Churrasco Completo

Matt served his mission in Chile & when he got home, he told me about these AMAZING SANDWICHES they have down there. I was doubtful, because I believe that when you are in a different country, you sometimes THINK things are delicious...when compared to the other food you are eating...but then you return to the Unites States & realize it wasn't as good as you thought.

Well, when we were engaged, we went to Utah on a trip & went to a Chilean Restaurant & had one of those sandwiches...a Churrasco...and it was in fact, DELICIOUS!
Every since then...for YEARS now, I have WANTED another one & my husband is ALWAYS craving them. I have looked for recipes online, but never found the right one for the meat & bread & was always worried about not making them right.

Well last night, I decided to go for it. I found a good recipe & I figured if it didn't work...oh well...
and if it did work...my husband would be the happiest kid on the block:)

They turned out SOOOO YUMMY, that I just have to share the recipe!


The homeade bread is KEY in this recipe.
It is called Pan Amasado

6 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 envelopes yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup melted shortening
about 2 cups water

Stir the yeast and sugar into 1/2 cup lukewarm water. Set aside until almost doubled and foamy. If it does not foam, start over. Put flour and salt into a large bowl. Make a well and add 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water, the yeast and the shortening. Mix until it forms a ball. Add more water or flour if needed. Knead until smooth and elastic. Turn in greased bowl until ball is greased, then cover and let rise until doubled in bulk. Turn ball out onto floured board. Divide into pieces, form into somewhat flat circles and place on cookie sheet. Cover with damp paper towels and let rise again for about 30 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees until brown, 15-17 minutes. Remove and cool on racks.

I experimented with the sizes of the dough...but found the best ones to be about the size of a large hamburger bun.
----
Buy beef & cut into REALLY THIN slices & season.
The recipe called for Chimichurri Sauce which consisted of a lot of ingredients that I didn't have, so I just seasoned it with salt, pepper & parsley & it turned out good.
Grill on your stove...I cooked it 2 minutes on each side & it was perfect.

Cut the bread in 1/2 &
add ALL OF THE FIXINS!
Meat
Provolone Cheese
Guacamole or Sliced Avocados
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Mayonnaise

Serve it HOT
*I made the bread several hours earlier, so I just heated up the bread with the meat & cheese, before adding the rest of the fixins' & it was perfect

It might just sound like a normal sandwich or hamburger, but it is EXTRA DELICIOUS!!!

I promise!

Try it out!

Doctor-2 Years Old

Today was Parker's 2 Year Old Well-Check

He helped me fill out the survey for the Doctor...

I tried prepping him for the Dr, since when we walk in the doors...he usually remembers getting shots there & doesn't like it! He had fun playing in the waiting room, he even talked to the Dr. while we were in the waiting room & walked to the back by himself when they called his name, but the minute she tried to weigh him(the 1st thing they do) he freaked out & started crying & that continued as they continued measuring his height, weight, etc. He did calm down for the Doctor & did fine when they gave him his Hepatitis shot.

Doctor said EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT!
2 Year Old Stats on 2-27-09
Weight: 29 1/2lbs- 70%
Height: 34 3/4" - 50%
Head: 20" - 92%

Happy Birthday Jeff!

My little brother Jeff turned 23 on the 23rd!
His GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!!!

The grandkids helped wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY @ Del Taco for lunch!

That night for Family Night, we went to the Park for Pizza...

& his favorite dessert...Banana Creme Pie(homeade by my wonderful mother!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!!!

Dad of the Year

On February 17th, we went to the "Man of the Year Banquet" for my dad.
He was nominated & chosen to receive this honor & it was WELL DESERVED!
My dad is SO INVOLVED with the City & NEVER EVER stops SERVING!!!
It was such a fun night to celebrate my DAD & all of his wonderful accomplishments!
We had a DELICIOUS DINNER @ the Hilton & my brothers & sisters & I put on a small part of the program for him. We each told different things he has accomplished in his life & then finished it off with a video we surprised him with. We interviewed people that my dad has worked with over the years & they all said why they love my dad so much/what qualities they love/why he deserved to be Man of the Year. It turned out nice & it ended by saying "WE LOVE YOU DAD! You are OUR "Man of the Year" EVERY YEAR!
That is SOOOO TRUE! I love my dad SO MUCH & am so happy the city recognized him for all he does!

