Just Another Day

It's Ben's birthday!

Shh, he doesn't like showy celebrations or too much attention!

Today was the hottest day of 2015...so we went swimming to celebrate.
We thought Cody looked like an owl in this pic with his goggle eyes.

Mackayla adores Ben.

The other day at the waterpark (labor day) she looked over at him in the pool and said:

"Dad looks like a minecraft giant!"

Which was apparently a compliment because she added:

"He's so big and strong."

More than one person has asked if these are decorations:
haha

#workboots

 A favorite meal of Ben's we had for his bday
(even though it doesn't look amazing, it is...my food/picture taking skills haha)

Crock Pot Chicken and Artichokes

1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 Tsp butter

1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth

4 chicken breasts (3 lb.)

1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained

1/4 c. butter

1/4 c flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

3/4 c milk or half & half

1/2 c parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp rosemary or fresh rosemary

Put chicken breasts and chicken broth, s&p, and rosemary in crock pot on low 6-8 hours

An hour before:

Saute mushrooms in 2 T butter, set aside.

Top chicken with artichoke hearts.

Melt 1/4 c butter in pan, add flour s&p until smooth.

Stir in milk/cream. Cook and stir and mixture boils and thickens. Add some broth from chicken. Blend in parmesan cheese.

Pour over artichokes and chicken. Sprinkle mushrooms down center.

Add fresh parmesan on top before serving.