Downata Hot Springs

This was truly a fun and adventurous week for me. I'm talking about camping at Downata in June for four nights, just us girls and our kids!

 

At night we enjoyed girl talk around the campfire. 

Yes... we can take care of ourselves and even build a fire!

We swam each day after lessons and wore ourselves out.

 The kids got along great! 

Along with swimming there was sand to play in, bikes to ride, and forts to build.

Notice the careful placement of rocks and sticks.

Plans for next year are already in mind.

Jack's Birthday

We had a lot of fun for Jack's 4th B-Day!

 He got a new tie

 Lots of fun things

 Of course some clothes

 and a treasure hunt led to this

Yes, he is into motorcycles.

Check this video out of him riding.

Happy Birthday buddy!

another recipe

I really enjoy looking at this cooking blog. Come to find out, I actually stayed over at this lady's house with some friends in high school. Anyway, she has some fun recipes that I have wanted to try. Val is always asking for the cinnamon pull-aparts like they have at Chuckarama, and Mini Monkey Bread looked like it might satisfy his taste buds. Scroll through the give-away stuff to see her instructions and pictures. At the end of the recipe it says "make sure that you aren’t home alone.  You might just eat them all!"
If we would have let him, Val would have eaten them all!

Photo shoot

 My little sister came to town and had a photo assignment due. So guess who got to pose?

Bella loved taking pictures, Jack not so much.

And for the laugh of the day...

It felt like senior pictures all over again. Oh, well. Thanks Mindy!

She's 2!

Bella had her birthday last week. The big "2" has already found me saying "no",  ok "NO!!!" more than I would like. She loves the Three Little Pigs and requested this (with the help of her dad) for her birthday cake.

 

Little Princess and her kitty.

Strawberry Cake Roll

This is so yummy...enjoy!

3 eggs
1 c sugar
1/3 c water
1 t vanilla
1 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
7/8 c flour
Beat eggs for 5 minutes until thick, gradually beat in sugar on low, then add water and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients beating until smooth. Grease and flour cookie sheet, spread batter evenly and bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes. Loosen edges and dump cake onto towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll and let cool. Unroll and spread with filling, re-roll and refrigerate or freeze.
Filling:
1 (8oz) cream cheese softened
1/2 c powdered sugar
1/8 t almond extract
1 c diced strawberries

Wrestling Season...

....IS OVER!!!

HURRAY!!!