WooWoooooWooooWooo

When Parker sees a Firetruck or an Ambulance on the road, he imitates a siren & says
"Bompa! Wooowooooowoowooo!"
Which loosely translates to...Grandpa is a Fireman!

We decided to stop by this weekend & see Grandpa at work...

Parker was in HEAVEN!

Fireman Grandpa & Parker sitting on the back of the truck:)

A few more years & he will be old enough to drive one!

Of course the trip wouldn't be complete without Grandpa making his day with a hat, coloring book & pencil! THANKS GRANDPA!!!

Ryler slept through his 1st trip to the Firestation...
but we still had to get proof to document that he was there:)

I tried getting a picture of these 2 with their hats.
This is the best I got. Parker had just thrown his hat off & Ryler is about to fall over...
but Parker is smiling, so that is a plus:)

Thanks Grandpa Woowoo!
Parker hasn't stopped talking about it!

Colors

Parker LOVES his colors!
He is so proud that he knows how to say YELLOW, BLUE, WHITE, BROWN, BLACK & ORANGE. He also knows GREEN, PURPLE, RED & GREY...but will usually not say those out loud, but would be happy to point them out in a room if you ask him to "find something red...":) He even tries to tease us with his colors sometimes and will hold up a yellow ball for instance and say "This Blue!" A huge grin will spread across his face and he will say "Nooooo...this Yellow!" and then he laughs as if it is so funny he said the wrong color originally:) He is a CUTIE!!!

Meet My Tank...

I'm not sure where Ryler went?
Maybe he decided he wanted to live in another home?
But we do have a new member of the family...
Meet TANK...

This little chunkster lights up my world!
Honestly he is the BEST baby in the entire world!
And he is growing like a weed...a really really fast growing weed!

Today's project:
Saying Goodbye to 0-3 Month Old Clothes &
Hello to 3-6 Month Clothes!

I LOVE that he has his daddy's BLUE eyes!

I checked out Parker's stats recently...and at 2 months old, Ryler weighs what Parker weighed at 4 months old...a whoppin 14 lbs & I love every ounce of him!

We just LOVE our sweet little TANK!!!

Terrible Twos?

I've heard so many of my friends & family talk about their children who are in their
"Terrible Twos"
I couldn't believe my child would EVER go through that, because well...

Parker is the stinkin' cutest boy in the whole world!

Well...I think those Terrible Twos are sneaking up on us,
whether we like it or not...

Did you see that news article in the paper titled,
"Turtles at Zoo die from choking on Baby Pacifier"
Ok...so that wasn't an article, but it could have been.

Parker decided to throw sweet Clara's pacifier in the pond while we were enjoying a nice day at the Zoo on Wednesday. That little stinker!
Sorry Mandy!!!

Despite my cranky little 2 year old, it was a BEAUTIFUL day to go to the Zoo & glad the girls in our ward were able to get together for a FUN day!!

My sweet little 2 year old also chucked his apple core to the Wallaby's later that same day.
And he fed all of his animal crackers to the flamingos.

I guess feeding the ducks last week at the park taught him to throw things at ALL of the animals!

The Big 5-0

Happy 50th!!!

My AMAZING Mother-in-law's Birthday was on Sunday & we celebrated as a family!!!

She made the most DELICIOUS coconut cake! She introduced me to this recipe about a year ago & it is my FAVORITE!!!! If you like coconut, you would LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I will post the recipe at the bottom of this post!

Great Grandma & Grandpa Haws even stopped by to celebrate!
Ryler was all smiles for Grandma Haws!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA!!!
Thanks for letting us celebrate your big day with you! Parker & Ryler LOVE their Grandma Allen & thanks for always being so willing to babysit!!
We Love you!

