Best Visitors Ever!

My sister and her family came for a quick visit and we loved having them here! Elliana was a little nervous around us at first but warmed up quickly to Mackenzie who kept bringing her toys. She is growing so fast and it felt so good to snuggle her again!

I couldn't just pick one of these photos, I love them all.  Check out the love on Mackenzie's face!

She had to line up all the balls for E and show her everything!

We sure love our sweet Elliana!

Camping

We went on our annual camping trip with my Dad's whole family and we had another great time. The kids keep getting easier so every year has been more fun.  I didn't take too many pictures this time, which I'm mad about!  Go back to the following posts to see previous trips.

2011

2012 part 1 

2012 part 2

I could have sworn we started this camping trip in 2010, but I couldn't find any pictures - unless I just didn't blog about it - maybe I'm delusional.

On the road - ready for camping!

Morning breakfast on our cabin deck was the same every day - and so delicious!  But when you're camping, isn't it awesome how good all the food tastes?

Rylan found out that Native American items like arrowheads and other tools had been found in the area and wanted to search for some himself. So he and Nick went down by the river to look for a couple hours. They didn't find any arrowheads, but came home with some neat rocks.

I love that picture because he still looks little to me. Unlike this one - which was taken the day before - looks like a senior picture!

Mackenzie showing Great Grandma how the iPad works

Mackenzie cheering for Grandma playing bean bag toss

 

The rest of the cheering section

Acey-boy

Relaxing

I tried to make up for my lack of photos by taking a whole bunch of a volleyball game on the last day.  Here are the best ones.

We take breaks from volleyball to swing little cousins around too!

S'mores Bars

I made these last week and they were SO good! Delicious right from the oven all warm and gooey, but also so good when they're cooled and the topping gets a little crunchier.  The recipe was originally posted here.

Smores Bars

1 cup butter, soft
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups marshmallow creme (I used 2 - 7 oz - jars.  Slightly more than 2 cups, but you might as well empty 2 jars)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Beat butter and brown sugar till light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and egg. Stir in flour, crumbs, baking powder, and salt. Press half in a well greased 9×13" pan that has been lined with parchment paper or foil. (I just buttered the pan well and it was fine) Use the back of a wet spoon to spread the marshmallow creme over the crust. (I didn't know this trick about a wet wooden spoon and marshmallow cream - worked like a charm - but I had to keep getting it wet)  Sprinkle chips over the marshmallow layer. Drop the remaining dough over the top in small spoonfuls. It's totally fine if the filling is showing. Bake at 350° for 30-32 minutes.

Pumpkin Head

A stray cat showed up at my parents farm that's very tame and when we went to visit you can imagine how much fun Mackenzie had!

My parents thought Rylan and Mackenzie should name him but Rylan didn't show much interest so Mackenzie decided on Pumpkin Head.

I couldn't believe how calm this cat was - he didn't care at all how many ways Mackenzie carried him.

My heart definitely softened a bit watching her with Pumpkin Head but not quite enough to offer to take him home. 😊 For now, this arrangement is perfect for us!

Our Kind Of Fancy

We had a 'fancy' dinner the other night - complete with chocolate milk in champagne glasses and a few candles on the table!

It made me realize that we don't have much for a 'fancy' table setting so I might have to fix that. And we will definitely be doing this again - the kids thought it was so fun! I think I'll make everyone dress up next time too!

Just A Library?

Our library is great! We go every week and theres always more to do than just pick out books and movies. We play on the pirate ship, read in the bean bags, talk to the fish, check on the caterpillars' growth (but then we missed a week and now they are gone - must've had a short incubation in their cocoons) build with gigantic legos or play computer games. A couple weeks ago - here's what the kids built.

The Brown's

We had our annual golf scramble and BBQ with all the Brown's recently.  We all had a great time and all the little boys had so much fun playing backyard baseball together.

I think the big boys had just as much fun playing with them!

Water break in the outfield!

Mackenzie is the oldest girl so she enjoyed playing with them too - but didn't last as long.

With a dropped ball - he's safe!!!

Connie and Russ with 10 of their 15 great grandchildren!  So much fun!