skype is nice...

but it isn't as nice as seeing this cute man's face in person.

i miss Ryan.

Tasty Tuesday.

I plan on learning how to cook all the things Ryan loves to eat.

And gosh darn it, the boy loves his Cheesy Gordita Crunches

from the Taco Bell.


So.
Behold.

The Homemade Cheesy Gordita Crunch

with spicy Baja Sauce.

Sounds fancy, no?

It's really not.

 Spicy Baja Sauce

1/4 green pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

1 cup mayo

1 tbsp vinegar

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

ground black pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together, and chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours to let flavors blend. About one tablespoon of the sauce is sufficient for one gordita. 

Ta da!

Lilah Grace

This little sugar pie turned 3 yesterday! I wish I could have flown to Nebraska and celebrated with her in person (it sounded like her folks threw her a pretty rockin' party!) but I did get to chat with her over the phone, and she was as giggly and excited as she looks in these photos. Her requests for her special birthday meal went as follows:

"Spaghetti-lasagna, breadsticks, salad,

pink cake,

and caffeinated tea."

What a stinker.

Happy Birthday Lilah Grace!

Happy Mother's Day!

Check out this foxy lady.

That's right. She's my mom.
Happy Mother's Day to the sweetest and prettiest and funniest 

and best mom ever.

I don't know why.

For some reason, 

whenever Sarah and I take pictures, 

they always end with this pose.

I have like, 40 of them.

: )

And to the tiger in the zoo, Madeline just said 'poo poo!'

Ryan and I had the best time at the zoo with the whole family (minus Matt and Jason) last week. We were all expecting chillier temperatures, but it was a beautiful day and we had a great time walking around, eating the delish picnic lunch mom made, laughing at the babies (who were so sweet and good) and at the animals (P.U.) and at dad (who had never been to the MKE zoo before, and was about 30 eager steps ahead of everyone else the entire day.) Nothing is sweeter (or more hilarious) to my sisters and I than seeing our manly dad get excited about things like tigers and grizzly bears. 

It was so wonderful to see little Lilah, with her pink fingernails and hair ribbons. Everything about her is fluttery and pretty. 

And sister Gretel, with her little belly and glossy pregnant lady hair, looked absolutely beautiful.

Such a good day!