Lentil and Veggie Tostadas

My mother-in-law is a vegan so when she comes to visit we always get treated to delicious vegan dishes. A month ago when she came to visit Madelyn and I decided to make her a treat. This recipe is actually from my Betty Crocker Cookbook. It was by far one of the best dishes I have ever eaten (plus it is extremely healthly for you!). As we were eating it we both commented on how it felt like we were eating at an expensive restaurant. If anyone does try it let me know your thoughts.

Lentil and Veggie Tostadas

Start to Finish: 20 min. Makes: 4 main-dish servings

1 3/4 cups water
3/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (my new fav. spice!)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 to 2 tablespoons snipped cilantro
4 tostada shells (I found that this recipe makes enough for 6 tostadas)
2 cups assorted chopped vegetables (such as broccoli, tomato, zucchini, and/or yellow summer squash)
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (3 ounces)

**I also added avocado on top

1. In a medium saucepan stir together the water, lentils, onion, salt, cumin, and garlic. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes or until lentils are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Use a fork to mash the cooked lentils; stir in cilantro.

2. Spread lentil mixture on tostada shells; top with vegtables and cheese. Place on a large baking sheet. Broil 6 inches from the heat about 2 minutes or until cheese melts.

Nutrition Facts (if anyone is interested): 280 cal per tostada; 10 g total fat; 7 g fiber; 15 g protein

Our Spring Break Vacation

For Spring Break a few weeks ago we drove to Denver, Co to visit my sister Julie and her family. Julie just had a baby 6 weeks prior and with Jay having a week off of school it was the perfect time to visit our family who we have missed since they moved from Vegas a year ago. It was a great vacation (besides the fact we drove 3/4 of the way there in a snow storm). We didn't get a lot of pictures on this vacation (Kaelyn was sick for most of the time and her and I spent the majority of the time on the couch). It was really fun though to see my new nephew and spend time with Julie. Then after spending a week with the Fletcher's we drove up to Provo and surprised my other sister Collette for one of her bridal showers. She is getting married next weekend.
What we drove through most of the time on our way to Denver

Julie and Jon are currently living in the house Jon grew up in while his mom is serving a mission. The houses in the neighborhood were so cute. Here is a pic of one.
The day after we arrived in Denver the snow followed us there. We got the girls all dressed up in their snow suits. Poor Kaelyn was so bundled she couldn't even walk without tumbling over.

Kids say the cutest things

Last Wednesday night Jay had a concert at school. We decided that Madelyn was getting old enough to attend so she tagged along with us while Kaelyn went to a friends house. Before the concert Jay was running through a few numbers with the choir and orchestra. Madelyn decided that it was fun to stand on the conductor's podium with her dad so since it was a run through I didn't think it would be a huge distraction to let her be up on the stage. It was so fun to see her stand by Jay as he was waving his arms and conducting the music. After one of the songs was over and all of the students were quietly waiting for their next set of instructions in the loudest yet cutest little girl voice Madelyn looked up at her daddy and said, "Daddy, I have to go potty!" It was so cute! She was waiting so patiently for the right moment to ask.

Maddy's Special Day!

Madelyn has been asking Jay and I if she could go to the temple for a few months now. Every time someone would say "Temple" Madelyn would instantly ask if she could visit the temple. We haven't found the time to take her (it is usually almost her bedtime after lessons and dinner and Jay has been busy with choir events almost every Saturday these past few months). A few weeks however Madelyn's wish came true. Here are some pictures of our visit.

My mission companion Kiera and her new hubby coming out of the temple.Maddy running up and down the hill on temple grounds. This was the highlight of her trip. The hill and the fountains in the lobby area.

Another mission companion, Becky (in black and white dress) and an old BYU neighbor who was also attending the wedding.

Madelyn and I in front of the temple sign. What a fun day!

My Singing Princess!

Today Madelyn decided she was going to dress up in one of her princess dresses and serenade each of my voice students as they waited for their lesson with "Once Upon a Dream". A voice student would come into the house, she would sing her song and then take a nice bow at the end. She listens to these people sing in her house 2 hours a day. I could only guess she wanted to join the singing party! She has asked me for a lesson before. So cute! (The picture is of her a few weeks ago. I was teaching lessons when she was doing this and heard about it from Grandma and Jay)