Saints v. Cowboys... It's OK Saints, it's just one game.

The 19th Mike & I had an amazing opportunity to go see Marcus play his first home game with the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome. Marcus is Mike's sister's husband's little brother aka Mike's bro-in-law. Marcus graduated from Weber this year and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. He scored a touchdown pre-season and was placed on the practice squad, for reasons unbeknownst to anyone by God. At the beginning of this month Marcus was picked up by the New Orleans Saint to play Fullback and Special Teams. It probably goes without saying but everyone is so proud of Marcus. These are amazing opportunities for him and his family and he is so deserving of every single one of them

Go Marcus Mailei!

https://www.neworleanssaint.com/Team/Injured%20Reserve/People/Marcus%20Mailei.aspx

During the end of the game Marcus injured his hamstring. He is currently on the IR but plans to play with the Saints next season. He was #36 but is now #46.

Mike is Packin' Heat!

Merry Christmas Mike!

Today Mike & my Dad went on a Christmas gun shopping adventure. He purchased a Glock 9mm with sleeping toddler in arms.

The Adventures of Chef Ali.... 12/14/1009

Wings, Wings, Wings, More Wings Please!

I can say with total confidence that Mike's favorite food, hand down, is wings. I have been trying forever to make a sauce that he loves. There are plenty that he loves that can be bought but it is not very economical or homemade. So here are the 2 winning sauces, drumroll please....

Sweet Thang, Sweet Heat!

3 Tbls Franks Red Hot Sauce

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

Crushed Red Peppers (your preference, I use lots)

Heat over a medium to high heat until sugar has melted, continously stirring with whisk. Once sugar has melted, remove from heat, transfer into sealable container, and leave uncovered to get to room temp.

Oooh Thats Hott!

2 cups Franks Red Hot Sauce

1 Stick Butter (super healthy I know)

Garlic Salt (to your liking)

Heat over medium to high hear until butter has melted, stirring occasionally. Once butter has melted and ingredites are blended, remove from heat, transfer to sealable contained, and leave uncovered to get to room temp.

Both can be served over cooked chicken wings, cooked chicken strips, cooked chicken chunk. We love the Wal Mark Great Value Chicken Chunks. We good those (microwave, over, or deep fyer) put in large mixing bowl, pour sauce over chicken, and shake, spin, stir (whatevs) until chicken is coated. Serve with Ranch of Blue Cheese!

Ali's Ranch Dressing

1 packet Ranch Seasoning

1 cup Milk

1/2 cup Mayo

1/2 cup Sour Cream

Dash of Seasoning Salt

Dash of Garlic Salt

Dash of Pepper

Dash of Italian Seasoning

Mix together w/ whisk, cover, refridgerate. Will thicken up in about 8hrs.

Mmmm Mmmm Enjoy!

All I want for Christmas is a healthy little boy....

Sunday we spent the majority of the day in the Emergency Room. Ethan started having an outbreak of his HSP last Thursday and then coughed up and threw up some blood on Sunday. Keep in mind he has been acting great, eating great, and his blood work the prior Friday was great. After what we all went through in May/June I do not take any sights of blood lightly. The ER was in close contact with his Rheum and they put him on an antibiotic and gave a dose of his steriod. We are super bummed about the steriod because he has been off of it for about two weeks, really hoping he is not going to need to go back on it. Also, not thrilled about the antibiotic because we would prefer Ethan to build up his own immunities. Unfortunately with an auto immune disease he isn't given the opportunity to do that. To top the cake Ethan also has a hernia :( It is not of a big concern, we will watch it and visit the pediatrician if it drops or gets worse.

Keep thinking and praying for Ethan to be healthy this week so we can travel home for the holidays worry free.

Christmas Came Early @ The Maquets

This past weekend Santa came early at our house and we celebreated Christmas! We will be traveling this next weekend, to New Orleans for a Saints game, and then the following week, back to Utah for the holidays. The truth is that I was just so excited seeing all those presents under the tree and we had Ethan's train set all put together it just didnt make sense to wait, haha.

