My boys

Here are pics of Casen sitting up in the bathtub like a big boy.

And his mohawk!

Hanging out on the couch

Playing with his treasure chest while mommy was in bed with the flu

OMG his smile melts me heart!

Cooper playing with his construction crew at dinner one night.

Showing off his new pjs from his cousin Quinn

Hashbrown Casserole

Last night I made a delicious hash brown casserole recipe.  I love hash brown casserole!  Someone brought this recipe to a potluck at Christmas and they said it was super easy.

I made it last night and they were right.  It was just as delicious as I remember.

Here is the recipe-

1 package of hash browns (1lb 14oz)
1 can of cream of chicken
16 oz of sour cream
1 stick of butter melted
8 oz of shredded cheese

Set hash browns out to thaw for 30 minutes. Then combine with the rest of the ingredients. Bake in 9x13 dish for 1 hour on 350. We sprayed the pan to prevent sticking.

The only downside to this recipe is that amount of time since I don't get home until 5:15, but it was worth it. In the future I would make it on a Sunday so we don't have to wait until 7pm to eat.

If you try it let me know what you think.

Sword fight

The other day Cooper and Kyle decided to have a sword fight and I caught them in action to share pictures with Aunt Lala.

Cooper took it very seriously.

Look at that mean face!

Getting him with the hook

The sword has since broke but Cooper still loves it.

Slumber party

Over the holidays the boys and I had a slumber party with the Tobola girls.  Melisa has an explorer so we loaded it up with all 4 car seats and headed to their house.  The toddlers are watching a movie during the drive.

Here you can see the two carriers in the middle seat.

They loved playing with all of Mac's toys.  Mac served them lunch, tea, or whatever.

 

The babies played with Tinsley's new toy

Mac did a little dress up and couldn't convince Cooper to wear a dress.  His daddy would be proud.

We played all evening, Babi came just before bed time to stay with us, and we had a fun time.

I definitely see a lot of slumber parties in our future...once babies are better at sleeping through the night and not sick!

Johnson Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with my parents the afternoon of Christmas day.  We started out with singing happy birthday to Jesus and eating cupcakes. 

My sweet boy isn't always so sweet. I can't remember why Cooper didn't want to sit there.

Mac taking a picture of me taking pictures!

 

Then we opened presents.

Casen got a cute monkey bag.  Cooper got a tractor one for his first Christmas.

Cooper got a cool camera like MacKenzie's from Aunt Lusa and Uncle Trent

Casen loves this treasure chest that you put money in from Babi and Grandaddy

Mac showing off her clothes

Isn't she gorgeous!?

Casen tried on Cooper's new pirate gear.

Now Tinsley wearing Mac's

Aunt Lala ordered the cutest pirate set for the two older ones. It has the sword, eye patch, and hook.  The kids loved it!  Cooper still loves his but was having a bit too much fun and broke it.  Which apparently isn't hard to do because Annelise also broke hers.

We had such a nice time Christmas day.  My mom took care of all of the food and we just got to show up and enjoy.

I think that is my last Christmas post.

Here are some random pictures since the holidays

One night we had a game night...just one round...that felt like forever with Cooper's new Thomas game.

We played again on the day we were home with sick boys instead of going to Christmas at my Granny's

I also gave Cooper 'dirt' to play in with his trucks since it is too cold to be out side.  The dirt is actually flour.

Casen got to open his present from Aunt Neva and Uncle Tommy thanks to Babi bringing the presents to the sick boys.

Cooper got a new four-wheeler from Granny and Papa

He also tried on his new rain boots from Mimi and Grandpa

Casen just being cute! It's an easy job for him!

Casen entertaining himself with an empty water bottle.

He loved it!

Cooper loving on his new Sully from Aunt Neva and Uncle Tommy.

Sully needed goodnight kisses

I LOVE SOUP and a homemade chili recipe

While I was sick I had a craving for soup.  I don't make soup at home often because Kyle and I don't see eye to eye on soup.  Kyle doesn't like vegetables...like any.  That isn't true.  He will eat corn and green beans with enough salt and butter.  He will also eat carrots with sugar or something but I don't eat them that way so they have only been made like twice since we have been married.  I really should make them because Cooper would probably eat them...anyways back on track.

I like beef stew, taco soup, chili, tortilla soup, potato soup...Not tomato soup! Or Broccoli cheese. Yuck!

The problem is most of those soups above have veggies or at least diced tomatoes.  Kyle doesn't like chunky tomatoes so I have to put them in a food processor.  That doesn't bother me too much but it does alter the texture and consistency of the soup.

The other problem besides vegetables is that soup recipes tend to make A LOT.  Cooper doesn't eat soup at this age and if I make the soups I like Kyle won't eat it either.  Therefore I have a huge pot of soup for just me.  I know a lot of people say to freeze it but we don't have the freezer space right now. Once we move...if we ever move I plan to get a second freezer so that we can keep more things on hand and have freezer meals.

I actually discussed with Melisa yesterday that my mom, Melisa, and I each make a different soup and swap.  I have seen meal swaps but that would mean we each make 3 batches of our soup and then that would take a while to eat and a lot of freezer space.  Sharing one batch would mean we get 2-3 servings of each type of soup.  I haven't pitched the idea to my mom yet, but I think it would be fun and yummy!

Despite my new idea I was really craving my mom's chili last night.  On Christmas day she made some and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.  It was spicy but not insane and I LOVED it.  The only problem is that she kinda makes it up as she goes.  She uses the same basic ingredients but doesn't measure and sometimes just uses what she has on hand.

So yesterday I called my mom and had her send me her 'recipe' and I made it last night.  I measured things as I went to make a more detailed recipe.

So here is the recipe I came up with based on my mom's ingredients and her guidance on about how much.

Babi's Chili Recipe-

1 lb of ground beef
1 lb of Owens hot sausage (could use regular to make less spicy)
1 can of Rotel Chili Fixins
29oz can of tomato sauce (used Hunt's)
1/2 tsp of chili powder
1/4 tsp of garlic powder (I wanted to use minced garlic but couldn't find it in the grocery store to save me life!  I will find it before next time)
1 tbsp of minced onion
1/8 cup of worchestershire sauce

Brown the beef and sausage together and drain.  Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 30 minutes.

It is that easy!

I am not trying to promote certain brands or products but when I read recipes I like to know EXACTLY what they used.  I hate when it says '1 jar of your favorite salsa.' Ugh! Do you know how many different salsas there are and how different they are?  Don't make me figure it out with trial and error!  Tell me what to use!!

It doesn't have beans for those who like chili with beans, but I am sure it could be added.

I forgot to take a picture but when I heat mine up tonight I will take a picture.

Let me know if you have any questions. And let me know if you try it and what you thought.