The Ranch

Ever since I was in middle school, an annual trip to the Linkenhoger Ranch, where my uncle is the foreman has occurred at Easter.  This year, we decided to postpone our trip until Memorial Day, so we could stay longer and not be rushed to get home.  The trip came at a great time- we really needed to just get away and do a whole lot of nothing!  By "nothing," I mean a whole lot of relaxing stuff that just makes you happy!  Elizabeth and Elaine did great on the 6 hour car ride (minus the puking incident caused by excess congestion, but even then, Elaine took it like a champ!).  The girls had a blast playing with Aunt Cheryl!  Let's see...

There was the Slip and Slide,

The swimming pool

The fishing pole,

The golf cart,

The cows,

The turkey,

The chocolate cake,

The strawberry (ELAINE LIKED A FRUIT!),

The Wii, the Fire (yes, fire dept came and everything!), the rattle snake, the fishing trip,the gummy worms, the chalk, the markers, and an assortment of other things didn't make the camera, but definitely made some great memories!

Thanks Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Trey for a great weekend!

It's A Keeper- May

Yes, I realize I failed to post a recipe in April, so I may try to post two this month... we'll see- no promises!!!  This recipe is a VERY simple one from my days as a counselor at Pine Cove.  Once a week, the girl counselors would get together for our own Bible study and time of accountability.  I do not remember one of these sessions without Apple Dip!  Unfortunately it has been a few years since those days, and that delicious recipe escaped me.  Then, a few weeks ago, I sat looking at a fruit bowl full of apples and needing a little extra something to go with my apple for the day.  The need for apple dip returned!!!  After a long overdue phone conversation with my sweet Sarah, I had my recipe.  In the 3 minutes following that conversation, Apple Dip was made and enjoyed greatly by Elizabeth and me!  I hope you enjoy this delicious treat as much as we have been!

Apple Dip

Ingredients:

Equal parts of-

Peanut Butter (we are big fans of Skippy Natural!)

Cream Cheese (I used the fat free stuff that I had on hand)

Brown Sugar (you can decrease the amount of this if it is too sweet for you)

Milk (just a little if it is too thick) 

I keep mine in a tupperware in the fridge.

Hope you enjoy!

11 months

Elaine, Elaine, Elaine!  11 months... this shouldn't be!! It is so crazy to me that in just a few weeks we will be celebrating Elaine's first birthday.  She is growing up so much and gaining so much independence; I am realizing that there are so many instances where she just doesn't need me like she used to!  Elaine is becoming more vocal and loves to imitate Lizzie, especially when she is singing or laughing. Elaine can point to her head, show you her tongue (blow raspberries), and clap her hands when you ask her to.  Lainie hugs are so wonderful, and she has just recently started making the kiss sound when you give her a kiss- she is still my snuggler! She eats pretty much whatever we eat, except she still despises fruit other than applesauce (although I have snuck in some other fruit flavored applesauce which she has done ok with.  Graham crackers are a new fave... Kyleigh likes them too!   Although Elaine isn't acting like walking is very interesting yet, she is cruising a lot and climbing whenever she gets the opportunity!  Lainie is quite spunky and has recently decided that being confined is not for her- this means she puts up a fight getting buckled in the high chair, in the stroller, in the car seat, and in a shopping cart!  Yup, I now know what it is like to be "that mom" in a store with a screaming child :) Thanks Elaine!   We love our sweet Elaine and all of the Joy that she exudes! Elaine is sooo busy that most of my pics of her end up being of the back of her head!  Here are a few pics that I happened to snap of her pretty little face:)

Sister LOVE!

Haha! I have her trapped!

On the move!

 What is Sissy doing?

Busy!

Giddy up!

Friends!