It was a ton of fun, especially to see Ethan with his new HUGE train set. Mike got the first addition to his Garden Gnome collection, an Army gnome holding a gernade. They both also got many other gifts from "Santa." Not spoiled at all ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Lights

Last night we went to go see Christmas lights with our friends Brent & Rachel, they are expecting their first child in March. I wish there were words to describe this place but the only thing that comes to mind is redneck. It seriously cracked us all up, we had a great time! Ethan did not like meeting Santa, Rudolph, or Mr. Grinch. He would cry hysterically and then turn around and say "bye" as if nothing had happened.

It is just funny sometimes!

Sometimes Ethan just acts like a little turd and we just have to make ourselves laugh. Trust me it is absolutely necessary for our sanity. Ethan was laughing too, dont worry!

** Notice the tape around his diaper, this is not something we did for a good laugh we do this daily for Ethan's own good. He thinks it is cute and a good time to take off his diaper. This would be fine if he would use the potty. We have cleaned up after his diaper charades one too many times.

Busted Lip, Oh Owie :(

A couple days a week the Army has the guys play Ultimate Frisby. This is a lovely sport that apparently can get pretty rough. Last week Mike came home with a busted lip.



Ali's Version (Drama Queen): OMG Mike was playing ultimate frisby when he got hit in the face for no reason and his tooth went right through is lip. It was really graphic and I totally think he should have got stitches;)



Mike's Version (The Real Story): Him & another guy were both going for the frisby when the other guy jumped up and accidentally punched him in the face. Mike was coming in from behind and totally takes the blame.



Ethan's Version (So Sweet): "Dad Owie, Oh Owie!"

Gingerbread House

This past week we bought decorated a gingerbread house, it was a fun family activity. Mike & I were admiring our work, beautiful right, when we turned around to find that turdy bird Ethan had got into the sprinkles, dumped them all into his mouth and over the table, hillarious & messy! Good times!

Wishbone

What does this mean?... Following tradition Mike & I saved the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey, let it dry (forever), each grabbed and end, made our wish, and pulled.... Then it broke into 3 pieces neither one of us getting the bigger end. I can tell you that neither one of our wishes has come true :( Kind of funny!

Catching Up, November 2009

So sorry everyone, I am so behind in my blogging world. Here is what we have been up to...

Ethan got his first outside play set. He loves it and was super helpful while Mike was trying to put it together ;)

Mike & I are still totally in love and being goofballs all the time. Every Sunday we are sitting our cute little tooshes on the couch watching football and eating wings!

Ethan colored a thanksgiving turkey, made out of his own hand print. He loves coloring as long as the crayons can stay out of his mouth, hehe.

Adventures of Chef Ali... 11/22/09

Since Mike & I have been together I have really started to enjoy cooking and baking. Love trying to recipes and love the entire experience. My Mother-in-law has been great to share some of her recipes and I have found a few online and tweaked them just enough to make them my own. Whenever I needed to relax or let out some frustration I would clean, my new therapy is cooking. Everything I have been making is sooo delicious so I have decided to not keep all these recipes to myself and share :) You are welcome!

We will call this the Adventures of Chef Ali ;) It will be a fun adventure! Let's begin.

Yesterday I made a delicious 7 layer dip for a BBQ we went to. Super easy!

