Paula Deen Cheesy Ranch Potatoes

These cheesy potatoes were a little extra work, but well worth it. Enjoy!

Ingredients
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided shopping list
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened shopping list
• 1 cup sour cream shopping list
• 1/4 cup butter, melted shopping list
• 1 (1-ounce) package dry ranch salad dressing mix shopping list
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled shopping list
• 1 (30-ounce) package frozen country-style hash-brown potatoes, thawed shopping list

How to make it
• Preheat oven to 350˚.
• Lightly grease a 11/2-quart baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, dressing mix, and bacon.
• Add hash browns, stirring to combine.
• Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish.
• Bake 30 minutes; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake 10 minutes more, or until hot and bubbly.

CHI-Town

I spent last weekend in Chicago to celebrate the holidays. On Saturday, my dad and I went on our annual Christmas shopping trip. I think we covered every inch of Michigan Avenue and Rush Street. The day was so much fun and went way too fast. These are pictures of us in front of the Macy's Christmas windows (the story was "Yes, Virginia, There's a Santa Clause) and one of us at our favorite little Irish Pub. My dad is the best! Thanks Dad for such an awesome day - more great memories with you! Our pursuit for a cashmere robe for mom was unsuccessful but I made out alright. :) We ended the day by eating a late dinner at Rosebud's - one of our favorites. The mussles, spaghetti, and ravioli were amazing. Thanks, Dad. Love you!

On Sunday morning, DJ, Justin and Heidi met me in Chicago. Justin had bought Heidi tickets to see Wicked so DJ and I tagged along for her birthday treat. :) It was FREEZING but we had a great time. Wicked was really fun - the costumes were awesome and the story was great. Guh-Lenda was my favorite. I loved the song "Popular".

Last night Jackson and I had some fun playing in the snow. It was his first time! Tucker LOVES the snow and made it fun for Jackson as he ran around us in circles and let us throw snow on him. Jack was having so much fun throwing the snow, laying in it, and eating it!

Ear Infection

Jack and I spent our evening at MedPoint last night after his babysitter noticed that he was being rather "clumsy" on Tuesday. She said that when her grandson used to get ear infections, he'd lose his balance and stumble quite a bit. Sure enough, she was right! Jack's left ear had a "couple day old" ear infection according to Dr. Carlson at MedPoint. The poor guy has had the stomach flu, a runny nose, a cough, and now an ear infection within the past five days! What a little trooper though - he held perfectly still while the doctor listened to his heart and chest, and examined his ears and throat. So proud of my boy. Now we're on the mend with amoxicillin. Yay! Thought I'd post this for my readers as I have always been told to look for him to pull on his ears as a sign of an ear infection. Apparently a lack of balance can be an indicator also. Moms, beware! Kids that look like little drunken sailors might actually need you to take a closer look.