Whats for Dinner?

Cheesy Stuffed Mushrooms

These are giant Portobello Mushroom tops. I got the recipe from Mom and they were yummy. I made them just for me and Aaron for our "date night in" They were quite filling.

Attack of the Laundry Monster

Just kidding, its Adon learning how to fold laundry. Daddy helped Adon learn to match and fold socks. Then he had Adon pick out his underwear and put them away.

Aaron gave Adon a pile of his shirts and some hangers and show him how to put the shirts on a hanger.

Yipee, he did it! He is so proud.

Whats For Dinner?

Macho Nachos

I learned a trick from a ward member that I wanted to share with you. Make up your weekly meal plan with these yummy nachos nest to a spaghetti day. On Nacho Day brown enough meat for both days. Separate the meat after its completely browned. Put what you need for the next day's spaghetti in the fridge in an air tight container. Then add your seasonings to the hamburger you will be using for nachos. Result is only having to dirty one pan! Brilliant. This little trick can be used with chicken too. Any way back to Nacho Night.

After browning the hamburger, add as much taco seasoning as you like it. I add a little more than usual when I make nachos. Layer some corn or flour chips on a plate with as much meat as you like, then add as much cheese as you like. Microwave until cheese is melted. Pile on sour cream, home made salsa, refried beans, and guacamole. On family night I make one big pile on the biggest plate we have and we sit around it and share. The boys like that. Or maybe they just like to eat with their fingers.

Crafty Me

I wanted a pair of shoes that were black with rhinestones on the heels. I was actually looking for a wider heel but these were on sale and in my size. They were originally red, but a black Sharpe marker took care of that. Then I just added a few rhinestones with a little glue. Its not exactly what i wanted but I still think they are cute.

Hardware Ranch

Adon posing with the elk.

Nana and Collin riding the sleigh.

Collin enjoying the ride.

Carly and Aaron

Aaron and Adon, with Carly and Collin. These are the horses (Bill and Vickie) who gave us our ride around Hardware ranch. The boys like to give them a little pat on the nose for thanks.

Is it just me or is this elk a little too excited about getting a kiss?

Enjoying the wild-life exhibit at the ranch. Even with the snow, it was a fun day. We will definitely have to go again.

Window Art

Collin with his art work.

Adon with his artwork.

Collin and Adon with more artwork.

Collin covered in his artwork. Luckily it comes off easily.

My Hunchback and My Mini-Onion

Adon was watching Hunchback of Notre Dame today. When it was over, he asked if I would stuff his blanket up his shirt so he could be a hunchback. I guess heroes could be anyone. This was totally his idea as well.

My little minion Collin. I say, go do this and he does it. I say, go get Mommy that and he gets it. Just for the record, when I first typed the word "minion" it looked like Minionion hence the title of the blog entry. Here is my Mini-onion. Every one who knows me, know how terrible of a speller I am which makes the fact that I have a blog that much more hilarious. Thank you spell check.

Think Outside the Box

With two diaper boxes and a pair of scissors, Aaron made a toy that entertained two boys all day long.

One minute they were cars and the next minute they were trains. It was very cool to watch. They like to play with each other more and more now.

Ride That (Stick) Pony

Grandma Wilson made stick horses for my boys. Even Aaron likes to get in on the races around the kitchen table.

Victory pose!

Here they come around the bend, and the winner is COLLIN!

1/2 Marathon Training

Today I started my 1/2 marathon training. Ya, I know its only 30 degrees outside with a wind chill of who knows how low. But with some Under Armor, ear warmers, and a treadmill; I'm ready. Goal is to run in the Provo 1/2 and do our local Top of Utah 1/2. I want to say thanks to Kadie for getting me addicted to running (ya, thanks a lot), to Marcy and Conner for inspiring me (even though they don't really know it) and Mom for watching the boys so I can go work out or go run.

Whats For Dinner?

Mac N' Cheese From Scratch

My boys are big fans of mac n' cheese. This makes great leftovers. Just talking about it makes me want to make it again!

1 box or 1 3/4 c. elbow macaroni (uncooked)
3 T. butter
2 T. flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I never measure so make sure you have at least 2 cups)
3 slices cooked and crumbles bacon
(this ingredient MAKES this recipe so never skimp on the bacon!)
(Then you can add whatever you want veggies wise. You can add them into the mac n' cheese or as a side)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni according to package. Meanwhile, melt butter in large sauce pan on low heat. Stir in flour; cook 2 minutes or until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk; cook on medium heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring constantly. Simmer on low heat 3-5 minutes or until thickened. Add 1 1/2 cups cheese; cook and stir 5 min or until melted. Drain macaroni and add to sauce. Add bacon and mix lightly. Spoon into 1 1/2 quart casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Back for 20 minutes or until heated through.
WARNING: This dish is more-ish.

Wilson Boys

I can never get enough pictures of my beautiful sleeping boys.

Adon likes to read so much that he will even pick up one of Mommy's books and tell himself a story.

Whats For Dinner?

Healthy? Hamburgers (AKA Half and Half hamburgers)

Okay my boys only ate the fries but hey what can you do?

I saw a recipe for meat free hamburgers and it made me think.... I like meat, why would you want to not have meat on your hamburger. But then I got to thinking so more. Why not mix the two recipes. If you are making burgers for a group and end up needing more patties than you had originally planned this is a great idea! Say you got out a pound of ground beef for hamburgers but then you figured that your going to need more, grab a can of garbanzo beans! Drain the beans really well. Send them through the food processor to get them chopped really fine. They look like little pellets until you stir it and the mixture becomes smooth. Add it to the bowl with the thawed meat, and a beaten egg or two and some bread crumbs. Then add whatever you want; onions, salt and pepper, or other seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, etc. Form into patties and cook through. I found that if you use too much beans to meat ratio then the hamburgers can become dry and fall apart so that is why you could use an extra egg or less beans. Throw on a whole wheat bun with lots (and I mean LOTS) of veggies. ( I like salsa, tomatoes, pickles, onions, green and red peppers on my burger) But here it is with ketchup and mustard. As a wedding present, Aaron and I got a little fryer and we LOVE it. We make home made french fries with it. And lets just say my secret recipe for fry sauce is AMAZING! Enjoy!

P.S. Adding beans to your diet adds great fiber which I think balances out those deep fried french fries. :P