Fun photo

I haven't written in a long time. I don't have much time to write now, but I will post a fun photo from Rob's and my trip to San Diego this summer. Enjoy!

A love note from my four year old . . .

MOMI LOVE YOU KRISTA HUNT --I LOVE YOU MOMGRANDMA SAYS HI TOO AND I LOVE YOU TOO!YOU ARE THE GREATEST MOM EVER!LOVE,ALEXA

aaaahh :)

Girls vs. Boys, Part 1

I took 19 month old Rachel and Cole to a shoe store today and let them out of their stroller. Rachel tried on at least 8 pairs of kids shoes as well as a few pair of ladies' shoes. Cole kept the one pair of black shoes on almost the entire time. He did try a couple of pair of ladies' shoes - just like playing in my closet at home.

Free Shipping

Just a note to go along with my Lands End sweatshirt note, they have free shipping from on-line orders for the next five days. Good time to stock up if you need any sweatshirts or anything else. www.landsend.com Don't forget to check out their 'overstocks' too - clearance stuff . . . my favorite.

Dessert Recipe

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

½ c butter or margarine, softened
1 ½ c sugar
3 eggs
½ c vegetable oil
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 ¾ c all-purpose flour
¼ c baking cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 c shredded zucchini
1 c chopped walnuts, optional
½ c semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in oil and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Fold in zucchini and walnuts if desired.

Spread into greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

This is something else I made last week and while I was typing up the recipe for someone who asked for it, I thought I would post it here as well. It is yummy and healthy, of course, because it has a vegetable in it! Right?!

Favorite Clothes Item for Kids

I don't do much ordering of clothes, but I do love Lands End sweatshirts for kids. They cost more than I would normally spend on kids' clothes (I am really cheap!), but they are durable. I bought Robbie some two years ago and they still are in great shape- good enough for the rest of the crew down the line. They have several colors and sizes 2T and up, and they often have free shipping sales on-line. You can even keep an eye on their "overstocks" department for close out colors/sizes.

Another yummy recipe

. . . this time for COWBOY COOKIES. I got this one out of Family Fun magazine, and they seem to be a hit - especially in the Cowboy Training Room.

Ingredients:
2 c oats
2 c flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 c unsalted butter
1 c packed light brown sugar
3/4 c sugar
2 eggs, at room temp
1 tsp vanilla
2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c chopped walnuts

Directions:
1) Stir dry ingredients
2) Blend butter and sugars until smooth (approx 2 min). Add eggs and best until fluffy (approx 1 1/2 min). Blend in vanilla.
3) Using wooden spoon, stir dry mixture into butter mixture one half at a time. Mix in chips and nuts. Refrigerate dough for 1-2 hours.
4) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large (light colored) baking sheet with foil; then grease foil.
5) Using 1/4 cup per cookie, shape dough into balls and place on sheet about 2 inches apart.
6) Using fingers, flatten each ball to 1/3 inch thick. Bake for 13-14 minutes turning sheet halfway through. Cookies are done when lightly browned and still look moist.
7) Cool on sheet 2-3 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen big cookies