Turkey Lasanga

I wanted to take a break and put up one of my favorite recipes for Turkey Lasagna. It can easily be replaced by beef or even made veggie.

I like the idea of making everything from scratch, but really?  Who has the time?  With a full time job, a toddler and being pregnant there is just no way that is going to happen. I am a big believer in semi-homemade cooking (not to steal Sandra Lee's thunder or anything). It's quick and produces a result that is tasty and I ask those to try figure out what ingredients are not from scratch!  This lasagna is a perfect example of semi-homemade, its not hard to make but it does require a good amount of time for prep and layering in my opinion.  Initially it takes a lot of time but with all the leftovers you'll save time on making dinner on nights after.  The end result is one heavy dish (wouldn't want to drop it my foot) and its super yum-o.

Turkey Lasagna
1 lb ground turkey
1 package lasagna noodles
1 large chopped brown onion
5 diced garlic cloves
1 - 16oz pkg mozzarella shredded cheese
1 - 16oz tube of ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 egg
1 diced tomato
1 can of pasta sauce (pick your fav flavor we love garlic)
10 fresh rough chopped basil leaves
1 tbsp italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Boil water and cook lasagna noodles according to instructions.  When done lay them flat on a towel to cool.
3. Heat a large pot or skillet on med-high and add oil olive.  Add garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add ground beef to the pot and cook for 10 minutes or until done.
5. Add diced tomatoes and pasta sauce.  Cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste.  Stir in basil and reduce heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
7. In a mixing bowl combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and egg.  Mix until creamy.
8. Spray a 9x12 pan with Pam or grease it with olive oil so the lasagna does not stick.
9. Add a thin layer of the meat sauce to the bottom of the pan then line single layer to lasagna noodles on top.
10. Add a layer of meat sauce over the noodles.  Follow it with a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture.
11. Sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese next.  Add another layer of noodles and repeat steps 9 and 10 until you reach the top or no until you run out of ingredients.  The last layer should be meat sauce mixture and a layer to mozzarella.
12. Place the lasagna pan on a cookie sheet to avoid overflow.  Place in oven and cook for 40 minutes.
13. Remove and let cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting into it.
14. Bon appetit!

Enjoy!

Best,

First Gen Fam

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Good-bye to Cleveland

Maksim loving the neighbor's trampoline.
My father recording our time together.  Father and I.

My Aunt and Maksim.  They had a blast together.  He calls her Baba-boo.

My favorite photo.  My Aunt, Father, and Maksim.  The photo scream joy!

Finally the last blog post about our Cleveland/Pittsburgh trip.  There were so many pictures I had to share them in several posts.  Our trip was full of excitement with my best friend's wedding and hanging out with family we have not seen in over a year.  We all learned many new things on this trip such as:

• Traveling with a toddler wasn't so bad.  Maybe because I always expect the worse. See my tips with traveling with a toddler here.
• Maksim learned the word "No" (thanks to Stoja's triplets)
• We as a family need to get a place with a "real" backyard.  Maybe a move is in order?  It is totally up in the air!
• Maksim loves trampolines as you can see from the photos above, hence why we need a yard.
• My hair is so silky smooth in Cleveland; it has to be the water.  
• Cleveland is green!  Really, really green in the summer.  I forgot that but my nose quickly made me remember.  My allergies were out of control!  
• We are loved.  We are so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends.  A big thank you to my wonderful Father and Aunt for making our trip the best and taking care of Maksim!

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Love,
First Gen Fam

Nada & Kam's Wedding: Instagram Edition

Limo bus pictures.  Nada is having the time of her life!  Prettiest bride ever!

My favorite part - Persian Ceremony

I am seriously catching up on blog posts that are long overdue!  Here are some Instagram photos from my best friend's wedding in Pittsburgh.  Since we were apart of the wedding I couldn't lug around my camera so my Iphone had to tell the story.  Serbians should marry Persians more often because it makes for amazing party!  To read about how we were involved and see pictures from their Rehearsal Dinner click here.

Love,

First Gen Fam

Triplet Fever in Cleveland

To get a picture of all four of them was almost impossible.  Good thing we had a water gun to keep them in line!

