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Simple Shepard's Pie

This is comfort meal for me. I don't make it very often, except maybe when I'm having a down day.

What you will need:
1 lb. ground meat. Again, I prefer ground turkey lately.
1 package of frozen green beans
1 can of cream of something soup. We use cream of mushroom, but you can use pretty much any of them.
3-4 potatoes mashed up. Perfect for leftover taters.
Cheese if you like

What to do:
Preheat oven to 375°
Brown meat in a pan. When it's cooked layer the meat on the bottom of a cake pan. Layer beans on top of meat, the cream of something soup on top of the beans and the mashed potatoes on top of the soup. Add cheese on top if you like cheese. I usually leave it out. Put casserole in oven and let bake for 40-50 minutes.

Taco Soup

This is one of my very favorite things to make and eat! I'm sure a lot of people have heard or made this before, but I think it's worth posting.

What you need:
1 lb. ground meat. We have recently discovered the joys of ground turkey and it's great in this recipe!
1 package of taco seasoning
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of black beans
1 can of Italian diced tomatoes
Corn. This is a tough one to describe how much you will need because I like to use an entire bag of frozen corn. I think this recipe is great with a lot of corn. Most people that I know use 1 can.
1 bottle of salsa. (I use my mom's homemade salsa)

What to do:
Brown meat in a large sauce pan. After meat is thoroughly cooked, drain and wipe pan clean of grease. Put meat back in pan. Add beans (rinsed), tomatoes, taco seasoning and salsa to the pan. Save the corn for later if you are using frozen, if you are using canned add it now. Add some water to the mix. I usually use an empty can and add 1 can full, but you will find how much you'll like to add. Let stand on medium heat until it comes to a boil. Then you can turn off the stove and add the frozen corn. It will cool down the soup so it's ready to eat!

Fruit Leather

I'm thinking about making some fruit leather for Duane. He really enjoys the kind we get from Smith's and I thought it would be a nice thing to have around the house instead of only as a treat. Here is a link to an easy method and recipe.

Double Stuffed

Someone, who shall remain nameless at this time, has discovered the joys of eating the cream out of the middle of sandwich cookies. While he shall remain nameless, he looks quite a bit like this:

Here is the evidence:


Needless to say, it is no longer safe to leave opened packages of sandwich cookies on the table.

Timpanogos, Mighty Timpanogos!

Hiking to the Timp. Cave with family was a lot of fun! My brother Paul, who just came home from training for the Army, volunteered to take Duane in the pack. I thought to myself that I could at least keep up with the one carrying the 40lb baby. That was a huge mistake! Keeping up with him was hard and now my legs hurt like crazy! If I worked out with him once a week I'd be a twig.

Before we went up there was a snake show at the bottom. They were showing which snakes were harmless and what to look out for.

Gary and Avan watching the snakes.

Duane touching a snake. He was a little bit cautious.

Pretty view.

At the top! We made it!

Uncle Paul, full of good spirit. He barely broke a sweat.

Duane and me.

Garret and Paul, chillin'.

Duane, trying to be a mountain goat.

Duane, all bundled up to go in the cave. Thank goodness "meema" thought to bring sweaters.

Inside the cave! It was hard to get good photos. Our camera wasn't very good for the inside and in the dark bit. Clarissa still looks cute, even blurry.

Avan, wondering who turned out the lights.

Cave rock.

Gary, taking pics.

More cave rock.



Duane, being silly.

Cuddling close to daddy.



Avan fell asleep halfway through. He was heavy to carry like that. The rangers didn't allow the metal framed packs to go in.

On the other side of the cave with some of the trail guides.

Uncle Paul again.

Doug and Clarissa.

Getting ready to hike back down.

Mountain.

Pretty view.

The road far, far away.

Mommy.

Taking a breather before heading back down.

Here is one of Duane strapped to Uncle Paul.

The guys, being cool.

After the hike we went to my mom's for fireworks and a BBQ. We were so tired, but it was so worth it.

Uncle Paul likes fire.

The moon.

Cars Cars

This is Duane's toy Cars collection started by his great grandma. The only one missing of the ones that we actually have is the Doc Hudson. I hate it when I know the thing is in the house somewhere and I just can't find it for the life of me!

Picking the Pics

Duane and Avan wondering where daddy went.

It almost looks like Avan is standing up on his own without any help! He's leaning against the window sill.

Avan loves to look out the window. I think he likes to look at the cars on the highway.

Avan likes our walks and tries to grab passing cars right of the air.

Going for our walk!

Avan's learning to sleep in his crib. So far it's been alright, but he still wakes up at night and wants me to hold him.

Ragnar Adventure

My crazy mother, who I am so proud of!, decided to run the Ragnar Relay with her hubby. They are running buddies and have run several marathons and 1/2 marathons together.

Mommy and Duane in the lift.

I think riding the lift was the scariest part for me!

Gary wasn't scared.

Neither was Pastor.


A running team.

A teams decorated vehicle.

Lotsa cars!


We all met up afteward to get together for dinner. Duane is wearing my mom's running shirt.


Sunset!