegas for my birthday where we ate some very nice meals (I am spoiled now) and saw the Cirque de Soleil show O. When I lived in Huntsville, Joe and I watched a Bravo series on the making of another Cirque show, Ka I think, and we saw their auditorium show in Memphis a few years ago.

O was fantastic! I snapped a few pictures before the show started.

This is the ceiling of the theater. The middle part is actually a trapeze that comes down at the beginning of the show.

The stage.

The mimes came out at the beginning and made appearances throughout the show. They were pretty funny. They got some of the audience members wet, who didn't seem to happy about it.

Us before the show.

And of course, one of the cutest helpers you could ever have in the kitchen.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac & Cheese

This is super tasty and should be a hit with any kid - BUT, I should warn you. It is not diet friendly. :)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
2 packets ranch seasoning
2lb grilled chicken, cut into bite size pieces1lb bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
1 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

In a heavy saucepan melt butter over moderately low heat. Add flour and cook roux, whisking, 3 minutes.

Add milk in a stream, whisking, and bring to a boil, whisking.

Add 1 1/2 packets ranch seasoning, and simmer sauce, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 2 minutes.

In a kettle of salted boiling water cook macaroni until just al dente, about 7 minutes, and drain well.

In a large bowl stir together macaroni, bacon, chicken, sauce, Cheddar, and 1 cup Parmesan. Reserve 1/2 cup bacon.

In a small bowl stir together bread crumbs, remaining ranch seasoning, remaining bacon, and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan. Or you can sprinkle these ingredients over the casserole separately.

Bake macaroni in middle of oven 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.