Shane And Asha's Engagement Party

Saturday May 30th the three of us had a relaxing day. We took naps, went swimming and then out to lunch. Then in the evening we attended Shane and Asha's engagement party at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. 6:30 cocktails and 8:00 dinner. It was a beautiful evening poolside, with family.
Trevor and Daddy swimming at the hotel

Matt and Shane

Trevor, Anne, Jolene and Mijanne

Trevor, Anne, Jolene and Mijanne

Jim and Taylor

Sara talking with Taylor. Rich, Trevor and Matt

At the table: Taylor, Matt, Jolene, Anne and Mijanne. Standing up: Jordan, Andrea, Trevor, Sara and Jim

Shane and Asha

Shane and Asha with a couple that lived next door to her parents

Trevor and Mommy

Sara and Trevor

Rich, Jolene and Jordan

Taylor, Jim and Mijanne

Shane and Trevor

Trevor, Matt and Shane

Andrea, Trevor, Matt and Shane

Mommy getting Trevor to sleep

San Juan Capistrano And Laguna Beach

Friday May 29th was spent in two favorite getaway destinations for Los Angelenos, both close to the city in distance but far away in feel. San Juan Capistrano is located 15 minutes southwest of Laguna Beach, so we were able to hit both in the course of a short trip.
The Mission San Juan Capistrano is the seventh of the 21 California coastal missions. Centuries-old adobe walls shelter gardens and fountains. The ruins of the Great Stone Church (begun in 1796, completed in 1806, collapsed by an earthquake in 1812), with its 125-foot native-stone bell tower, are undergoing preservation to stem the structure's decay. The mission is best know for its swallows, which, according to legend, return to nest here each year on March 19, St. Joseph's Day. Legend aside, swallows can be seen here year-round.

We don't know this lady.

Mommy and Trevor. We had lunch at Pedro's Tacos in San Juan Capistrano. This was across the street from the mission, and they served delicious, authentic, and not to mention wonderfully inexpensive, Mexican fare.

Daddy and Trevor in San Juan Capistrano

Daddy and Trevor in Laguna Beach, CA.

Mommy and Trevor in Laguna Beach

Spaghetti Pie

I made this recipe last week. It was very good. The three of us really enjoyed it.

6-oz. spaghetti
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 T. butter
1/3 cup chopped onion (use to your liking)
1 cup sour cream
1 lb. hamburger (I used ground turkey, Matt's idea, very good idea)
12-oz. spaghetti sauce
Grated mozzarella cheese

Cook spaghetti; drain. Add eggs and Parmesan cheese. Put in greased 10-inch pie plate. Melt butter; add onions and saute. Add sour cream; spoon over spaghetti. Brown hamburger; add spaghetti sauce. Spoon over sour cream mixture. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Goodbye For The Summer

Saturday May 23rd we went up to Scottsdale. Matt and the boys played golf at Pinnacle Peak. Then we grilled out. Dad, Kyle and Dru Davis headed back to Nebraska for the summer on Sunday the 24th. We won't see them until August, when Dru Davis comes back to the valley for his Freshman year in high school. Wow! Time has really flown by.
Grandpa Dru and Trevor

Dru Davis

Uncle Dru and Trevor

Trevor, our little burrito.

Mommy and Trevor

Matt made quite a splash. He and Dru Davis swimming.

Matt, Dad and Mark

Matt, Uncle Dru, Trevor, Grandpa Dru and Uncle Mark

Trevor and Uncle Dru

Blu Burger Grille

Friday May 22nd we went up to Scottsdale for dinner. Kyle and I really wanted to try this cute, casual burger place that was perfect for the D-I-Y family that we are. Various patties, cheeses, toppings, sauces and buns were available, allowing our creative juices to flow. I think Matt was the only one at our table to get the sweet potato fries.
Matt and Trevor

Grandpa Dru has a set of clubs ready for Trevor

Uncle Mark and Trevor

Uncle Dru and Trevor

Uncle Dru, Uncle Mark and Trevor

Grandpa Dru and Trevor

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

I made this dish a couple weeks ago as well. I served Spanish rice with the meal. The three of us love our Mexican food.

4 boiled chicken breasts, cut up
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Mix Ro-tel tomatoes, mushroom soup and chicken soup in a bowl. in a separate bowl, mix together chicken and 3/4 cup shredded cheese. Add enough of soup mixture to hold it together. Spoon some of the chicken mixture down the center of soft tortilla shells. Roll up and place in a 9x13 inch pan. Pour remaining soup mixture on top. Top with 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Hamburger Steak

I made this main dish a couple weeks ago. No bun was required for this hamburger steak dish. The three of us really liked it.

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley (use to your liking)

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (8-ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms

1 large onion, thinly sliced (use to your liking)

1 (10.5-ounce) can beef consomme'

1 cup beef broth

1 (1.61-ounce) package Pioneer brown gravy mix

Hot cooked egg noodles

In a large bowl, combine ground chuck, Worcestershire, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shape mixture into 5 patties.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef patties, and cook for 5 minutes per side. Remove patties from skillet, and set aside. Drain skillet, reserving 1 tablespoon skillet drippings.

In the same large skillet, heat reserved drippings over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, for 6 minutes. Return beef patties to skillet.

In a small bowl, combine consomme', broth, and gravy mix; add to skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve immediately over hot cooked egg noodles.