Christmas in April?

I wish I could post some fun outdoor pictures of Jade at a park or playing with the dog or even eating grass...but unfortunately there is still snow on the ground! And, I'm not talking about a little bit of snow...I'm talking feet of snow with snow drifts. In fact, Nate had already changed the oil and run the gas dry on the snow blower only to have to go buy more oil and gas because the 10 inches of snow we recently got was too heavy to shovel. We have yet to hit 50 degrees and still have snow from the winter snow storms. So, instead of sharing pictures of warmth and sunshine, I'll continue to share some of the snow and cold.

This "spring" we have discovered Jade's love for swimming! We were able to stay in Bemidji for a weekend and take Jade swimming a few couple times there. She got to go down the slide like a big girl all by herself and would sign "more" when she got to the bottom. I think it's just as much fun for us to watch her as it is for her to go down the slide. This past weekend we were in Mankato/Alexandria and got to take her swimming again...4 times in 3 days! She loved it so much that when we got home, she found her suite in the dirty clothes, brought it over to me and then sat down like she was ready to get changed and go swimming again! Then the hard part, how to explain to your 1-year-old that we don't have a pool. I think I should get on her Dad about that!

Spring weather is supposed to finally show it's face this weekend...for everyone's sanity, lets hope it does! Out with the snow, in with the green grass and flowers. We are ready to hear lawn mowers instead of snow blowers, motorcycles instead of snow plows, and chirping birds instead of silence!

Crockpot Scalloped Ham & Potatoes

I am finally posting my first recipe! I love using the crockpot and am always looking for easy and delicious recipes.  Here is one my family loved...including Jade!

Ingredients:
3 pounds potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup cooked ham
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
Place sliced potatoes in slow cooker. In a medium bowl, mix together shredded cheese and ham. Mix with potatoes in slow cooker.

Using the same bow, mix together condensed soup and water. Season to taste with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour evenly over the potato mixture.

Cover, cook on high for 4 hours. I set my timer on my crock pot and then had it warming for an additional 1-2 hours and it turned out great! I might try cream of celery or mushroom soup too as Nate wasn't a fan of the mushrooms.

Seriously...could it get any easier? or more delicious? Jade and I ate it for a few days.  I was really happy to find something Jade liked that wasn't grilled cheese, mac n cheese, pizza, etc. She liked a "grown-up" meal for once! Jade also got to help me make it by sprinkling the cheese on top (which she loved doing).