for Christie:

Who is one of the BEST looking pregnant girls I know....Rachael!

Christie, we know that you have been waiting to see these pictures:)
24 weeks pregnant with Joshua
We can't wait to meet the newest addition of the McGrussellhorns! Hurry up June!

The Dugger's tator tot casserole

Tonight I made the Dugger's tator tot casserole that I found online. It turned out pretty yummy, so I thought I'd share. It was really easy:) I think most kids would like it (unless they have a thing against casseroles, like Josiah...although he did try it). It may be a good lunch to make at an O'Brien family reunion:)

Things You'll Need:
1 pound ground turkey or beef
about 2 pounds of tater tots
1 can of Campbell's cream of mushroom soup~ I used cream of celery instead
1 can of evaporated milk
1 can of Campbell's cream of chicken soup
9"x13" baking dish

•1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

•2
On your stove, brown the ground meat (turkey or beef). Season according to your family's tastes (salt & pepper, garlic powder, All Season, etc).

•3
Drain the fat from the browned meat, and pour it into your 9x13 baking pan.

•4
Cover the meat with the still-frozen tater tots, making sure the layer is even.

•5
Mix the cans of soup and evaporated milk together.

•6
Pour the soup and milk mixture over the top of the casserole. Do not stir. The liquid will drip down on its own while it's baking.

•7
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes to one hour. You might be tempted to take it out sooner, but if you do, the tater tots will be soggy and/or raw in the middle.

•8
Allow to cool for about 8-10 minutes before serving.

An outdoor birthday!

I'm not sure if I've ever been able to do an outdoor activity on my birthday...let me know if you remember a particular birthday in the past...maybe I went ice skating in Korea or something when I was little. (And, I didn't get to walk in the snow to Saxby's when I was in the 5th grade, so I guess that doesn't count...haha! If only I could have had my own tray!) Ryan and I watched the weather for a week, hoping the warm weather would hold out and it did! We decided to go to Fall Creek Falls state park, just under an hour south of us. It was even closer then we thought (according to google maps). The trail ended up being PERFECT! There were some rocky climbs and then some easier parts. There were bridges to cross, rocks to take a break on, and the trail was also wide enough for two people to walk side by side. I think the loop we did was 1.6 miles. We started out at Fall Creek Falls waterfall and then hiked to another, had a snack, and hiked back. Both of the boys did great...a little dragging at the end, but great:)

ready to go...with their walking sticks:)

Fall Creek Falls

Ryan checking out the map to see which way we should go! Mercy is chilling in her backpack. We got this for Christmas from my mom (off ebay~great deal). So glad we got one with a cover, or Mercy would have had braches hitting her the entire time.

before the hike:)

here we go!

We called this the Clemson stream since it was orange!

Clemson stream

on a BIG rock

This is Cane Creek Falls.

Cane Creek Falls

Here we are at Cane Creek Falls taking a break. It was a little trecherous to get down to...the boys had to stay seated:)

Aedan sipping a juice box. Juice boxes are a real treat for the boys. (I usually don't keep them around the house.)

Ryan is showing Josiah Cane Creek Falls.

Ryan is putting Aedan down after showing him the falls.

Josiah and I

On the way back~the Clemson stream, again

a little cave we saw

Back at the beginning

Mercy and I

The kids and I

We enjoyed cake and ice cream when we got home. Ryan made my cake and decorated it:)

33

for nursing moms:

I found this poem today on the internet and it cracked me up...

Mom I Am

Written by the posters on the Mom's Online Breastfeeding Board

Little ones can squirm and pout,
make a fuss and scream and shout.
When hunger hits without a doubt,
Sit right down and whip it out.

I would nurse her if she cried,
I could nurse her far and wide,
Here and there or anywhere,
Up or down or on a chair.
I could nurse a teddy bear,
For this fine milk is very rare!!!

Would you nurse him on a train?
Would you nurse him on a plane?
Would you nurse him in a car?
Would you nurse him in a bar?

Yes, on a train, yes on a plane.
Yes, in a car, yes in a bar.
I would nurse him here or there.
I would nurse him anywhere!

I would nurse him in a booth,
On the stairs or near the roof.
Anywhere my boy cries out,
I pop the nummies in his mouth.

I can serve it by the ounce,
I can serve it while I bounce.
In a bottle or in a jar,
I can serve from near or far.

Would you, could you nurse in church?
Would you on a shaky perch?
Would you, could you, in the stands?
Could you nurse him with no hands?

I would, I could nurse in church,
Even on a shaky perch.
In the stands, with no hands,
I'll nurse my baby on demand.

Would you nurse him at the store?
Would you nurse him on the floor?
Would you nurse him on a ship?
Careful not to show your nip!
Would you nurse him while on skis?
Would you nurse her on your knees?
Would you nurse him in a tree?
Mommy milk is SO GOOD, you see.

Would you nurse him by the stream?
You could nurse him while you dream.
Can you nurse and clean the house?
Can you nurse and chase a mouse?
Can you nurse and cook a meal?
Mommy's milk is the real deal!

Would you nurse him while you sleep?
How about while you sweep?
Could you nurse him in a sling?
Would you, could you, while you sing?
How about upon a swing?
Mother's milk is just the thing!

Would you nurse her at the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?

I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I'd nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.

Can you nurse with your seatbelt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her 'till she's full!

Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy's milk is the best start!

Would you nurse him at the game?
Would you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare complain?

I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.
As for those who protest lactation,
I have a perfect explanation.
Mommy milk is tailor made
It's perfect food, you need no aid..

Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast's the perfect food!

I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that milk's the perfect food!

We make the right amount we need,
The perfect temp for every feed.
There's no compare to milk from breast---
The perfect food, above the rest.

Those nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can't be beat.

I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I'll meet her needs, I'll always try.
It's not about what's good for you,
It's best for babies, through and through.

I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads, leave me be ma'am.
I will nurse her, mom I am.

another hair-do

from the kids...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mercy's steps

quote of the day:

"Daddy, you're the best doughnut buyer EVER!"

~Josiah~

I know it's early,

but I couldn't resist trying on the swimsuit I have for Mercy. I bought this swimsuit at Kohl's at the end of last season for less then $3.00. (It was on super clearance.) It's the 12-18 month size, and should fit her this summer. She is so cute in it! She reminds me of Charis in her little pink tu-tu type swimsuit that she wore (I think) the summer before last. We're just a few months now from beach time...yay!!! Can't wait to see Mercy Cate walking on the beach. Oh, I forgot to mention she took her first steps this past week. (4 to be exact!)

Mercy's new hair-do

Wonder Pets Discussion

Josiah: "I'll be Lenny, and you can be Tuck, Aedan."

Aedan: "No, I don't want to be Tuck, I want to be Ming Ming."

Josiah: "No, you can't be Ming Ming...Ming Ming is a girl. Mercy Cate is Ming Ming because she's a girl."

Aedan: "Okay, I'll be Tuck."