Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Things that make you go mmmmm!

I have a few of my favorite recipes I wanted to post. If I was ambitious and if I could find my camera battery I would have taken a few pictures, so you'll just have to trust that they are delicious!

HOMEMADE PIZZA
2 packages dry yeast
2 Tbsp sugar
2/3 cup warm water
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
2 cups cold water
3 Tbsp oil
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp oregano
7 cups flour

Combine yeast, warm water, and sugar; let set about 5 minutes. In roomy bowl combine cold water, oil, sugar, salt, garlic salt, and oregano until blended. Stir in one cup of flour, yeast mixture, and remaining flour, a little at a time. Mix into soft dough. Knead until no longer sticky. Let rise till doubled (about 45 minutes); punch down. Spread on 2 (15 inch) pizza pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray and apply sauce and toppings. Let rise 20 minutes. Bake at 450, one pizza at a time for 15-20 minutes.

*Our favorite topping is a layer of ranch dressing and then cheese.

CROCKPOT LASAGNA
12 lasagna noodles
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 jar (28 oz.) spagetti sauce
1/4 cup water
1 carton (16 oz.) cottage cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

Break noodles in half. Place half of the noodles in bottom of greased slow cooker. Stir italtian seasoning into meat and spread half over the noodles already in slow cooker. Then layer half of the sacuse and water, half of cottage cheese, and half of mozzarella cheese over beef. Repeat layers. Cover and cook on low heat 4-5 hours. Do not cook more than 5 hours. Makes 6-8 servings.

ITALIAN CHICKEN
4-6 chicken breasts
1 bottle italian dressing

Place chicken in large bag. Pour italian dressing into bag and refrigerate overnight. The next day place marinated chicken into casserole dish and bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until heated through. (I serve over rice).

CHEESY POTATO SOUP
6 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 and 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tsp chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 tsp pepper
1 and 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
green onion (chopped)
bacon crumbles

In a slow cooker combine potatoes, water, onion, bouillon cubes, and pepper. Cover; cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.

Stir cheese, milk, green onions, and bacon crumbles in cooker. Cover; cook on low for 1 more hour or on high for 30 minutes. Mash potatoes slightly if desired.

PINEAPPLE-APRICOT CHICKEN
6-8 chicken breasts
3/4 cup russian dressing
3/4 cup pineapples-apricot jam

Place chicken in slow cooker. In a seperate bowl mix dressing and jam. Pour over chicken. Cook on high 3-4 hours. Serve over rice.

SIMPLE BEEF STROGANOFF
1 lb. beef, browned and drained
1/2 cup onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup, condensed
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 cup sour cream

Combine all ingredients except sour cream in slow cooker. Cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours. Add sour cream the last hour of cooking. Makes 4-6 servings.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Making the best of a snowy day!









This was quite a while ago, but we LOVE taking the kids out in the snow. They love to play outside and they had a blast playing in the snow! Owen had his snow pants on and so he went down the slide pretty fast and giggled all the way. Will is still getting used to the snow, but he liked getting a ride in the sled. These boys are so fun!!!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

We love Grandma and Grandpa!











I could write a book about how much I love my parents and how much Owen and Will love their Grandma and Grandpa. They are so good to us and we are so blessed to have them in our lives! They are always there for us and always making sure we're doing good and just listening when we need to talk or cry or need some advice. I can't think of one time when they were too busy for us. (And boy do they keep busy). We love you!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

I love lasagna!

I think that he is adorable! He loves anything that is messy to eat and I get a kick out of watching him eat it! He was completely enthralled and then he looked up and smiled. How did we ever live without him?

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Girls Day

























I know there are a lot of pictures, but I love these ladies! We had such a great time getting together and catching up. I am truly blessed to know and spend time with these amazing women!!!!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Laughing







Just a little too fun not to post!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Monkey on my back





My adorable friend Whitney got this toy monkey for Will for his birthday and he loves it! And one of our favorite things to do is have it give Will a hug. What a cutie!!!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Creative yogurt eating







We have been working really hard to get Owen to use forks and spoons and I am happy to say that he can make it through about half a yogurt using a spoon and then it becomes really fun and entertaining to watch. (As you can see!) We love him so much!!!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

My sister and her kiddos

I have been blessed with amazing sisters and this is one of them. Diana and her two kids...Ethan and Ali. They are so fun and I am excited to get to see them soon.


Sunday, February 5, 2012

Relaxin





This is Owen's thing lately. Sitting on the couch, kickin' his feet up and jsut chillin'. He has been so funny lately. We consider ourselves very entertained. :)

Friday, February 3, 2012

Out


This was at Thanksgiving...but I couldn't help myself. He was so sad to have to stay inside when he could see how fun it was outside. I can't usually resist him in moments like this and so I put him on my shoulders and walked him around a few times. It was fun!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Cuteness




This boy melts me!!!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Walk





Aren't they cute?