... to prove to dad that I'm not a fool.

.
Well Lane didn't exactly go back to school last week, he went for the very 1st time!! Yep, our little Laners is a big preschool boy now! All summer long I had some anxiety about this whole going to school thing. I just never thought my turn would come when it came to sending kids to school. I mean, he is supposed to be my baby forever right?! Fortunately he has the most amazing teacher and 2 really great assistance. The morning of school he was so excited to pick out what he wanted to wear and wore his backpack around the house. He ate a breakfast of champs, Eggo waffle with cream cheese and a breakfast smoothie which we should have omitted the blueberries. Purple flecked teeth are so attractive!

A few more pictures with brother than off to school. I could tell he was starting to get a little nervous in the car but hello, it's your first day of school for the rest of your life. It is allowed! There were tears shed when we got to his teacher. Then lots more when I said see you in 2 hrs and walking back to the car. Those 2 hrs flew by fast and when we went back to get him he was more than all smiles! He loved school so much he BEGGED to ride the bus home and even had a melt down when he didn't get to. Totally wasn't expected that from him. The same thing happened the next day so he really, truly wanted to ride that bus!

Today he finally got to ride the bus. Dad even made it home in time to see him. I think it's going to be a good year. I love that he has something to look forward to each week. He has been totally needing something like this for awhile.

Here are some more pics of my little rascals.

There was some silence so when I went to investigate I found a little picnic happening in my kitchen. I love the table, it's like they are on a date.

Snot can be such a drag, let alone double snot.

About once a month I will get in a baking mood and make a new recipe or dessert that is new to me. I made Monkey Bread with a cinnamon roll twist for my dad last week. It was super yummy so I want to share! However, it was a bit time consuming ( I think it's because I doubled the recipe) but well worth it!

Dough:
2 1/4 tsp or 1 packet yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1 1/4 c. warm milk
1/3 c. butter,melted
1/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
5 c. flour

Caramel sauce:
1 1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 c. butter,
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
.
Cinnamon/sugar mixture:
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tsp cinnamon

In a large bowl dissolve yeast in warm water ( I used my Bosch). Add milk, butter, sugar, eggs, salt and half of the flour (2 1/2 c.) Beat on medium speed for 3 min. Stir in remaining flour until it forms a firm dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 7-8 minutes). Place in greased bowl and turn over to get the whole dough ball greasy. Cover and let rise for about an hour or until dough doubles in size.

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and cream and bring to a boil. Stir for about 3 minutes until it's nice and melted together. Pour half into a greased fluted pan.

When dough is done, punch it down and form into 35-40 balls. In a pie pan or shallow bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Place melted butter in another bowl. Dip balls in butter, then roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place 20 or so balls in the tube pan. Top with remaining caramel and pecans. Top with remaining balls. Cover and let rise about 40 minutes, until doubled in size again. Bake at 350-degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown (if they are browning too fast you can loosely cover it with tin foil). Cool for 10 minutes, then turn up-side down onto a serving plate.

Now here is how the twist of a cinnamon roll comes in. Frosting baby!
1 stick butter, softened
1 boxes powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
milk
in mixing bowl combine butter, sugar and vanilla. Beat and add milk until desired consistency.
FYI- I made 2 batches but only had 1 bunt pan, so for one of them I used a 9x13 pan and it worked great!

It makes for a good treat, or warmed up in the microwave for an ewy gooey breakfast. Ours only lasted one day though.

.

Oh, also... I am *not* pregnant. Stephanie is (my sister Stephanie:)

Oceanside '10

.
We love this annual trip. It was a bit different this year with us staying in a new location besides North Coast Village. 1171 The Cottage by the Sea (really, that was the name on the address plaque) treated us very nicely!

We had amazing driving weather the whole way there, even starting in Mesa. Hardly ever turned on the AC.


Church

Games


5 days on the beach... our favorite. Attempting family pics and adjusting to the cold water.

Enjoying the balcony even with the ugly fake bird I was tempted to toss in the ocean every day.

Dinner and ice cream at the Harbor

hangin out


More beach




Sea World

Funnel cake and ice cream, yes please. Off to Shamu Roooocks!

Lunch on the pier

Make shift laundry basket Kan Jam = lot's o stares by onlookers.

"Marcie, I have on my fwippers. Let's go catch sharks!" For some reason we are always in CA during shark week and for some reason that's whats always on the tv.

After high tide would hit we would mosey on up to our backyard beach. Friday night we had pizza in the sunset...sigh

Picking Jefferson up at the airport. He was gone for 3 weeks on the boy scout National Jamboree. He flew in to enjoy the last few days with us.

PHIL'S!!! Need I say more.


The grand boys.

Thank You, Thank You Damnma and Grandpa!!! Each year we love making new memories with you. I think this year would have to include:

*the child proof balconies/stairway and the "close call"

*cramming 10 people into the Landshark the first few days while the suburban was in the shop

*learning to appreciate spinach leafs in our breakfast smoothies
*actually reading an entire book from the first to the last page
*Testimony and Relief Society meetings, CA style:)
*Lane at Sea World walking over to me with a Starfish in hand while I was changing Rusty's diaper on the bench. The looks of horror on the peoples faces was a classic.

.

We were sad to leave but Lane made sure to bring home sand in his ears as a souvenir. Still trying to get that out.

Wet {N} Wild Week

.
Yep, I had another birthday on Wednesday. I had to ask Casey how old he was so that I could remember how old I was turning. Turns out I am now 27. I was reminded about the joys of ageing when Melinda found 2 grey hairs while doing my weave on Tuesday. Bah, I was hoping for at least mid thirty's before I had to start worrying about that. Anywho, to make my birthday more exciting I actually got to spend it with the person I have been sharing my birthday with the past 27 years... my twin! Stephanie and Travis are here to visit for a few weeks. With a summer birthday you have to take advantage of the heat so we headed off to Wet N Wild water park in Phoenix. To make it even better we got babysitters for the whole day. It was most wonderful.

We ate brunch/lunch at Crackers first...

.
then spent the rest of the day screaming our lungs out on the "scary" rides.


We stayed till they closed then ate dinner at Gecko Grill on the way home. It was a fun birthday!


The next day was fun as well. I love spending time with Leah, Jenni and their kids. If you are wondering where mine are they were either sleeping or crying in the corner. You figure out who was who. Oh and forgive my skanky hair and makeup-less face in every picture. That's as fancy as I get in the summer.




.
With our awesome weather this past week ( I say that somewhat sarcastically) we went and tested out my birthday present Casey got me. Do you like it?! The last time I had a bike of my very own was when I was 8! I was so excited!!! Come winter we will be cruising all over the town. We picked up a cruiser for Casey yesterday and set up the bike trailer so we are set!

Haha and no this is not Casey's bike. We went for something a little bit more manly. However it matches his face pretty good:)