Happy Memorial Day!

It turned out to be a decent day, weather-wise! Lindsey & I took the kids to this playground in Coeur d'Alene and they had a blast. We will definitely make this a regular stop!

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Birthdays Tucker Me Out!

I know the feelung, Evelyn ;)

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Ev's First Birthday Party

Is this really my house? Pink, dolls, princesses... This stuff has been unfamiliar to me for so long! I'm going to have to get used to "girl" toys!

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Standing up!

She resisted for so long but she finally figured out that standing means you can reach more stuff! :)

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Poodle Cake

Ok, I'm no Martha Stewart but I still think this turned out pretty cute!

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Double Cheeseburger

I must be starting my period or something...

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Last MOPS Meeting of the Year!

I can't believe its that time of year again! Graduations, birthdays, "end of the school year" stuff. We're already wraping up spring and it feels like we haven't even begun!

Well today was our last MOPS meeting until fall. We had a wonderful tea and our babies came and sang for us! It was so cute! At least we still have the picnic :)

Looking forward to September!

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Puppysitting

Ella :)

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Lilac Parade

Last year I was going into labor...

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Stella!

So it looks like we've got another friend joining our little troup! Its gonna be fun :)

Stella & Joshua eating lunch at the bumble bee table.

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Quiche 101

I love quiche. My kids love quiche. My husband loves quiche. I mean, who doesn't LOVE quiche?! Bacon, cream, cheese, crust; you can't go wrong.

I adapted a few recipes, over time umtil I came up with one that fit our tastes. The major changes to my basic Quiche Lorraine are cooked bacon, as opposed to uncooked, and cheese. Both of which are essential, in my opionion, for a really good quiche.

So, here's my fool proof recipe for Really Good, Not Quite Quiche Lorraine:

1 refrigerated pie crust
8 slices thick cut bacon
1/2 cup grated gruyere
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup "regular" milk*
Pinch salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp nutmeg**

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Fit three strips of foil around the top of a pie tin. (Why? Because you won't want to do it when you pull it out of the oven and its 400 degres.) Remove and set aside, in one piece if you can. It will be used to protect the top of the crust from burning later in cooking.
3. Bake pie crust according to directions on box. Remove from oven replace foil. Set aside.
4. Meanwhile, snip bacon into 1/2 inch strips into a hot skillet. Half way through cooking, drain off fat. Continue cooking until crisp, remove with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel to drain remaing fat.
5. Cover bottom of pie crust with bacon, followed by the cheese.
6. Mix egg, cream, milk, salt, pepper & nutmeg. Pour into your crust over bacon & cheese.
7. Reduce heat to 375 and bake for 45 minutes.

My notes:
*The original recipe called for 1 cup heavy cream & 1 cup half and half. I thought this was dumb because you can't buy these things in one cup quanties and are therefore left with a bunch of two kinds of cream. In my recipe I increase the amount of heavy cream and just use whatever kind of milk I have in the fridge to come up with the rest. I think this way would save a little $$ too.
** Even if you don't like nutmeg, don't take it out! A proper Quiche Lorraine just isnt right without nutmeg. I promise you'll like it. If you don't you can drive by my house and throw it at me as you pass.

Final word:
The great thing about quiche is that you can add pretty much whatever you like to the cream "base." Broccoli & Cheddar? Delish! Sausage & Onion? Yes please! Tomato, Zuchini & Mozzerella? Why not! The sky's the limit so be creative and let me know your favorite combo!
Bon Appite!

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Finally it looks like May!

It looked so wonderful outside I packed up a picnic and took the kiddos to the park! I hope this sticks around!

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100!!

Ev is learning to "share." Meaning she gives you a toy, says "thank you" (duhtt-too!) and takes it back. So cute!

PS this is my 100th post! :)

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Happy Birthday Evelyn & Eric!

Its my baby's first birthday!! I can't believe how time flies. One year ago today I was looking into the face of my beautiful newborn daughter, getting to know her and falling madly in love with her.

She was scheduled (c-section) to arrive on the 17th, the day AFTER her daddy's, but she had other plans! How's that for a birthday present?!

I finally gave Eric the birthday cards Josh & I picked out LAST year...

Funny story goes: I took Josh to Walmart to finish shopping for Eric's birthday BBQ and ended up going into labor! Like who goes into labor at a Walmart?! I think there was a movie about that...

Anyway, we never gave Eric his birthday cards because we were, yah know, a little preoccupied. So, they have just been sitting on the kitchen counter for a whole year! Waiting to be given to the best husband, the best dad, my best friend.

Its so fitting that Evelyn was born the same day as her daddy. It will always be special for them.

I love you both from the bottom of my heart!

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Shoot me now.

After three days of Ev puking, our washing machine breaking (filled with half-washed puke clothes & blankets), and getting a new washer, Josh is now throwing up.

Welcome to Pukefest 2011. Admission free.

Weeeellll, in the midst of washing sheets, blankets & clothes for round 2, I walk into the laundry room and find this. (An entire bottle of laundry detergent spilled on the floor.)

I'm taking a clue from Matisse and moving to a tropical island where huts come equipt with such modern conveniences as a roof... and a floor... and thats it.

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Mommy's little angel!

She was so tuckered out she just fell asleep where she was playing. So precious!

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More bracelets

I couldn't resist another pic of the finished product! The daisey was made by Makenzie, the sunflower was made (mostly) by Josh. I think these are so cute! I'm so excited for Mother's day so I can wear mine ;)

PS I made the "pirate" ring for Josh as a surprise. I'm going to do a cupcake one for ZZ too!

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Crafty #5

I got the idea for this cute button ring and braclet set from a magazine while waiting at the kids' dentist. I made this set for my MOPS Secret Sister and thought I'd help the kids do one for a Mother's Day gift. I know, I'm helping to make my own gift but honestly, do you think Eric would do it? ;)

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My Kids :)

Even when they drive me loony, they always end up making me laugh. I love these kiddos more than the stars in the sky!

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THE shirt of the year!

The anticipation is over! Presenting the 2011 Bloomsday Finisher Tshirt! Modled by race finisher, with a time of 1 hour 12 minutes... Ms Alicia J Whitney! We're so proud of you Alicia!

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Bloomsday!

We watched Alicia in the race today! I've never watched from the sideline before. It was great!

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