Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

So I had some of this and that in the cupboard and I didn't want to go to the store so out came this recipe. It turned out well. If you're brave enough, try it and let me know what your family thought. My kids ate it up!

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
1 cup cooked rice
2 cup cubed Velveeta cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3 cups cooked shredded chicken
16 oz frozen broccoli, thawed
1/2 medium onion diced
1/4 cup milk
1 cup fried onions

• Add Velveeta, soup, and milk to rice until cheese is melted.
• Add remaining ingredients to rice mixture.
• Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.
• Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Super easy, and really delicious! Happy Cooking!

Ladies, Watch Out!

Well, Mason is looking more and more like Steven which has me a little worried. Steven is a very handsome guy and I'm just not ready for the girls to be calling my house asking for Mason. At first I contemplated always answering the phone, and simply hanging up if it were a girl asking for Mason. That seemed a bit rude so I came up with Idea #2. I would just act a little nuts on the phone before turning it over to Mase. That would really scare them off. BUT, then Mason's was sporting this outfit around the house and I knew I had a solution to a future problem...just flash this picture around of him when he's older. That's sure to be a chick repellent!

Why in God's Green Earth did he choose to take his pants off, put on his flip-flops, and pose? I do not know, but I love him anyway!

HELP!

Okay, the girl who posts recipes needs your help. I have yet to find a stuffing recipe that my family enjoys. So unless someone helps me out, it will be Stove Top Stuffing for you microwave oven....Stove Top makes it easy...just push a little button... (anyone else remember that jingle???). Anyway, it needs to not have too many ingredients as I have to buy here and transport to Springfield, MO. The car is already going to be full because I have the little tikes and all their 'necessities'.

Bacon Chicken Roll Ups

I found this recipe in one of my magazines. It looked good, but after checking the ingredients, it seemed a little bland. So, I changed it. The family LOVED this one. Hopefully, you do too.

Bacon Chicken Roll Ups
12 pieces of cooked, but not crispy bacon
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
1/4 cup chopped pepperoni
salt and pepper to taste

• Mix together the cream cheese, sweet onion, and pepperoni in a small bowl.
• Flatten chicken to about 1/8 inch thickness.
• Spoon in about 2 Tbsp of mixture into the center of the chicken.
• Roll up chicken and secure with a toothpick.
• Wrap two pieces of bacon around each chicken breast.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until juices run clear.

Happy Cooking!

Making Crackers from Egg Roll Wrappers

I promised Steven's Tia Lily I would put this recipe on the blog. It is super easy. Since Mason's party was a fall theme I wanted the food to go with it too. I had seen a friend do this, so I experimented until I got it right.

Leaf Crackers
1 package of egg roll wrappers (found in the produce section)
assorted cookie cutters (I used leaves)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp salt
3 Tbsp Italian seasoning

• Using the cookie cutter press out desired shapes into egg roll wrappers.
• Place on cookie sheets, and brush each one with olive oil.
• Sprinkle on salt and seasoning.
• Bake @ 350 degrees for about 5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them because they will burn fast!

I served them with assorted cheeses, but you could do any kind of dip. Whatever you normally need crackers for. Bring these to your next luncheon or special occasion and you will be a big hit!

Happy Cooking!

Little Man Turns THREE!

I was excited when Mason turned one. We had survived his first year of life despite his first time parents. When he turned two, we were excited for all the changes that would come with him being a new big brother. Now that he's three, I'm saddened. He's getting WAY too big, WAY too fast. All parents say that, but you cannot fully understand what they mean until your baby turns into a toddler...a preschooler...elementary student...middle schooler...UGH!

Even though my heart hurt seeing my little man turn three, I was also very excited. This is the first year he has really understood the concept of birthdays and parties. We started his birthday off right with some # 3 pancakes (the 3 is backwards in the pic. it was early. i was tired). He was so excited to blow out candles. Truth be told, he had candles with every meal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. I have pictures of all of those, but I'll spare you!

We had Mason's party tonight with family and Mason's closest friends. He was so excited that Graci and Logan were coming to HIS party. He stood by the front window waiting for them to arrive. It was so cute.

Here are some of the pics from his party...
I have to do a little husband bragging here. I asked Steven to take care of the cake for the party. He did a great job finding a cake place called Icing on the Top. Then he took the owl stamp I used for Mase's invitations for them to use on the cake. His party was a fall theme, and here's what they came up with. I looooooooved it! It was beyond yummy too!

Since Mase's friends were coming, I decided to have them make some owl cupcakes. The kids did such a great job making theirs. It was so adorable to watch them try to make it the best they could, and they were SO tempted to eat all the little pieces.

Mason doing a little cheating off Lauren's cupcake.

I going to justify it as collaboration, not cheating.

His finished product. I was proud. He did it all by himself! Iced it and all. As you can tell he did a little icing test tasting on his own.

Blowing out his candles.

Mason, Graci, and Logan enjoying some yummy cake.

Mason got LOTS of really cool gifts this year, but the one his father is most excited about is the remote control car. Steven spent most of the evening playing with it while Mason was distracted with his other toys. Here he is with his Papi teaching him what to do.

Graci and Mason. Are they not so gotta eat them up cute?

Thank you to everyone who made Mason's birthday so special!

We love each and every one of you.

Halloween & Fall Festival

This past weekend was jam packed with some good ol fashion family F-U-N. It started with my nephew's first birthday party. It was at a local inflatable games place. Mase had a blast. We got so busy playing with all the kids that we didn't take any pictures. Oh well, glad we were IN the moment instead of taking pics.

After the party we rushed home for naps and got everything ready for trick-or-treating. Our good friends and old neighbors came by for dinner. The kids all looked so cute in their costumes and had a blast together. Here's some pics from the evening in no particular order...

Our Little Handyman

(very suiting since he fixed my camera)

Everytime Mason went to a door he said, "Trick or treating." I'm thinking something got lost in translation when explaining what to do.

Mase and Shaeli getting their trick-or-treat on.

Love the scruffy beard.

Mindy and I waiting on the kids (and Matthew too).

Our little Snow White.

Fall Festival at Camp Dry Gulch USA

Sunday evening we loaded up and went to Dry Gulch for the first ever Fall Festival. We all had so much fun. It was amazingly beautiful out there. I was super bummed when the camera died within the first 10 minutes of being there. C'est la vie!

Mase so stoked to ride the carousel.

Addie really enjoyed the ride too.

Daddy and Mason enjoying the ride.