Seven Years Old
Dearest Brigg, today you turned Seven Years Old! Time flew by for me, as your mother. I remember when I found out that I was pregnant with you... I was scared and not ready to be a mother. You came into the world and I had so much love for you and couldn't fathom ever being mad at this perfect child! You were a very happy baby. I would always find you entertaining yourslef with toys... specifically cars and trains. I had to work, at home, while you were little. Many people would comment on how great you were at playing alone! It's one of your great qualities today! At the age of three, you had more energy than I could keep up with and it's been that way ever since. Now at the age of SEVEN, you still have more energy than I can handle at times, but I love you more than the day you were born!
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SEVEN TODAY!
Thinking out loud
Summer arrived today. A late entrance don't ya think? I wouldn't mind if you decided not to stay long either! Rain is a welcome friend, as long as it doesn't stay long, too.
Madi's Monkey and Brigg's Pig
My dear cousin Paula Hall (2nd cousin, actually) and I are very close. We went to Jr. High and High School together. We were inseperable, best friends! Her mom, Ellen Gunnell always had a knack for arts. She worked at the children's museum and taught ceramic classes to young kids. When I had Brigg, I asked her if she would make a Piggie Bank for him. She was happy to do it and fittingly called it Brigg's Pig (pictures below). About a year ago, I asked her if should would make one for Madi. I wanted the theme to stick... so I asked if she would make one called Madi's Monkey. I just got the pictures of it today and I'm SO EXCITED!!!!! I can't wait to fly home and see it in person! Ellen has a lot of talent and a good heart to make these for my kids. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. I will cherish these forever!
The Shore, a first for us!
I couldn't wait for the man of the house to find time to join us for a trip to the "shore"... beach. I'm a pretty brave soul and decided to go without him... but with a friend. Elsa is my "go to" gal. If there's something to do, she's ready to do it! Thanks for going with me. Thanks to Jill for letting us join you at the shore and for letting us shower before the drive home... we needed that! We hit Five Guys on the way home and it was a TASTEY burger! I'd definitely go again.
Beach Babe, Elsa
Beach Beauty, Jill
note to self: SPF 50 does not cut it... even when you apply twice.
Digging.
CHUBBERS, love it.
CHUBBERS, love it.
Beach Babe, Elsa
Beach Beauty, Jill
note to self: SPF 50 does not cut it... even when you apply twice.
We were pretty burned... although you don't see it here!
Phillies Game, Finally!
It's been 5 years...FIVE! We've always wanted to go to a sporting event, but Craig and I talk alot about things we want to do. And that's usually about as far as it goes! Can you relate? Craig was at work a couple months back and ended up doing some extra work. His boss decided it was worth 4 tickets to the Phillies game! Instead of heading out to the Hill Cumorah Pageant with the ward, we watched the bright lights shine on our '08 World Series Champions!
13th SOLD OUT game of the season
Not and easy feat to take two children, one of them being 2 years old... but they still talk about it to this day!
Sorry I cut off your head Craig, sometimes I forget that the picture isn't about just me!
Can you see the city skyline straight back? It was cool. And oh yeah, we had AWESOME seats right behind Home Base.
Group Photo!
The search is over
And the winner is: THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE
If any of you know Deanna Hilton and her infamous choco chip cookie... of which she doesn't share the recipe to... I think I've found the closest thing to it. And believe me when I say that I've tried MANY recipes and none that have come this close. They are crispy mounds of golden yummy goodness, tied up with chewy delectable centers that make this cookie the all around winner! Don't believe me, try it and you'll never go back to the basic cookie dough recipe.
1 2/3 C (8 1/2 oz.) Cake Flour
1 2/3 C (8 1/2 oz.) Bread Flour
1 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Coarse Salt (or less if you like)
1 1/4 C (2 1/2 Sticks) Butter
1 1/4 C (10 oz.) Light Brown Sugar
1 C plus 2 tablespoons (8 oz.) Granulated Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 1/4 lbs. Bittersweet Choc. Chips
Cream sugars and butter for 5 min. until very light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time until mixed. Turn mixer to low speed and add the rest of the wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Pre-heat oven to 375 and bake for 10-12 minutes. Tops of cookies should be slightly golden. Eat your heart out cookie lover!
If any of you know Deanna Hilton and her infamous choco chip cookie... of which she doesn't share the recipe to... I think I've found the closest thing to it. And believe me when I say that I've tried MANY recipes and none that have come this close. They are crispy mounds of golden yummy goodness, tied up with chewy delectable centers that make this cookie the all around winner! Don't believe me, try it and you'll never go back to the basic cookie dough recipe.
1 2/3 C (8 1/2 oz.) Cake Flour
1 2/3 C (8 1/2 oz.) Bread Flour
1 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp. Coarse Salt (or less if you like)
1 1/4 C (2 1/2 Sticks) Butter
1 1/4 C (10 oz.) Light Brown Sugar
1 C plus 2 tablespoons (8 oz.) Granulated Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 1/4 lbs. Bittersweet Choc. Chips
Cream sugars and butter for 5 min. until very light and fluffy. Add one egg at a time until mixed. Turn mixer to low speed and add the rest of the wet ingredients. Add dry ingredients until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Pre-heat oven to 375 and bake for 10-12 minutes. Tops of cookies should be slightly golden. Eat your heart out cookie lover!
7.4.09
Blogging? I know, it's not like me.
The 4th was fun. First of all, crowds don't appease me... but with good company, great food and perfect weather, I can't complain about a few hundred people. We ventured out to Glendside, PA where there was a street parade. The kids had their water guns and bubbles... the Horrocks brought their little firecrackers to throw at paradees as they walked by (good times), and I was drunk with soda (a spectacle, if I remember correctly). It was a lot of fun and I dare say, I'd do it again!
After the parade, we went to the local elementary school where we set up to watch the fireworks. We were joined by the Thorpe's and Hamiltons. I snapped this shot of the sunset. It reminded me of the frequent Arizona summer nights that I took for granted and now miss!
The 4th was fun. First of all, crowds don't appease me... but with good company, great food and perfect weather, I can't complain about a few hundred people. We ventured out to Glendside, PA where there was a street parade. The kids had their water guns and bubbles... the Horrocks brought their little firecrackers to throw at paradees as they walked by (good times), and I was drunk with soda (a spectacle, if I remember correctly). It was a lot of fun and I dare say, I'd do it again!
After the parade, we went to the local elementary school where we set up to watch the fireworks. We were joined by the Thorpe's and Hamiltons. I snapped this shot of the sunset. It reminded me of the frequent Arizona summer nights that I took for granted and now miss!
This video is of the FIREWORK SPECTACULAR... great finale to a fun-filled day!
Intercourse
Last night, my husband and I were scooping out ice-cream for our guests when we overheard a comment made by our son to their daughter. The kids were eating their ice-cream at the table when my son says, " I love intercourse". My husband and I look at each other with embarrassment and laughter. We know why he is saying this because we just got back from a trip to Amish country last week and the little town that we spent most of our time in was called Intercourse, PA. I am hysterical with laughter when I explain the situation to the mother of the little girl. She understands. I suppose we need to have a little chat with Brigg.
Cleaning my attic...
I found these! Aren't you a sight for sore eyes. I miss the days of not brow tweezing and being able to wear a perm with hair so short that all my friends made fun of me. How I loved being pre-teen. There is so much more to share, but so little time. I will gather my findings soon and post them all. Oh boy, I had some serious problems. Let's not forget those glasses! And may they be a reminder to all of you to NEVER let them back in style!
