Last week I made a pot of black beans the old fashioned way and I have been eating them constantly. This week I wanted to spice them up a bit by adding them in a recipe rather than just eat them over rice. Here are two recipes I made today. They are fantastic and vegan. This is my second time making them so they are tried and true!

Zucchini, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet

1 Tb oil

1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini

1/2 cup diced green pepper

1 can black beans

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup rice

1/2 cup shredded chedder and m. jack cheese (Omit these if vegan)

Cook rice separately. (Once rice is finished I start the rest of the meal) Heat oil in large skillet. Add zucchini and bell pepper. Cook 5 min. Add beans, undrained tomatoes and cooked rice. Sprinkle with cheese (or not) and enjoy!  Here is the link to where I found the recipe. There are a few differences.

Chunky Avocado Salsa

2 medium tomatoes

2 avocados

1 cup sweet white corn

1 bushel green onions

1 can of black beans (drained)

Garlic pepper

Garlic salt

Parsley

Hot Sauce to taste

Mix everything together but avocados. Add them last and gently stir. Serve with chips.  Here is the link to where I found the recipe.

I had a wonderful Mother’s Day again this year. I am so blessed to be the mom of these two little lovers. They require me to be so much more than I ever thought I could be. They challenge and stretch me and teach me what life is all about. Last night I read a quote that really struck me from one of my church leaders Elder M. Russell Ballard.  He said, “God is the Father of us all and has extended to us the privilege of our own family, which was previously only his, to help us become more like him.” I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and privilege God has given me to be a mom.

This past Saturday we went for a boat ride in D.C. It was a fun little outing that Hallie requested we do much more. Here are some pictures of our adventure.

The two men in my life. Kyle kills me in these sunglasses. He HAS to wear them in the car and if it is sunny outside. He always has this same "cool dude" pose. It's like he knows he is hot stuff when we wears them.

On the boat.

Hallie posing for the camera.

One of the many things we saw was the Lincoln Memorial.

We walked along the river after our boat ride and found these fountains.

This may be the reason Hallie requested we come back a lot more. She loved it!

Yesterday we went with our neighbors to a nearby strawberry farm. The kids were so excited to go to a farm and pick strawberries. I know that they have a big part of their dad’s “farm love” in them. One day we will own a big plot of land and call it a “farm” but until then we pay to visit and pick food that someone else grew. $20 bucks gone but a memory made, cute pictures taken, and a tummy full of the best tasting strawberries I have ever had. We ate just as many as we put in our bucket. And today, the day after, we have homemade jam and fresh strawberries still to eat. Life is good.

So excited to be at the farm. We love adventure!

The very first pick!

Oh so cute!

He was eating as soon as we got there and didn't stop until we left. lol

Such a good helper. She was great at picking good strawberries. Not one gross one made it into our basket.

I love this picture of her. She is just so beautiful!

Kyle was more interested in running up and down the aisles and eating strawberries that someone else picked than he was in picking his own.

Taking a break from picking strawberries to pick wild flowers.

I'm guessing from her face that something was wrong with that strawberry. lol

Still eating up until the last second. I can't blame him I was too.

What we took home. Aren't they beautiful?!

The kids ready for church. I'm sad this was taken with Ben's phone instead of the camera. But that's what happens when you are sick and leave the job up to dad. Thank goodness Tiffany was here to make up for it the rest of the day. They sure are cute though despite the bad picture.

Easter morning.

Checking out the goods.

We had a little easter egg hunt in our backyard after naps.

Nothing beats an easter egg hunt in jammies!

He had to try wearing his "basket" like big sister.

The all to familiar butt crack. lol

Hallie found the big egg.

Big kisses for a job well done!

The kids and aunt Tiffany.

My BFF came to visit us a couple weeks ago. There isn’t a person in the world who is better than she is. She makes me a better person just being around her. I truly am blessed to have such an amazing best friend. For years I prayed for the Lord to bless me with a best friend. I had to wait several years to find her but it was worth it because we are soul mates. lol She knows all the bad about me and she still focuses on my good and loves me.

While she was here she took many pictures of the kids. I’m so glad she did. What I’m even happier about is the fact that my kids are as head over heals for her as I am. The two weeks she was here went by too fast. Hallie keeps asking when she is coming back. My answer, “Hopefully soon”.