7 Layer Dip
1 can refriend beans
1 packet taco seasoning
1 8oz whipped cream cheese
1 12oz guacamole (you can also use homemade guac)
1 small can diced green chiles
1 small can sliced black olives
1/2 tomato (diced)
salsa
sour cream
shredded lettuce
shredded cheese

First you mix the refried beans and taco seasoning together (suggested in a seperate bowl so your 7 layers are pretty in your serving dish). Spread your bean mixture in your serving dish as layer 1. Then mix your green chiles and cream cheese together (again in a seperate bowl). Spread your cream cheese mixture on top of the beans as layer 2. Then spread your guac on as layer 3. Then your sourcream as layer 4. Then your salsa as layer 5. Then sprinkle with lettuce as layer 6. Then layer with cheease as layer 7. I usually add the diced tomatos and sliced olives to top things off. It makes what I consider a lot and is definately plenty for any size gathering. It also refridgerates well for about a week. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Today I made a Pumpkin Cheesecake & a Crunch Top Apple Pie for Thanksgiving. I am dying to try then but can already tell they will be delicious. I have tried a lot of Paula Dean recipes, we do live in the south, and have been so pleased every time!

Pumpkin Cheesecake
http://www.pauladeen.com/index.php/recipes/view2/pumpkin_cheesecake

Crunch Top Apple Pie
http://www.pauladeen.com/index.php/recipes/view2/crunch_top_apple_pie

Also, really really love this one. Made it for Mike when he got home from SERE.

German Chocolate Cake Cheesecake Style
http://www.pauladeen.com/index.php/recipes/view2/german_chocolate_cake_cheesecake_style

Dancing Santa Ethan!

Uncle NoNo is always sending us funny stuff. Here is Ethan as Dancin' Santa!

http://www.dancingsantacard.com/?santa=91153

Happy Holidays!

Mike is Home!

Ethan Waiting

Ali Waiting

Jen Waiting

The Reunions

Mike may be the only person who was more excited for him to be home then I was. He came home in once piece, learned a lot, and is thankful every day that he will never have to do that again.

Last Night W/out Mike

Last Saturday we drove down to Crestview, FL where my Uncle Mike (yes another Mike) lives w/ his wife, two sons, and daughter. Their oldest son, Jonathan, got married in Fort Walton, FL. It was a lovely wedding. We really enjoyed visiting with my Uncle, his family, My Aunt Shelly who was also in town, her husband, and Grandma Emma.

"Poop!"

I found Ethan this evening sitting on his potty, reading his book, repeating the word "poop!" over and over again. He did not take his first "movement" on the golden throne tonight but he definitely gave me a good laugh! Baby steps, baby steps ;)

"Poop!" If you have ever heard Ethan talk he emphasises the middle of every word, it is more like "poOp!" Oh, Ethan is hilarious!

Ethan's First Day of "School"

It had to happen sometime Ethan started his first day of School on Monday, November 9th and he loved it! Ethan is already Mr. Popular and has a way with the ladies. When I showed up to pick him up he was talking about trucks with the boys and then a little girl ran up to give him a big hug on the way out. Can you say STINKING CUTE! The little back pack just topped the cake. Right now he is just going one day a week but will hopefully start going 2 or 3 very soon. My little guy is getting so big.

Moms Note: It was super hard for me to drop him off, I missed him all day! Did get a lot of things done though that are usually pretty challenging. Have heard takin ghim to his first day of Kindergarten will be much more difficult.

Loves it!

So we have a good size bathroom and I have struggled with what to do to make it more fun to be in, haha! See my latest project. Loves it.

I took an inexpensive black frames, spray painted it, added new hardware to hang on the wall, took off and threw away the backing of the frame, ordered fun vinyl letters on www.etsy.com and put them on the front of the glass. Total project less them $50 and looks fab!

Oh Layers :( So Sorry

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8644017
My favorite clothing line has a store in Sandy, UT that caught fire this morning. No one was injured thankfully. I am sure this is a tough blow for a local business. Keep them in your thoughts! www.layersclothing.com

Fantasy Football I shake my fist @ you!

So while Mike has been away I have been managing both our Fantasy Football teams. NBD right. NO, it is a HUGE deal! I was totally doing better than Mike, I was kicking his Fantasy Football booty. Now he has won, big time, the past 2 weeks and I have lost! Are you kidding me!?! Totally bugged, but then I think about how stinkin excited Mike will be and it is NBD again. When he wins I win!

