Cranberry Pork Roast

We tried another new recipe tonight, this one was also very easy, moist and yummy. It went over well with the kids too. This recipe and picture are from http://www.sisterscafe.blogspot.com/.

Cranberry Pork Roast

1/2 onion, thinly sliced

1, 2-4 lb pork roast

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 can whole cranberry sauce

salt and pepper

Place the rings of onion in crock pot, sprinkle the roast with salt and pepper. Place the roast on top of the onions. Pour the 2 Tbsp. of soy sauce on top of the roast. Dispense the cranberry sauce on the top of the roast. Cook on low for 6 hours. About one hour before serving, shred the pork with two forks. That way it will soak up all the juices and the roast will be very tender.

Red and White Baked Pasta

We tried a new recipe the other night, every one really enjoyed it. The kids even had seconds, and that is a little rare in my house. It was also really easy to make. I got this recipe and picture from http://www.realmomkitchen.com/.

Red & White Baked Pasta

4 cups dry penne noodles

1 (15oz.) jar Alfredo sauce

1 (24oz) jar marinara sauce

2 cups mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (or 1 5oz. container)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook and drain pasta according to the package directions. Mix the two sauces together in a large mixing bowl. Add mozzarella cheese and combine. Add drained pasta. Pour into a 9x13 casserole dish and bake about 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle Parmesan on top and bake another five minutes. Sprinkle with fresh, chopped Italian parsley before serving.

The Mean Older Sister

One of Kelsey's electives this year at school is a drama class. The end of the semester test is to put on a play for the student's families. Kelsey was given the lead in her play, she played the part of the mean older sister.

The part that Mike and I found comical about the whole thing, was that the teacher gave out the parts by matching the kids with what she thought would fit them most.

Emily thought she played the part perfectly....and so did we!

A Little Fort

Jacob and Trevor spent the night at my mom's house on Saturday and built a little fort to sleep in. They spent the next day playing with Star Wars action figures under it.

One Loved Baby

Gianna rarely was put down during her five day visit, she spent the entire time being passed between everyone.

Meeting Brett and Papa....
Papa loves babies!

A little cuddle time with Nana.....

and Aunt Jamie and Uncle Mike.

(I'm wondering if Gianna was having flashbacks of all the pictures I took of her when she was born? She will probably associate me with flashing lights! )

Meeting Gianna

Mike's sister Jenny came up to visit this week from California and brought our new little niece Gianna. Everyone has been very excited to meet her. These pictures capture every ones first time getting to hold her.

Grandpa McKean

Grandma McKean

Aunt Kim

Emily has enjoyed Gianna a lot and seems to have a very natural mothering instinct.

We're going to miss her.

A January Sunset

Tonight while I was cooking dinner, Jacob came in the room and said "Oh...look Mom!"

So I turned around and saw the beauty of the sky.
We don't get to see many sunsets this time of year in the NW.
It made me want to head south for the winter just a little less.