Tasty Tuesday Ammendment

Okay, so my last Tasty Tuesday was the 4x4 stew. Here are some things you should know.

1) This recipe, as you can tell by the 4 lbs of hamburger meat, makes a TON of food. Great for watch parties, family get togethers and any other reason you may have to feed a multitude.

2) The beauty of this recipe is that not only is it simple, but you can do 2x2, which is two of everything, or 3x3, or even 1x1, which is ideal for just 2 people.

3) I use the mild rotels. But for those of you who are prone to heartburn, you might want to do half rotel, half diced tomatoes. Just experiment and see what suits you. Using all rotels, especially the original rotels, makes more of a very spicey chili rather than a stew.

4) My mom adds red kidney beans in aswell, so if that interests you, go for it!

So there ya have it! I hope you enjoy! ; )

TASTY TUESDAY

4x4 Stew (Four by Four)

4 lbs hamburger meat
4 cans ranch style beans, drained
4 cans minestone soup
4 cans rotel (use mild rotel if you want to tone down the spice.)

Brown hamburger meat and drain. Mix in other ingredients and simmer in a large stew pot. Serve with saltines. Sour cream and shredded cheese is good as a topper! Makes plenty and is always a hit as a game day meal! About 3 more months until kickoff!

Field Trip 2010

Yaya testing out the sling.... Maggie LOVES it!!! Then we started our adventure.
She stayed in it the whole time we were at the zoo. Maggie + sling + lovey + paci = happy girl!

We stopped to have a picnic lunch. Price was enjoying an orange.

Me and my precious treasures. What a gift from God!

Yaya and Maggie Beth Riding the Tram at the zoo. Very informative.

Okapi! Price was so excited to see these. "They are Diego's favorite animal!" Very unusual and beautiful creature. Price and I talked about how God is so creative!!!

Giraffes. They are my favorite!!!!

Yaya and Price feeding the parakeets!

We went on Price's preschool field trip to the zoo today! It was great fun!! Yaya went with us, which was even more fun! Maggie Beth went too. Price had a blast and Maggie was an absolute angel! She loved being toted around in the sling. Price loved seeing all the animals and was a little cutie. The weather was gorgeous!!! It was a fabulous day!

Rice Cereal

So, Miss Maggie Beth has reached another milestone! She is eating rice cereal! She is slow to enjoy it at first, but the last few bites she opens wide like a little birdie. She is starting to get the hang of it. I can't believe she is eating from a spoon already! Time is flying by so quickly....sigh.

My friend, Mrs. Oklahoma

Congrats to my sweet friend Alyssa Siler, who won Mrs. Oklahoma on Saturday night! It was so much fun to cheer her on! Alyssa has a daughter Hayden who is almost 4 years old. Hayden has Cystic Fibrosis. Alyssa entered the pageant with the hope of winning to become a voice for CF. Not many people can say they know such a beautiful person who is just as beautiful on the inside. She has many many talents!! Alyssa is a good and loyal friend. I am so proud of her!

You can check out her blog at www.mrsoklahomaamerica2010.blogspot.com

The Mrs. America pageant is in Arizona in September. Tuscon here we come!!!

Price is 5!

Happy Birthday signs posted for Price to enjoy when he woke up! We also put red crate paper all over the kitchen, but didn't get a picture of that...darn!

Jon, Maggie Beth and I suprised Price at school and brought McDonald's for lunch. Fun!

Price got to have his "leader day" on his birthday. He took his "nina bear" and a picture for show and tell and brought cupcakes for snack.
Price chose to eat at Braums for his birthday dinner. He and Jon enjoyed a banana split.

Price had a bowling party with his cousins and friends.

Nanny made the cake!

My little man is growing up so fast! I can't believe he is 5 years old! He is funny, loving, caring, tender, feisty, animated, creative, polite, encouraging, intuitive, sensitive, strong, imaginative and always a joy! He is my sunshine and constant source of laughter. Our lives are richer because of Pricer!!! Here are some pictures from his birthday celebration!

TASTY TUESDAY

Teriyaki Chicken

6-8 Chicken breast
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (can add a pinch more to satisfy your taste)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder OR minced garlic
white or brown rice

Place chicken in crockpot. Whisk other ingredients, EXCEPT RICE together in a bowl. Pour over chicken. Cook on low about 7 hours. Cook rice. Serve with chicken. Goes well with a side of stir fry frozen veggies dinner rolls. Enjoy!

TASTY TUESDAY

Easy Ravioli Bake

1 jar of your favorite tomato pasta sauce (26-28 oz)
1 pkg (25-28 oz.) frozen cheese or beef filled raviolis
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
grated parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350. Spray bottom and sides of rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 3/4 cup sauce in dish. Arrange ravioli in singer layer over sauce. Top with 1/2 of remainging sauce, then 1 cup of cheese, another layer of ravioli's, other 1/2 of sauce the 1 more cup of cheese.

