Crockpot recipe #4 is BBQ Pulled Pork.  I don't typically fix pork, but thought I'd give it a try.  It was a pleasant surprise.  Turned out really good.

BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
1-2lbs Boneless pork tenderloin
1 bottle BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dry mustard (optional)
1/3c. brown sugar (optional)

Directions:
Pour half the BBQ sauce in the bottom of the crockpot
Add pork
Pour remaining BBQ sauce over the pork
Add the garlic powder, dry mustard and brown sugar (optional)
Mix to cover the pork
Cook on LOW for 7-8 hrs
When it's done cooking, shred pork

I used the brown sugar and it was a little too sweet for me.  But Tim and the kids liked the sweetness (of course!).  I served it on a bun with cheese along with potatoes, corn and a salad.  Yummy!

-Megan

Madelyn-John 3:16

Several weeks ago, we decided to have Madelyn start memorizing bible verses.  We figure she can memorize songs so why not the bible!  Her 1st verse was John 3:16.  It's the NIV kids version so it's a little different.

John 3:16

-Megan

Theodore: 20 Months

 Theodore Joseph,

-As of this morning you weighed 23.5lbs

-You are developing quite the little personality.  You still LOVE  hugs and cuddles.  You can be a little whinny if whoever is watching you needs to do something instead of cuddle you all day long.  You're starting to understand you need to play by yourself if sissy is off doing something else.  You'll learn to love your alone time in the future!

-You've been healthy this month.  PTL!  Cutting several teeth-all your incisors and your 2 yr molars are coming in.

-Still love to do everything your sister does. 

-We went on a road trip a couple weeks ago.  You got a little ancy in the car, but eventually ended up falling asleep or "singing" loudly to all of us.

-Starting to understand that if you don't eat the food we give you at meal time, you won't get anything else.  You have to try a little bit of everything in order to get more of what you really like!

-Slowly becoming better with strangers.  

-You love to ride in the grocery cart.  Looking at everything and sitting next to your sis in the car carts...even if she does knock you upside the head every once and awhile.

-Still gabbering all the time.  You love to hear yourself talk. 

-Your favorite food is still bananas.  You also enjoy ritz crackers, cheese, veggie straws, pizza, mac and cheese and peaches.  Still only drinking water and milk.

-Napping in the afternoon typically between 1-3:30pm.  Going down at night around 7pm, sometimes earlier and waking up around 8:15am. 

-You still enjoying making huge messes, but you'll gladly clean them up.  Thanks kiddo for obeying.

-Continue to wear size 18 month clothes along with some 2T and size 5 diaper.  Size 5 and 6 shoe.

-You enjoy taking baths with sis and splashing everywhere.  You dislike having your nails trimmed.  Mommy is getting strong from holding you down to do this!

-Still a big thumb sucker and are pretty attached to your doggie when you sleep.

We love you precious baby boy!

-Mommy and Daddy

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Crockpot recipe #3 is Chicken Tacos.  I like mine on a bed of lettuce with sour cream, black olives, salsa, grated cheese, guacamole..all those yummy Mexican food toppings.  Tim and the kids like theirs in a flour tortilla with lots of cheese.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Ingredients:
4-5 chicken breasts (I use frozen)
1 c. chicken broth
Ranch dressing packet
Taco seasoning packet
Frozen pepper mix (or you can cut up fresh ones)

Directions:
Place chicken in the bottom
Dump in ranch dressing packet, taco seasoning packet and frozen pepper mix
Pour chicken broth over mixture
Cover

Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours
Shred when done
*It also tastes good with stew meat instead of chicken

I like to fix Rotel along with this.  Here's the recipe...


Rotel
Ingredients:
1/2 pkg. of Velveeta cheese
1 can of Rotel

Directions:
Cut up velveeta into cubes
Place velveeta in a microwave container
Pour in can of rotel
Microwave covered for 2 min. 30 sec, stir, repeat
Make sure and watch that it doesn't bubble over
You can also put this in a crockpot on LOW for an hour or 2.  Good party snack.

Serve with tortilla chips

-You can always spice up recipes with some cayenne pepper or in this one add in some salsa

-Most of the time, I make my crockpot recipes the day/night before and place it in the fridge overnight.  Especially on work days.  Then I (or the sitter) take it out of the fridge and turn it on in the morning.  Makes mornings go much smoother.  Just a tip :)

-Megan

Our Days...Picture Edition

Some pictures of what goes on during our days....

