Braid

Had my hair done this morning just in time for my trip next week. My gal, Whitney, put a fun braid on the top of my head and I practiced on a dummy. I can't braid hair. My own or anyone else. I'll work on it and try on Summer's head. (poor girl) Because it is a very cute look. And I guess very "in". Which really doesn't mean much to me, but good to know.

Not the best pics, but you can kind of see it and my mom's finger and Summer behind me. :)

No Bake Cookies

1/2 c butter

4 tbs cocoa

2 c sugar

1/2 c milk

3 c oats

1/2 c peanut butter

1 tea vanilla

In a saucepan boil butter cocoa, sugar and milk for two minutes. Stir occasionally.



Remove from heat. Add oats, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix well.

Spoon onto wax paper. Let set or refrigerate. Makes 3 dozen depends on cookie size.

I made these for my brother's birthday. When asked what can I bake you for your birthday, he says no bake cookies. Recipe from Andera Corder. (thank you)



Happy Birthday Darlene!

Today is her birthday but we had dinner last night for it. Darlene is the best mother-in-law anyone could ask for.She lets the kids blow the candles out for her. Which of course the kids love.

Now that I think about I'm very blessed to have great family around me. The time I spent with my mom last week. Dinner at the in-laws and my dad's. My brothers living close. Reggie's brothers living close. My kids get to see their cousins often. Really what more could you ask for. :) :)

My Week in a Nutshell

Monday was my brother, Brandon's birthday. He comes over on Mondays with Neaveh to play in the water and what not, but this day I thought it would be fun to do something else. With Erica's help (I can't fit everyone in my car) we went and had lunch at Broadway, grown ups had Wendy's. Then to have a special ice cream treat at BR. Later that evening with went to my dad's for pizza and cookies. It was a good day and I believe Brandon had a good birthday.

Tuesday was Summer's yearly eye appointment. She has been going for years. It use to be twice a year but thank goodness it's one a year now. She has "wall eye" which means her eye looks towards the wall and takes it's time focusing. But good news 'It looks good.' says the doc. Summer was awesome! They had to dilate her eyes and in the past it hasn't always gone so well. But this time she let them and didn't complain. On the way home I got her a special drink and we watched movies when we got home.

Wednesday was Millwood Park in the afternoon and then to the farmer's market to get WIC checks. Erica and company joined in on this adventure. Later I went to my mom's for dinner and a movie. We try to do this every once in awhile. Laughing is good for the soul and stomach.

This is what I came home to that same night. My kiddos are lucky to have such a great, fort making daddy. :)

Thursday was toes and coffee with my mom during the day and date night with my hubby. My mom watched the kiddos at her house in Post Falls so we stuck around there. We found out we can have fun doing anything and nothing. We spend most of our time talking to Kent at Ace Hardware. Nice enough guy. And driving around new neighbors at sunset. A great sunset.

Friday was our chill day. The kids painted and played. Summer showed the boys how to finger paint. They loved it. We did go to the library, but had to leave fast because the boys weren't the best behaved kiddos there. Went for a run with Reggie while Summer was at Darlene's. As a family we played outside then went to the store for goodies. I love the family moments. :)

Today, Saturday, is another chill day. Summer woke up sick. Lots of movies and hanging out.
Tomorrow we look at a house and hopefully do something with Darlene, who's birthday is on Monday.
That's my week!! :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/2 c flour

1 c light brown sugar, packed

1 c butter, softened

1/2 c sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 12oz pk semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 c chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375*F. Into large bowl, measure all ingredients expect chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Mix ingredients on low speed. Beat on medium speed until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly before removing from pan onto wire racks. Makes about 3 1/2 dozen.  (Recipe from an Albertson chocolate chip bag. I always use this one. I never put nuts in mine.)

Summer and Neaveh helped with these cookies. We made them last week when I had my sister-in-law, Kaylie, over for dinner. It was fun. I love having family around. :)

Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup

2-3 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

1 envelope Ranch dressing mix

1 envelope taco seasoning

1 can kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 can corn

1 cup of salsa



Place chicken in crockpot, dump everything on top (do not drain beans or corn). Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 1 hour before take chicken out and shred return to crockpot for remaining hour. Serve with shredded cheese, chips and sour cream.     (Recipe from Daree.)

I don't cook well, I enjoy baking more. But this turned out so well that I had to share it. Now funny story with this is when it came time to shed the chicken I realized I'd never shredded a chicken before. I thought about calling my mom. (I blame her for not being able to cook) But she was at work so I googled it. :) It makes me laugh just to think about it. I had to google How to shred a chicken. But I did it and the soup turned out amazing. My hubby enjoyed it very much. And my boys chowed down on it. My daughter wasn't home so I didn't have to make her eat any which was fine more for me.   :)

Hershey's White Chip Brownies

4 eggs

1 1/4 c sugar

1/2 c butter/margarine,  melted

2 tea vanilla

1 1/3 c all-purpose flour

2/3 c Hershey's Cocoa

1 tea baking powder

1/2 tea salt

2 c (12 oz pk) Hershey's premier white chips

1. Heat oven 350* F. Grease 13x9x2in pan.

2. Beat eggs in large bowl until foamy, gradually beat in sugar. Add butter and vanilla, beat until blended. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt, add to egg mixture, beating until blended. Stir in white chips. Spread in pan.

3. Bake 25 to 30 mins or until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares.

          Makes about 36 brownies

I've had this recipe for so long I can't remember where I got it. We bake these alot. Again I just kind of throw everything into the mixer and I don't melt the butter, but I do softened it. When cooled cut and get brownies out of pan. I've notice that  the longer they stay in pan the more they stick to the bottom. Unless you like to eat them out of the pan then never mind. :)

 

Sunday Afternoon

This past Sunday we skipped church because of Valley Girl. (They close the road down). After we were allowed out, we met up with Uncle Jared to doing a little Geocaching at the Harvard Park by the river. We hiked a total of 2 1/2 miles and found one cache. Played by the water to cool off. I was impressed that my brother made it and he was there before we were. Thank you Uncle Jared! :)

To Paint or Not to Paint.....

My friend Crystal invited me to go paint at Polka Dot Pottery Saturday evening. Erica and I carpooled together. When the three of us got there we decided not to paint after all and just go to dinner at The Olive Garden instead. It was fun. Nothing like getting girlfriends together to make you laugh...alot.   :)

No Longer Babies

My boys are no longer babies. I'm happy and sad about it. Since these are my last babies I want it to slow down a little. Last month no more bottles. Now this past week their hair has been cut, they are in toddler beds, and just don't look like babies anymore. I felt the same way when Summer was little but knew I was going to have more kids. But now knowing I'm done, it's a little sad. But exciting at the same time. They are so fun, and it's interesting having the two of them. Anyway that's it, I no longer have babies, I have big boys. :)

Eugene Before

During

After. He is a Daddy's Boy. :)

Conrad Before

During

After with Q-tips :)

Brushing their teeth

Babies Room

Ta-Da

Big Boys Room