Recipe

Because of the outpouring demand for my salsa recipe, I will give in.  Really just one person wanted it, my cute cuz Lex, so here it is...

Salsa
a bunch of tomatos, diced small with seeds and juice removed
a bunch of Jalapenos, remove ribs and seeds then dice very fine.
yellow onion diced
garlic pressed
lime juice, mmm
cilantro (is totally optional, I never use it cause I think its gross, but Brett loves it.)
kosher salt
Store in an airtight container, otherwise the refridgerator WILL smell like garlic.

Its more of a pico than a salsa, I always dice up the tomatos to see how much I have then I dice up about half as many jalapenos.  I usually just use one onion, 1 to 2 cloves of garlic, 1-2 limes and salt to taste.  Delicioso!

Chips and Salsa, Sing it Please! and an Ode to a new cool tool!

This is my new cool tool.  Looks like a chinese finger trap huh!  It is a Jalapeno corer and seed remover.  It works really well for tomatos too.  So, what do jalapenos, tomatos, and a warm spring day have to do with the price of eggs?  I will tell you!

SALSA SALSA SALSA SALSA!  I think everyone has that one thing they make themselves that just hits the spot!  Salsa is mine.  I think it is the best salsa ever.  I have a love hate relationship with the jalapenos though.  I love the heat (it always varies, Brett likes it very hot, I am a little more reserved so i keep the seeds out so he can add his own extra heat.  Its a lot easier now that we have a cool tool to do it!) but I am not a huge fan of it when it gets on my lips.  Your lips burn and tingle, so you keep licking them.  If you are lucky there is a little salt left on them, which of course leads to get a drink.  On the way to get a drink you spot that salsa.  The smell begs you to take another bite. Its a vicious yet delicious trap.  One of my roommates in college was addicted to salsa.  (Not mine, I didn't know how to make this delicacy yet) And when we needed a treat, or something to snack on if it wasn't popcorn, it was "Chips and Salsa!!!!!"  You have to say it in a boistrous sing song voice.  It was classic Shanny.  I actually learned my recipe from one of my dearest friends SarBear.  I was over at her house when her family was making it.  They grew all their own ingredients.  I don't do that, it really doesn't work for me.  Anyhow, I was addicted to it that very night. 

In other news... Bryce has discovered how to climb.  I was really hoping he wouldn't be a climber, but the boy is fearless!  I caught him getting into the cupboard under the sink (he knows that is off limits) so while I was picking up the 409 bottle in the other room, he dropped the door to the dish washer and climbed on.  He stood and looked at me like "What are you going to do? Panic? I hope so, its funny!"  I would have taken a picture, but I didn't want the dishwasher to break.  Especially since we are renting it.  I blame the kids at the park.  Always climbing up the slide the wrong way, he never would have become such  climber if he hadn't seen them.  YeaH, its their fault. 

Some other updates on Bryce, he loves to read and turn pages.  He loves this book by Eric Carle called 123 to the Zoo.  He can tell you what noise the Monkey makes, and what noise a Goldfish makes. (Pop Pop Pop with your mouth quietly.)  He is just as adorable as ever, and growing up way too fast.  We love it!

I said "Hi Bryce!"  And he looked up and waved.  How cute is that?  When he wants us to read a book he brings it to us like this and shoves it into our laps.  I love reading time.

Brown Eyed Boys

They don't look anything alike!

Bryce's Birthday Party. And oh yeah! We now have internet at home!

Happy Birthday Bryce!  (3 weeks ago, but hey, I got pictures!)  We had one grand party for our little guy.  It was a Tractor theme party.  Mostly blue and yellow with an accent of orange. 

I was up pretty late doing the cake.  At first I wanted to do something grand, like a 3 tiered fondant beauty, but then I remembered, HE'S ONLY TURNING 1!  It was pretty cute though.  I loved the orange cone candle.

Bryce invited some of his closest friends.  Here isWilliam with his mommy Rosalee.

Here is Abi (sitting on her Daddy's lap) with her family, "The TregaskI."  There's William again, he snuck into their family picture.  Clever sneaky little guy!

Here is Logan, with his dad and brother in the background.  His mom was on the other side of the room, so don't fear, Morgan was there.  Logan is one of our walking buddies.  When it is nice out, we go walking.  Hence, our walking buddy!

Here is Joe and Sammy.  They live above us and we rent from them.  (They are AWESOME landlords)  Baby Benji was sick so Heather could'nt come. 

Here Bryce is eating his cake.  The blue frosting was all over his head by the end of it.

I love these pictures, what can you say about them? Isn't he just adorable!

Opening presents.  He actually got into it earlier that morning, so he knew what to do.  Keeping him interested long enough, was a different story.  He recieved so many cool gifts!  A puzzle, some really fun books, a piggy bank, and the little people barn yard.  It was a great birthday!  Thanks to all our friends who came!  We hope you had fun.  Bryce sure did!

We now have internet at home, so stay tuned for some more adventures from the McGowans!

Birthday Pictures

Its hard to believe my baby is 3 days away from being a whole year old!  Its seems like yesterday he was still in the hospital!  He is our joy.  He as become quite the tease.  He loves to push the limit, then run away when you catch him.  He has such a wonderful personality.  I look at other kids and their parents and I am convinced that the lord blesses us with the right children.  Bryce is perfect for us!

Well...

My sister had her first round of chemo today.  She did really well, said it wasn't too bad and they gave her free food so you can't beat that can you?  Oh, you are probably going... "What the?!"  Two weeks ago Rachel was diagnosed with Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system.)  Through pathology they have determined it to be Hodgkins Lymphoma.  They say that if you are going to get it, this is the one you want.  It is very treatable.  So says the superfluous "they".  I know she will be fine, but its crazy when I think that my sister has cancer.  She has a great personality, up beat and positive.  She has a huge support system which is the most important.  And above all, she has a fantastic fiance.  Yes, that's right fiance.  She got engaged to a really great guy on Saturday.  He has a great story about how he knew he was sopposed to propose, you will have to ask him about it.  His name is Skyler Anderson, and he is perfect for her.  A great addition to the family.  Keep her in your prayers if you can.  She is going to be fine.  We are starting a blog for her, called The Rachel Report.  It is at raesreport.blogspot.com  Come and visit when its up and running!

Words

We think Bryce can say one word for sure.  "DAD?"  He jibber jabbers all day long, everywhere, and to everyone.  But his dad was blessed with the first word.  When Bryce sees Brett for the first time in a while, he points and says... "Dad?"  his voice inflection makes it sound like a question.  Its totally adorable.  Another cool thing Bryce does now, if we give him something and tell him to bring it to Daddy or Mommy, he does it!  He even picked up a (clean) diaper off the floor for me.  (I think he felt bad because he pulled it out of the diaper bag and flung it under the pew at church.)  We love him!