I still have the cutest team name, Victorious Secrets vs. Team Maquet... HA, now I WIN!

Ethan is going to "school!"

Ethan has a very big day tomorrow, he is starting "school." Ok, it is actually just one day a week in a Mom's Day Out program. He is going to love it! To go to school though you need a back pack and a nap mat. He got the coolest back pack we could find, the options were limited given his size & weight, and I made him a nap mat.

I am going to brag on myself for jsut a moment... I made a nap mat. Like no pattern, sewed it on the machine, chose th fabrics, the whole 9 yards :) A little proud of my self.

Here are some pictures of Ethan with his back pack and the nap mat. I have been trying to prepare him all day for the event. Will let everyone know tomorrow how it foes. It is very exciting!

Little Drummer Boy

LOL! It was too stinking cute yesterday when Ethan was playing with his instruments and then decided that drumming is something you do naked. He took off all of his clothes, put his drum around his neck, and a wonderful time.

Will Never Get Used To It

Wow, Mike being gone for just 3 weeks is a lot like when he was gone for 5 months. Yeah yeah yeah, I know I am being a huge baby about it all. I have learned that I will never get used to it or be ok with him being gone. Honestly, I think the day I am ok with him being gone would be a very bad day in the Maquet house. I am one co-dependent independent lady and I can run our lives and function without him being here. That is what I think it is all about. You don't start a life with someone in anticipation of them leaving you for extended periods of time, except if you are Mike & I. From the first Hello (and what a Hello it was) I knew Mike's ambitions and goals, as he knew mine, and I decided that that very moment that I was up for the adventure (those blue eyes were pretty convincing). I can confidently speak for both of us when I say we love living in a new place and all kinds of places in the future and we love making new friends. Mike gets to be a bad ass pilot and I get to be a Wife and Mom. Like I said, I will never be ok with him being away but this life is amazing!

Happy Halloween!

We have such a fun Halloween. The plan was orignally to go to the Peanut Festival but the weather was not on our side. We went to a local little trip mall where they had trick or treating at all the stores. Ethan was the cutest little skeleton even though I couldn't get him to stand still for a picture. It was perfect and we were home by nap time. That evening we watched a scary moved & ate pizza with my ALBFF Emily and handed out candy.

Hope everyone had a fun & safe Halloween!

Routines... Can you say OCD!

With Michael being gone this past week I have learned how much I love routines and the routines my family has. From the moment we wake up each morning we follow the exact same routine all the way until we fall asleep. Some might think this is boring but I tell you what.... WE LOVE IT! Although every day is the same, each day is completely differn't, yet I always know what to expect.

This week, and I assume for the next 2 weeks, I have been so off our routine that I am missing it terribly. I miss Mike more but the routine comes in at a close second ;)

Reasons Why I Love My Life!!

Everyday I completely recognize how fortunate I am for everything in my life. Sometimes it is the smallest thing that makes me thankful and sometimes it is the big picture. Here are just a few reasons why I truly LOVE my life!

My wonderful husband always knows exactly what I need and I never have to tell him. He plans ahead when necessary and makes sure I feel special every single day of our life together. Today I received flowers!

Ethan wants to be exactly like his Dad! Makes me so happy!

I get to work out with this crazy girl every morning. Emily Dibble makes me laugh daily. An incredible friend and I am so glad to have my Alabama BFF!

We went to the Bollweevil Festival last weekend and Ethan got to hold cute little bunnies, he wanted to do it all by himself. Love my life because my son loves animals and is so independent!

Date Night! Once a week we go out to dinner, usually wings, and never fails for there to be some fun story to follow. After wings we go get ice cream at Milky Moos. Love my life for date night & family time.

Ace bites one of our friends one time and there are now shirts "warning" people about our "vicious" dog. HAHA! Love our life because out friends are hillarious!