Stan had to get in on the action.

I really think these two hit it off.  

Stoja and I trying to get a picture together with all the kids.  This is the best shot we got.  As you can see it's my kid that isn't cooperating.  

While we were in Cleveland I got to catch up with my dear friend, Stoja.  I have known her my whole life and always felt like she was an extension of my family.  She came to visit us and brought her way-too-cute-for-words triplets.  All three girls are completely different when it comes down to their adorable faces and personalities.  I don't know how she does it but I do have to tell you they were so well behaved for girls that are almost two years old.  It was so much fun bringing the kids together and getting these great shots.  I can't wait to look back on these in years to come. Maksim loved their company and I am sure he will love it more when he is a teenager!!!

A big thank you to my friend, Stoja for bringing the girls by; I know its not an easy task.  It truly made our day.  I wish she lived closer because we would make an effort to do play dates all the time.  Missing her lots!

Love,
First Gen Fam

Nada & Kam's Rehearsal

This is the sweetest photo.  Nada and Kam embracing.

 Nada and Stan.  They look like a couple right?

The amazing menu of food at Lidia's for the Rehearsal

Persian party table.

Kam, his mother, and Nada.  

The big reason for our recent trip was to celebrate our best friends getting married, Nada and Kam, in Pittsburgh.  The Serbian and Persian cultures blended beautifully for this celebration.  I have known Nada since we were 12 years old where we met at church camp. She is a beautiful person and the happiest person I know.  Even when something is getting her down she always can spin it into a joke and look on the bright side.  I have to strive to be more like her!  I had the honor of them asking me to be their Kuma, or Godmother. In Serbian tradition, the Kum or Kuma is the Godfather or Godmother of the couple.  During the marriage ceremony I am their "witness" and/or "sponsor" and perform the exchange of the rings.  The Kumovi (Godparent) relationship is a little complicated to explain but simply my understanding of it is we have now become family.  This means our kids cannot get married or even think about it!  I will be the lucky one that baptizes their children as well.  Can't wait!!

The day before the wedding we all enjoyed ourselves at their rehearsal dinner at Lidia's Italian Restaurant.  Food was great but getting to know everyone that night really set the tone for one of the funniest weddings we have ever been too.

Not being able to drink made it tough due to my condition but I made it until 1AM that night.  So proud of myself!  I got the scare of my life later that night when Nada's dog, Cheeba, almost killed me when I walked into her dark home without her.  I guess he was being protective but I swear he was eyeing my jugular!  Ha-ha!

Love,
First Gen Fam

Cleveland Family Fun

Maksim and my cousin Branko.  Cutest photo of the trip!

My Aunt Mika lets him do whatever he wants.  Fresh cut grass and all access to a hose = big mess

My Uncle Svele and Aunt Bozana with their two sons, Branko and Ivan.

M.  Maksim playing with my cousin Ivan and Vicki the dog.

My cousin Milos and his fashionable tutu-wearing daughter Ana.

Our ladies in pink.  Maksim with his godsisters, Iliana and Ivana.  Maksim watching some tunes and munching on snacks with his cousin Ana.

My cousins Milan and Suzi with their adorable boys, Luka and Sasa.  They made Maksim and me our very own Wii characters.

What Cleveland does not have a lack of is its green everywhere (I almost forgot) and an abundance of family to play with Maksim.  Take a look at these snapshots of Maksim absorbing all the attention and having the time of his life.  We wish they all lived closer but I did secretly whisper in every kid's ear that we live near Disneyland and therefore their parents have to bring them to San Diego for a visit!  Sneaky, sneaky!

Love,
First Gen Fam

Cleveland Jeep

Maksim mastering going in reverse

Grandpa and Maksim

This post is way overdue.  We already have been back from our trip for over a week.  Shame on me.  One of the highlights of the trip was Maksim's new jeep.  Grandpa spoiled him on this one.  This was day one of our trip and Grandpa couldn't wait for him to take a ride. My Aunt Mika joined us to watch this spectacle.  I debated with Stan whether or not he would know how to ride it since it was battery operated and he would need to push the pedal to go.  To my suprise the little bugger figured it out almost immediately and he is not even 18 months old yet (don't let his size fool you).  My heart melted to see him ride the jeep and we laughed with every spin around the driveway.  Too bad we couldn't take it to San Diego but we do have high hopes of Grandpa moving to SD soon!  The moving truck will have to make room for those wheels!

