Happy Birthday Liam!!

365 days ago, out little peanut joined the Hendricks family...365 days later we couldn't be happier.  Liam can light up even the gloomiest of days with his infectious smile.  Such a happy boy that loves everyone and everything in his life.  We all wish you a very, very Happy First Birthday Liam!
Love, Mommy, Daddy, and Gavin

Trimming Time

We got it up before Christmas!  It was really fun this year with Gavin helping.  He was very interested in an elf/camera ornament...kept pretending to take pictures.  Liam was just happy to be part of the trimming.

What its all about

We did something new this year to give back to our community.  More than likely this will be a tradition for years to come.  Homemade spaghetti sauce, meatballs, and pasta.  We made 3 large batches to give to the fire station around the corner from our house (3 shifts of guys).  It was a win, win for everyone - the firemen were so grateful and they let Gavin play in the firetrucks for at least 1/2 hour.  They said to come by anytime and we didn't always have to bring food.

  

How have you given this season?  Share your ideas!!

Breakfast with Santa

Believe it or not this is Liam's first Christmas.  Because it's almost been a year it seems hard to believe, but little guy wasn't here until 2 days after Christmas last year.  So his first Santa lap visit was a success, no screaming or crying, just a bit curious about that white beard.

 Donuts? Daddy wasn't watching!

 A little dancing and play time in the gym

 Sleigh ride

Where's the snow?

We believe!

Renfrow Christmas

Today we celebrated Christmas with our good friends the Renfrows.  We are so happy to finally be near them.

Melissa, Rich, Jason, Gavin

Gretchen, Liam, Barb, Layne

To Infinity and BEYOND...

In typical Hendricks fashion, we ALL willingly participated in Halloween this year.  Gavin was really into it so we let him chose his costume and then we worked in a family theme around that.  His first choice was a muppet (had no idea what I was going to do for that).  A few other ideas later, he finally settled on Buzz Lightyear.  Liam = The alien, Barb = Jesse, and Jason (who actually resembles the toy very much!) = Woody.  We got more candy than this non-candy-eating family could every need.  Gavin thinks it is quite the treat to get some sweets after dinner.

We are just now getting neighbors (in November) so we're so excited for next year's Halloween when we have a full cul de sac and can celebrate with our close neighborhood.  Also in Hendricks holiday tradition - we gave away KING SIZE candy bars.  Needless to say those were a huge hit!  We have a reputation to uphold now.

Jock the Hero Dog

My friend Krista asked our family to watch and review this movie...

We were finally able to watch Jock the Hero Dog this last weekend as a family. Gavin liked the movie but it didn't capture his attention the entire time; lots of life lessons in this - probably a little too mature for him.  As he gets older I can see him enjoying it more.  I look forward to it and being able to talk to him about some of the things that happen in the movie.  We burned a copy so we can watch it on the iPad; knowing Gavin he'll be acting out the dog characters before too long.  Cute family movie with meaning; if you're a dog family it would be a BIG hit!!  I did find Jock on Facebook so I could like him there :)

Growing big & tall

9 month check in

                     Liam             Gavin

Weight         21.4 lbs          21.75 lbs      

Height          28.25             28.25

Head            18.25             17.75

As they get older it's getting easier and easier to tell them apart; the definitive blue and brown eyes give it all away.  They are really starting to play together and act like brothers.  It's so fun to watch.  Liam is growing so fast (already walking as of a couple days ago)

Seattle 3 Day

This was our 5th year participating in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day 60 mile walk.  We've always walked in Arizona, but chose to walk Seattle this year. We had supporters and babysitters so it made it an easy decision.

This is an amazing event that can't be described unless you have an opportunity to participate and/or volunteer.  We appreciate all the support our friends, family, and co-workers have given us over the years.  We couldn't do it without you!

Together the Hendricks family has raised over $34,600 in the past 5 years.  We have already begun our fundraising for 2013 where we will again walk in the Seattle 3 Day.

If you'd like to donate to our 2013 walk please do so at our website:  Seattle 3-Day 2013.

Thanks to everyone!!

Scrumptious Sundays

Eggplant Lasagna

4 WW points plus

I adapted this recipe from one that a friend gave me; this is how we make it.
2 eggplants, sliced 1/4 thick
8 oz fat free ricotta cheese (Trader Joe's has the best)
1 jar marinara sauce (check your sauces most are less than 2 grams of fat, but some are 10+)
2 cups fresh spinach
9 oz, part-skim mozzarella cheese
Fresh garlic, 3-6 cloves
Fresh basil, one bunch
Fresh ground salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Arrange eggplant slices on baking sheet, spray with olive oil, sprinkle with salt & pepper.  Bake eggplant 20-25 minutes.  If you have 2 ovens great, if not you'll probably have to do 2 batches. Tip*I bake the eggplant ahead of time, the day/night before so it's one less step come dinner time.

