4 generations

A couple weekends ago the girls and I headed north with Aunt Nanie and Aunt Jaime to go and visit my Grandma and Aunt. So we packed up Aunt Jaime's car that oh so conveniently had a DVD player in it, and were on our way. My Grandma's house is just about 3 hours away, and we have been making the drive north bound 35 for 25 years, and just about every single time we stop half way in Bethany at McDonald's. (We're not really car people, we need to get out and stretch our legs, even on the 3 hour jaunt straight down 35)

Of course we had to get a photo with Ronald that I'm pretty sure has been there all 25 year's that I've been stopping at this McD's!

We made it to my Grandma's with no major meltdowns just in time for the Olympics, and to cheer the gymnasts onto to Gold! My Grandma still has all the toys that we played with when we were little and visiting, and it's pretty surreal to then witness your own children playing with those same toys. 

The next morning we were up bright and early and headed on to Davenport to my Aunt's house. We were greeted with hugs and lunch, and as soon as the girls saw the pool in my Aunt's yard we knew they couldn't wait much longer. It's been about 10 years since I had been to my Aunt's so it was not only a treat for my girls, but for me and my sisters as well. The weather couldn't have been nicer, and Gracen and Hadley were thoroughly worn out by the pool.

Hadley was quite the daredevil in the pool which was funny because she did NOT like swimming lessons earlier this summer!

I bought the girls arm floaties and rings because there is no shallow end of the pool, so no matter where they were they wouldn't be able to touch. Gracen took a while to warm up to swimming on her own, but by the end of the weekend was going down the waterslide and jumping off the diving board like a champion swimmer that she's destined to be (it does run in the family afterall). I do have a couple of good pics of her on the diving board, but haven't put them on the computer yet, so for now these are just my phone pics :)

The weekend was wonderful. We literally went with the idea of just hanging out in mind. We made a quick stop at my Aunt's school, she's been a teacher for 25ish years, and took a ferry boat ride on the Mississipi River, making a quick stop in IL (4 states in 4 days, I'm tired just thinkin about it!). But other than that we did a lot of eating, card playing and swimming. 

My Aunt was definitely prepared with activities for the girls, armed with coloring books, bubbles and even making our own ice cream in a bag. (it made me feel really old though, i remember doing this in gradeschool!) 

Hadley shakin her ice cream!

Can't forget the vanilla!

On the way home on Sunday, we conveniently found an outlet mall right off the highway and spent a lil time wondering around the Coach outlet. It's a dangerous place my friend. Luckily I was strong and didn't make any purchases (can't say the same for the last time i was in there though..) but Aunt Nanie made a fabulous purchase. Hopefully we'll make this an annual visit, since we really don't get to see them much except for around the Holidays. So thanks Aunt Diane for hosting, now it's your turn to make the trek to KC!

Gracen's 4th Birthday!

On April 1st, little Miss Gracen turned 4! I have no idea how that is even possible, but being a Mommy does that to you. Time seems to go by incredibly quickly and painstakingly slow all that same time. I had a hard time deciding what to do for her birthday. Our house is way too small to do anything here, and I couldn't very well plan something outside at that time of year, the Kansas weather just isn't dependable. So since she's in pre-school, we decided to have a gymnastics party with all her friends from school!

Gettin ready for the big party!

We started the day off by going to Church and then heading to the Blue Moose for brunch. Have you ever been to brunch at the Blue Moose? It's amazeballs. It's a buffet, plus omelets to order and all kinds of other goodies. Just thinking about it makes me want to go again this Sunday (it's only on Sundays). When we got home from brunch, I tried to get the girls to take a nap so they'd be well rested (read: not cranky and whiny). But they were so excited for the party that every 5 seconds they would come out and ask if it was time for the party yet. Eventually I just gave up.

Playing games!

Finally party time arrived! And let me just tell you it was well worth the money. Someone entertained 8-10 4 year olds (plus Had) for an hour, totally wearing them out. Think rope climbing and swinging, the parachute game (one of my personal favs), trampoline time, obstacle course - the kids all had a blast. After the gym time, we had ice cream cone cupcakes (thank you pinterest), and opened presents. Best part? I didn't have to clean my house pre and post party, and everyone knew the start and stop time. Gracen had a wonderful time, and just like her Mama thoroughly enjoys her birthday. She still talks about the gym and all the things she got to do!

