Cavin's first time fishing

 Saturday Marcus had to study all day and I was really sad and missed him a lot of course the kids didn't want to nap and where grumpy so that made my day even harder!  I was so tired from working all day getting them to be happy, I wanted to just sit in bed and do nothing.  but we had made plans with some friends and I'm soooo glad we did!  It was a prefect night, we had a easy dinner up at cheat lake and went fishing, it was cavin's first time so he thought it was so cool!  we just walked around and talked.  It was so beautiful up there I can't even tell you.  Cavin was so happy and I was happy cause Marcus was there and I could just sit back take pictures and love my family!  It was a prefect end to a long week!
When our friend caught a fish and let Cavin pull it in, he was so excited except when the fish come out he wanted nothing to do with that thing!! haha it was so cute and so Cavin!

Stella is 9 months

9 months, REALLY??  9 months is hard for me cause they got from 6-9 month clothes to 9-12 and that means my baby isn't a baby!!!!  12 months is one years old and that means walking and talking and a toddler in my eyes!!  ahhhh I don't know if I'm ready for that!  But I also LOVE LOVE this stage, she is so fun and so cute!  She is such a easy happy baby that I just can't seem to get enough of her!
She is standing on everything and even starting to stand and let go of the table and chair and stand alone!!  (kind of want to push her down, stop growing up!!)  She is crawling so fast and started crawling up the stairs!  She is in love with her big brother and trys to keep up with him where ever he goes!
She still loves the boys in her life the most!! Her dad and brother!  They can get her to laugh so much faster then I can!  but I know where to tickle her!!  She is a chunky roll girl that is about the same size and weight as Cavin!
She loves to eat!! she is a good eater and loves everything we give her unless it's cold! She hates cold things out of the frig!  She is not loving nursing as much but still 3 or 4 times a day so that good and once at night.  she is FINALLY getting better at sleeping, only up once a night!!  I'm feeling so good about that!  usually she sleeps from 730/8-2am eats and then sleeps til 8!
Stella has 2 bottom teeth and no signs of any more.  her hair is starting to grow! I can't wait to put a pony tail on top of her head!!  We are taking her to the ophthalmologist this month and ENT so we'll see what they'll do about her ear and eyes!
Of course she'll smile for her daddy!!

Freezer meals

With school starting I was feeling over-whelmed like every mom, I think with naps and everyone wakes up wants to eat and to be held and needs mom! then trying to make dinner while the baby wants to nurse and Cavin wants me to play with him and if I didn't the house was torn apart with toys every where! Then Marcus got home and the house was a total mess stella was either nursing or crying for a feed, dinner was in the process or not even started because it was too crazy!  so I quickly learned 4 to 530 was the worst time of day at our house!
This pattern had to stop!!  so I prayed a lot and thought a lot about how to make this a happy time when daddy comes home instead of a crazy, crying, stressed out, and just a total mess!! even if we had a great day that time was always hard! Except the days I had dinner in the crock pot and ready to go when marcus got home! This was the answer for my family!!
I have done freezer meals 3 or 4 times in the past and had great success so I wanted to do it again!
I got some EXTRA Money from some unclaimed tax money so I put it to a freezer! I was so happy and excited! To me these are all ANSWERS to my prayers, it may be little but I truly know Heavenly Father helps us in EVERYTHING we need and even more so when it helps to make a happy home and family!
I didn't shop deals I just wanted to do them now!  but I did have fresh corn on the cob and fresh zucchini so I like using as much fresh as possible but you can do whatever is best for you!
So I think I spent about $100 on MEAT alone, and I'd say about $100 on everything else.  I  did have some things so hard to say how much I really spent.  But to me anything is worth it and always WAY cheaper then going out to eat and really $200 for 30 meals is great, I think!!

not pictured is 12 hamburger patties seasoned and shaped frozen and bagged

Slow Cooker Black Bean and Corn Salsa Chicken


Ingredients:


2 (14 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

2 (14 oz) cans corn, drained

1 (1 oz) package taco seasoning

1 lb chicken breasts

1 cup salsa

3/4 cup water

Directions:

Place all ingredients in resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together in bag and zip closed.

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours. 

When finished cooking, shred chicken and serve over rice, with tortilla chips, over a salad, in tortilla shells, or wrapped in a soft tortilla (this meat is so versatile). Garnish with cheese, sour cream, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and hot sauce.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
Ingredients:


1 (12 oz) jar chili sauce


1 (16-18 oz) jar grape jelly


1 (2 lb) package frozen meatballs

Directions:
In a bowl, combine chili sauce and grape jelly until smooth. Place meatballs in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Pour in the chili sauce mixture and mix together in the bag until thoroughly combined. Zip bag closed.

