Class Ring

I love it Nathan!!! Great choice! Black Onyx stone, silver finish, Nathan and fire dept symbol on one side, 2013 and sports symbol on the other side. SO YOU!!!!! :O)

the fab 5....class of 2013!!

good things thursday.....

• FALL is just around the corner, and I'm getting very anxious to pull out the decorations!{although the thought of going in the attic in the 90+ degree temps we are still having is curbing my enthusiasm a bit}. Cooler weather {high 70's} is forecasted for next week, so I'm hoping that will be just the push I need. I plan to start with my mantel {did I tell you how much I love decorating my mantel???} I pinned a few FALL mantel ideas.....I can't wait!

painted pumpkins

use small pumpkins instead of candles

fall banner

• Season 4 of Parenthood begins next Tuesday Sept 11 @ 10 p.m. est. on NBC :O) :O) :O)

 

• While I'm talking tv shows, I'll share my latest addiction: CHOPPED on Food Network. How have I never watched this show??? Thankful for my dvr as it airs the same night/time as Parenthood.

• a new Yankee Candle

• FOOTBALL!!!

• apples w/ caramel....a favorite fall treat!!

• rainy days....just when you need an excuse to stay home!
• counting down the days....until the season ends... only 32 to go!

We Want To Know Wednesdays: Would you rather....

 {one} WYR...splurge on make-up or hairstyling? I'd probably splurge on my hair more than make-up.....I could really use a new cut, color, and style!{two} WYR...eat at fancy restaurants or eat good home cooking? This one's tough....I {love} good home cooked food, but I love eating at nice restaurants too....hmmm....since I pretty much cook everyday, I'll choose eating out! :O)
{three} WYR...go to a big city or take a relaxing cruise? take me to the big city!!! Bucket list: CHICAGO
{four} WYR... spend your money on jewelry or purses? I don't wear alot of jewelry, but when I do, I want nice jewelry.
{five} WYR... wear a dress or jeans? jeans...jeans...jeans  

Last First Day............

Last "first" day of school................today is the beginning of many last events for the upcoming year. Nathan started his senior year of high school today. I'm not sure yet how I even feel about it, I guess I should feel sad, but I don't. I think I'm just in denial...maybe? I guess since I've already been through this before with Logan, and I've seen that the next stage in their lives is such an exciting time for them, and that they will be okay once they leave home and go out on their own, it makes it a little easier for me to go through it with Nathan this year. Maybe!? I'm sure it will be a year of roller coaster emotions, filled with many bittersweet moments. I'm happy for Nathan and excited to see what the future has in store for him! He's an amazing young man and I'm sure he'll be just fine!
Have a great year Class of 2013!!!

 

Senior Year: first day 9/04/12
{picture copied from a friend}

Speaking of which.....we officially marked the dates for their SENIOR TRIP yesterday......
on Thursday DEC 13th.....they will be heading south for 4 days.......
WALT DISNEY WORLD HERE THEY COME!!!!!! :O) :O) :O)

Happy Birthday Logan!!!!

It's weird not cooking your favorite dinner or baking you a cake, and not being able to be with you to celebrate your birthday....but I know Lindsey is making sure your birthday is special!!!! You are an amazing person and we love you with all our heart!! Enjoy your day.......
HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

fishing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a new twist on S'mores.....

Back in July, after seeing an idea on Pinterest for making a list of fun things to do over the summer, I decided to make a Summer Bucket List for our family! When I first posted it on the chalkboard in our kitchen, the guys thought it was a bit silly, but it didn't take Peter long to get into it. Nathan was a bit reluctant to join in, but amazingly he's been the one who has kept reminding us about the items we have left to do. One of the things I had put on the list was to make s'mores. It was beginning to look like roasting marshmallows over a campfire just wasn't going to happen this summer, so I decided to take a different approach to making s'mores. A few days ago, I pinned a recipe for S'mores Bars, and thought we'd just switch things up a bit and do a different twist on them. Nathan & Kayla helped make them last night and they were sooooooo good! Make S'mores....check!
Here's the recipe:
S'mores Bars
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey’s)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.
Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned.
The recipe says to cool completely before cutting into bars.....although we ate them hot out the oven!