The Cake Boss.... Carlos' Bakery.

Our trip to Hobokin, New Jersey... just a short trip across the bridge to this AMAZING Bakery! I know you have all herd of TLC "The Cake Boss" I had the yummy privilege to go and enjoy some Cannolis and puffs... let me just first say, THEY WERE HEAVENLY!!!! It was pretty busy, but the shop move along very fast! Just smelling the inside will make you gain 100 pounds!
If you are ever visiting NY, take the time to drive to the other side of the river and enjoy a little piece of Yummy Goodness!!!

Our Trip to New York

We had an amazing time in New York.

Yes, It was more crowded than I even pictured it. We were able to visit tons of stuff, but still MANY more I would have liked to see... NY has so much to see and do, you need a week in the city alone. The one sad thing I did not get to do was go to Serendipity... you know, the place with AMAZING Frozen Hot Chocolate! YUMMM...

It was a nice week away with Devin and Ethan. Can't wait to go back net Christmas.

No Bake Cookies

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 stick oleo, margarine or butter (I used butter)
• 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups oatmeal (old fashioned rolled oats, not instant)

Mix the sugar, butter, cocoa, and milk in a medium saucepan.* Boil for 1 minute.

Add the peanut butter and vanilla. Mix quickly until peanut butter melts, then add the oatmeal and mix til well blended.

Drop spoonfuls on tin foil, wax paper or parchment. Allow to set and cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen 3 inch cookies.

NOTE: *I opted to pour the chocolate mixture into a large bowl before adding the oatmeal.

Cinnamon Decor. FUN FOR KIDS...

Cinnamon Ornament Supplies:

• 1/2 cup cinnamon
• 1/2 cup apple sauce, store bought is best for this craft
• 1 tbs. cloves (optional)
• 1 tbs. ginger (optional)
• wax paper
• rolling pin
• cookie cutters
• straw or large nail

Cinnamon Ornament Instructions:

1. Stir together cinnamon and apple sauce. Add in 1 tbs of other spices like ginger and cloves (optional).
2. Mix ingredients with a spoon until dough become stiff.
3. Use hands to make the dough into a ball.
4. Roll out dough on a sheet of wax paper while flattening it slightly with your fingers.
5. Place a second sheet of wax paper on to the dough and roll out into thin layer of about 1/8 of an inch thickness. Gently remove the top layer of wax paper.
6. Cut out Cinnamon Ornaments using various cookie cutters.
7. Use a straw or nail to make a hole in the ornament to thread ribbons or wire for hanging later on.
8. Let ornament dry 1-2 days until fully dry and hard.

Ethans 1st. Birthday

September 10... WOW, where did the year go? It seems like I just had Ethan not to long ago, and it has been 1 year. It's amazing how fast time flies. Ethan started walking 2 days before his 1st. Birthday... now he is non stop, it amazes me every day what this little man does, how he acts, and how much daily his personality changes.
I did not make Ethan his own cake this year. Parris and Jacob made a big cake and we all enjoyed the same one. We cut Ethan of a piece, stuck a candle on it and the poor little man touched the candle AFTER it was blown out.. (bottom left picture, right before the tears) . But... as you can see, cake made it all better.
Here's to another year! May everyone enjoy each day and enjoy their family!

**SNICKERS FUDGE**!!

Snickers Fudge

For the first layer

1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup peanut butter

For the second layer

4 tablespoons butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped salted peanuts

For the third layer

14 ounce package caramel cubes
1/4 cup heavy cream

For the fourth layer

1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

To make the first layer

In a small saucepan over low heat, add milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and peanut butter. Stir often until completely melted and smooth. Pour mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13" baking pan lightly coated with nonstick spray. Using an off-set spatula, spread the mixture to an even layer and place in the refrigerator until set.

To make the second layer

In a medium heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Mix in sugar and evaporated milk. Once it comes to a boil, let cook 5 minutes while stirring. Remove from the heat and quickly stir in marshmallow creme, peanut butter and vanilla. Stir in peanuts. Pour over the set chocolate layer and use an off-set spatula to gently spread mixture in an even layer. Place in the refrigerator until set.

To make the third layer

Place the unwrapped caramel cubes and heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Place over low heat and stir until the mixture has completely melted and is smooth. Pour in the pan and quickly spread to an even layer with an off-set spatula. Place in the refrigerator until set.

To make the fourth layer

In a small saucepan over low heat, add milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and peanut butter. Stir often until completely melted and smooth. Pour over the third layer and use an off-set spatula to spread to an even layer. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares.

Photography Session

Sunday after church was great! It was spent with Great friends and I had the chance to photograph them for family pictures. I loved how Pieper was always saying *CHEESE* but never looking at the camera (sometimes makes for great photos) She is so stinkin cute! Carson, (Logans best buddy) wanted the photo session to end so Logan and him could play on the playground... LOVE this family!

