Family Night

Every Monday Ryan and I take turns spending the evening with our families. This week we went to his parent's house, where we were pleasantly surprised by these guys!

I didn't a pic of Trevor this time around :( Next time!

This Weekend

This weekend Ryan was out of town camping, so I used this opportunity to spend some time with my family! We had so much fun. The weekend went by so fast.

First, Mom and I went to a great little place to have our nails done (it's called #1 Nails on McKellips and Elliot)

We also went to On the Border for a great Saturday afternoon lunch, before Jesse and & spent some time at the mall and the movies.

Back in my old room, Ebony made herself right at home
Mom also blessed me with a beautiful bouquet of roses!!
Then on Monday, it was back to work with these two little guys :)

Last night Auntie had some Drewbie/Bella time... and it was a blast! Miss Ruth came along too!

First, we went to Dippin' Dots


Where Drew did not hesitate in picking out his ice cream of choice (bubble gum)


Then Auntie showed him how it was not necessary to consume this treat with a spoon


He's a fast learner :)



Bella watched (note the caption on her shirt: "Does this diaper make my butt look big?" courtesy of Auntie)

Then Auntie had some time to love on Bella and attempt to make her smile. We had lots of fun playing until it was bedtime.

Thanks for coming over, guys! Auntie Nae is crazy about both of you, and can't wait 'til next time.

Wishes

I really really really want one of these

They are on sale at Costco for, I believe, $40. My boss just got one. This morning I enjoyed delicious chocolate peanut butter shake... and I can't wait to try the It's Ready Already Alfredo.

Weekends

This weekend I....

Met up with some friends for coffee. We had so much fun! Love you girls!!

And congrats to my friend Jenni, who is engaged!! Can't wait for you to be Mrs. Jenni Jacks!! :)

Then Saturday night we went to BJ's Brewery with Jeff & Ruth to celebrate Jeff's new job

And finally, Sunday night we spend celebrating my sweet sister-in-law Becky's birthday

Birthday Girl

Where's Matt?

Recipes

My dear sister-in-law, Tara, tagged me to post 4 recipes. So I will post my top 4 staples in the kitchen. Hope you like them!

Enchilada Cassarole

1 can enchilada sauce (red or green)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 sm can green chiles
2 cups shredded cheese, divided
3 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
10 white corn tortillas, torn into pieces

Combine all wet ingredients in large bowl. Add cheese, chicken, and tortillas. Top with remaining cheese. Transfer to cassarole dish, bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serves 4.


Broccoli Cheese Cassarole

3 cups cooked rice
2 pkgs. frozen broccoli florets
1 sm onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz velveeta cheese (cut into pieces)
2-4 cooked, cubed chicken breasts

Cook broccoli according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Saute onion until clear. In large bowl, mix the 2 soups, cooked rice, cooked broccoli, cheese, onion and chicken. Transfer to dish, bake 45 min- 1 hr at 350. Serves 6-8



Chicken Rice Soup

12 T butter
2/3 cups flour
1 cup milk
1 cup cream
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups finely chopped chicken
2 boxes Rice-A-Roni (wild with carrots)

Melt butter in saucepan. Blend in flour. Add milk, cream and broth. Cook and stir until mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Reduce heat. Stir in chicken, cooked rice, and a few shakes of pepper. Warm through. Serves 6-8.

World's Best Lasagna
(from allrecipes.com)

1 lb Italian sausage
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 oz) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 T sugar
1 1/2 t dried basil leaves
1/2 t fennel seeds
1t Italian seasoning
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
4 T chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
1 egg
16 oz ricotta (or 8 oz cottage cheese and 8 oz ricotta)
3/4 lb mozarella, sliced
3/4 cup grated parmesan

Preheat oven to 375. In dutch oven, cook meats, onions and garlic. Stir in tomatoes and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennell, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 2 T parsley. Simmer, uncovered, 1 1/2 hours. In small bowl, combine ricotta, eggs, and remaining parsley. To assemble, Spread 1 1/2 cups of the meat mixture onto bottom of lasagna dish. Arrange 6 cooked noodles, lengthwise, on top. Spread 1/2 of ricotta miture. Top with 1/3 of the mozarella slices. Spoon 1 1/2 meat mixture, sprinkle with 1/4 cup of parmesan. Repeat layers, top with remaining parmesan. Cover with foil, bake 25 minutes. Remove foil, cook for an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving. Serves 12.


The rules:
1. Let others know who tagged you (Tara)
2. Start with 4 recipes you especially like
3. Tag 4 other people and notify them that they have been tagged : Chanelle - All the other blogs I know of have been tagged already!!!
4. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 4 recipes

Friends

Last night Jeff & Ruth joined Ryan and I for dinner and cards. Ruth and I made an excellent lasagna...
Then we battled it out over Hand & Foot... us girls won all 3 games, by the way :) Solid effort, boys!

Nanny Business

This week I spent some time with one of the two boys that I nanny for, Dallan. I've had him since he was born. He is now 4 months and so cute! I'm quite attached. Here's some fun pictures from the week.

Later in the week Ruth joined me for a sleepover at Dallan's house. We played with him, and after putting him down we ordered pizza and watched movies. Fun times!!!