Thursday, July 24, 2008

Happy Anniversary!

Today my dear husband, Rob and I, have been married for 9 years! Wow. There were times I thought we wouldn't make it, but we did and I'm so grateful to be married to a wonderful man. Happy Anniversary, Hon! I love you!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Menu Plan Monday!

Here is my weekly menu. I leave Saturday and Sunday's menu's open. Rob make dinner on Saturdays when I'm at work, so I leave it up to him. Sunday we usually bbq, so I ask for Rob's input and we try to decide Sunday morning.

Monday: Fusilli with Cream Meat Sauce

1 lb hamburger
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
2 14 1/2 oz cans Italian style tomatoes, undrained and cut up
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
8 oz dried fusilli, vermicelli, or spaghetti
1/2 C whipping cream
2 Tbsp parsley

1 For sauce: In a large saucepan cook ground meat, onion, and galic until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat. Sti in tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring to boilin; rduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 40 minutes or until most of the liquid is evaporated, stirring mixture occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, cook pasta accordin to package directions; drin. Teturn to saucepan; cover and keep warm.

3. Slowly stir the whipping cream into the sauce. Heat through, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley.

4. Transfer cooked pasta to dinner plate. Spoon the sauce over pasta.

Tuesday: Zesty Chicken Tortilla Bake

1/2 C Miracle Whip
1/2 C flour
3 C milk
8 oz grated cheese, divided
1 1/2 lb chicken, cooked, cut into 1 in pieces
1/2 C salsa
1/2 C parsley
16 flour tortillas

Mix drssing and flour in medium saucepan with wire whisk until well blended. Graduall add milk, stirring until well blended. Cook and stir on medium heat until sauce comes toa boil and thickens. Stir in half of the cheese Reserve 1 C of the prepared sauce.

Add chicken, sals and parlsey to remaining sauce; stir until well blended. Spoon 1/3 C of the sauce mix down the center of each tortilla; roll up. Place 8 of the roll ups, seam sides down, in each of 3 baking dishes; top evenly with reserved sauce and remaining cheese.

Bake at 375 for 25 minutes

Wednesday: Ravioli Bake

1 pkg (12 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
1 1/2 lb hamburger
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 can green pepper and mushroom spaghetti sauce
2 small zucchini, thinly sliced
1 1/2 C mozzarella, shredded

Cook ravioli; rinse and drain.
Brown meat w/ onion; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and zucchini.
Layer 1/2 pasta, 1/2 sauce, and 1/2 cheese in oiled 2 qt baking dish.
Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes

Thursday: Easy Chicken and Rice dinner

1 C instant rice, uncooked
1 can condensed chicken broth
1 medium zucchini or yellow squash, sliced
1/2 medium red bell pepper, cubed
2 chicken breasts
Seasoned salt
Lemon pepper

Preheat oven to 350
Add rice, checken broth, squash and red pepper to oiled baking dish. Generously sprinkle chicken with seasoned salt and lemon pepper.
Add chicken to baking dish.
Arrange chicken and rice mixture in an even layer.
Bake 30 to 35 minute until chicken is tender.

*I usually cut the chicken into pieces and use more chicken to accommodate my family of 6.

Chili Beef Stew *Friday is crock pot day

1 1/2 lbs of stew meat
4 medium potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3 cans diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
1 can beef broth
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic salt
1/8 tsp pepper

1. Mix all ingredients in crock pot.
2. Cover and cook on Low 9-10 hours.

For Menu Plan Monday posts go to I'm an Organizing Junkie

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Tag, I'm It!

I have been tagged!! My friend Jess tagged me!

Ten years ago: Lets see. 10 years ago I was 20 years old and mommy to Si, who was about a year old. I was going to school full time and living in my own apartment.

Five things on today's to-do list: I didn't have anything on todays to do list, except go to work, which is where I am now.

A snack I enjoy: Dove chocolate bars or Snickers and Lays plain potato chips!!

Things I would do if I were a millionaire: Buy a bigger house, pay of our debt. Buy myself a cute SUV that would fit all my kids and all their stuff!! Buy a bigger boat and a Toy Hauler so we can go camping and take our ATV's with us. Put money away for the kids college.

Places I have lived: I have lived in Utah all of my life except for 6 months when we lived in Hawaii.

Hmmm, I tag

Melanie
Sarah
Kim
Julie

Friday, July 18, 2008

Memory Lane

I saw this game on Victoria's blog, and thought it would be a lot of fun. The more people play, the better it will be!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Menu Plan Monday!

Here's my menu for the week, including recipes.

