a couple recipes

so, I do not claim to be a great cook, but I thought I'd share these recipes.

This first one is one that I do every conference (we also had it at K's baptism). It's perfect for make ahead and have ready to go for the morning. AND, it's EASY!

Early Morning Breakfast

1 package white bread, diced

1 pkg. ground sausage, browned

8-10 eggs, well beaten

1-2 C. Cheddar Cheese

Cube bread and place in bottom of greased 9x13 pan. Brown sausage and sprinkle over bread. Pour the eggs over the entire casserole, if it looks like you need more, put more on. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake covered at 350 for 35 ish minutes. Then uncover and bake another 15 minutes.

I make EVERYTHING the night before. I cut up the bread and put in the 9x13 pan and cover with saran wrap. I cook the sausage and put it in the fridge, covered. Then in the morning I just put it together and cook it.

All of the measurements are approximate. I usually end up using all but a few sliced of bread and sometimes more eggs than 10, just make sure most of the bread is covered by the eggs. I know sometimes people put the whole thing together the night before, but I think it makes it soggy and I don't like it that way.

This next recipe I found on My Kitchen Cafe and it sounded like something C would LOVE.

I made it, and I was right, HE

L-O-V-E-D it!!! He said it was in his top ten favorite dinners.

It was very tasty, I must admit.

Salsa Verde Tostadas

4 flour tortillas

1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 1/2 cups cooked, shredded chicken or pork

1 cup green salsa (salsa verde) plus more for serving (I used green enchilada sauce-it's all I had)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, etc.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange the tortillas on a rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the tortillas, bake until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss together the chicken (or pork), salsa verde, 1/4 cup cilantro, beans, and cumin (this can marinate all day if you like)-I like it best when it's marinaded for most of the day. Spoon mixture evenly over the tortillas and bake until heated through about 8 minutes.

Top warm tostadas with lettuce, tomato, and sour cream and other toppings as desired. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve immediately with additional green salsa if desired.

DELISH!

a little clarification

So, I guess I need to clarify a little...

In my last post I mentioned I had pregnancy hormones.

And yes, I am pregnant.

But this is not new news.

I am actually 25 weeks (just barely over 6 months).

We are having a BOY... anyone really surprised.

I guess I never really mentioned it before on our blog.

We are excited, well- truthfully, J is a little disappointed. When we told her it was a boy, she said, 'oh no, not a boy.' She is quickly adjusting. I know she will love him regardless, she is such a sweet helper and LOVES, ADORES, and LIVES for babies.

Little Moments

Most of you moms out there know that your day is made up of hectic, mundane, everyday tasks that have to be done. It can be crazy and wild and easy to overlook and see the nice quiet moments that bring order and peace into your home.

The other day G was having a bath. I had been washing J and looked over at G-who was also in the bath. He had his head bowed and his arms folded. I jokingly said, 'g, what are you doing, saying a prayer.' To which he responded, 'yeah, mom I was just praying that Heavenly Father would help my owies to feel better.'

I was humbled. It brought tears to my eyes (and no, not just because I have crazy pregnancy hormones right now)-it was so sweet. What a nice little reminder of the things that we can ask our Heavenly Father for. I love his faith and his perfect trust in someone he has never seen but knows is there. Oh the lessons I have learned from my kids and continue to learn from their quiet but strong examples.

Talking about girls already!?

I caught a glimpse into the world of boys and their view on women.

This was a conversation my 4 year old was having with my 8 year old.

G- 'K, there is a girl in my class that sucks on her hair?! Isn't that crazy!?'

K- 'No G, really, girls do that A LOT.

Lots of girls in my school do. I don't know why, but they do.'

G- 'That's funny'

K- 'yeah, it really is'

I don't know what I thought this was so funny. I guess I pictured this conversation happening down the road in tenish years, but the comments would be much more complicated and there would be a lot of more questions and even more they don't understand.

OUCH!

My little daredevil, yes, the one who asked for a parachute for his birthday so he can 'jump off things'- he ate it BIG time on his scooter today.

We were at some friends house and he wanted to ride his scooter.

We put his helmet and knee pads on and he was off.

They live on a VERY steep hill.

He started going and couldn't stop.

C sprinted after him and couldn't catch him.

G ended up bailing off and rolling into some leaves-he said he knew it was his only chance.

He got some major road burn and was pretty shaken up. He told us he wouldn't be doing that again.

At least he learns quick.

We'll see how long it takes him to get on his scooter again.... probably tonight.

I love this little daredevil and I'm so glad he's okay.

What a trooper.

Swim lessons

J and G both started swimming lesson.

They loved them.

I am sold on those belts around their waists. They are called aqua joggers and work great.

G asks EVERY day when his lessons are.

It is SO fun to watch them.

OH the SUN!

We have been soaking up the sun here lately!

I LOVE IT!

We took the kids to a skate park and they loved riding on the ramps!

Fun at the park

We can't get enough of the sun!

funny things

Yesterday while at the park, G decided to roll down the hill as fast as he could. He was got going pretty good. He had done it a couple times, and moved spots. Next thing I know, he is careening down the hill really fast, before I could get to him, he ran right smack into a tree trunk with his head. He came running over and asked me if there was a mark. He had a small scratch across the top of his forehead. I told him there wasn't and then I started laughing. Neither of us could stop laughing. It didn't stop him though. Nothing slows this kid down.

G has been eyeing a space shuttle at Target. Today he told me that for his birthday card (b-day in July), he doesn't want a card with words, but he wants it full of $50 cash. He has big plans.

What would I do without this kid?!?

Washington DC

We made a quick weekend trip to DC.

We met up with old friends, who generously shared their house with us, and we made a quick trip to the temple.

I have always wanted to see the DC temple. It was amazing!

Out seeing some of the sights

We will definitely be coming back for another visit.