Somebody please tell me where my baby went?

Ice cream cone cupcakes were a huge hit!

Hadley had a blast running around trying to keep up with the big kids. They had a drinking fountain in there too (that's why her tutu's all wet), I think she spent just as much time getting drinks as she did playing!

Happy 4th Birthday Princess Gracen!!!

Oatmeal Cream Pies and a First

While I really don't like to cook, I LOVE to bake. I love finding new recipes and of course I love to eat them when I'm done (and while I'm making them). Lately I've been a huge fan of Pioneer Woman. I can't wait to get my hands on her cookbook (although that's quite the story and I'll save it for another day). A couple weeks ago I wrote about her Pork Chops and Pineapple Fried Rice I made, and it was a huge hit. So after an unfortunate carrot-cake-cupcake (ccc) disaster, I had a bunch of cream cheese frosting that I needed to use up. So I turned to good ol' P-dub for some help.

Just the other day she posted a recipe for homemade oatmeal whoopie pies with 2 different ideas for the cream filling. Well since I already had the frosting, and everything else in my pantry I now knew what I was going to do with the extra frosting! (Besides eat with a spoon).

This is an old Amish recipe for oatmeal cookies, and they sure knew what they were doing. I am a huge fan of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (NOT to be confused with raisin - yugh). And I am most certainly going to make these cookies again to eat plain and add in some chocolate chips. They were the perfect amount of soft in the middle and slightly crunch on the outside. And just because I LOVE to bake, doesn't mean I claim to be good at it (hence the ccc disaster). And you really can't mess these up. My oven has a mind of it's own (which is what I'm blaming for the above mentioned ccc disaster), so even though I watched these like a hawk (mostly because I also wanted to eat one, but anywhoo) they came out perfect every time.

The reason they sort of look misshapen is because I put them too close together and sort of had to cut them apart. But don't let that fool you, it in no way affects the deliciousness that is these cookies.

Once all your cookies are done, all you have to do is fill em with frosting and enjoy. Hopefully not all of them before someone else gets the chance to try...

They were even better then the Little Debbie variety. And so incredibly easy to make. This is next on my list to make for Gracen's snack day at pre-school. Oatmeal is healthy right? Right.

A couple of side notes... These are SUPER rich. I couldn't eat more than one (technically two cookies with some frosting) without getting a little stomach ache, but they're unbelievably good. And mine look nothing like P-Dub's professional ones. Mine did not stay rounded like hers, but they still tasted damn good. 

And to end this with a totally random piece of trivia about yours truly - this is the first time ever in my life I have used Crisco. Usually if I see Crisco in a recipe I toss it, because it creeps me out. It literally pained me to do it, because the mere thought of Crisco TOTALLY CREEPS ME OUT, but I survived. And now I have a tub of Crisco in my pantry (albeit the smallest one they sell). Ladies and gents, I've gone over to the dark side.

Purple Rain

Don't worry this post has nothing to do with Prince. Although I do love me some Prince. But back to the point. About a month ago I helped my sister throw a purple themed bridal shower (haha get it? Purple rain? I'm so clever...). With a little help from Pinterest, the wheels were turning about a million miles a minute. But even though we started about a month in advance, the closer the deadline loomed, a couple of things had to get cut. But never fear, I'm sure there are plenty of bridal showers/baby showers/birthday parties in my future to plan!

The food spread and the tent cards I made for the food, and that lovely purple rose ball (that took FOREVER, we originally planned on making 6, we barely got through 3... haha)

Another shot of the bar and all of the yummo food!

This is my absolute favorite part. I love the different shades of purple, and the paper lanterns that I hung the additional two white rose balls through and then the tissue paper ball cluster in the middle of the ceiling!

The wildcats in us couldn't help but throwing in some KSU balloons!

