Green Latern Sneak Peak

And... the last birthday outfit. I am going to have to do a reshoot on this one...

because seriously.. this was the best picture I got....

and it's not so hot.

Would of been cute if:
A. I could see his eyes.
B. His fist wasn't blurry.

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

These no bake fudge-like brownies were so good. My husband and I are true Reese's lovers, so when I found this recipe on Six Sisters' Stuff, I just had to try it.

It was so yummy.... and so easy to put together. It took about 5 minutes to make, and was chilled by dinner time. It took only a few days for the whole pan to disappear. That's how you know its really good!!


Ingredients1 cup butter melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs (use the boxed kind, or grind them in a food processor. Tiny granules.)
2 cups confectioners’ sugar (aka powdered sugar)
1 cup + 4 tablespoons peanut butter
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips

Directions
In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch pan. (I did mine in a 9X9 square pan because I wanted them thicker) In the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring every 30 seconds until melted until smooth. Spread over the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

Fat Cat

Haven't posted anything about Garfield in a while.. so here goes...

He is 5 years old.
He likes to stay in the Garage.
Loves to lick cans of tuna when I am finished getting the tuna out.
Likes to hide under Mommy and Daddy's bed.
Hates Milk.
Is starting to finally accept and love on Joshua.
Loves to explore outside.
Will sit at the back door and meow when he wants to come in.
Loves his Mommy.

Weighs like 40lbs.    lol.. ok not really, but he feels like it. Also I know the pictures make him look like hes fat when he is laying down, but this really is one massive cat. When he stands up, he is VERY tall... and his weight matches his build.

Only when he is sitting, he looks like a giant Orange blob.

We love Garfield!

The Perfect Weekend

This weekend was a fun filled weekend with lots of great family, friends and birthday parties. It really was the epitimany of a good time. We laughed... and laughed and laughed some more. Right now we have heavy thoughts in the back of head, but it was good to get out and some fun.


First on our weekend agenda was another Lowe's Build and Grow.

Seriously.... if you have kids... GO! It's lots of fun.

This week Joshua build the Assault car from Madagascar 3.

It was so funny to watch him try so hard to hammer in the nails. Some of them he would get crooked and get upset about it... but of course.. Daddy to the rescue.

John is a great father and is very patient when it comes to project that involve Joshua helping out.

Me?  I'm the one yelling.. "Ugh! Give me the hammer and I will do it!!"

Funny how I always thought I would be patient one and John would be the frustrated one.

Joshua had to have some safety goggles this time. Thankfully.. the lady had a few extra to pass out.

I took this picture and then got lectured by a 3 year old about safety and that I needed to stand back because I wasn't being safe by not wearing my goggles.

And finally... his finaly project and certification of completion. So proud!

Earlier that morning... we got a phone call...


John and I are so lucky to have so many great people in our lives. Right now has been a really hard time for us finacially. John works offshore and can make a good living off of doing that. However, right now, there just isn't any work. Most boats are docked or being repaired... or aren't needed. So when the boats sits home, so does John.

So when family calls us up.. and says "I want to take you to lunch." I don't think they quite know how much that means to us. Fact is... we don't go out to eat anymore. Our idea of going out to eat is the buy one, get one free coupon we use at Subway a week ago. So, to have family that wants to take care of us... wants us to have fun... wants to see us smile... that is special. And I know that one day, we will be able to do the same for them.

Today was lunch at one of our family favorite restaurants.. Monument Inn.

Joshua was joined by two of his cousins... Austin and Cyan.

These kids had a blast! You have to ride a ferry to even get to the restaurant.. so the kids were in heaven as we waited in line. Then, we got a big table close to the windows... so closer to heaven.

And of course... Outside.. the rocks, the water, the palm trees.

We had three happy campers.

Cyan is so cute, but very afraid of loud noises.. so every time the ferry honked his horn, or a plane flew by, she was on the run to her Momma who was always nearby. She is at that age where she is learning to talk, so anything she says just makes her 10 times cuter than she already is.

Austin is the big cousin. He is only a few years older than Joshua, but Joshua admires him like a big brother. He is the one cousin that Joshua talks about constantly... the one cousin that Joshua always has to make sure is at family gatherings. Austin is such a laid back kid.. and he lets Joshua boss him around... so its a relationship that works.. for now.

After a wonderful lunch, which also included my Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Lucy, Cousin Brooke and my Mom, we set off back to the ferry to go home.

But this time.. we took Austin with us. Joshua has wanted Austin to come over for ages, and Austin wanted to stay and hang out.... so he did.

It just so happens that there was a birthday party going on next door at our neighbors and they asked us to bring the boys over.

They were excited when they saw the huge water slide.

But sliding?  Naw.. not their style...

They hung out by the pool side of the slide.. doing twists..

And Cannonballs!!

Until it was time to sing Happy Birthday to Melissa.

And these people... man do they take their pinata's seriously. It was the hardest pinata to break open. I wish I had gotten a few pictures, but I think I just stood there in awe as the kids beat the thing over and over and over again and it didn't crack. I think each kid got three turns before one of the older girls just ripped it open.

That is some major pinata!!

