Harvest time back home & we were able to get in on a little bit of the action. Cayden had fun helping daddy haul bales and then he got to ride in the combine too!
Checking out the crop with daddy!
So pretty!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Our trip to the farm!
While we were back home we got to spend some time with our good friends Bill, Trisha, Alexa and Joel. We always have such a fun time hanging out with them, and the time just flies by (too fast). Cayden and Alexa have been buddies since they were babies and it's always fun to get them together and of course I always have to get their picture! They are goofballs.
On the way to the farm we stopped to see our friends Matt, Melinda, Addison and Aydan. Prestyn wasn't too sure about sharing toys with Aydan, but they were sure cute together. Cayden and Addison had a blast playing together & once again we had a great time catching up with some fabulous friends.
On the way there we also stopped in at my sisters. Auntie had to get some baby snuggles with Anthony! He's getting so big, he's smiling and is simply adorable!
Justyn hadn't met Anthony yet, so he had fun snuggling him too & even put him to sleep! :) gotta love that!
On the way to the farm we stopped to see our friends Matt, Melinda, Addison and Aydan. Prestyn wasn't too sure about sharing toys with Aydan, but they were sure cute together. Cayden and Addison had a blast playing together & once again we had a great time catching up with some fabulous friends.
On the way there we also stopped in at my sisters. Auntie had to get some baby snuggles with Anthony! He's getting so big, he's smiling and is simply adorable!
Justyn hadn't met Anthony yet, so he had fun snuggling him too & even put him to sleep! :) gotta love that!
Prestyn feeds himself (kinda)
Of course since P was getting his picture taken C wanted in on the action! He's such a cute little poser!
Prestyn attempting to feed himself! This was his first real attempt.
I think he's got it (and what a wonderful mess)
My hand is so much easier mama, and it fun to squish!!
Prestyn attempting to feed himself! This was his first real attempt.
I think he's got it (and what a wonderful mess)
My hand is so much easier mama, and it fun to squish!! 
ranch-style steak kabobs
Another new recipe. I've been trying out some new recipes, and this one has been sitting in my stack of "try-it" recipes, so I had to "blog-it". They were actually quite good. Next trial will be chicken kabobs! :) Fun!
Ranch-style steak kabobs:
4 new potatoes - cut in half (I use whole potatoes & cut them to size)
1/4 cup Kraft Ranch Dressing divided (I used hidden valley - made at home)
1 lb bonesless beef sirloin steak, cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch-think slices (I think I'd cut a little thinner - simply because I don't like ANY pink in my meat when cooked)
8 cherry tomatoes
bamboo skewers (soaked in water fro 30 minutes prior to grilling)
1)Heat grill to med-high heat. Cook potatoes in boiling water 12-14 minutes or until tender. Drain - cool slightly
2)Reserve 1/2 of dressing. Thread meat accordian style, onto 4 skewers (I used more), alternating between potatoes, and tomatoes. Brush with remaining dressing.
3)Grill 10-12 minutes (we did longer) or until meat is done, brush with reserved dressing last 2 minutes.
Ranch-style steak kabobs:
4 new potatoes - cut in half (I use whole potatoes & cut them to size)
1/4 cup Kraft Ranch Dressing divided (I used hidden valley - made at home)
1 lb bonesless beef sirloin steak, cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch-think slices (I think I'd cut a little thinner - simply because I don't like ANY pink in my meat when cooked)
8 cherry tomatoes
bamboo skewers (soaked in water fro 30 minutes prior to grilling)
1)Heat grill to med-high heat. Cook potatoes in boiling water 12-14 minutes or until tender. Drain - cool slightly
2)Reserve 1/2 of dressing. Thread meat accordian style, onto 4 skewers (I used more), alternating between potatoes, and tomatoes. Brush with remaining dressing.
3)Grill 10-12 minutes (we did longer) or until meat is done, brush with reserved dressing last 2 minutes.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cakes and Cream Cheese Frosting
I've had a couple requests for the recipe I used for Prestyn's first birthday party cake. So here it is:
Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cakes:
13.5 oz (about 3 cups) All purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter - softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk (I used regular 2% milk)
1) Preaheat oven to 350
2) Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir with a whisk. Place sugar, butter and vanilla in a large bowl and beat with mixer at medium speed until light & fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add floud mix & buttermilk to sugar mix, beginning and ending with flour mix.
3) Spoon batter into 5 (5 3/4 x 3 3/4 in) loaf pans (For Prestyn's dino cake I used 2 lg bread pans & 2 round cakes - so it was 2 of this recipe). Make sure to coat pans with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 mins on wire rack. Remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese at room temperature
8 Tbsp (1 stick) butter at room temperature
3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1) Place the cream cheese & butter in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine. Add the confectioners sugar, a bit at a time, blending with the mixer on low speed until the sugar is well incorporated, 1 minute. Add Vanilla, then increase mixer speed to medium and blend the frosting until fluffy, 1 minute more.
2) Use at once to frost the cake of your choice.
Enjoy the recipes & feel free to link me to your blog about what you make with the recipes! I think they are my new all time favorites!