Monday: Chili Macaroni

1 lb hamburger
1 med onion, chopped
1 14.5 oz can Mexican style stewed omatoes, undrained
1 1/4 cups tomato juice
2 Tbsp. canned diced green chile peppers, drained
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 cup dried wagon wheel or elbow macaroni
1 cup frozen cut green beans
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 in a large skillet cook hamburger and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat. Stir in stewed tomatoes, tomato juice, chile peppers, chili powder, and garlic salt.

2. Bring to boling. Stir in uncooked macaroni and green beans. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until macaroni and beans are tender.

3. To serve, spoon meat mixture into bowls. Sprinkle each serving with cheese.


Tuesday: Layered Enchilada Casserole and Mexi-Corn

1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1 lb hamburger
1 onion, chopped
1 4 oz can diced green chiles, drained
16 oz tomatoe sauce
8 oz refried beans
1 C mozzarella
1 lb tortilla chips, crushed
2 C cheddar
1 can enchilada sauce

Brown hamburger and onion for about 5 min, add green chiles at the end of cooking period, drain. Preheat oven to 350 F. Add tomato sauce and refried bean. Stir and heat til bubbly. Mix the rice and enchilada sauce together. Layer starting with rice, mozzarella, meat mix, chips and cheddar cheese. Bake 30 minutes.

Wednesday: Easy Chicken Parmesan with garlic bread

1 jar of spaghetti sauce
6 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, divided
6 chicken breasts
1 1/2 C grated mozzarella cheese
Any kind of pasta

Preheat oven to 375 F. Pour sauce into baking dish. Stir in 4 Tbspof Parmesan cheese. Add chicken; turn over to evenly coat both sides. Cover with foil.

Bake 30 minutes, uncover.

Top with mozzarella and remaining 3 Tbsp of Parmesan; continue baking 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked throug and cheese is melted. Serve over hot cooked pasta

Thursday: Cheesy Taco Mac and Cheese with Squash Saute

1 pkg Kraft mac and cheese family style dinner
1 lb hamburger
1/4 cup salsa
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin

Prepare dinner in a large saucepan as directed. Add remaining ingreients, mix ell. Cook until heated through.

I'm pretty sure I got this recipe from the Kraft magazine

Friday: Slow Cooker Hot Pork Sandwiches and chips

3 1/2 lb shoulder pork roast
1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 Tbsp red pepper suace
1 can diced tomatoes undrained
12 Kaiser rolls
12 slices Monterey Jack cheese
lettuce
tomato

1. Place pork in crock pot. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and red pepper sauce. Pur tomotes over pork.

2. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours

3. Remove pork. Shred and discard bones. Return to cooker and mix well. Serve with buns, cheese, lettuce and tomato.

I'm pretty sure I got this recipe from A Taste of Home magazine.

I've been collecting recipes for years and for a long time I didn't keep track of where I got them. I have just recently started to keep track of where the recipes are from and if I know I will post that info.

For more Menu Plan Monday visit Org Junkie!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

A Jakeism...

So, tonight all 6 of us were at the dinner table, eating beer-can chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy (YUM!!) I noticed that Jake was shoveling the chicken into his mouth as fast as he could. I asked Rob to slow him down (Rob was sitting next to Jake). Rob told Jake to not put so much in his mouth at once and then held his hand out in front of Jake's mouth and said "can I have some of it?" Jake shook his head no, and kept chewing. When he was done chewing he looked at his dad, then looked at his food and said "But, I'm SUPPOSED to eat it!!!" It was so funny and cute!

He is also learning his manners. Rob asked him if he wanted a bite of his chicken and Jake said "no, thank you!" Then, after he was full, he very politely said he was done and asked to be excused from the table. My baby is growing up!!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

All I Want for Christmas is...



my 2 front teeth!! Yep, Jordyn lost her other top tooth this morning and she looks so cute! She tripped while she was vacuuming and it fell out. She also has a funny little lisp, too!
Whenever I get out the camera all the kids have to ham it up!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Summer Sliding Fun

Sunday we got out the water slide for the kids and they had a ton of fun. I think they played on it for about 3 straight hours! This has definitely been a good investment. We bought it last year and it lasted all last year and I think it will last at least until the end of this year. If we get another one I think we will get one with a little pool at the bottom of the slide. They had some like that when we bought this one, but we weren't too sure how Jake would like the pool, so we went with just the slide. Last year I don't think he would have enjoyed the pool at the bottom, but this year he has really become fearless and I think he would like a little pool at the bottom.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Frog Friend


Look who showed up in the parking lot at work. Teresa noticed him as she was coming in so I could go home. We watched him for a minute, then shoo'ed him into the bushes so no one would run him over. Just as we did the sprinklers came on, so I'm sure that made him happy! I also saw him eat a bug. I've never seen a frog eat a bug before, it was kinds cool. It was so fast!

