Stromboli Sandwiches

I found a new favorite recipe - Stromboli Sandwiches. It's perfect for potlucks. We had our annual Webster Lake ward pool party - and I brought this dish. It was wonderful! Thanks Taste of Home!

2 lbs ground beef

1/4 cup fineley chopped onion

1 cup ketchup

1 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tsp garlic powder, divided

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp fennel seed

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 loaves Italian bread, halved lengthwise

2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the ketchup, tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, oregano, fennel seed, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 min or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine butter and remaining garlic powder; spread over top halves of bread. Sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese over each bottom bread half. Spoon meat mixture over top; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Replace bread tops; wrap each sandwich loaf in foil. Bake at 350 for 25-30 min or until cheese is melted.

Princess Update . . .

Anthony took the Disney princess - and he is Pocahantas too! We're a match!

Doin' her Business

I've been meaning to post this blog for awhile. I took this picture several months ago - because we hit a big milestone . . . actually 2 big milestones. Allison is potty trained! For the most part. Occassionally we have some rough days -but if I make sure she sits on the potty at regular intervals - it's wonderful! The 2nd big milestone is that Allison has learned to use the mousepad on the laptop! This is so amazingly wonderful for her mother. Now Allison - all by her big self - can sit (even while she's on the potty if she so chooses) and do her ABC's. I have to give a big thanks to Carrie for introducing us to starfall.com. It is Allison's favorite site - and now she can navigate it by herself without me sitting next to her. Yay!

Disney Princess

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

We went camping this weekend. I admittedly am not the heartiest camper - but I had a lot of fun! And it made me so happy to see the kids so excited. Carter loved being outdoors so much - and Allison was looking forward to this trip all week. She kept asking if it was Friday yet. We went to a campsite that is a little west of Colorado Springs. The campsite was near a lake and a playground - and right by our campsite there were a bunch of rocks that the kids loved to play on. Carter made friends with a little chipmunk - and loved chasing the little guy around the rocks. We spent a lot of time on Friday afternoon at the playground after we set up camp, and then came back to our campsite - where Allison decorated the plastic tablecloth with her markers and Anthony and I prepared our sloppy joe dinner. Allison enjoyed making pictures in the dirt with a stick and listening to Dad tell 'Fill in the Blank' stories. He would pause several times throughout the story to let Allison fill in the next word. That night we made a fire and roasted marshmallows. Allison also treated us to some campfire songs - Down By the Bay, Here is the Beehive, and Wishy Washy Washer Woman. In the morning we opened the flap of the tent and saw bunches of seagulls on the rocks. It was beautiful! We went on a scenic hike by the lake this morning - and then packed up to come home. The hike was so beautiful - and Carter loved truckin' along. Allison was funny - they had these markers along the trail - and she would get so excited to find the next number. By the time we got to 20 - we were back at the car - and she was so dissappointed she couldn't find 21.

Trip to the Science Museum

I love the science museum. They have a discovery zone full of fun things for the kids. Allison first discovered the puzzles and spent about 20 putting together all their puzzles. Carter found the bubbles and enjoyed waving around the bubble wands. Allison also enjoyed the wind machine and playing at the magnet table. Carter liked playing in the big dinosaur nest. They also have a space section of the museum - and here Carter is picking up moonrocks. Carter also liked the wildlife exhibit and enjoyed looking at all the big animals.

Trip to the Zoo

While Anthony was gone backpacking last weekend - I took the kids to the Zoo one day, and the Science Museum on another day. We left early in the morning - so the kids were alert and happy. Allison kept asking to see the elephants - and I strategically planned our route though the zoo so we would see the elephants last. But we kind of got lost in the bird section of the zoo - and by the time I found my way out of that - the kids were pretty tired, and the elephants lost their luster. Oh well - it was a lot of fun - and it was Carter's first trip to the zoo! He loved to see all the animals.