Here's a copy of the lasagna recipe I just posted on AllRecipes.com.

Amy's Garden Vegetable Lasagna
Prep Time: 30-45 minu
Cook Time: 30 minutes Ready In: 0
Yields: 24 servings

"Looking for a way to add more vegetables to our favorite recipes, I adapted my lasagna recipe to include fresh veggies. We love this recipe and hope you do too. Note: this recipe makes two large lasagnas but could easily be halved to only make one. Also, the sauce freezes well if you have any leftovers. Or assemble two lasagnas and freeze one before baking. It's a great timesaver! When you're ready to use the frozen lasagna, cook for 60-90 minutes or until heated through."

INGREDIENTS:
20 oz lasagna noodles
2 lbs shredded mozzarella cheese

For the meat sauce:
2 cups grated carrot (I used approx 20 baby carrots)
2 1/2 cups grated zucchini (about 2 medium)
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
3/4 cup chopped onion (we like red but any will do)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp minced garlic
1 lb ground hamburger
1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp salt (more or less to taste)
3-4 tbsp red wine
3 15 oz cans tomato sauce
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes

For the cheese filling:
6 cups creamy cottage cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan
4 tbsp dried parsley
4 beaten eggs
4 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add onions, carrots, zucchini and bell pepper and saute until tender. Set aside. Brown hamburger and turkey, draining if necessary. When meat is brown, add garlic. Add vegetables back into pan. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Add seasonings and wine and let simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Cook lasagna nodles until tender. For cheese filling, mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Layer ingredients in 2 large baking dishes. (2 9x13 pans recommended). I usually layer noodles, cheese filling, shredded mozzarella and meat sauce until pan is full. Bake lasagna for 30 minutes and let stand 10 minutes before cutting

Easton,
You are absolutely fascinated by your mobile. Every time we put you in your crib you stare up at it expectantly. And I took a look at it from your point of view today. I got a nice view of the animals' backsides. Now I have to wonder if the next time you see a lion, a giraffe, an alligator or any of the other animals on this mobile if you'll see it from the top side and think it looks funny after all the hours you had to spend looking at animals' rear ends. :)
Love you!
Mama

We've had a busy, busy few days lately! Last Thursday, Jason and I celebrated his birthday a day early. I gave him his present (a Wii) and he loved it! I also baked him a cake and decided that for my next career move I will most certainly NOT be a cake decorator! I got in too big of a hurry when I made his cake and didn't let it cool completely. BIG MISTAKE! As I was lighting the candles (30 of them!), the top layer slid off, taking the 30 burning candles with it! Jason was in the living room playing his new game and I was in the kitchen laughing and trying to slide the top of the cake back on. Jason came in to see what I was laughing about and we both cracked up at my horrible looking cake.
Here's a picture of my birthday cake decorating fiasco:

Beautiful, right? :) Yes, I DID know you were supposed to let the cake cool completely. But it was getting late and we wanted cake so I forged ahead and ended up scooping the top layer of cake off the countertop. Guess I learned my lesson. See the places with no frosting? Yeah...there was frosting there before it slid off onto the counter. :)

The next night (Jason's actual birthday) I surprised him by taking him to Sansui, a Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar. unbeknownst to Jason, I called several of our friends and arranged for them to meet us there. We had such a great time! The dinner was awesome, the show was entertaining and the company was great. Easton went with us and I was surprised he didn't get scared by all the loud noises and flames from the hibachi grill but he just watched it all very wide-eyed and quietly. Here's a picture of him at the dinner:

He was hanging on to those links of his for dear life.
Looks like he's riding the subway.

Here's two more pictures from dinner that night:



Friday, we ran errands and shopped all day. YUCK! Since Jason gets paid only once a month, we sometimes try to do all our major shopping for the month at one time. It ends up being a long day and we spend a lot of money in one day but it beats going to the store every week! Now hopefully the only things we will need the rest of this month are milk and bread. We'll see about that but that's how it's supposed to work anyway.

Saturday, we had our pictures taken at Penney's. I've been to this particular portrait studio once before and we had a good experience but this time was awful! I think a trained monkey could have done better than this particular photographer. And I know for sure that while I am no professional photographer by any means, I'm pretty sure I could have done a better job myself. Out of 24 pictures she took, only two were even just OK. We ordered them because we wanted to get 6-month pictures of Easton but I am going to call and complain about what a crappy job that woman did. I had really wanted to have pictures taken of just Jason and me, of Easton and Jason, and of Easton and me but this woman did such an awful job I just wanted it to be over with. Normally the photographer should suggest how you should pose for the picture, right? No. Jason and I ended up posing ourselves, which was weird and led to some awkward looking shots. But this woman acted like she didn't have a clue what she was doing! Oh, it made me so mad! I mean it is not easy to get us all three there and looking our best and have Easton smile for photos (well, actually almost ANYONE could make Easton smile, except for this lady!). What a disappointment! Think I'll call and have a talk with the manager today. Maybe we will get some free pictures out of the deal. Just give me a different photographer this time, OK?