While eggplant is cooking combine ricotta cheese, garlic (minced), basil (chopped) in a bowl.

Now the layering...we treat each slice as the base of an eggplant lasagna tower (rather than layering like traditional lasagna).  Spread a small amount of marina on the bottom of your 9x13 pan.  Eggplant, spoonful of ricotta mixture, eggplant.  You should have 12 individual stacks.  Now layer the entire pan with 1 cup of the spinach, and top with 1/3 jar of marinara.  Repeat:  Eggplant, ricotta, eggplant, spinach, marinara, eggplant, ricotta, eggplant, spinach, marinara.  Top with freshly sliced mozzarella.

Bake 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  let cool approximately 10 minutes.  It may be watery because of the spinach, so use a slotted spoon to serve.  Delicious and only 4 fabulous WW points plus per stack.

Scrumptious Sundays

Chicken Pot Pie

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

1 1/2 cup carrots

3 medium potatoes

1 1/2 cup mushrooms

1 1/2 cup broccoli

(you can pretty much use any veggies you like, this is what we had on hand and it turned out delicious)

2 chicken breasts

3 cups chicken broth

1/3 cup flour

1 refrigerator pie crust

1 egg white

1 Tbsp skim milk

Recipe makes 8 servings; 5 Weight Watcher Points Plus

You can cut the recipe in 1/2 for a smaller portion, but we found the leftovers were just as good so this recipe is actually doubled.

 Sautee all the veggies for 3-5 minutes; add the chicken and cook until chicken is no longer pink

Combine flour and chicken broth; add to veggie mixture - heat until boiling and begins to thicken.

 Pour everything into a glass or stone baking dish.  Cover with pie crust, fold the crust over the edge of the pan to seal the dish.  Combine egg white and skim milk and brush over the top of the crust (this is what gives it that golden brown delicious look).  Cut slits in the crust, bake for 30-40 minutes.  Let stand for a good 10-20 minutes...it will still be plenty hot!  If you don't let it stand it will be soupy rather than creamy.

The first time we made this I accidentally forgot the chicken (DUH!); it was still delicious.  So it can also be a great vegetarian dish if you don't want to add the meat.  Such a healthy spin on some great comfort food that is usually loaded with fat.

Delicious for all ages (even the baby ate it - couldn't get enough of it)

Grandmas are SPECIAL!!

An added perk to our visit to Seattle was a trip to Olympia to see Grandma Jane.  This was the first meeting for Liam and Great Grandma Jane.  When she held him she said "oh my you're a little chunk." That pretty much sums it up.  It was so great to spend the day with her.  I'm pretty sure Gavin wore her out just watching him run around like he does.

We all love you very much Grandma!!

All smiles as usual!

 

 Drinking tea with Grandma; Gavin LOVED this little tea set.

 Barb, Liam and Great Grandma Jane.

 Two big boys crushing Grandma's lap

6 month Stats

Although it's almost time for the 9 month checkup, but I still thought it would be fun to do a comparison.

Gavin 6 months
Weight 17.5 lbs
Length 26.5"
Head 17"

Liam 6 months
Weight 17.9 lbs
Length 26"
Head 17 1/4"

They're so close to the same.  Liam is growing by leaps and bounds!!  He loves, loves, loves to eat and he'll try anything (most things he likes).  He definitely is enjoying 'grown up' food more than baby food.  It makes dinners a lot easier.

The older Liam gets, you can really start to notice their very different.  Still boy Hendricks boys in every possible way though :)

The Wanted Wannabes

Gavin discovered this song on the iPad; we think he secretly listened to it at night in his room.  All of a sudden one day he knows all the words, has a dance routine with instruments.  Gotta love that kid.  Liam sure loves him!

Garbage Disposal

He eats it all.  And when he's hungry he lets you know!!  We can't complain though, he doesn't really cry any other time.  We aren't holding anything back with Liam, spaghetti, macaroni, PB&J, chicken nuggets - he's going to love meat, bread, and pasta.

(Gavin is making progress, made & ate a PB&J the other day)

 Teething biscuit, messy but very helpful when mommy's making dinner

Guacamole, wouldn't stop eating it!!

Operation Holy Moly

Last weekend we attempted to rid our back yard of some pesky moles.  Yes the pictures seem like cruel punishment for the little critters, but with 2 little boys running around the back yard (not to mention other neighbor kids), live traps didn't seem like a feasible option.  So Sgt. Hendricks put on his destroyer hat and headed out for the mission!  Liam and Barb supervised - Gavin just thought it was the 4th of July all over again.

I'm sure we'll have more updates as the weeks go on, hopefully we got 'em and our mission is complete.