Finally, Logan had his party.

 

 

 

Logan finally was able to have his Birthday Party. He was beyond excited... his FIRST party with his friends from church and school.  We had a "Lego" themed birthday. I *tried* to make a lego cake but as I was taking the cake out of the pan to make, it broke apart... it ended up going back into the pan and finished it there.

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, So now I am posting way below pictures, I am really disliking this new Blog set up.   Ok, as I was saying before, Logan had a party!  I had sent out 20 invited to his class with BOLD letters that had R.S.V.P ... I game my cell and my e mail address, you know... just incase one or the other. Well. I am one of these moms who hate parents who do not let me know they are coming. I knew everyone from church coming, but when I had 5 parents from school show up who DID NOT let me know I was a little upset.  LUCKLY this was  Logans day... I just let it be.  He had such a good time.  I think the best part was is that all the kids played great and the weather was cool and sunny. Perfect outdoors weather. 

A week off from school...

This past week we had a WEEK off from school due to the Tennessee Walking Horse Show. The ENTIRE town basically shuts down and all schools in our area are out. Logan had his first ever sleep over with his buddy Carson. These two have become such good friends and Carson has rubbed some sweetness off on Logan.
{At least for the time Carson is over} :) We ended up going to the park to play.. it was a sad ending after almost 2 hours of playing that we left. I told the two of them that they were getting tired and needed to go home to eat and watch a movie... the boys were so upset.

Ethan went on a bike ride around the yard with Devin, giggled the entire time. I think once he can ride, I will have the next Tour de France champion in the making!

Meet River... out BEAUTIFUL Merliquin Great Dane PUPPY! She is 5 months old and very hyper. She is our 3rd Dane, I am hooked on these BIG gentle giants... Ethan crawls all over her and she puts up with him. The kids and I are LOVING her! Yes, even Devin... every now and then you will find him on the ground playing with her.

FREEZE!!! Don't go down the slide!

Happy 5th. Birthday

Today is Logan's 5th. Birthday... Unfortunately, Devin is out of town today... he will not be having his party until September 3rd. He is really excited about his party because he has started Kindergarten and gets to pass out invites to his class.
Today Tanja brought over cupcakes and we took the kids to the park to play and have some yummy sweets.
Logan was beyond happy that Tanja stopped and got cupcakes. I asked Logan if he felt taller being 5 years old and said, "No, and I have no new wrinkles" LOL.

SCHOOL SUPPLY SHOPPING....

Ok... so, We are school supply shopping for 4 kids now! I can not believe what all they require now! INSANE!!!! All together for all grades this is what we ended up buying:
* 6 packs of pencils
* 9 packs of paper
* 13 boxes of crayons
* 6 packs of markers
* 7 folders
* 3 2" 3 ring binders
* 3 packs of high lighters
* 3 packs of dry erase markers
* 4 packs of sticky notes
* 2 protractors
* 36 glue sticks
* 5 bottles of white glue
* 5 packs of color pencils
* 3 water colors
* 4 scissors
* zip lock bags
* tissue
..........................I know we have more.. and might I add a $25.00 ROOM FEE for EACH child!!!!

End of Summer Family Photos...

I have to say... it was a task getting the kids to take these pictures! You would have thought Devin and I were steeling their favorite toy away! Lucky, they calmed down and started acting good. I don't really blame them, it was 97' outside today and no wind! We were all getting grumpy!
I love this picture of Devin.... Finally, a picture he is not making a goofy face in!

Surprise... another picture of the TWO OF US... with NO silly face. Gotta love it!


This was it, the final picture.. the kids were spent... but 65 photos later, they were troopers!

Finally.... moved {and more}

I have slacked in blogging... so this is just a catch up of what has been happening.
In June, Devin and I went for a Sunday drive (just the two of us) and
drove to a CUTE, SMALL town called Bell Buckle...
We have always liked it here. So, on our drive we found this house.
knowing the house we were in was WAY TO SMALL... We found this one.
{I called the owner on a Sunday and apologized} ... Devin and I were able
to look at the house and I fell in love with it. He said "Let's talk about it" ... well, I did {with the owner}
and 2 1/2 weeks later, I was moving boxes in!

We love it here, Everyone knows everyone! The kids have made buddies with the shop owners... and love ridding around the small town {now that we are here now has 457 people} I

Kindergarten Day!

Kindergarten had an adorable play they put on for the end of the year...
Elizabeth was funny... the entire time she had her hand and her body just as they are in the above picture ^------

Here she was making sure we were looking at her

Ethan and Devin... or... Devin's "Mini Me"

Elizabeth and her teacher,
Nicole Taylor...
I love this teacher! Jacob had her in kindergarten as well..
so, at the beginning of registration, I requested her, kept
my fingers crossed that she had her, so glad she did!