Vanilla Buttermilk Pound Cakes:
13.5 oz (about 3 cups) All purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter - softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk (I used regular 2% milk)
1) Preaheat oven to 350
2) Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir with a whisk. Place sugar, butter and vanilla in a large bowl and beat with mixer at medium speed until light & fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add floud mix & buttermilk to sugar mix, beginning and ending with flour mix.
3) Spoon batter into 5 (5 3/4 x 3 3/4 in) loaf pans (For Prestyn's dino cake I used 2 lg bread pans & 2 round cakes - so it was 2 of this recipe). Make sure to coat pans with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 mins on wire rack. Remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese at room temperature
8 Tbsp (1 stick) butter at room temperature
3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1) Place the cream cheese & butter in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine. Add the confectioners sugar, a bit at a time, blending with the mixer on low speed until the sugar is well incorporated, 1 minute. Add Vanilla, then increase mixer speed to medium and blend the frosting until fluffy, 1 minute more.
2) Use at once to frost the cake of your choice.
Enjoy the recipes & feel free to link me to your blog about what you make with the recipes! I think they are my new all time favorites!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Apples, Apples & more Apples
We picked a bunch of apples from our tree and I decided to get them all cut up & freeze them to use later in pies, or cobblers etc. Soaking in my mixture of water, sugar and lemon juice.
I got a total of 21 cups of apples. I made 3 of them up into a cobbler for tonight and the rest are out in the freezer. I love having stuff like this stockpiled in the deepfreeze. Makes for easy baking later!! My hand is sore through from all the peeling, coring & slicing!
I got a total of 21 cups of apples. I made 3 of them up into a cobbler for tonight and the rest are out in the freezer. I love having stuff like this stockpiled in the deepfreeze. Makes for easy baking later!! My hand is sore through from all the peeling, coring & slicing!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
TL
We went to TL this last weekend to spend it with the family! Shayne & Anna had come home and it was so fun to catch up with everyone. The guys did alot of work on Papa Wayne & Nana's siding. It's going to look awesome onces its all done! Good job guys!
So purdy!
Us girls just being silly w/ clothes from a thrift store (thanks Ella)
Nana and Papa Wayne
I rode with Anna to TL and we had the cakes in the backseat (with a cover). We were about 15 miles from TL when there was a dog in the road, Anna had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting it & I screamed to grab the cakes (where are my priorities??) Well, they just went for a little ride, but stayed in tact. We got a good laugh out of the deal and had a fun story to tell Kerry & Heather about their cake when we presented it to them. Notice that they are still holding hands!
My Great Aunt Ella came over to visit & Cayden convinced her to run through "the orange sprinkler" with him, I had to document this one.
Us 3 girls mangaged to escape to the lake for about and hour and go for a boat ride. It was so relaxing out there & peaceful, it was a little windy, but we had a great time just hanging out together & getting away!\
So purdy!
Us girls just being silly w/ clothes from a thrift store (thanks Ella)
Nana and Papa Wayne
I rode with Anna to TL and we had the cakes in the backseat (with a cover). We were about 15 miles from TL when there was a dog in the road, Anna had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting it & I screamed to grab the cakes (where are my priorities??) Well, they just went for a little ride, but stayed in tact. We got a good laugh out of the deal and had a fun story to tell Kerry & Heather about their cake when we presented it to them. Notice that they are still holding hands!
My Great Aunt Ella came over to visit & Cayden convinced her to run through "the orange sprinkler" with him, I had to document this one.
Us 3 girls mangaged to escape to the lake for about and hour and go for a boat ride. It was so relaxing out there & peaceful, it was a little windy, but we had a great time just hanging out together & getting away!\
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Another Cake Experiment!
It was Kerry & Heather's 12th wedding anniversary this weekend, and we were all going to be in TL for the weekend because Shayne & Anna were home. Nana asked me if I could make a surprise cake for their anniversary & I just couldn't come up with an idea. **FYI - I'm a little obsessing with cake decorating lately & was so cheesed at the thought of experimenting making another cake
Well I had posted Prestyn's birthday cake pics on FB and Heather saw it & said "ooh, make a turtle cake for this weekend" And the lightbulb went off DING DING, 2 turtles in love...here's the start:
Here they are with the crumb coating:
And here they are all done...aren't they cute?
2 Turtles in Love - HAPPY 12th Wedding Anniversary Kerry & Heather!
Well I had posted Prestyn's birthday cake pics on FB and Heather saw it & said "ooh, make a turtle cake for this weekend" And the lightbulb went off DING DING, 2 turtles in love...here's the start:
Here they are with the crumb coating:
And here they are all done...aren't they cute?
2 Turtles in Love - HAPPY 12th Wedding Anniversary Kerry & Heather!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
One year well baby!
Prestyn had his one year well baby visit today. He was a huge flirt at first, screamed bloody murder through the shots, then has been happy & fun the rest of the day! He weighs 25 lbs (80th %) and is 30.5 inches tall (75th%) The Dr was very pleased with him and couldn't get enough of either of the boys. Cayden was a good helper during the visit too!
