Saturday, August 20, 2011

DENIAL


I don't really want summer to end. I'm kinda in denial about it. One huge indicator that I should probably start school though, is that the boys have been bored to tears the last few days. Not sure how they can be bored considering all the amazing things we did this summer. And this is just the tip of the iceberg here.

Had a backyard spend the night with Daddy. There was fire involved, it was a complete success.
Went to Drytown with the cousins. Have I mentioned that place is a real stand up joint?
Did some slippin' and slidin' with some of our cute buddies.
Went to the beach several times. I could still fit a few more under my belt.

Did some boating where we actually got Nolie on the inner tube for the first time.

Had some pre-Halloween festivities.
Went to Lego land with the cousins where Rob was a little too excited about squirting the girl with the camera. That would be me.
I suppose I should just be thankful our summer was packed full of fun stuff. I just wanna be lazy a couple weeks more. They're smart enough, they don't need school, right?

Monday, August 15, 2011

WATER PARK-ING IT UP

The water park in Santa Clarita ain't as amazing as the Palmdale one, but it also doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's a give and take situation folks.
I love this picture of little Nolie waiting in line with all the big kids for the high dive.
Yenner, living on the edge once again, decided to dive from the high one. No fear here.
It was a little heat-y and bright. I think that's why Rob's eyes look like slits.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

S'MORES COOKIES

I can't remember where I found this recipe, but it wasn't from the link on here. Hers look much more official than mine did. Doesn't really matter though when you're stuffing your face with them. I will definitely make them again. It's not often Rob says, "I think I have a new favorite."

S'mores Cookies
Source: Ice Cream Before Dinner

11 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 ½ cups flour
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows
3 regular sized Hershey’s bars, broken into pieces
1-2 packages graham crackers, broken into squares

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking pans with parchment paper. I used one 11x17 pan and one 9x13 pan but you can really use any sized pans you want.

Lay out graham crackers side by side on the pans as close as possible (they should be touching). I used 16 graham cracker squares on one pan and 10 squares on another. You may have to add or remove graham crackers according to how much dough you have. If you want your cookies thicker you will use more dough and less graham crackers.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon to combine. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter with white and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixer and combine on low speed.

Fold in the chocolate chips and marshmallows. Chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour to overnight (I did one batch right away and another after chilling overnight and found there was no difference.)

Place tablespoons of dough on graham crackers about 1 – 1 ½ inches apart. I averaged about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough per graham cracker square as seen in the picture above. Press down slightly with fingertips.

Bake for 5 minutes then remove from oven to press Hershey’s bar pieces on to the top. You can place as many pieces or as little as you want depending how much chocolate flavor you want.

Bake for 5 – 7 more minutes or until dough is beginning to turn golden brown at the edges. Remove to a wire rack to cool. For clean cutting make sure cookies are completely cool and cut with a sharp knife.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

I CANNOT THINK OF A TITLE

I wore this little beauty in 10th grade. What was I, a size zero? It's amazing what 30 years and a few carbs will do to ya. You will be happy to know that I am no longer hoarding this. I donated it to a good cause. Is this growth...I think so!!
TV time with the besties.
Went "hiking" out at The Oaks one day. I am NOT a hiker. And of course, there's always got to be one child holding himself. Ahhhh, life with four boys.
These here are s'mores cookies and they are little bites of heaven if you ask me (or my boys).
Here's a little goodie Hal gave me. It's the most wonderful thing I never knew I always wanted. Vanity, I know, but it just really speaks to me.