Project 52 - Week 4

MJ & TJ playing legos together - didn't last long, but I'll enjoy it while it does!

Theo's potty training - that's why he has no pants on :)

Erica and I at her baby shower yesterday - love this girl and her sweet family!

Crockpot Lasagna Soup

I know it's been a LOOONG time since I've done a crockpot recipe.  Sorry about that.  Here is one I made about a month ago and again the other day. It was tasty, easy and makes a lot.  And you don't have to brown your ground beef or cook the noodles before putting it in the crockpot.

Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
3 cups beef broth
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1/2 cup chopped onion (or frozen)
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 cup V8 Juice
2 cups uncooked shell pasta
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup water
shredded cheese (optional for topping)

Directions:
Mix together can of tomatoes and tomato paste in the crockpot
Add ground beef, beef broth, garlic, parsley, basil, onion, v8, salt, pepper
Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours
When 30 minutes is left, add in water and uncooked noodles
Stir to combine
Place lid on top and cook for 30 minutes

Done!

52 Project 3/52

Project 52 - Week 3

Baby girl with her "Seahawks" nails

Baby boy wanting mommy to take his picture

Project 52 2/52

Project 52 - Week 2

MJ and TJ with their Hawaii gifts
Missed these kiddos so much!

Bonus Pic - Whale watching last week

Anniversary Trip

For our 10th Anniversary, Tim and I went to Hawaii!  We've been wanting to go for the past...10 years :).  We were able to go to Oahu for 4 days and Maui for 7 days.  Thanks to those who gave us anniversary gifts of housing, food money and watching our babies and puppies!  Without this, we would not have been able to go and enjoy this time away with each other.  I think it's VERY important to get away every once and awhile with your spouse.  We're extremely thankful for supportive friends and family who think this should be a priority as well.

We stayed with friends and missionaries, Tim and Mari, in Honolulu for 4 days/3 nights.  Thank you Tim and Mari for being such great hosts.  They made us breakfast every day, showed us around the whole island - including Waikiki beach, the Dole Plantation, the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, some Hawaii Five-O locations and TONS of other places. 

Dole Plantation - Oahu

Pearl Harbor - Oahu

On our way to see the USS Arizona Memorial

Seeing some sights

Downtown Oahu

Waikiki Beach

"Sandy" Clause

 

Anniversary Dinner from a shrimp truck - it was pretty tasty!

Touring the Island

 

 

North Shore - Oahu

 

 

Pineapple came with our McD's meals :)

 

After our trip to Oahu, we flew over to Maui to spend a week there with just us.  It was a refreshing time to relax and unwind.  I really enjoyed sitting by the pool, reading and sipping my frappachino.  Ahh, so relaxing.  I could stay out there all.day.long.  No worries, I didn't, or I would be fried!  

We spent several nights down on Front Street in Lahaina.  There are tons of shops and a cute movie theater.  We saw "Unbroken" one night we were there. 

We also spent some time driving around and walking the beach.  One day, we went snorkeling.  The water was a little cold, but SO clear!  When I put my face in the water the first time, there was a fish that looked like Nemo right in front of my face!  Kinda freaked me out.

Such a good time with my love!

Maui

View from our condo

The church we visited on Sunday had an "impromptu" men's choir - Tim decided to join ;)

We went on a short hike to see the blowhole!

Shaved ice on Front Street in Lahaina

The black sand beach close to Wailea

Kaanapali Beach - down from our condo

We ate breakfast downstairs in our condo one morning and a bird decided to join us - it ate some eggs off my plate!

Snorkeling - the water was so clear!

We saw at least 10 humpback whales, 10-15 dolphins and a few huge sea turtles!

Sunset from our balcony

Last dinner at a Mexican restaurant

A HUGE thank you to Grandma Izzy and Grandpa Tom who watched the kids every day we were gone.  Also thanks to Miss Myra and Miss Millie for babysitting a few days as well.  Again, very thankful for supportive friends and family!

52 Project 1/52

I recently saw a gal's blog who started the 52 project.  It's posting a picture each week this year.  I'll do my best to keep up with it :)

Project 52 - Week 1

Anniversary Vacation - on our way to see the USS Arizona Memorial