{Chuy's} Chicken Tortilla Soup {recipe}

UPDATE: I revisited this recipe. Click {here} to see my notes on it, my adaptation of it {and better a picture}!

I made the mistake of ordering the Chicken Tortilla Soup at Chuy's . . . now I will never be able to try anything else there because the soup is SO good, I will order it every time.  Our friends took us to Chuy's on Sunday and I made this today. Twice in a week? Yeah, it's that good.

The recipe is fairly close to Chuy's soup {and really good}.  It wasn't as spicy but then I didn't add in the habanero powder. I will try that next time. Click {here} for the recipe. Enjoy!

What I Ate...

This just might be my last "What I Ate" post. As the new year begins, I want to simplify my life as much as possible. I have documented what I ate for over 2 years, and I think it's time for a break. I will still be posting new and yummy recipes that I try so keep an eye out for those!

Nachos

Parmesan Chicken, Roasted Veggies, Cucumber with Ranch dip

Green & White Salad

Meatloaf Muffins, Veggies & Dip

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Taking Over Downtown Nashville

Saturday morning we bundled up (good thing too - it was FREEZING) and headed to Downtown Nashville.

Yes, it's freezing and Rani is wearing shorts (crazy guy!).

Remember what I said about Payton's crush?

Daddies always give the best rides.

Kristine and Ausdyn.

Trying to get all the kids together for a photo.

Chris and me.

Walking to the top of Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge so Ashdyn (who's a huge Titan fan) could see the Titan's stadium.

Did I mention it was freezing? The sun wasn't out and the wind blowing at the top of the bridge made us turn around and head indoors.

We had lunch at the National Underground and they let the kids sing on stage.

The girls loved it!

Inside the Ryman Auditorium.

Back at home. Can you see Rylan trying to squeeze in on the action?

He wanted to be one of the big boys so badly . . . And they were so sweet to him.

Me and my favorite girl snuggling before bed.

We stayed up and watched the UFC fights (just like old times) and got to watch Anderson Silva brake his leg - awesome. Not awesome that he broke his leg, but awesome that we got to see it happen (and again and again on slow-mo replay). I almost yacked. Too much information? Maybe.

But it was an awesome end, to an awesome day.

My 35th Birthday

My birthday celebration started Thursday night when we went to PF Changs for dinner.

Papa snuggled in the back seat with Dylan and Payton.

Such a sweet moment . . . I only wish the picture was better.

(Two of) My sweet kiddos.

I love this man.

My baby boy!

Awe, he loves her (btw - he HATES when she tries to kiss him so this is a really big deal!)

Such a great present . . . Getting great pics of my family!

~

The next morning (my actual birthday) we were all excited and waiting for our friends to show up!

The Kahouch Family drove from Texas to stay with us for the weekend!

Here's my sweet friend, Kristine!

Even though they have a little boy (Ausdyn) just 3 weeks younger than Payton, she was SO excited to have Addisyn, a little girl to play with!

That was okay because Rylan and Ausdyn ended up being the best of buds.

Heading down to downtown Franklin!

The boys.

We decided to go to Chuck E Cheese to let the kids go wild.  Addisyn helped Rylan with the games.

When we got back home, the boys did this:

Ausdyn, Ashdyn, Dylan & Aidyn.

It seemed that Payton had a slight crush on Ashdyn (and he was so sweet with her).

Payton was so excited to have a girl "sleep over".

Seriously, it was an awesome birthday. So glad to have friends visit!

Christmas Day 2013

Here are the blurry, as lifed happened, photos from Christmas Day.

"Playing" the P3 with Dylan.

Love the SnapChat from my parents!

As you can see, I didn't get a bunch of great pictures. I decided that I was going to (for the most part) live in the moment, rather then view Christmas behind my camera phone.  It was a wonderful day. We were so blessed to be able to have Papa & Sasha there with us to celebrate! I of course missed my side of the family, but am SO thankful for technology to be able to "see" them and hear their voices.

Hope you have a great Christmas celebrating the birth of our loving Savior!

Christmas Eve

Making those peppermint plates that were everywhere on Pinterest . . .

Ours were a flop - so bad I didn't take a picture of how they turned out.

Opening presents from Family in California and Colorado while on FaceTime.

Already playing with their gifts!

Leaving dessert for Santa.

The kids are SO EXCITED for tomorrow!