A couple of weeks ago Travis and I had been talking about Tuna casserole and that it sounded good. So I went in search of recipes and found one on allrecipes.com 1 can cream of mushroom soup1 can milk ( I used the soup can to measure)3 celery stalks, diced1 yellow onion, diced2 cans of tuna, drained2 1/2 cups dry macaroni noodles2 cups cheddar cheeseHeat over to 350 degrees.Cook noodles, drain. Add soup, milk, onion and tuna plus 1 cup of cheese, stirring well. Put into greased casserole dish and cover with remaining cheese.Bake covered for 30 minutes, uncover and cook for 10 more minutes.
I thought it was delicious, so did Travis.... Zach on the other didn't like it so much and had to spend extra time at the dinner table to finish it up!Update: 2/3/2014- This is still something we eat regularly. Zachary still doesn't like it but both Tyler and Summer love it as well. It's just a great, easy dinner!
One of my goals last year was to cook more. Since I am staying at home now, why shouldn't I? I do love to cook, or try to cook. Though I have never been great at it. Recipes intimidate me... always have. So I have my "core" meals, and I stick to them like super glue. You know the ones I am talking about. Your go to meals. The ones that you eat every week. When you can't think of what else to make you always go to these... For me, those meals are Chicken enchiladas, Tater tot casserole, Chili Mac, Nachos, Tacos, Lasagna.... to name a few.
Most of the year I never got to making new meals, but as I got closer to Tyler getting here I wanted to make some "freezer meals". That way when I come home from the hospital I don't want to leave the couch, Trav could pull something out of the freezer, pop it in the oven and an hour later we have dinner. (I need to say here that Travis is a great cook, and doesn't hesitate to make dinner, but it was nice for us to have an easy dinner) I made a ton of meals.(and we made them last the full 6 weeks Travis was off work!) I of course made my Lasagnas, and enchiladas (both chicken and beef) but I also made some new casseroles, soups, etc. Now those are part of my "core" meals.
I am still constantly looking at blogs and websites for new food to try. I also like to take the things friends have made and try those out for myself. I thought I would try to start putting them on here, along with my family updates, and crafts. I will include a picture (when I remember) and make sure to give credit to the amazing cooks who I lifted the recipe from! Tonight I am making these: http://cookingwithwineinafish-bowlsizedglass.blogspot.com/2011/03/cheddar-meatloaf-muffins-and-plumbing.html . They are Cheddar meatloaf muffins. They are in the oven right now, and smell delicious. I imagine they will taste even better!
Other than that, the family has been great. 
We celebrated Travis' 27th birthday last Friday.
I had been asking him for a couple of weeks what he wanted for dinner. I wanted to cook him a special meal, but he kept coming up with nothing! Finally he decided he wanted Philly Cheesesteaks! I was super excited to try these out as I have never had them. I searched high and low on the internet before coming to these: http://mecookingcreations.blogspot.com/2009/09/cheesesteaks.html And they were delicious! They turned out just like the picture too! Then I made a German Chocolate cake from scratch! My first ever cake from scratch! I know it's not the prettiest, but it tasted great!
My meatloaf is done, so I am going to have dinner, and will post a picture shortly!
Edit: Here is my meatloaf 
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It was actually pretty tasty! One thing I would change is that the recipe calls for bread crumbs and I think next time I will make this with oatmeal instead. Other than that it was great. I made baked potatoes with it and it was a great meal! Little brother was not interested in getting his picture taken here on his 5 month birthday!
Here are some pictures from the Big Horn Show (that I won tickets to on the radio!)Zach did an archery shoot and shot an air gun and had fun and did good with both!
Also they had these big cats. Yep- these are not your everyday house cats... these are leopards and black panthers! Their were several others too. And can you see the leash? A thin little chain was keeping them from us and at times the guy would drop the chain! Did I mention that at the beginning of the show they invite all the little kids to come sit right up front? Scary! 
I don't technically celebrate Ash Wednesday, but in high school I remember Nicki and I would do something like, give up pizza pockets, french fries, ranch, big soft pretzels, etc. I know, those are silly, but we were silly high school girls and it worked for us. Typically, I give up something each year and forget within a week that I had given them up. So this year I wanted to give up something and stay with it. This year I am giving up buying scrapbooking supplies. I really have soo much stuff and don't need to buy anything. I am trying to use the things I already have. I think this is something I can accomplish easily as I have already been trying to cut back on the things I buy. So wish me luck!
I have not posted any new pics of the boys recently so hopefully I can get some on this afternoon. And I have been working like crazy to finish up the Disneyland scrapbook and only have about 10 pages left! Excited to scrapbook with my favorite girls in a couple of weeks! And will be working on something new this time! YAY!
I am so looking forward to spring. I heard that we are supposed to get some snow tonight and into the morning. Really? Mother Nature? Please bring warm weather. My poor toes are freezing in my flip flops and I refuse to put on shoes.
I am looking forward to the weather being nice enough that I can walk Zach to school and walk to pick him up without putting the baby into a snow suit. It is just too cold out there. Today is 38, which isn't terrible. But I am thinking 50's would be great. (for now, then I will be begging for high 80's!)
Zach had a science test a few days ago on sound. It was the big unit test over everything he's learned so far about sound and he got 104%... I am a proud mama! Those tests are not easy either and it's amazing how well those kids do!
Tonight Zach is going to stay with Gma and Gpa and the rest of us were going to dinner with Trav's sister Katie and her fiance because they are moving back to Seattle.... (((Boo!))) But since the weather is not looking good, they decided to head back this afternoon rather than in the a.m so we are not going out. Maybe we will do something else. I am guessing our night will consist of a movie and me scrapbooking while the boys sleep on the couch. :)
Tyler has been taking his naps in his crib. Which is great because he is quickly out growing his cradle. And he sleeps so good at night. (I hope I am not jinzing myself!) I don't think it will be long before he is in his crib at night too. Today I laid him down and a few minutes later he was still be a chatter box. Normally he pretty much crashes so I went to peak at him and he just smiles up at me so bright eyed. I said "you are supposed to be sleeping" and he giggled! That is his newest accomplishment. He laughs. And it is sooo cute! Before he giggled but this is a belly laugh and I am so excited for it!
As for my scrapbooking, I set a goal in February to finish our Disneyland scrapbook, and that did not get done. So it's being rolled over to March. I am getting together with the girls in a couple of weeks and my goal is to be working on something else by then, so I need to get Disneyland done in the next couple of weeks. I have finished about 75 of approx 100 pages since mid January.
Also I have been trying to make cards so that when I need them I am not rushing and making a silly looking card.
So for March my goal is:
Finish Disneyland scrapbookMake 5 cardsStart 2010 album and make at least 5 pages
That is not too unrealistic. I will let you know how I did at the beginning of April! So I'd better go get to work while Tyler is still napping!
Day 25- A song you could listen to all day without getting tired of. Right now, that song is Never Say Never by Justin Bieber. :::Holds my head proud:::I am lovin' this kid and his music. I am hoping that he stays a good boy because he is good at what he does.
Day 24- A song that you have danced to with your best friend. Don't Cha- By the Pussycat DollsI remember going to Trickshots and dancing with Nicki up on the stage to this song.... hahaha... Good times! I love that girl! Don't Cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don't Cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? Don't Cha? hahaha.....
Day 23- A song that you cannot stand to listen to.okay.... it's not really one song, as it is ALL songs by......::::John Mayer::::Every time a song of his comes on the radio, I change it. He has an arrogance that I just cannot stomach. And his songs are just boring to me.
