bringing meals

The other day I brought a meal to my friend, Ruth, who just had a baby.  I always try to come up with something new and fun to bring to people, but I always resort to my regular standby, Chicken Taco Bake.  I actually call it just Taco Bake because it's easier to make with ground beef.  It's a VERY yummy recipe that I got from my sister-in-law a long time ago.  It goes together super quick, freezes wonderfully, and is great as leftovers.  I usually bring a salad and a plate of cookies alongside.

Taco Bake
1 lb. ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup calsa
1 can chili
10 corn tortillas cut into squares
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Brown beef.  Mix with remaining ingredients except cheese.  Pour into 9x13" pan.  Sprinkle cheese on top and bake at 350 uncovered for approximately 45 min or until hot and bubbly.

bribe

Yesterday we went to Disneyland with my parents.  My dad is always trying to get Cam to go on roller coasters and scary rides.

Yesterday he and Chris were standing at the entrance of California Screaming for a while trying to convince Cam to go.  Finally my dad informed him that he would pay him two dollars to go.  That was all Cam needed to hear! His mind immediately went to getting some Legos with his money (poor kid doesn't realize $2 would buy about two pieces!!)  Cam came of the ride saying how "awesome" it was, but when asked if he wanted to do it again, his answer was "no". :)

On a sidenote, Chris took this picture because he thought it rather funny.  We got a sample at the bakery at CA Adventure and since I'm a doughy baked good fan, I ate the middle and then threw the rest away. :)

the past several days...

*The kids LOVE going for walks at night with Zoe.  There are lots of Christmas lights to see.  I have yet to accompany them but I know I will soon.  Chris said it can get interesting. :) A son who likes to run + a dog who likes to run + Christmas decorations in lawns = a small amount of chaos.

*I can't believe I have never made gingerbread men cookies.  We made them the other day and they are quite fun. :)

*I finally got my act together and am doing Advent with the kids this year.  I spent a long time searching for scripture verses to read each day and never found ones I thought were good plus short enough for their attention spans (I finally read somewhere about a kid's Bible that has the exact sections I needed, but it was too late).  Anyway, next year I'll have those included.  For this year, each day contains a fun little surprise.  I've seen VERY creative ways to display your Advent, but I opted for clear bags hung on our mantel (courtesy 99 Cent store).

This morning's Advent surprise was a box of "sugar cereal".  They were ELATED!!

Cameron is very into the human body and how it works.  I cracked up when I was cleaning out the car and realized he had lugged our Medical Encyclopedia all the way downstairs for some reading on our car rides. :)

*It's quite possible that if you stumble into our kitchen throughout the day you might find me digging in the Cheez-it bag for the burnt ones.  I like them REALLY dark. :)

still felt like summer

Chris' friend scored a free round of golf for them so Chris was gone most of the morning.  I decided it had been a while since we had been to Palm Springs (we usually go to Palm Desert) so the kids and I packed a picnic lunch and headed to the park...also to 13 degree warmer weather. :)

Afterward we went to a frozen yogurt shop to get the kids some "yogurt candy" for the ride home. This place is so cute because it has a small area with toys where the kids can play (so they aren't sticking their hands in every bin instructing me which kinds to get!).

*We have some new renters on our block.  I was a little turned off at first because of the blaring rap music coming from their house one afternoon.  But it's amazing how my opinion has softened after seeing the HUGE amounts of Christmas decorations they have put up.  I like them now. :)

*I'm VERY particular about my hot drinks being hot, hot, hot.  A while back I ordered a mocha at a McDonald's drive-thru.  There was a line and by the time I got up to the window, my drink was tepid (they had obviously made it right when I ordered it and it just sat there).  I didn't even finish it. :(  So a few nights ago I formulated a plan.  I ordered the kids' cookies initially.  Then when I got up to the window I acted as if I had forgotten part of my order and asked for my drink.  It was made right then, handed to me right then, and was super hot.  :)  Yes, kind of a hassle just to get a McDonald's drink, but it was worth it.  :)

*Did anyone ever watch Out of This World as a kid??  Remember she could pause time? :)

*I'm not very far on my Christmas shopping.

*I've realized that part of the reason I like hot weather better than cold is because shorts are more comfortable than pants.  I'm not a fan of pants.

*Would you rather give up hot showers (substituting super cold) or dessert?  That is tough one for me but I think I would give up the showers.  Brrrrr....

                                                               

                                                        ??????

outback potato

My "rather have the sides over the meat" not only applies to Holiday meals, but also to my visits to Outback.  I don't remember the last time we actually ate there, but all I know is that their baked potatoes were/are absolutely the best (my order there has always been simply a dinner salad and a baked potato).  They are actually out of this world.

A couple of visits back to my in-laws Chris' mom made baked potatoes for dinner and I was in awe at how identical they were to Outback's.  I've made them twice since because Chris is a huge fan as well.  They are SOOO easy.  Here is the super simple recipe. You seriously need to make your potatoes this way the next time you have them!!  The only problem is that neither of my kids like baked potatoes.  Grrr....

turkey day

The last of our visitors left a few hours ago.  We had a wonderful week with both sides of our family.  

Chris' grandma stayed with us all week and will be VERY missed by Cam and Kendall.  Earlier in the week we put up a few Christmas decorations:

 Here are the cousins with their Aunt Rebekah, who made fun cake pops for the "kids" dessert (although I think all four kids partook of the "adult" desserts as well!) :)

Here is Uncle Craig going over Spanish words with Cam.  Cam is quite into his Spanish lessons at school. :)

The boys and their dad:

It was fun having my parents join us.  The new salad recipe I mentioned my mom was going to try was delicious.  I think one of the stars of the meal was the stuffing recipe I said I was going to attempt...thanks for the recipe Noonie and Deb!!!! :)

After the meal, we each read the slip of paper we had written things were thankful for on.  The kids then stuck them to the turkey's feathers.

This morning we put up our tree:

 Here is Grandma teaching the kids how to make paper candy canes for the tree:

p.s. It's ironic that I entitled this "turkey day" seeing as I have yet to taste one bite of the turkey.  I never really eat any of the main meat dishes on Holidays.  It's not that I don't like meat, it's that I like the side dishes SOO much better and would rather fill up on them.  But I'm sure a few turkey sandwiches are in my future as we have tons of leftovers. :)