Monday, July 25, 2011

Oh, the Anticipation!

 
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow,
We're only a day away...from knowing if Baby Stavenger is a bouncing baby boy or another sweet girl!
Stay tuned for the special announcement, coming tomorrow to the Blog!

Anyone dare register a last-minute guess for the books?

Thursday, July 21, 2011

A "Stately aFair"

Were you able to decode the clever (cheesy) title of this post?
We took a family outing to the North Dakota State Fair in Fargo a couple of weeks ago.
Observations included:
1)  we aren't in California anymore (the Stockton Asparagus Festival could put this event to shame, let alone the CA State Fair!)
2)  it is impossible to pass up a bucket of Cheese Curds ("curds"...a word I'm still not comfortable attributing to my food, but I'll gladly eat them.)
3)  I will never let my children ride on carnival rides alone.  Multiple rides began before we were even buckled in- clearly, the carnies didn't give a rip.
4)  Goats bite.  Literally.

Here's the pictorial evidence.
Kendall sneaking a bite from the Bucket O'Curds.

Kendall was particularly smitten with the bunny rabbit exhibit.
Kendall was very hesitant to pet the little duckling.  I think she was terrified of this lady's HUGE boobs.  Can't blame her.

On to the petting zoo, where this goat nibbled her finger instead of the food.

She was pretty upset about the goat incident for a while.
Just in case you missed that face...

A ride on the ferris wheel pulls her out of her funk...

...and we saw lots of smiles on the "Bees".  Weeeeee!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

I Ate The Whoooole Pan.

Ok, not quite.  But pretty close.  Mind you, I'm pregnant and allowed to have an occasional gluttonous binge, so LAY OFF!

(Regains composure...) SO, I'm taking a little break from picture posting to bring you this delightful recipe- good for picnics in the summer, and I imagine will be just as wonderful as a holiday treat. 

BUTTERSCOTCH OATMEAL BARS
(God bless you, Paula Deen)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1 cup chopped pecans
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Stir in melted butter. Press two-thirds of mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle chocolate morsels, butterscotch morsels, and pecans evenly over baked crust. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over pecans. Sprinkle evenly with remaining flour mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Was There Ever Any Doubt?

Mom and Dad don't think I can do this....well, hmpf!  I'll show them!

Just making sure I've got everything in place, and....

BLAMMO!  Next time give me something challenging, people!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Precious Moments

I had settled in to give Kendall her bottle and put her to bed.
Before doing so, I decided to tell her a little about her Uncle Derek.
I picked up the frame that sits next to us every night.

Before I could get a word out, she grabbed it and gave it a quiet kiss.
My heart smiled and ached at the same time.
Somehow, I think she already "knows" her Uncle D.

Friday, July 08, 2011

It Happens Once A Year.

I suppose before getting on to pictures of America's birthday, I should log a few from MY birthday, waaaaay back in early June.  What the heck!!  Am I that behind?!  Blech!

This year was nothing special, other than celebrating in a whole new location.  I enjoyed a great dinner out with some of Chris' siblings, and made some cupcakes for the kiddos at home.  (Okay, I snuck one.  Two.  Possibly three...it's a blur.  ;-)  The best part was letting Kendall pick out my birthday balloon at the store- my favorite, Elmo (she knows me SO well, heh heh)- and watching her enjoy it the rest of the day.  Love those smiles, each one is a gift in itself!

All dressed up for the occasion!
 

Kendall enjoyed sharing Mommy's birthday balloon with Kirby.