And finally the piece de resistance (or however you spell it!) the banner we made! I'll have to find some more pics that are close ups of this and the rose balls, becuase the details are amazeballs!

I had such a blast planning and executing this purple themed bridal shower and can't wait for the bachelorette party coming up in May!

Hittin the Slopes

Over spring break we packed up the bambinos and headed West to Colorado! It was a suprisingly smooth 12 hour trip (with stops) considering I HATE road trips, and we had 2 toddlers stuck in car seats. It rained on us just about the whole way to CO, but the weather in the mountains couldn't have been more beautiful. The sun was shining each and every day. We had to slather up with sunscreen, the sun was blaring off the snow, there were even people skiing in shorts!

The first day we sent Gracen to ski school. She was pretty hesitant at first, but mostly it was due to the awkwardness of wearing/walking in ski boots for the first time, and making the trek over to ski school. She wasn't fond of the helmet/goggles at first either, until she knew she had to wear them in order to ski. At the end of the day we got to come back a half our before she was done and watch. It was awesome! I loved seeing her enjoying herself, and proving to Daddy that it was worth the money :)

The second day we took her out on the bunny hills, but again she wasn't fond of trekking over to the lifts in her ski boots, and since it was soo nice out, she didn't want to wear her gloves. Once we finally got started I think she was exhausted from the day before because the Mr. and I took turns helping her, and although she had fun, she wasn't making much of an effort and we only made it down a couple times. Poor Had just hung out at the condo, but after she broke her collar bone last December, I wasn't taking any chances. (Plus she's only 2 and half, this can't possibly scar her for life yet right?!).

Over all we had a great/exhausting time. I'm pretty sure we were all in bed by about 7:30. And I'm not the best skiier in the world, so I was quite sore for about a week afterwards! But anywho, I can't wait until the girls are a little older and we can take them both out for a couple days. The scenery alone is worth it!

Ahh the joys of trying to get a good family photo :)

A Prima Ballerina

A couple weeks ago at Gracen's dance class, they had parent watch night. So I took Hadley along to watch. Which turned out not to be such a great idea, because she got really sad that she didn't get to dance too. All in good time Had! Sometimes it's hard to be patient when you're the little sister, but one day when you're still in your 30's and Gracen's 40, maybe you'll thank me :)
Anyhoo! I get teary eyed watching her because I'm a sap like that, and can't believe she's old enough to be in dance class. And how she included Hadley at the beginning of class made me one proud Mama. Seeing all the little girls tap dance could not be any cuter. I cannot WAIT until her recital in June!

Sisters = Besties! (Most of the time)

Look at that form! (Notice the other girls not nearly as good, haha)

Seriously, look at that form! She is destined to be a prima ballerina!

Taking a bow!

Pork Chops and Pineapple Fried Rice

This past weekend was MAD crazy. It consisted of crafting all Friday night for the birdal shower my sister was throwing, decorating for the shower on Saturday, brunch on Sunday for Gracen's birthday at Blue Moose (oh so yummy) and her birthday party Sunday afternoon! Phew. I need a nap just thinking about it! (More posts on those events to come) Anyhoo. Sunday night after Gracen's birthday party, we had some family come over for dinner. I was really excited because I was going to make pork chops and pineapple fried rice! I know that might seem a little weird, but it was seriously so delicious. It was SO good I'm even brining the leftovers for lunch at work tomorrow, and I really don't do leftovers. The best part, it really didn't take that long to make, and even though it sounds quite complicated it was really pretty simple! And most of the things it takes you probably already have in your fridge or pantry. I got the recipe from P-Dub (Pioneer Woman, geesh!) so I'll show you her pics and her recipe becuase I didn't really have time to take pics, the recipe moves pretty quickly. A couple little tweaks I'll make for the next round though: I'm not a huge fan of onions, so I'd leave those out (unless of course you enjoy them, then by all means toss em back in!) also there were too many peas in my opinion in the rice. I'd cut it back to 1 cup instead of 1.5, and last but not least I'd add more pineapple, that was by far the best part!! Now go forth and make this, you won't regret it I promise!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/03/pork-chops-with-pineapple-fried-rice/