Yesterday was Sunday and we spent the day cleaning and organizing our house. I made that yummy chicken, broccoli and potato dinner and we played the Wii after Easton went to bed. I never expected to like a video game so much! It was well worth the money! My favorite games we have are a shooting range game, a fishing game, pool, bowling and boxing. And I can't believe it but my arms are sore from boxing! Guess that means I need to keep doing it, huh? It sure is fun and if I can get in some exercise while I'm doing it then that makes it even better.

Today, I'm working on a meal plan for the next month and trying to set up a cleaning schedule to help things run more smoothly around here. I do so much better with a plan. Anyway, that's what's up with our family lately. No scrapbooking lately and it is driving me crazy! I have so many fun layout ideas and haven't found the time to work on them. Maybe today. :)

Here are some of my favorite photos I took recently:

AAGGGHHH! I am so frustrated! I have pictures to go with my previous post, pictures of new scrapbook pages to upload to my other site, pictures to upload to Kodak Gallery, so many pictures to work with and for some reason I keep getting error messages that says No Pictures found on device. ?!?! After troubleshooting on my printer's website it said to uninstall my printer and reinstall. That takes FOREVER! Well, OK not really forever but it uses up precious time I could be working with all those pictures I have on my camera.
Hopefully pictures will be coming soon.

Update: I THINK I finally got it working right...we'll see. It let me upload my pictures anyway. :)

Easton,
You are sleeping in my bed right now. This doesn't happen very often because I want you to sleep in your own bed and not get used to sleeping with us. But every once in a while I indulge myself and we take a nap in our big king-sized bed. When you were very small and got up at all hours of the night (and early morning too) we did this on a fairly regular basis. OK, really it was more like every day. It was my favorite thing in the world to have my boy snuggled up next to me. And it still is. You look so tiny sleeping in the very middle of this great big bed. Most of the time these days I don't usually nap when you do but the times when I do are my favorite naps of all.
Sweet dreams, my little monkey!
Love,
Mama

Easton,
You will be 6 months old in less than a week. Where did the time go? I meant to write you a letter every month but it seems I got so busy I let last month get away from me. Last month you took your first trip to Oklahoma. While you may not remember that trip, it is one I will never forget. It was so special to introduce you to all those people who are special to daddy and me. You had some important firsts on that trip...first airplane ride (you were SO GOOD!), first baby food (you liked it a lot), first time meeting your great grandparents Edgar and Cheney, Aunt Tammy and cousins Abbie, Nicole and Maggie, first time meeting our friends Jenni and Brooklyn, first Easter, first trip to Meers, first taste of ribs (thanks Papa Easton!), the first time you rolled over, the first photo shoot with your cousins Mason, Alexa and later with Ryan and Tyson, first family dinner at Nana's, first birthday party to attend (Ryan's 8th birthday). WHEW! We were busy! Everyone was so happy to see us (you!) and we had an amazing time.

Since we got back, you've adjusted to a schedule again pretty easily. You've started having baby food every night now and you seem to love your veggies. Sweet potatoes seem to be your favorite. That's no surprise...they're my favorite too. The weather is warming up and you really seem to enjoy going outside. A couple of times now I've tried blowing bubbles for you. You're not quite sure what to make of them but it's fun to watch you watch them and try to decide whether or not you like them. Daddy is home earlier because work is slowing down for a bit and we are so happy to spend more time with him. He's having his 30th birthday party this week. Shhh! Don't tell him our plans! It's a surprise! He knows we're going somewhere but don't tell him where, OK?

It is wonderful to be able to see you every second of the day and watch you as you learn new things. We sing and dance and act very silly sometimes and that's the best job I could ever have. Right now I'm very busy working on your scrapbook. I want to hurry and get it done while the details are still fresh in my mind. I want to be able to tell you the story of YOU without forgetting a thing. I love you, my little sweetie boy!

Love,
Mama

P.S. I'm totally not mad at you for spitting up on my outfit right after I put it on this morning. As babies go you are (thankfully) not a frequent spitter-upper so it's not like it happens a lot. And even if it did, they're just clothes...they'll wash. As I used to say to my 3 year old class at the daycare..."It's OK. Accidents happen. No big deal." Love you!

I made a new blog tonight. Don't worry...it's in addition to this one. And all I did so far was put stuff you've already seen on it. But look for new stuff to be added over there in a few days.
Check it out and let me know what you think:
CraftyLilDevil's Scrapbook Pages

Easton fought so hard to stay awake at naptime yesterday and eventually fell asleep like this...

