Friday, January 27, 2012

This Never Gets Old...


We have a tradition of
Family Fun Fridays,
and the usual night consists
of homemade pizza-
pepperoni, olives, and pineapple for the kiddos,
gourmet masterpieces for mum and dad!-
and a movie.

This time,
I thought we'd mix things up and
get off the couch!

And where to but one of our family favorites,
The Fountains!

We all go nuts over the sourdough bread,
and all that chewing is best done watching
the awesome water shows!

The kiddos got in some playtime before
it became "officially" dark,
and I discovered, "Crazy 8's",
a kids clothing store that I will definitely
be visiting another time!

Happy Friday!


January Madness

Boy,
what happened to
easing into the new year? 

Our January calandar filled up in no time...
proving, once again,
that the old adage is true:

No rest for the weary...
and the righteous don't need none!

By the way,
we're definitialy the former-not the latter!


January did give us the opportunity
to watch Samuel coach-for two minutes-
the young men in Basketball. 

Then they needed a ref-
something he's not to keen on,
but did great!

The young men weren't
so fond of him thereafter,
but I,
to the great embarrassment of Owen,
screamed my head off for our side...
and the awesome ref!

He kept saying,
"Mom, why are you yelling?!?
Stop!"

No way, boy!

And get used to it!



Saturday, January 21, 2012

Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall...


Owen,
You are one funny little boy!

I love you!

You found a wall,
and before I know it,
you called to me
and sang
-and acted out-
"Humpty Dumpty Sat On A Wall..."!

Thanks for making my day, hon!

Love,
Mom


Monday, January 16, 2012

Miner's Ravine



Determined to get in a little day hike,
we hit Miner's Ravine late in the afternoon.

Knowing the sun would set quickly,
we gobbled our goods
(string cheese & salami)
and then hit the trails.

We oogled the pretty homes on the hillside,
disrupted a parade of skittish turkeys,
climbed a sweet overlook,
and
I fell flat on my face!

Awesome!

Seriously,
good family times,

And the bonus?

Only fifteen from home!






Thursday, January 12, 2012

S'more Brownies


A major family favorite...
not to mention a hit at the bakesale!
I'll never forget when the kids told me these were
priced high and sold fast at school!
I won't lie,
I was pretty proud!

S'more Brownies
Makes 12 generous "inside" brownies
(We save the edges for snacking!)

Ingredients

1 pkg. Betty Crocker family-size brownie mix, unprepared
1/4 c brown sugar, unpacked
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 c fat free milk
1/4 c vegetable oil
2 large eggs
4 tbs Nutella spread
3/4 c chocolate chips
4 sheets of graham cracker, crushed
1-2 c mini-marshmallows or 6 large marshmallows cut in half

Directions

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 13 x 9 in. glass pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine the first five dry ingredients and create a well for the wet.  Add the milk, oil and eggs and whisk briskly in the well before incorporating into all of the dry.  Add the Nutella, whisking thoroughly, and pour into the pan.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time.  Your oven will most certainly vary from mine, so keep a close eye.  You're looking for brownies that are nearly done, but not quite.

Once they've reached that point, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top and return to the oven for one minute.  Gently spread the melted chips like a frosting over the surface. Sprinkle with the graham cracker and top with piles of the mini-marshmallows or the halved large marshmallows in the center of each brownie.

Set the oven to broil at 400 degrees and toast until the marshmallows are puffed and golden,
approximately 1 1/2 minutes.  Watch carefully-they burn quickly!

Let cool and then cut-making sure to stay away from the marshmallows (they don't cut well at all!).  Holler to the kiddies that the brownies are ready, and you have yourself one happy family!

{special note}

Because of the additional toppings added in stages, these brownies require some careful timing.  Just remember to pull them before they're done and you'll be good to go with the adding of everything else!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Owen-Boy...


OWEN

My runner, jumper,
dinosaur monster...

who loves legos, toast, and
all things under my cake dome!

He is never more my Owen
than when running around in jammies,
with a new affinity for socks,
and that wonderful bed hair!

Owen,
I love you!

Thank you for taking some photos for your mum
so I can capture what intrigues you,
makes you happy,
and makes you
YOU!

You are a good boy
and I love that you are my son!

Have a happy day!

xoxomom


Friday, January 6, 2012

Chutes n' Ladders


The boys have discovered the game closet,
and though the rules escape them,
they love to "play" nonetheless.

Now if I can only get over
my hatred for
"Chutes n' Ladders",
I can join in the "fun"!

They're only young once,
right?

Shoot!