Lazy Taco Tuesday

Every Tuesday we do some version of tacos or Mexican for dinner. But in the summer, when I'd rather not be spending so much time in the kitchen, THIS is a the perfect alternative. It's easy, quick and everyone loves it!

Here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 c. crushed tortilla chips
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 (16 oz.) can refried beans
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings: shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, guacamole, sour cream, salsa

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Pour crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of an 8x8 dish. Set aside.
Brown ground beef until no longer pink; drain.
Add taco seasoning and amount of water required by package directions.
Add refried beans to seasoned meat and mix over medium heat.
Once the meat and bean mixture is heated through, removed from heat and spoon over the tortilla chips.
Top with cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Serve with your favorite toppings.

Happy Taco Tuesday!

Summer Shenanigans & The Summer List

I haven't intended to be so absent from the blog lately...we've just really been enjoying the summer and keeping busy.

Pool, camp, visiting friends in Central Oregon, weddings, baby showers, playdates, picnics, and much more!

Sweet Pea got to have her first horseback riding experience in Central Oregon

Her horse's name was Cayenne

Lots of fun with good friends

The boy caught a H-U-G-E bullfrog

Slip-n-Slide in the backyard

Sweet Pea had her very first dance recital

I attended a Hillsong United concert. These lovely ladies and I got to watch the concert from a SUITE! It was awesome!

The whole family participated in a neighborhood 4th of July parade and BBQ

My brother and his finace are in town this week and we got to have an adult's night out last night. My parents, my hubby, my brother and soon-to-be-sister-in-law and her parents. It was a lot of fun...we got to see their wedding venue, have a nice dinner and finished it off with Salt & Straw Ice Cream. If you come to Portland, it's a must have!

I had the Strawberry Cilantro-Lime Cheesecake and my brother had Goat Cheese Marionberry Habanero (we were the only ones who got crazy flavors). I know they sound weird (maybe even gross), but they were surprisingly delicious!

I know we are well into summer, but here is this year's summer list:

This weekend we will be marking off "amusement park" as we have plans to take the kids for the day.

You can see past year's lists here: 2009  2011  2012  (I'm not sure what happened to 2010?)

Do you have a summer bucket list? What have you crossed off so far?

Independence Day 2013

Thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and for the men & women that fight (and have fought) for those freedoms. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Homemade Graham Crackers

I'm sharing a recipe for Homemade Graham Crackers over at 30 Days today. Go check it out here!