Temptation!

It was calling my name when I found the recipe.

It was calling out to me when I bought all the ingredients and planned on making it 2 days later.

It was calling to me during dinner last night.

Now it is calling to me as left-overs in the kitchen.

I guess I am gaining some weight this week!!!

I have been trying to make bread and cinnamon rolls for years. Instead, I have been making little bricks for years. This was so easy and so moist with all of the goodness of cinnamon rolls!

Buttery Cinnabun Cake
3 Cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt

1 Cup sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 ½ Cups milk

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 Stick real butter, melted
2 sticks real butter, softened

1 Cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons flour

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

2/3 Cups nuts, optional
2 Cups powdered sugar

5 Tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In an electric or stand mixer mix the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in melted butter. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix the 2 sticks of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nuts until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoonfuls and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center.
4. Place powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Book Recommendation!

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Where is your soul? In your beating heart? In your brain?
This book made me think.

Loved it! Read it!

Pretty clean, (warning: some perverse slang)
Jenna is a depressed and angry for a lot of the book- but it is understandable and her mood gets better!

Loved the ending! (It could have gone in so many diferent directions- but I loved what the author did to finish the story in the epilogue!)

I Can't Say It Any Better!

It is getting warmer here.

Can you tell?

The Great Escape!

One day, (a couple of weeks ago) I put Jack down (downstairs as usual) for his nap. The kids were all at school and Jon at work- so it was just me (and a sleeping Jack) left in the house. It was a busy morning and I had a lot to do- so I was pretty busy but kept hearing little noises. I just thought it was from the radio- (Which is usually on in the kitchen) or just Jack being loud downstairs, I dismissed the strange noises and got back to work. I went in my room to put on a little tv and fold laundry (like who can fold laundry and not watch HGTV???) I had just put it on and turned around and.....

THERE WAS JACK!

He scared the #%$@ out of me!!! He was playing with something on my bed-side table and turned around and squealed with delight that I saw him.

I quickly went back over the process of laying him down. (I did lay him down...didn't I?) YES! I did- so what was the lil' stinker doing upstairs? Was there someone downstairs that assisted in taking him out? Should I be worried that a stranger was in the house? I was freaked out for quit some time and then Jon watched him later that night. Yes he can escape.

Quick background- Jack preferred to sleep in his portable crib. So when we discovered that he can escape that- We put him in his wooden (normal-sized crib).

Whew! There is no way he can escape that! So the next day I put him down for a nap in his big crib. 15 minutes later... Here comes Jack. Up the stairs and in the kitchen! Squealing with joy at escaping.

Jon thought and thought about what we could do to keep him in his crib. I researched on the Internet to see if there was some kind of structure to make the crib higher.

We finally ended up putting the portable crib in between the bunk beds and the wall. Then we have to scoot the big wooden crib up against that. He wasn't happy about it at first- but has gotten used to it now.

I asked Jon, "Why does Jack escape when none of the other 3 kids ever did?"

Jon said, "We have never had a Jack before".

Easter 2009

We had a Great Easter!

Grandma Sharon's Easter package came on Sat. The kids were Thrilled!

The kids loved their toys!

These animal balloons were a big hit at our house. They actually lasted until Sunday night before the first one broke! I am amazed it made it that long with how much love (abuse) they gave them.

Jack liked his animal balloon....

But Loved his Chocolate Easter Egg!
We dyed eggs (27 of them!)

The Easter bunny came....

And went out early to hide the eggs!

Yes- They are still in their Jammies

Jack found 3 eggs- and then sat down, cracked them open and ate the goods (jelly beans and chocolate inside)


Nolan found the most!
They then went inside to access the loot!

(Jack had a hard time parting with all the goodies)

Really- Why can't you have Easter Candy for breakfast???)

Easter Dinner was Lovely!

~Lovely table decor

~ Lovely Food

~ Lovely Friends!!!!

Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow!

Long hair is fun- but heavy!

Ahhh! Ready 4 summer!

(Thank You Katie ,You Rock!)

A Memorable Haircut!

On Sunday- it was a nice day, so we went outside and I cut all 4 boys hair. When it was Bridger's turn, I stood over the top of him and jokingly said, "Well Sir, what would you like today? Maybe just a trim?" Bridger said, "Oh, no....well... just do something special."

I hope it is special enough for you Babe!

(You make my heart giggle!)

Book Recommendation!

The last book Recommendation that S.Meyer had on her website- I totally, totally, totally and completely LOVED! (You may remember this post)

So when she had another book recomm. I grabbed one as quickly as I could. (Which was hard cuz I had to special- order it from a bookstore) But I am so glad that I did. Unlike some of the young adults books that I have gotten, this one is very clean and will be a good read for my kiddos in probably a year or 2. The Girl Who Could Fly was very sweet and I hope that there are more books that follow this story.

Good One You Tube!

On April 1 last year, on YouTube's home page, any video you clicked on had this video that came up.

This year, every video is upside down.

I got to admit, I think that last year's prank was funnier. Does anybody know what happened to this guy. I mean- can you get any more cheesier for a video? But for a skinny white guy who can't dance- he sure has an incredible voice!