Xander

My beautiful, sweet, energetic baby Xander turned 

{1 year old} today.

I really can't believe how FAST this year has flown by. 

I have enjoyed EVERY moment with him.

We had a whirlwind weekend with family in town. Grandma came on Wednesday. Thursday we hit DISNEYLAND. Friday we spent the afternoon with Uncle Denten, Aunt Amberly, Cooper, Seneca & Beckham at UNCLE DREW's basketball game in Anaheim. Later that evening, my cousin Connie & her 3 kids arrived at our house. Saturday Jace had 3 soccer games, which the entire crew watched the 10:30 game. All the Arizona people were boiling (hehehe). Then it was lunch at Harbor Fish & Chips. A quick dip in the OCEAN for some of the little kids, then home to play with the babysitter, while the adults & the 2 [pre]teen girls headed back to Anaheim for another basketball game. Sunday sacrament meeting for some, more playtime & then everyone headed their own way...Connie & Denten's crew back to Phoenix & the rest of us MORE wonderful BASKETBALL! Dinner at Johnny Rockets with Drew, Will & Gary to celebrate a WIN! It was a {GREAT} weekend. It was wonderful having grandma here. We sure MISSED Grandpa.

Grandpa & Grandma D via Skype

Tonight the Elton family came over to 

CELEBRATE lil' Xander's birthday.

I think the pictures speak for themselves. 

Grandpa Elton

Keira, Mackenna, Riley, Charles, Jace, Landon, Xander & Cheyanne

Review of What's for Dinner?

Well 3 days of cooking dinner was nice. I was prepped & prepared each day. I purchased all my ingredients on Monday. Amazing how easy things go when prepared. Imagine that!

20 min. Tostada Tuesday-- (maybe more like 30 minutes) but very fast!! I prepped my version of Homemade Salsa in the morning during baby's nap. The corn tortillas I served are made at a nearby Tortilleria. Just plain ole' corn, lime & water. YUMMY! The flour tortillias are amazing as well!
This recipe gets **** (stars) !!
Landon (6 yrs. old)--"THIS is SOOO Good! THIS is SOOO Good!" said about 5 times between bites.
Jace (10 yrs. old) Didn't say anything, because he was so busy gobbling it down.
Cheyanne (12 yrs. old) LOVE it!! Yummy! This is better than the tostadas at school. (that's good-right?) She ate 2 huge ones!
Xander (11 months old)--UH UH UH (which means GIVE ME MORE!!)

Tostada Tuesday will definitely be on the menu monthly. 

Crock Pot Lasagna--Easy to make. Threw it together real quick. However, I will omit the red crushed pepper flakes (only 1/4 tsp. I didn't think it would give it such a kick!!) A little on the soggy noodle side. My husband would really like to have sausage it in next time :)
Me & Winston gave it **1/2.
All the kids gave it *.

Roasted Chicken & veggies--YUM, easy. NEXT time will cook 2 chickens, since the 1 was kind of on the small side. Definitely not a PLUMPED up chick. Juicy & Tender. I added sweet potatoes, which everyone loved better than the carrots. This will be a new Sunday after church kind of meal.
The whole family gave this ****.

Now what's for dinner next week?

What's for Dinner??

I don't know {WHY} dinner is so taxing every night. Could it be that we are running around to everyone's activities? That it's arsenic hour & I can't think straight? Homework overload? Mostly I think it is poor planning on my part. I would much rather be doing so many other things. So this week I will be trying 3 of Jessica Seinfeld's recipes that she had on Oprah. Tonight...Turkey Tostada's. Tomorrow...Crockpot Lasagna. Thursday...Roasted Chicken. Friday...Pizza Party. Saturday...leftovers.