My 2 fisted eater

Mmmmm, lunch!



Raspberry Jello Dessert, my favorite!!



There's nothing like a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Trip to Fillmore & Delta

Last weekend Rob's family had a big 90th Birthday Bash for Grandpa Max. It was so much fun. I had to work Friday night, so we got up early on Saturday and headed to Fillmore. Jan, Jana and I were in charge of having enough fruit trays for 100 people.

They had the party and luncheon at the Senior Citizens Center and it was a nice, big building. It was really nice to see all of Robs aunts, uncles, cousins and cousins kids. Jordyn got to play with Sky and Halli and I kept confusing Marti's boys with my own because all 5 of them are blondes with buzzed hair!

Rob's cousin, Max, emceed the whole thing and did a good job. Jana and Jan sang a song for Grandpa. Jana also read a poem that Jan had written. Most of the kids and grandkids all sang a song together. Sky, Halli and Livi all sang the cutest song for grandpa and they did great! I didn't get any pictures, which I'm really sad about.

After the party we all headed to the grandparents house to hang out and visit. Jordyn made the cutest button bracelet with Jada and her girls. I'm gonna have to go get the stuff to do that. Rob took Max on a short ATV ride while I stayed at the house with the rest of the kids. That evening we loaded up and headed over to Delta to stay at my mom and John's house.

Sunday morning we slept in (well, kinda) and then we headed out to my Aunt Jeanette's house, which is on the res (short for reservoir). We all had a blast playing in the water and on the boats. I missed it, but Si actually tried knee boarding and I was told he did pretty good! Oh, also my cousins Angela and Hollie were there. It was nice to see them since it's been almost a year since we last saw each other. We had a big bbq that afternoon and then played on the boats until it was almost dark.

Monday we all got up early (UGHH!!) and went on an ATV ride up in the mountains. It was lots of fun, although Rob might say otherwise! We stopped at a small stream/creek and played in the water. I was the last one to get on my bike (with Jake and Jordyn with me) and got left behind. I had to strap down the cooler and then Jake was drinking some water, so I didn't dare drive with him drinking, so we got left behind. I tried to catch up, but got to a fork in the road and wasn't sure which way to go, so I went back to the creek. Rob came tearing up the road a few minutes later looking for us! I'm always the one that gets left, but usually it's because I'm stopped taking pictures!

When we got back to Mom and John's there was a nice, yummy roast in the crock pot waiting for us. I think it was the best roast I had had in years. After lunch we started to load up and headed home. I was sad to go, but very glad to sleep in my own bed that night!!

All in all it was a very fun trip and I can't wait to do it again!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July! I know we did! We tried to get up early, but that didn't happen (as usual!) and go to the lake. We did go to the lake, though, and had a BLAST!!! Si rode the tube first and did really well. I tried to talk Jordyn into it, but she wasn't going for it, so I jumped in and went for a ride. It was fun. Rob was nice and didn't drive crazy and I stayed on til my arms started to hurt. After that we took a few more spins around the lake and then we put the anchor down and all 6 of us jumped in the water and swam around for a long time. The kids loved that. I told Rob I need a water camera so I can take pictures of the kids playing on the shore where we went. To get to it you have to swim, so I wasn't taking my camera there.

Jake kept "swimming" in the shallows, Si and Max had fun climbing the rocks and then getting back in the water. Si was trying to show Max how to skip rocks and the best way to splash people. Jordyn kept swimming back to the boat, climbing in and jumping back in the water. I don't know how many times she did that. Rob and I just floated along in the water, watching the kids and enjoying ourselves. It was a great day.

We got home in just enough time for me to shower and get to work. I think we are going to bbq on Sunday and then do fireworks that night.

So, what did you do for your 4th?

Jordyn's 7th Birthday

Since I last posted Jordyn's 7th Birthday has come and gone. I can't believe my baby girl is 7 years old! She is getting to be so grown up. She has also lost one of her top front teeth and has the cutest smile to go along with it.

Her birthday fell on a Monday, so we decided to celebrate the day before on Sunday. We just had a small family party. My mom was able to come down and stay for a few days, so that was definitely a highlight. Rob's mom, Jan, and her husband, Dave, came over, along with Ruth, Jana and Ursula. Grandma Jan and Grandpa Dave got Jordyn some water guns, which were a HUGE hit. Aunt Ruth got her a CUTE pink guitar. Jordyn loved it. I think it was her favorite present. Here are some pictures

New background!

I have really neglected the poor ol' blog! I decided to come here and give it a face lift and do some updates. How do you like the new look? I really like it. I found a link to The Cutest Blog on the Block and took a look around and found this cute FREE background. Go check it out!