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As requested, here’s the recipe for Taco Soup that we use often. Many thanks to my sister Sara for the recipe in the first place!

Sara’s Chili (or Taco Soup)

1 lb lean ground beef
3 cans of stewed or diced tomatoes
2 cans of kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can of whole kernel corn (drained)
1 onion
1 green bell pepper
1 packet of chili seasoning (mild or hot)

Brown ground beef in skillet. Combine all other ingredients in a
large pot or crock-pot, add cooked beef and bring to a simmer. On
stove, simmer for 10 minutes. In crock-pot, cook on high for two
hours.

Serve with cheese, tortilla chips, and/or corn bread.

I love this hippo, originally uploaded by Rachel Bancroft.

I am in Springfield with the kids for the week and this morning we played at Willamalane Park, one of my favorite childhood parks. It’s changed quite a bit from when I was a snot-nosed kid, but they still have this hippo in the sand box. I have so many fond memories of playing on this. I loved pretending that it was a car with my sisters or friends and inevitably there would be some arguing over who got to sit in the “drivers seat” on the hippo’s nose. Now if they would just bring back “the Arc of Triumph.” (bonus points to my siblings who remember this)

In the tub pool, originally uploaded by Rachel Bancroft.

Here are Gabe, Emma and I standing in our Rubbermaid storage bin “pool” on the back patio. Me thinks we need to get a bigger pool.

Sidewalk Chalk Calligraphy, originally uploaded by Josh Bancroft.

Rachel wants me to point out that it’s not her best work, or preferred medium, but I think it’s pretty dang good, myself.

What My Kids Were Doing Instead Of Sleeping, originally uploaded by Josh Bancroft.

I watched, unnoticed, in their doorway for several minutes, long after their bed time. They were supposed to be in bed. They obviously were not.

But the sunset was so beautiful tonight, and the view from that window so gorgeous, I can’t really blame them.

I still closed the window and made them lay down. I’m a mean dad.