Dance class-getting measured for her recital costume

Alderwood mall fun

Praying and singing songs with her dolls-Leah & Dolly

Wearing her bike helmet in the car-because she likes to be extra safe

Watching "Tiger" with Leah-who has to have her 2 bottles at all times

More Mall fun

Sleepy puppies

Playing with bubby

Reading books

Sitting in sissy's chair with blanket and doing some thumb sucking

My baby girl turns 3 in two months! 3 years old. Cannot believe it.

Crockpot Roast Beef

The second recipe I've decided to share is slow cooker roast beef. Super duper simple and really yummy.

Crockpot Roast Beef
Ingredients:
Roast-I normally use a boneless chuck or round roast
Brown gravy packet
Ranch dressing packet
French onion soup packet
1/2-1 c. water or beef broth
Baby Carrots (if desired)
Cut up potatoes (if desired)

Directions:
Place the roast in the bottom of the crockpot
Put all 3 packets on top
Pour water or beef broth on top
Place potatoes and carrots on top
Cover with lid

Cook on LOW for 8 hours

I like making this with the potatoes and carrots in the crockpot.  You can make it without as well.  I leave the peel on the potatoes, but you can always take it off if you/your family prefers.

You can also shred the beef when it's done and make roast beef sandwiches.

Eat up!

-Megan

Trip to Bud and Nan's

This past weekend, my little family went down to Salem (south of Portland) to see our friends, Bud and Nan.  They recently moved there.  We were able to see their brand new house, see their new church and have a relaxing visit with them.

With the kids we made lots of stops on the way down.  But our first stop was to Sonic.  You know me and Sonic.  I love it!

In one of the above pictures, you see Madelyn with "Roberto".  This was her new friend at Bud and Nan's house :).  She loved saying "Hola Roberto" and "Adios Roberto".  And of course, giving him lots of hugs.

We also went to a yummy Mexican food place in Salem.  So good.  The kids LOVED being goofy and silly with Mr. Bud and Mrs. Nan.  And they enjoyed all the attention and play time!

We decided to take Hwy 101 home so we could have a nice, scenic route.  Again, lots of stops for the potty, snacks, stretch breaks and gas.  Oh and of course to see the Tilamook Cheese Factory.  It was free and they give you samples.  Can't beat that.  

As you can see, both kids were able to take naps on the drive.  At separate times..of course.  At least they were quiet when the other one napped.  Madelyn wanted all her necessary items when napping...pig (piglet), buns (bunny), her "present" from Mrs. Nan, and her new friend "Tillie" from the cheese factory.  Bubby just needed his doggie and thumb (not pictured in this picture...it's a miracle!)

The Pacific Ocean was beautiful.  Madelyn was sleeping when we were driving by, but I was able to jump out and snap a couple pictures.  I love that Oregon has sandy beaches.  Rocky beaches around where we live just aren't the same.

We made it home safe and sound and are enjoying a couple more days of Tim's vacation.

Thanks again, Bud and Nan, for letting us visit!

Crockpot Chicken Chili

Most of the meals I make are with the crockpot (slow cooker...whatever you want to call it).  I absolutely love this kitchen appliance.  It is definitely the most used in my kitchen.  I've decided to start a series of crockpot recipes that are approved by my family.  Well, at least Tim and myself.  The kids aren't too keen on meat so they tend to pick around it.

And if you know me well, I am a very Pinteresty person!  I go to this website whenever I'm looking for a recipe.  Typically most Sundays I peruse my slow cooker pins and pick recipes for the week.  This makes dinner much much easier.  Because, let's face it, with the 2 kids around, if I didn't do this we'd be eating pizza or mac and cheese every night.

The first one is Crockpot Chicken Chili.  Both kids will eat this (chicken included)!  I serve it with fritos and shredded cheese.  Tim and Madelyn like to dip their fritos in and I like them in the bottom and chili on top.  Theo just grabs a bunch and throws it in his mouth.

Crockpot Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
4-5 chicken breasts (I use frozen)
1 can rotel
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can corn
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1/2 tsp onion powder
8 oz. cream cheese (I use fat free and it tastes just fine)
Fritos (if desired)
shredded cheddar cheese (if desired)

Directions:
Place chicken breasts in bottom of CP (crockpot)
Dump in rotel, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, ranch dressing mix
Place cream cheese on top of mixture
Cover

Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours
Stir in cream cheese and shred chicken


DONE!

Super easy and really yummy!