Easton and I had fun today listening to some good music around the house.
We listened to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix. They were doing a telethon on one of the local channels and playing concerts of all three of these artists. We had a good time dancing around like crazy (me) to great music. Oddly enough I learned I dance like Bob Marley although mine has much to do with poor dancing skills and too much coffee and his I'm sure has something to do w/one illegal substance or another. Easton's apparently got good taste in music. His favorite songs were SRV's Crossroads, Marley's Jammin' and Voodoo Child by Hendrix.

Here's a video of one of Easton's picks.

I was looking through a box of old pictures and found some good ones.

Never let it be said that I don't have my own unique sense of style. :)



And proof that Easton does somewhat resemble me. Most people say he looks exactly like Jason but I think he looks like me too.





Dad, remember this? It was so much fun going to the refuge with you and taking pictures. This one is my favorite from that day.




And finally, a picture for my favorite cousins. :)Easter Egg Hunt at Southwestern Medical Center. Love you, girls!

Here's what I've been busy working on these last few days...
SCRAPBOOKING!
Still can't decide what picture to use for the front of the album...it's still some random kid whose picture came w/the album. :)

Easton has some CUTE new onesies to wear. Thanks, Nicole and Abbie!
You girls are so sweet! Love you!

For those of you who usually see Easton like this...




Yes, he DOES cry...



Several times in the same day...




:) But usually he's the happy-go-lucky, easy-going little boy his Nana calls Happy Jack and his great-grandparents call "a real Jim Dandy".

I have so many favorite memories from our vacation last month! We had such a great time from beginning to end! I loved Easton meeting my grandparents for the first time, going to Meers with our family, getting to have lunch my friend Jenni and her daughter Brooklyn (Hi, girls!), spending time w/family in Perry, having Easton's picture made with his cousins (twice!), seeing my cousins Abbie, Nicole and Maggie with Easton (How sweet!), spending the night at my mom's house and getting together with family for lunch, Ryan's 8th birthday party...so many great memories to choose from it would be impossible to pick a favorite. Can't wait to go back as soon as possible. In June? We'll see. Have to talk to Jason about it and see if we can swing it financially. Might be a stretch so soon after the last visit but we'll see. Keep your fingers crossed. :)

Oh, the things that make me happy....

Our new fish tank



With the crazy shark that my fish love to swim into



My very crazy, ugly watermelon socks my friend gave me. (And no, I do not wear them outside the house.)



This picture of my two favorite boys



This horse collar. It's a family tradition that all babies learn to sit up in this. How cool that I finaly get to use it w/my little sweetie.

Happy Birthday, mom! I wish we were there with you today. I really enjoyed the time we spent together when we visited though. Love and miss you!

Well we didn't win any money at poker this time but we sure had fun playing! We weren't too disappointed though because we usually come home w/some cash. Can't win 'em all, right? And it's always fun. I finally got caught up (mostly) on my laundry, dishes, etc. The living room looks great. The kitchen looks decent. Easton's room is next on the list tomorrow. And maybe our room too if I have time. We were SO busy today! I went to Michael's today w/my friend Katy. She wanted me to meet her there to get some extra pages for our scrapbooks. After that, I returned something at Petsmart, returned something at Walmart, bought groceries, Jason's b-day present (NO, I'm not telling untiil AFTER the 24th!) and also some stuff we needed around the house from Walmart. Then I went BACK to Michael's to return the scrapbook pages I bought there that were cheaper at Walmart. We also went to Circuit City, Old Navy, Ross, and Border's. Then we drove through the drive-thru at Chick-fil-a so I could FINALLY eat lunch at 3pm. Then it was time to go home. Whew! What a day! Instead of resting like I wanted to, I spent what seemed like forever on the computer getting pictures uploaded to Kodak. Look for an invite to view the new photo gallery...if you don't get one for some reason email me and I'll get it to you. This is one of the first times I have actually taken time to put titles on almost all of my pictures. Don't get too used to it though...it takes too long! :)
Maybe I'll go read for a while and finally have a chance to relax for a bit...if I can stay awake that long!

I am so overwhelmed with good things to talk about from our trip home that I don't even know where to start! So basically I haven't. I also have only done one load of laundry, I've barely done dishes, I haven't cleaned up my house and I've only halfway unpacked. Boy, I am a slacker! Oh yeah and I have 156 (give or take a few) pictures to upload to kodak and some videos to try to put on youtube and here on my blog. I should be doing some of this stuff tonight but know what I'm doing instead? Playing poker! Hey, last time I won eighty bucks! Gotta try again, right? Wish me luck! Coming up...sometime...favorite things about our trip, pictures and maybe videos too if I can figure out how to do it.