Oh & whoohoo for good dental appointments for J & me!!! No return work...that's a first!! Gotta love it!
Oh & whoohoo for good dental appointments for J & me!!! No return work...that's a first!! Gotta love it!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
FARMER BOYS!
We had a few minutes (and matching bibs) so I decided to do a mini photo shoot of the boys. Grammie was a huge help! :) These are the best ones!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Another trip to the farm!
After Prestyn's birthday party, Grammie & Papa convinced me & the boys to head to the farm for a couple of days with them, since they were planning a trip back this direction a few days later, we decided to hop a ride & come along. We left daddy home all alone :( but he managed to survive without us (he probably enjoyed the peace & quiet).
We were able to go to Glasgow to visit Grandma Meme (Amanda)
~ a quick story on how she got the name Grandma Meme:
Ever since Cayden was just a baby every time we'd see her she'd sing the song "Jesus loves the little ones like me, me, me, Jesus loves the little ones like me, me, me, little ones like me, sat upon His knee, Jesus loves the little ones like me, me, me" So once Cayden was able to talk when we'd talk about Grandma Wall, he'd ask "the meme Grandma?" so we started calling her that & he still does it to this day! I love it!
Well Grandma has moved into a more assisted living place, which is great for her needs, but she doesn't love it. She is having a hard time getting around and an even harder time I think dealing with the fact that she WANTS to do so much, but her body won't let her.
I feel so bad for her, because I know she just isn't happy & is so uncomfortable, but I enjoy every visit I get with her & love that the boys know who she is & LOVE seeing her too!!
I snuck this picture of her to show you how bent over she is, this is how she always stands, but she can stand pretty much at a 90 degree anlge when using her walker. She was peeling a clementine for Cayden here.
The boys with Great Grandma Meme
When we were at the farm we were able to go visit my friend Trisha from highschool. She just had her baby boy in July and he is so incredibly sweet & cute. He gave me a good filling of baby snuggles (and a squirt of puke) :) Cayden had fun catching up with Joel's big sister Alexa Jo! They've been buddies since they were babies! It was so fun to catch up! I just love getting together with Trisha, she's so easy to be around. And the time just flys by when we are together, we always have so much to talk about! Thanks for letting us visit Trisha. You have truley been blessed with some amazing kids!
Cayden & Alexa, posing for ANOTHER picture...I need to do a post of them from birth to today! They've had alot of fun together!
Grammie let Cayden drive home from the mailbox, he thought he was BIG stuff, and had so much fun!
Prestyn hanging out in the pickup while Grammie & I helped gimpy (I mean papa) fix a flat tire on the swather!
While we were helping with the tire, Cayden rode in the other swather tractor with Uncle Ryan and ended up falling asleep, it must have been extremely exciting.
Excited for his first ride of the haying season! :)
Thanks Mom & Dad for bringing us to the farm. We always have such a fun time!
We were able to go to Glasgow to visit Grandma Meme (Amanda)
~ a quick story on how she got the name Grandma Meme:
Ever since Cayden was just a baby every time we'd see her she'd sing the song "Jesus loves the little ones like me, me, me, Jesus loves the little ones like me, me, me, little ones like me, sat upon His knee, Jesus loves the little ones like me, me, me" So once Cayden was able to talk when we'd talk about Grandma Wall, he'd ask "the meme Grandma?" so we started calling her that & he still does it to this day! I love it!
Well Grandma has moved into a more assisted living place, which is great for her needs, but she doesn't love it. She is having a hard time getting around and an even harder time I think dealing with the fact that she WANTS to do so much, but her body won't let her.
I feel so bad for her, because I know she just isn't happy & is so uncomfortable, but I enjoy every visit I get with her & love that the boys know who she is & LOVE seeing her too!!
I snuck this picture of her to show you how bent over she is, this is how she always stands, but she can stand pretty much at a 90 degree anlge when using her walker. She was peeling a clementine for Cayden here.
The boys with Great Grandma Meme
When we were at the farm we were able to go visit my friend Trisha from highschool. She just had her baby boy in July and he is so incredibly sweet & cute. He gave me a good filling of baby snuggles (and a squirt of puke) :) Cayden had fun catching up with Joel's big sister Alexa Jo! They've been buddies since they were babies! It was so fun to catch up! I just love getting together with Trisha, she's so easy to be around. And the time just flys by when we are together, we always have so much to talk about! Thanks for letting us visit Trisha. You have truley been blessed with some amazing kids!
Cayden & Alexa, posing for ANOTHER picture...I need to do a post of them from birth to today! They've had alot of fun together!
Grammie let Cayden drive home from the mailbox, he thought he was BIG stuff, and had so much fun!
Prestyn hanging out in the pickup while Grammie & I helped gimpy (I mean papa) fix a flat tire on the swather!
While we were helping with the tire, Cayden rode in the other swather tractor with Uncle Ryan and ended up falling asleep, it must have been extremely exciting.
Excited for his first ride of the haying season! :)
Thanks Mom & Dad for bringing us to the farm. We always have such a fun time!Saturday, August 8, 2009
Prestyn's FIRST Birthday Party!
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