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or LOW for 3-4 hours. Serve over rice or with toothpicks (makes a great appetizer too!).

Slow Cooker Sweet Teriyaki Chicken
Ingredients:


1 cup soy sauce


1 cup sugar


1 teaspoon garlic salt


1/2 onion, chopped


1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts

Directions:
Mix together soy sauce, sugar, garlic salt and chopped onion in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Place chicken breasts inside the bag and zip closed.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours.
Serve over rice.

Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes
Ingredients:


1 1/2 lbs pork chops, boneless (about 4-6 chops, thick sliced)


6-8 medium potatoes, chopped into large pieces


2 (10.75 oz each) cans cream of chicken soup


2 (1 oz each) packages dry Ranch dressing mix


1 cup milk


Dried parsley to sprinkle on top (optional)

Directions:
In a bowl, mix together the soups, milk, and ranch dressing mixes and pour into a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Combine all other ingredients together and zip closed.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours.
Use the extra sauce in the slow cooker as a gravy for the potatoes and the pork chops. Sprinkle with dried parsley if you want.

Slow Cooker BBQ Spareribs

Ingredients:

1-2 lbs of country-style pork ribs

1 1/2 cups ketchup

1 1/2 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning

1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white vinegar

Directions:

Place pork in resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix remaining ingredients together in a bowl and pour over pork. Mix together in bag and zip closed.

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours.

 Black Bean Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey works too!)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 package mild taco seasoning mix

1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn

1 (16 oz) can black beans drained and rinsed (you could use kidney beans or pinto beans)

2 (14 oz) cans stewed tomatoes

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (4 oz) can diced green chilis

Directions:

Brown meat and onion, drain. Let meat cool for a minute, then dump into a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag.

Dump the remaining ingredients into the bag, mix together, and zip bag closed.

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or LOW for 2-3 1/2 hours.

Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds chicken breasts

1 (16 oz) bag frozen broccoli florets

2 (16 oz) jars Alfredo sauce (I use light)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together.

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. 

Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breasts

1 (26 oz) jar of chunky vegetable-style spaghetti sauce

1 zucchini, chopped

1 sweet onion, chopped

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together.

Garnish: chopped black olives, shredded Parm cheese

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. 

French Dip Sandwiches

Ingredients:

2-3 lb beef chuck roast

2 cans (14.5 oz each) beef consomme (it is right next to the soups and beef broth)

6-8 hoagie buns

Directions:

Place roast in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and pour beef consomme on top.

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 8-11 hours (or HIGH for 5-7 hours). Remove roast from slow cooker and save extra juice for dipping! With 2 forks, shred roast and serve meat on buns. We also love to melt Provolone or Swiss cheese on top.

Hearty Beef Stew

Ingredients:

1 pound beef stew cubes

4 carrots, sliced

4 red potatoes, cut into large cubes

1 package dry onion soup mix

2 cans 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (10 oz) package frozen green peas

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together and zip bag closed. When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 7-10 hours (or HIGH for 5-6 hours).

Cilantro Lime Chicken w/ Corn and Black Beans

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts

Juice from 2 limes

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn

2 minced garlic cloves

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 tsp cumin 

salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 

Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together and zip bag closed..,/

When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours). 

Serve with tortillas and toppings such as with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese.

Teriyak chicken

4-6 chopped carrots

red onion

2 large cans on pineapple with juice

4 garlic cloves

4 chicken breasts

1 cup teriyaki sauce

split between 2 bags add ¼ cup teriyaki sauce and cook on low

Scalloped Potatoes andHam

12 new potatoes and cut into ¼ inch round slices or a large bag of frozen potatoes

2 cans of cream ofyour choice—I used potato

2 cans of water

2 ham steaks, cubed--we used turkey ham

8 oz cheddar cheese

4 cups of broccoli

salt and pepper

Take Out Copycat: Chinese Beef and Broccoli

•   2 lb beef, thinly sliced  (flank steak is ideal, but any cut will work)

•   1 can beef broth or consomme

•   1/2 cup soy sauce

•   1/3 cup brown sugar

•   1 tablespoon minced garlic

•   1 tablespoon sesame oil

•   2 tablespoons cornstarch

•   1 bag frozen broccoli florets or 2 cups fresh broccoli

•   2 cups white or brown rice

Put the sliced beef in the bottom of the crock pot.  Mix together the broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and sesame oil.  Pour over the beef.  Cook on low 5-6 hours.

