Happy Anniversary!

Where it all began... Fall 1998

"I do" Jan 2004

2010 - Happy Anniversary!

Family Hike

Saturday morning we went for a family hike in the woods. It was an overcast day so not many people were on the trails. We encountered some boy scouts who were backpacking. One of them was complaining and as we passed them, the leader said, "Even the baby is having a good time!" We both chuckled as we continued on. Trent seemed to really enjoy being in the woods. He was whipping his head back and forth because there was so much to take in! He liked keeping up with me and when Jesse would slow down, he would rock back and forth on Jesse like a horse, attempting to get him to go faster. He did the same thing when we'd stop. It was funny.

Always a fan of any type of harness

Here we go!

Such handsome men!

So much to see!

Dining Out

Trent has accompanied us on many dining occasions but today he actually ordered his own meal! We were running to Costco after church and opted to put off his nap, rather than go home, have him take a nap and then have to go back out again. The only problem was food. Trent eats lunch at noon every day and we did not have any food with for him to eat. He's been eating everything we eat at home (but in a slightly mushier consistency). We opted for Jason's Deli and ordered his first real kiddie meal! He enjoyed their mac 'n cheese and milk and ate a good portion of it. He loved using a straw!

Mmm... Mac 'n Cheese

So this is what restaurant food is like...

Homemade Tastes Better - Marinara

Another thing we always make from scratch is marinara sauce. My mother is an excellent cook. She showed me how easy this could be! We buy the 6lb 10oz cans of Italian Peeled Tomatoes at Costco (yes, by now you realize that Costco probably thinks we own a small restaurant). These jars normally cost under $4 a can. First, take a head of garlic (usually about 10 cloves) and sautee it in the bottom of a stockpot with some olive oil. Once the garlic is lightly browned, dump in the can of tomatoes. You will have to squeeze/crush the tomatoes with your hands (otherwise, you will have massive chunks of tomato in your sauce). Then add in a 12oz can of tomato paste. Stir and let it simmer on the stove for an hour. This makes A LOT of marinara. I usually freeze it in tupperware ranging in size from 3.5 cups to 5 cups so that I have the perfect amount for making ziti, lasagna, spaghetti, etc. You can add onions, meat, or whatever else you like into the sauce, but I like to have the marinara on hand and then add whatever else later, depending on what I'm cooking.

Supersized Homemade Oreos

I had a major sweet tooth today so homemade oreos came to mind. Last week, I had a major oreo craving and devoured the store bought bag in about two days! So today, I opted to try and make my own. They are really yummy. I have a couple of recipes for homemade oreos but decided to do a conglomeration of them all.

For the cookie:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

10 Tbsp butter, room temperature

1 large egg

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda and powder, salt, and sugar. Then beat in the butter and the egg. Mix until dough comes together in a big lump. Place parchment paper on the cookie sheets. Take teaspoons of batter and press down to desired shape. (I used a small, heart shaped cookie cutter.) Bake for 9 minutes at 375 F. Set on a rack to cool. ** These cookies grew a lot more in the oven than I expected so this time around, we have supersized oreos.

For the filling:

Beat half a stick of butter until light and fluffy. Mix together 1.5 Cups of confectioners' sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Gradually add the sugars to the butter. Beat until well blended. Beat in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

These cookies cool quick so by the time you are done making the filling, you should be able to ice the cookies. Obviously, if you want double stuffed, double the filling recipe.

And delicious! I'm really going to have to practice some will power so that Jesse actually has the chance to taste these when he gets home. TJ and I may have to go on a field trip this afternoon or there may be none left to share! Oreos, why are you so tempting!

One of my favorite things

Examining a Leaf

We have had some gorgeous weather lately and yesterday we took full advantage of it. Ever since TJ was born, I've always enjoyed playing outside with him. When he was really little, it was more of him laying on the blanket beside me. Now he's old enough to actually interact and crawl around. It's a lot of fun watching take in his surroundings. He picks at the grass, examines (and sometimes attempts to eat) the leaves, but overall really just enjoys being outside. Even when he's fussy, taking him outside always seems to help his attitude. I hope his love of nature continues to grow. There's no comparison between natural, God made beauty and objects created by man.

Baby Loves Bath

"Say Cheese!"

Waterfall!

So handsome!

Trent loves the water! Good thing since he'll be spending a lot of time in it this summer!