The boys had a blast though, and I am so glad Austin stayed for the party.



Sunday was spent out at Bauer Ranch and closer to my family, as we had a double birthday and baby shower to celebrate.

Yes.. three parties in one!

Joshua of course was only interested in the pool.

I was interested in the life guard... haha. Isn't he hot? And he's all mine!

Being around family really makes it great though. Makes me remember the good times when both of my grandparents were alive and we would spend weekends at their house exploring and watching HeHaw on TV while the adults played card games. I just love being around family.

I wasn't fast enough to get pictures of both of the birthday girls, but I did manage to get one of Summer who just turned 2 years old.

And finally.. the most exciting part of my day... baby birds on Bauer Ranch.

I can't believe I actually got that close without being attacked by a mom.

And that was our weekend... slow.. but eventful... relaxing... but busy. It was honestly.. perfect.

Easy Banana Bread

Ok first off.. I am no cook.

Secondly... I don't remember where I got this recipe.. but oh my gosh.. is it good!! And.. its super easy to make. I already had all the ingredients in my kitchen...   and everyone in the family loves this bread. I predict it will be gone in about a day and half... haha.

If I can make this, so can you!


Banana Bread

You’ll need:

3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
Pinch of Cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and place in loaf pan. (8x4)
Preheat oven to 350 and cook for 1 hour.

PS. I am no food photographer. It's seriously yummy though. 

Computer Boy

Joshua asked for some computer time this week. We have been paying for him to go to computer classes, so I thought this would be a great to see how our investment is working.

He wanted to play Arthur, which is a First Grader program.

I set it up for him... and he asked me to leave...

A hour later, I found him like this...

So engulfed in his computer program to even notice I was taking pictures.

Guess it is a great investment and we will keep sending him to the classes. I seriously cannot believe this held his attention for so long.

I love this little boy!!

Reading With Daddy

Was walking through the house the other night and caught this....

It was just too sweet.. I HAD to take a picture.

Father's Day

Sunday evening we went out with my family to celebrate.

We started heading for our favorite restaurant.... Monument Inn...  but the line for the ferry was so long, and the ferry was taking forever, so we turned around and headed back into town to eat at Carrino's.

It was a wonderful meal, and although my dad had to leave early for work, we were happy with the hour we got to spend with him. My dad is such a wonderful, loving and laid back man. He knows no stranger and makes fun of everything. He is defiantly a happy go lucky kind of guy.

And Joshua?  Well.. Joshua worships his Papa almost as much as his Daddy.

I am so lucky to have so many great men in our lives to be good role models for Joshua.

Here is Papa opening his gifts....

He got a new mouse pad.

A new flag for the flagpole on the ranch.

And a Shirt that reads, "Never Fear, Grandpa is here!" This was Joshua's favorite of course.. being that he is into Super hero's and all... and since Joshua is having a Super hero birthday, he says Papa can wear it to his party. haha.

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful man in the world... My husband!!

This year, we have decided to keep things low key and we made presents for Daddy. Joshua was so proud of himself.


These are the things he made at school.

And these are the things Joshua and I made for him last night.

This is a luggage tag and a bookmark. The luggage tag was a super cute and easy craft to do. I should have taken pictures, but we were in a hurry to get things done.

This morning we fixed Daddy Breakfast in bed.

Joshua was very excited to spend the morning with his daddy and give him all his presents.


After about 10 minutes, Joshua came into the kitchen and asked me if was "Kid's Day" because he wanted breakfast in bed too. He requested a hamburger aka breakfast sandwich and strawberries. So both of my boys had breakfast in bed.


... while I got stuck with the leftovers....


Ahhhh.. the life of A Mommy.


Happy Father's Day to the man who has made all my dreams come true!

Water Party

Joshua has a girlfriend friend from school that he says is his best friend. Today was her birthday party.. Finally!... he has been asking for weeks now if it was time.  (I swear I am going to start not telling him where we are going until 10 minutes before hand.) But today was the day! He put his swim clothes on as soon as he got up and begged to leave. I had to explain to him that they party was not until later. .. he wined.... I distracted him with Team Umizoomi on TV.

Then, being the goofball I am.... we got there 30 minutes early. I apparently can't read invitations.

So, we drove around the block a few times.. while Joshua asked... "Where is her house?" .. "Why can't we go there?" ... "Are we late?"....

Finally I couldn't take it anymore... so 15 minutes early.. we pulled up and I was prepared to apologize for not being able to read.

However, there were already kids there playing in the pool... including Kiley.. Joshua's best friend. He ran excitedly over to her.. gave her a hug, and then went for the slide.

He had a lot of fun at this party.. and the slide totally rocked! Wished I would of had my swimsuit.

Joshua and Kiley race down the slide...

All I can do is laugh at this one...

Then he decided to be the pool man.

Shortly after this is when the food was ready... and the rain started. We all ended up having to run inside because the rain started beating down on the tent we were under.. then started coming in sideways...

Kiley seemed to enjoy her Barbie that we got her... the clothes not so much... but then again, what 4 year old is going to say... "I just love this shirt!"

All in all... a great day.

We are just sad that Kiley won't be joining Joshua at school next year.