Remove 1/4 cup of the sauce from the crock pot and mix with the 2 tablespoons cornstarch.  Stir back into the Crock Pot.  Add the broccoli, stir again, and cook for another half an hour.

In the meantime, cook the rice.  Serve Chinese Beef and Broccoli over rice

Broccoli cheese soup

•    2-3 large heads of broccoli

•    1 large onion, diced

•    2 cans cream of chicken, potato, or mushroom soup

•    1 can milk (just refill the empty soup can)

•    2 12 ounce cans evaporated milk

•    salt and pepper to taste

•    cheddar cheese for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Chop broccoli into bite-sized florets.

2. Place soup, milk, evaporated milk, onion, and broccoli in a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8.

Blend 3-4 cups of soup until broccoli has broken into small pieces, about 10 seconds. Add back to the pot and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper and top with shredded cheese.

Twice baked potatoe

Once your potatoes are done cooking and cooled enough to handle. Just slice them right down the middle and make some double-stuffed potatoes!  Scoop the insides out into a bowl and add some butter, softened cream cheese, milk, chives and whatever else you like. Sometimes we add crumpled bacon, shredded cheese, ranch dressing… whatever we’re in the mood for.  Use a potato masher until it’s all mixed in and then spoon the filling into your potato shells. I wrap these individually in plastic wrap and then put in a bag. On serving day you thaw and then bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.

We love a teriyaki marinade!  I use 2 cups of soy sauce, 1.5 cups of sugar (it calls for 2 cups, but I decrease it), 1 cup of Mirin (rice cooking wine), A LOT of fresh garlic, salt & pepper.  Use about 1/2 cup of the marinade for every lb. of meat.  So you mix up this one batch of marinade and BAM… you just got yourself about 8 meals!  I use it on steaks, chicken, pork chops, tuna steaks and shrimp

I got a large roast cut it into 2 and added carrots for a easy roast and I'll add potatoes when I cook it!

 Extra meals

 Roast

Hamburgers

Taco meat

Sloppy joes

Chicken shedded (tacos, wraps, Hawaiian hay)

Steak chunks (tacos, beef and broccoli)

Teriyaki chicken

Pulled pork

Shopping list

Meat

Hamburger- 5-6 lbs

Chicken 13 lbs

Meatballs 3 lbs

Pork chops 2 lbs

2 ham steak

2 lbs thin flank steak

ribs 2 lbs

beef chuck roast 2 lbs

beef stew 1 lb
Large Roast (i added this since it was on sale) 

Vegatable

1 cup shredded zucchini

1 can diced tomatoes

4 medium onion, chopped

6-8 medium potatoes,

2 (14 oz) cans stewed tomatoes

1 (10 oz) package frozen green peas

1 zucchini, chopped

15 carrots, sliced

4 red potatoes, cut into large cubes

2 minced garlic cloves

2 red onion, chopped

12 cups of broccoli

potatoes

Juice from 2 limes

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

2(16 oz) bag frozen corn

2 garlic

chives

Cans

6 cans cream of chicken,

2 12 ounce cans evaporated milk

5 (16 oz) can black beans

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (4 oz) can diced green chilis

1 (26 oz) jar of chunky vegetable-style spaghetti sauce

2 (16 oz) jars Alfredo sauce

1 package dry onion soup mix

2 cans 98% fat-free cream of mushroom s

1 can kidney beans

1 can garbanzo beans

3 can tomato soup

1 (16 oz) can whole cranberry sauce


2 large cans on pineapple with juice

2 cans cream of potato

3 can beef broth

other

1 tsp cumin 

1 cup teriyaki sauce

consomme

1 tablespoon sesame oil

cream cheese

bacon

cheese (cheder and white) big blocks

mirin (rice cooking wine)

1 cup salsa


soy sauce

Seasonings

2 (1 oz) package taco seasoning

2  packages dry Ranch dressing mix


1 bay leaf

1 tsp basil

1 tsp oregano

1 1/2 Tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning

1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke

Things I have

Suger

ranch

butter

1 cups rice

cornstarch

1/3 cup brown sugar

milk

bbq sauce

ketchup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 (16-18 oz) jar grape jelly


1 cup sugar


1 teaspoon garlic salt

salt and pepper