More pictures from our trip to come soon!

Love,
First Gen Fam

Summer is Here! ViX Swimwear Memorial Day Sale!

Summer is here.  Do not miss out on this great ViX Memorial Day Sale.  Stock up on bikinis, cover-ups and other beach essentials. ViX Swimwear is running a Memorial Day Weekend Sale to kick off summer!  Get an additional 25% off sales items with the code: MEMORIAL25!  They are offering a FREE pair of flip flops with every $150+ purchase, enter code MEMORIALFLIP at checkout.  Lastly, they are still featuring FREE SHIPPING on all orders!   


I am in the market for a new bikini that will work with my growing bump!  Going to ViX Memorial Day Sale now to do some shopping.  


Love,
First Gen Fam

Suggestions When Traveling with a Toddler

We recently came back from a trip from Cleveland.  We headed back to my home town to visit with family and go to my best friend's wedding in Pittsburgh.  In this post I am going to focus on what I found to be helpful when flying with a toddler.  These are helpful tips that worked for me but keep in mind every kid is different.  


We desperately tried to keep the munchkin from taking his afternoon nap which kind of worked since he only slept a little bit on the way to the airport.  On our first flight, San Diego to Denver, he pretty much slept the whole time.  The flight from Denver to Cleveland he was up and wide awake.  When I say "up" it means he was running on a full tank of gas as if he took a shot of 5-hour energy.  


Here are my helpful tips when traveling with a toddler (or at least with Maksim):

• Moms, where your hair up, back, or however you can keep the little ones from making you look like you didn't brush your hair for months
• Bring snacks.  All kinds because you never know what they may be in the mood for.  I brought chocolate too.  I know it's not the best but it's better than a screaming toddler!
• If you need milk, water, or juice for your toddler ask right when you get on the plane.  That way you do not have to wait until the beverage cart comes around.
• If possible don't let your toddler know there is an aisle or that they can get out.  You give them that option then that is probably where you will have to hang out for most of the flight.
• Head phones!  Not yours of course but the free ones the flight attendants give out.  I gave some to Maksim and he played with them for hours by plugging them in and out.  He broke them within 5 minutes but still had fun with them.
• Download games, movies, shows, on your phone, ipad, laptop whatever.   I downloaded everything in advance of the trip.  We are Mickey Mouse obsessed in our home so that show was a must!  See below for toddler apps that I recommend and are free!!!  

My Fav Free Toddler Apps
When I was first looking for games or shows to download on my iphone I had a really hard time.  Most were too advanced for 1-2 year olds but with much trial and error I found these free ones that I love:

1.  Kids Song 2 Machine

Fun songs and interactive elements and sound effects are activated when touching the screen.  Maksims says "balloon" whenever he sees my phone because this app has floating balloons he can pop.   

2.  Elmo Calls

Pick up the phone, Elmo’s calling! Receive video calls, audio calls, and voicemail from Sesame Street’s own furry, red monster.  Really cute!

3. Dance Mickey

Dance Star Mickey lets you to be his dance instructor! Create your own dance for Mickey and see if he really is a dancing star.  The music gets Maksim so excited.  It's basically a stuffed toy of Mickey Mouse dancing around.  Hey, but it makes my little guy smile!

4.  Yahoo! Kids Song and Story

Don't ask how I found this.  It's all in Korean so I really cannot give an explanation of the app.  There are short songs and bright, colorful cartoons which Maksim really enjoys.  He might end up speaking Korean? Sometimes his jibber-jabber sounds like another language, who knows.

5. I Hear Ewe

Simple game full of 24 different authentic animal sounds and 12 different vehicle sounds. When your toddler taps on an animal or vehicle icon, the game will verbally announce what type of animal or vehicle it is and play a recording of its real sound.  

Enjoy and happy traveling!  Up next, photos from our trip!

Love,

First Gen Fam