Weekend pics

On Saturday we spent time with family in Ste. Gen. We visited with Grandma and Grandpa Abt and even had time to stop in and see Great-Grandma Strubbe. After our visit, Darrell and I took Jack to his first winery.(we're such good parents!) We met my good friend Christy and her boyfriend Jim at The Cave Wineryhttp://www.cavevineyard.com/. This winery is very cool. It sits on top of this big cave and they have this little tram that will take you into the cave and come back to pick you up. Which is great because you go down with a bottle and then you have to attempt to climb back up the hill after! Darrell was my designated driver so I was able to enjoy a bottle of their Norton with Christy. We had a good time catching up and decided we need to do it again, but I think we'll find a babysitter next time!

Foodie Fridays

In honor of the holiday weekend and the sad end of summer, I thought I would do a true summer recipe for this week. It's an easy one, but soooooo yummy!

Summer Smores

Graham Crackers
Marshmellows
Hershey's Chocolate Bar

Outdoors: Break graham cracker in half. Break chocolate bar in half. Stack graham cracker and chocolate bar and set aside. Place marshmellow on fire safe stick and toast over fire pit until desired temp. Remove marshmellow from stick onto stacked graham cracker and cover with other half of cracker. Eat quickly, repeat!

Indoors: Layer graham cracker, chocolate bar, marshmellow, and other 1/2 of cracker on a microwave safe plate. Cook in microwave for 12 sec. Eat quickly and repeat!

traffic rant

I am quilty of talking on my cell phone while driving, however I keep it short and to the point and stay focused on the road. While driving home today I watched an idiot driver talk on the phone from 270 & Ladue all the way to Hwy 40 and K. This idiot was speeding and swirving in and out of the traffic lanes without using a blinker of any kind. At one point he had to swirve to the curb to avoid hitting another car because HE wasn't paying attention. Did he get off the phone, noooooooo. He continued to talk. What could possible be that important? And if it is that important, pull off to the side of the road and give your full attention to the person on the phone.

I know we live in a culture that is cell phone dependant now, but when you get on the road and make other driver feel unsafe it's time to hang up. I so wanted to follow the driver and give him a piece of my mind but I had to pick up Jack.

Fieldtrip

Yesterday I took my boys on a field trip to Laumeier Sculpture Park http://www.laumeier.com/

Darrell had never been to the park and I haven't been in about 10 years so I thought we should visit it again. I have found that since we have become parents that I try to plan things that are kid friendly and free in case we have to make a quick exit due to Jack's mood. Jack had a good day so we were able to check out almost all of the exhibits and I think Darrell even enjoyed it.

The park is made up of large scale pieces of art mostly made from steel or other weather tolerant materials. If you get the chance, I would visit.

We have Lift-Off!

My sweet baby boy has figured out how to crawl!!!!! He has been scooting on his butt for about a month, so we knew it was just a matter of time before he figured it out. He doesn't go very far before he rolls back into the sitting position, but if he see's something he wants, watch out. He has found such delight in scooting toward Henry and watching him freak out. It's so funny to watch! So now Darrell and I get the fun job of baby proofing the house. All the plugs get plugged. All the breakables get put up. And the baby gates go up!

No more sitting down...I'll be running after Jack!!!!

Foodie Fridays

Good Morning Casserole

1/2 Cup Green pepper chopped
1/2 Cup Red onion chopped
1/2 Cup butter
2 Cups cooked ham, cubed
10 Slices of white bread, cubed
3 Cups shredded cheese
6 Eggs
2 Cups milk

In skillet, melt butter and cook ham, green peppers and onion until tender.
Place cooked mixture in 13x9 baking dish and top with bread.
Sprinkle 2 cup of cheese over mixture
Beat eggs & milk; flavor with salt & pepper to taste. Pour over bread.
Top with remaining cheese
Cover and refridgerate overnight.
Bake at 300 for 1 hour.

Jack Goes to the Zoo

Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather we're having here in St. Louis and headed to the St. Louis Zoo with our friends Susan, Jason, and Mason. We are very lucky to have such an awesome and beautiful attraction in our city that is free!

We took in most of the animals, including the new tiger cubs that we're born in April. Jack didn't seem to notice much, but did enjoy the choo choo train when it came through the Zoo. So here are some pic's from Jack's 1st trip to the Zoo.

Foodie Friday

First I wanna say thanks for lunch to a good friend, who I haven't seen in months!!! Love you.

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

1-8oz pkg. of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 cup mini choc. chips
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Mix cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until smooth
Blend in powdered sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla
Mix 3/4 cup of mini choc. chip into cream cheese mixture
Cover and place in refridgerator for 1 hour
Remove from refriderator and shape into ball
Roll ball in remaining mini choc. chips and chopped pecans
Serve w/ cinnamon graham crackers

Yummy!!! And I know it seems really unhealty, but I have substituted fat free cream cheese and it still tastes really good!

Foodie Fridays

Foodie Fridays are back... This ones for dinner tomorrow night.

Orange Juice Chicken

6 BLSL Chicken Breasts
1/4 Cup Orange Juice
1/4 Cup Veg. oil
2 tbsp. Honey
1 tsp. dried basil(use fresh if available)
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
1/2 tsp grated orange zest
Salt and pepper to taste

Place all is a zip lock bag, shake well to coat, and refridgerate over night
Grill until juice runs clear.

Enjoy!

Pics of Jack and Henry

I promised earlier that I would get pictures up and so here they are. We had minor computer difficulties over the weekend and I was unable to post until today.

Enjoy!

Babies

What is it about babies that make most of us with kids just melt. I see an itty bitty baby now and I turn into one of those women who just want to giggle and coo at them. I spent the afternoon with my good friend Colleen at BRUs helping her register for her little who is due in November. I have to say I love going into that store. Except that I always leave with a new little something for Jack every time! Today it was some new clothes and a new interactive toy, all on clearance! But anyway, we strolled up and down the aisles scanning all the "must haves" for her little one. It was fun. And I found myself missing that rush of knowing you're going to have a baby. Now I'm not anywhere near ready for another one, but just the thought makes me smile.
That sweet baby smell is like the smell of turkey on Thanksgiving. You just can't get enough of it. I have come to love that newborn little cry that used to be like nails on a chalk board. I have also noticed that, even though I am not holding Jack, I will sway back and forth with my arms folded when I am talking to someone or if I am just standing in church. They must think I am crazy or that I have to pee.
It's all because I have had one I'm sure, because I was not like this before I had Jack. At least i don't think I was.