My Salsa Recipe

So it seems I have at least one talent that other people really seem to enjoy. I have been asked many times and even threatened to share my SALSA recipe with the world so here it is.  Enjoy!!

1 ripe tomato chopped
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
1/4 white onion chopped
3 garlic cloves (I use 1 fresh clove and 1 tsp of minced)
2 tsp jalapenos (I use the jarred kind instead of fresh)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (can substitute parsley- but I don't)
1 lime juiced
1 tsp salt
Pepper to taste

Hint - 1 tsp of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic

Combine all ingredients and mix well. I use my food processor to get the fine consistency.

I usually add extra salt to taste.

There you go. That's all there is to it. Good luck on all your Salsa adventures!!

Just some Fun Pictures

OK this will bring to an end my endless parade of pictures from our Disney trip but these were just too fun and cute to pass up from our last days in the parks.

 Two of my sweeties carrying their balloons back to the room.

 You almost can't take a bad picture of the Castle. It's just so pretty and magical.

 Stitch was a hoot. He cracked my girls up with his crazy antics. They were all fast friends!

 Just too stinkin' cute for words.

 Modeling some rather fancy mouse ears!

 Checking out the parade from Cinderella's Castle.

 A great shot of Donald. Oohh I didn't see the scantily clad lady behind him though!! hahahaa.....Sorry

 One last family shot in the Happiest Place on Earth!

 We didn't want to leave and head back to reality but alas we had no choice.

And reality is was.... the air conditioning in the van went out when we were a couple of hours from home!! Those were some of the hottest hours of my life. My girls were so hot they had nothing left to do but fall asleep!! And that ends our magical adventure for 2011!!

I'd go back in 2012 if they would let me ;)

Love You Daddy

So Wednesday marked the 3rd anniversary of my daddy's death. As time goes on, the pain subsides but the memories of that day are hard to run from. For the most part it was an ok day but hanging over October 26th will always be that event that was the worst day of my life. However, I look at this picture and see what is absolutely the definition of what I remember of my dad: smiles, love and selflessness!! I was truly blessed with unbelievable parents who sacrificed and loved so much that I only hope I can raise my babies half as well as they did.

 I love you and miss you Daddy so very much and I am honored to be your daughter and fortunate to have all the wonderful memories of you!!

And Up Next was...Hollywood Studios

So the last park we had left to visit was Hollywood Studios (which I still call MGM on occasion out of habit).

 Just thought this was a cute and colorful one of my girlies at Downtown Disney.

 Here was our pack mule for the trip. Aunt Wendy let us borrow her cool backpack and Alex ended up wearing it most of the time. He was not thrilled at how "girly" it was but he still took one for the team, manned up and toted that thing all over Disney World. Thanks Daddy!! (and Wendy)

 Waitin' around on the Muppets 3D show. We love that one too. The little furry fella in the middle is Catty and he pretty much goes everywhere with Ms. Gracie. It is a miracle he made it back from Disney!!

 The Rockin' Roller Coaster Guitar. We didn't get to ride b/c the twins were just barely too small so we didn't want to ride w/out them. We love it but we'll just hit it on the next time around!!

 The Fam!

 The Girls!

 Acting like Star Wars Action Figures. Pretty cute ones don't ya think?? (notice Catty again-she gets around)

 Posing outside of the Stunt Show. My girls absolutely loved it. Ya can't say they aren't well rounded. They did actually get a little of their daddy's love for vehicles too!!

Cool shot of a car in the air.

 The actual Hen House from the Hannah Montana movie, in case you didn't know. That really was a pretty cute movie if I do say so myself!

 Trying to stay dry on the Back Lot Tour.

 Watching one of those entertaining Disney parades while eating our Popsicles to stay cool and refreshed.

 Who doesn't love the movie UP? I just love how everything is so colorful and magical (it must be the kid in me)!

 The Beauty and the Beast show was really good too! We had never seen that one before and it was worth the wait!

 Gotta have a shot of the Magic Hat!

 The New American Idol show was really cool and actual people really do compete each day. We got to vote and everything. My girls were in hog heaven!

 See how excited Maggie was?!?!!

Groovin' to the music waiting for the show to start....

Ok, so I'm almost finished. I have a few random shots I want to post and then we will be finished with the 2011 Hicks Disney Extravaganza!!

Animal Kindgom

I know this is the longest trip to Disney anyone has ever blogged about but I have to finish out our trip before I can move on. There's so much on my mind lately and this time of year although beautiful and full of fall fun brings it's own heaviness to it also for me. BUT this post is about my sweet family's adventure into the Animal Kingdom.....

 Our Jungle attire.

 My twins rode Mount Everest. It wasn't their favorite but they did it and lived to tell about it.

 Here's me before I do my hair in the mornings. Haha. No I'm just dressed at the Yeti from Mount Everest!

I think the Lion King show is my favorite in all the parks! It's amazing! and so beautifully done!

The family that plays together stays together!

 The Nemo show runs a close second to my favorite shows. The colors in this one are so pretty!

 My little wild animals hanging out, taking a little jungle break!

 It sure is tough being a bug. That show always cracks me up!!

And finally the Tree of Life!

The Magic Kingdom....

And magic it is......

Our second day in the parks was our day at the Magic Kingdom.

 I love that your first real sight once inside the park is Cinderella's Castle.

 CP driving Nana at the race cars.

Sitting pretty in front of the Tea Cups

Riding the People Mover

Gracie with her Daddy and her Buzz. oh my how this Buzz will live in infamy. There was quite a little fit thrown that day because my precious baby girl was going to have this Buzz or no one else was going to have a peaceful rest of their day. (He is quite cute)

Who doesn't love "It's a Small World"? You are singing it now in your head aren't you? ;)

We love Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride

The castle sure is pretty with 3 pretty princesses in front of it! (notice Buzz under G's arm)

Nana even rode Splash Mountain with us. That was one of our favorites.

Gotta ride the train too. You can't miss that.

And after a long day in the park, we found our way to the pool again!