Monday, April 23, 2012

Look at me...

Our little Lola Belle is 2 months old. 
She is the easiest baby for sure. She just sleeps..all the time. She wakes to eat and smile for a bit then back to snoozing. She had her shots. She just started to sucking her thumb.  Cute girl. it's pretty cute to see her sucking away on her tiny thumb.





 And this cute 5 year old wanted her hair cut. Doesn't she look so grownup. We went to the kindergarten fair on Saturday...So not ready for that!
 My loves!

 And a recipe for  you who like 'em. Those cookies over there look pretty awesome, right? They look normal...they taste normal...they smell better than normal. And...they don't have eggs. Seriously, they don't. I often finding myself wanting a sweet treat and sometimes don't have eggs-a key ingredient. Well, i have a recipe for cake with out eggs. It's called a "depression cake" and you use vinegar. Well, today was a chocolate chip cookie day and we got started and discovered no eggs. So, i'm making this a long story. I used flax seed. Use 1 tbsp of ground flax seed plus 3 tbsp of water per egg. Exceptional quality and they are healthier!! for you. I resist fish but flaxseed is full of omega3's like fish and it's cheap and keeps for awhile in your fridge.
2 tbsp of flax see (which is what i used in these cookies) is 60 calories, 4 grams of fiber, no cholesterol, and no sodium. Eggs have 60 calories per egg, no fiber, 120 or so grms of cholesterol, and 60 grams of sodium. So, win win.
Here is my recipe for cookies if you want a go to one that you know someone has tried with flaxseed.
This is a family secret recipe but I am willing to share the deliciousness:)
1/3 cup butter, soft
1/3 cup crisco (yes, it makes a difference to use both)
1/2 cup sugar (I probably use a little more or a little less depending on my helper)
1/2 cup brown sugar packed.
Cream these together then add your ground flax seed mixture that has been stirred with the water.
(if you opt for eggs cause you don't have flax seed! use 2 eggs)
stir.
2 cups flour (if you use eggs then increase the flour to about 2 1/2 cup flour)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 plus a little tsp. of vanilla
As many chocolate chips as you can handle!
Bake at 350 for 8 minutes or until barely browned on top.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Dance and Soccer

Our little Chloe had her first dance concert. She loved being on the stage. She did not love that her costume didn't come with a skirt. Seriously, who chooses a costume for 4-5 year olds with no skirt to "froof" yes, "froof!" around in. She looked adorable though and had a great time. Brad made it in time for the other dances but was there to give her high five after and go eat with us and some friends.


 Chloe and her little friend on the far left. So fun taking dance with a friend because then I had a friend, too.
 Then her first soccer game was the next day.


I suppose i'll have to learn a thing or two about soccer because she seems to really like it and have a knack for it. Go Chloe...this was your week for sure!!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Some Easter and DIY

 My Brad. Cutest guy I know.
Chloe given some Easter egg love.
 Remember this for next year. You put your hardboiled egg right inside the wisk and then you just dip and bob the whisk into your colors. No mess. Pretty sweet. And speaking of sweet...look at Miss Belle
 We represented.
 This guy could've cared less. In fact, he played in the back yard the whole time.
 The Easter photo. We had Stake conference and I took the 3 kids alone. Brad was in the ED. Lame. But he did get to do Easter baskets with us and stick around to take our photo.
Here is us trying to get a cute group shot.
 Here is what our reality is and I love it.
 My friend has the most gorgeous daughter. These 2 are about 7 months different in age. Crazy.
 I love this picture.

 Our dearest friends are moving to Texas for their fellowship year of residency. They will be done with neurosurgery next summer. 12 years!! They are the most AMAZING family and such great friends and I really already miss them. My friend is the nicest person I know and so wise and smart and stylish and pretty.
 An Easter photo with the mamma and her baby.
 Sisters forever.
 Couldn't get enough of this cute dress.
The first DIY-The Headband. I just cut off a cotton shirt sleeve in about a 3 inch piece and then sewed it up. Then I pressed down were i sewed so it kind of made a dimensional headband. Next I just took another piece of shirt and wrapped in around in a circle to make a flower. while you're at the machine just crazy sew all over the rosette. Then add a little leaf with some hand sewing while you attach the rosette to your headband. So cute and it took me about 10 minutes total. My answer to not going to the store and searching for something you can't find or don't have time to look for.
 Second DIY- I am trying to be better making the ideas I gather from Food Network. So here we go. Baked onion rings. Seriously, so good.
Slice a good ole white onion. Rinse in water. Get a bowl of flour. Get a bowl for one beaten egg and about 1/2 cup or so of buttermilk. A bowl for panko bread crumbs seasoned with s and p. Dip in flour. Dip in egg. Dip in Panko. lay on baking sheet with parchment paper. Then you spray everyone with cooking spray. The dude on Food Network actually mixed oil in the panko but I forgot that step and improvised with mine and they tasted delicious and crispy and so healthy. I love me some onion rings and these are guilt free. Try them and tell me what you think.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

She smiles.

My favorite time in a new baby's life. The first smile. This wasn't the first smile but the first on camera. Typical scene each morning...I change her little bum and Chloe stands right next to her and talks to her and makes her smile. My heart melts every single time. Love this girl and that girl and the little guy soooo much!


I had to document for our family and for the world that she sleeps in the closet. So, next time you spend time thinking about your nursery wants be glad you have a nursery! (smile) She won't remember this right???
And these are just funny pictures. 
These are what you get when EZ has the camera.



 Am I really this tall to him. I seem like a giant.

In honor of my little Belle...Don't forget to smile today:)
Have a great one.