Cover with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Remove foil. Bake another 15-20 minutes or until bubbly and hot in the center. Let stand about 10 minutes before cutting. Sprinkle with grated parmesan. Enjoy!

* can add pepperoni between layers if using cheese raviolis

*good recipe to make ahead of time, store in the fridge and have ready to put in the oven. Bake as directed!

Awww!

This morning at 6:00, I was in Maggie Beth's room nursing her when Price came in and we had this exchange:

Price (whispering): "Mama?....Mama?"

Me (sitting in the dark with my head resting on the back of the chair): "Yea, buddy?"

Price: "Are you sleepy Mama?"

Me: "Yes a little bit. Maggie didn't sleep well, so I'm a little tired. Why are you up so early?"

Price: "I am a little hungry." He says as he rubs his tummy and lifts only one eyebrow.

Me: "Alright, bud. I am going to finish feeding Maggie Beth and I will be right down to make you some breakfast. Okay?"

Price: "Okay." He tip toes away, but returns about 30 seconds later.

Price: "Mama. Daddy is here! I going to ask him to get me some breakfast so you can rest!" as he gives me two thumbs up.

Awwwww! He is so sweet!

TASTY TUESDAY

Tasty Tuesday is not all about the recipes, but mostly about easy ideas to help feed your family some yummy meals! Here is one idea for those of you who simply need a new idea to bring to the dinner table.

Soup and Bread Bowls

One package Bear Creek Soup Mix (found in the soup aisle at most grocery stores) There are many different mixes to choose from. Broccoli Cheddar, Creamy Potato, Chicken noodle and an enchilada soup. We have tried and enjoyed them all! Be sure to check the back of the package because it will give you lots of ideas to add to your soup to make them more interesting.

Enough bread bowls to feed whomever might be eating with you! (you can call a day ahead to most bakeries and order fresh bread bowls to be picked up. I know both Wal-Mart and Homeland do this).

We like to use this meal for a quick after church meal or even one we can whip out when we have guests. I served this for Christmas with my in-laws this year. We were tired of turkey and dressing and lots of heavy food, so I did this instead. It is tasty and inexpensive and most importantly EASY!

Easter 2010

My niece Kassity, nephew Brett, and my Pricer!

Coloring Easter eggs!

My sister, Kim, and Maggie Beth, just up from a nap!

Me and the kiddos on Easter morning!

I love Easter! Spring time, sunshine, grass turning green, flowers starting to bloom, trees budding....all signs of new life; starting fresh! This is what Christ Jesus offers us in His death and resurrection! Praise God! Jesus is Risen! His grace is for me!

Family walks

This starts the half of the year when we get to go on fun family walks. Last year, it was good exercise for me being pregnant and all. This year, Price likes to drive his truck or ride his bike (tricycle, which we are hoping to take the training wheels off soon). Maggie prefers to be in a sling. On this particular outing, Jon volunteered to do the honor of toting the princess. I love this part of our day. After tummies are full and dinner is cleaned up, but before we wash up the kids for bed is when we treat ourselves to this outing. Its lots of fun and something I really look forward to.

Sweet reunion

My friend April used to live down the street from me when we lived in Edmond. We had our babies just 3 months apart (Price and Addison). I spent many many afternoons at her house when Price was little. We attended the same church, mom's groups and shared many of the same friends. Our kids liked playing together as much as we liked visiting. Many evenings after our babies were in bed, we would run to Target or Wal-Mart on a grocery/necessities run or sometimes just to browse around without our children. Sometimes we would go to Starbucks. Most every time we would get totally lost in conversation about motherhood, marriage and faith.

April moved to Colorado in May of 2007. I was so sad to see her go. She has two daughters and gave birth to a son since their move to Colorado. My family moved from Edmond in March of 2008. We are good about keeping in touch. I send pics via text and we chat on the phone and keep up with each other through facebook, blogs and email.

April was in Oklahoma this weekend. Both her and her husband's family live here, so it is difficult for her to squeeze in time for anyone else. Thankfully, I was able to get some time with her and the kids! The girls are beautiful and have grown so much. Asher is very cute and keeps April busy (as boys tend to do)! We got to catch up while the kids colored with sidewalk chalk. Price was at school so he was not there, but April did get to meet Maggie Beth for the first time today.

Ilove how true friends are always able to pick up right where we left off. Its seemed as if I had just seen her yesterday. When our time together came to an end, I thought about a song I knew as a kid....

"Make new friends, but keep the old

one is silver and the other, gold.

A circle is round, it has no end

that's how long I want to be your friend."

Thank you God for good friends.