I love this picture of Hallie! She looks like the wild child that she is. I often let her pick out her clothes. She looks like the purple people eater. lol

I swear my kids never stop eating! Oh wait either do I.

He is one cool dude!

Trying out the big kid swing in our backyard. Oh he is so cute I just want to squeeze him all. the. time.

Playing at one of the coolest playgrounds.

Have I mentioned how I just want to squeeze him all day?

Again with the squeezing! It doesn't get cuter than that?!

While I was getting my hair cut Tiffany took the kids next door to get a manicure. Hallie was in heaven!

Kyle got one fingernail painted. He was proud of it!

Here are more pics of the kids Tiffany took.

He actually posed for the camera. That never happens!

Twin girls wearing green. Hallie was concerned when she put on a green shirt exclaiming that it wasn't St. Patricks Day and therefore she shouldn't be wearing green. Oh the mind of a 3 year old.

Tiffany took Hallie on a date.

They went to a seafood resturant right on the beach. Hallie was excited to learn about how they catch and cook the crab but not excited to eat it.

Two of my favorite people!

I guess Hallie kept staring out the window at kids playing on the beach while she was eating dinner. After they ate Aunt Tiffany made sure they had lots of playing time. Aunts are so nice!

Playing in the sprinkler at our awesome neighbors house.

Oh to be a kid again.

Taking a break and eating a popsicle.

Me and my best friend. Oh how I wish she didn't live across the country.

Hallie had asked Tiffany to stay until Jesus came. (She asks a lot of questions about Jesus’ second coming.) We thought that was hilarious! Hallie even asked her husband and all of her family (parents, siblings, etc) to come live with us, just to seal the deal. Of course giving priority to Tiffany and her husband in offering them her princess castle in the playroom. Can you tell we love her? Best friends are heaven sent.

This week we were able to go to the Piccadilly Circus. I told Hallie we were going a few days prior and although she was excited for a family adventure she had no idea what a “circus” was. I explained that the circus involved special animals that do tricks and her excitement grew. The day of the circus she talked of little else. All day it was “Mom is it time to go to the circus?” “Is it night time yet?” (Meaning time for the circus.) I just laughed at her constant questioning. I was pretty excited myself. (In our family Ben hardly EVER gets excited about something. I think Hallie and I make up for his lack with our over exuberance.)

When we got to the circus Hallie was all smiles and constant giggles. I love watching her when she is like that. The show was small but great and the kids enjoyed every second of it. It included silks, (which you might remember Ben and I are now skilled at) juggling, acrobats, women acrobats in thongs (why I may never understand), zebras, camels, and elephants. Hallie got to sit so close to the elephants she could have reached out and touched one. It was an awesome way to create a memory.

Hallie and I outside the tent.

Catching a glimpse at the animals before the circus begins.

Our tickets came with all you can eat pizza. Both kids ate 4 slices each. Yep, our family loves food!

Me and my lover girl.

The kids trying to be circus performers during intermission.

On Tuesday  we drove into D.C. and met up with two of my besties, Kami and Ginnie. It was the perfect day. We went to the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, and the Washington Monument. We even had a little picnic and let the kids run around. I’m pretty sure it was heaven for all of us. I love where we live!

The Lincoln Memorial. Kyle, Hallie and Patrick.

Playing in the water at the World War II Memorial.

They really enjoyed themselves.

Eating our picnic lunch. Hallie took this picture for us. I think she did a good job!

Hallie riding the metro. She thought it was such a fun adventure day.

The weather could not have been better nor could have the company. I love Kami and Ginnie so much and I’m sad that they both just moved. Kami is only 40 min away now but Ginnie is moving to Malaysia! We are sad to see them go but excited for their next adventure.

Hallie started dance class about a month ago and she loves it! It is hilarious to watch these little 3 and 4 year olds concentrate so hard. You can literally see their brains working trying to send the message to their feet. Hallie’s class is half ballet and half tap. Kyle is so jealous. Despite the toys they have in the waiting room he tries to go in the studio every week. Who knew having kids 23 months apart would end up being like having twins. Where Hallie goes Kyle goes and visa versa. (Except dance. Hence the tears.)

Here is a link to the real action. (Mostly for the grandma’s)