Coconut Lovers Cake

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix + ingredients on box
2-3 cups coconut
1 tub cool whip
1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 can Cream of Coconut(found in the liqour part of a grocery store...don't worry...there is no alcohol in it!)

Directions:
Make cake as directed on back of box.
After you bake it, poke holes in cake with end of wooden spoon or fork. Mix cream of coconut and Eagle Brand together in bowl. Pour over hot cake, letting it seep into holes of the cake. Let cake cool completely, put in your refigerator. (Overnight if possible) When completely cool...spread tub of cool whip on top and then sprinkle 2-3 cups of coconut on top of cake. ENJOY!!! And don't be surprised if you end up eating the whole cake by yourself!

BE MINE

I LOVE fresh flowers! Thanks Babe!

Making Valentine's for Grandmas & Grandpas...

Some CUTE little Valentine's dropped by on Valentine's Eve...

and brought us these....SO CUTE!!!

Valentine's Day should ALWAYS be on a Saturday!!!
We enjoyed a picnic @ the park & Parker could have fed the ducks ALL DAY!

The weather could not have been MORE perfect that day!
It was a perfect day to go to the park as a family:)
------------
That night, Matt & I got away for a date night & went to Serrano's, of course(in memory of our 1st date...10 years ago!)
Then we headed to Paradise Bakery for a cookie & a cup of hot chocolate, because I was FREEZING! And then back to pick up our cute kiddos.

It was a great day!
I have the most wonderful Valentine...I'm so grateful to have him in my life!

Girls Night In

Meet some of my highschool Girlies...

We have had a BUNCO group the past couple of years & have LOVED IT, since it gives us the opportunity to keep in touch and see each other once a month, catch up on life, exchange stories, see new babies & just have FUN!
A couple of months ago...we decided to say GOODBYE TO BUNCO...
and HELLO to GIRLS NIGHT IN!

No limit on WHO can come...
every month a different host...
a different house...
a different activity...

Last night AMY was the host of a DELICIOUS dinner (sandwiches & salads---so yummy!) & everyone brought a dessert to share & we had a recipe exchange!
(did you see that picture of desserts above! I think I gained 5 lbs lastnight!)
THANK YOU FOR A FUN NIGHT!


Speaking of Amy...
I stole these off her last post from January's GNI...
Melissa hosted a KARAOKE NIGHT with Icecream Sundaes & veggies!
We sang our heart's out & then had a White Elephant Gift Exchange-SO fun!

Alyse(above) & Bettina(below) belting out the songs:)
Me & Melissa(the WONDERFUL host)

The MORE the MERRIER...

if you want to come in March, let me know!

Trying to Remember...

The other night, Parker was
TRYING to remember how to use a Pacifier...

He wanted to be just like his LITTLE brother!
Thank goodness it only lasted seconds before he spit it out.
I've heard stories of kids going back to using pacifiers after they have a baby in the house that uses one!

Potty Story

So...I'm not quite ready to do the whole Potty Training thing...but Parker has been sending me signals that HE IS...so I decided to START listening.

He will run & get me saying "Bubbles" or "Yellow"...yes, that is what he calls those 2 bodily functions. Actually quite brilliant names if you ask me. He made them up himself & they DO make sense.

So for the past few weeks or so, when he says "Bubbles or Yellow" we have been sitting on the toilet in an effort to START the potty training thing.

He has gone a few times. Happily eats his reward I give him and life goes on.

So Sunday night, we were at my parents house & I guess Parker decided he needed to go to the bathroom & decided to go by himself??

All the sudden, I hear him CRYING...LOUDLY!

I RUN to see why he is crying & I start CRACKING up laughing when I find this...

Yes. I am SOOO MEAN.

I was laughing SO HARD & instead of helping him out of the toilet, I am yelling for Matt to get the camera...quick!

So we take a picture & THEN I help him out.

He was soaking wet. And MAD.

Poor kid. If only the toilet seat had been down...

I'm afraid his potty training efforts are going to be delayed for awhile after this traumatic event...