It was time for a Mommy Day!

Every Saturday is "Daddy Day". We look forward to it all week and we try to fill the day with fun. Well, I'm sure that most of you can relate with me when I say I was tired of being the nagging, disciplining mom. I was tired of being the mean stepmother and Patrick being the handsome prince. So - last week Katelyn and I had a "Mommy Day".

We began the day by going bowling with several of our friends from our ward. It was so much fun. We then picked up a couple of Happy Meals from McDonalds and headed to Chicago.

We went to the Museum of Science and Industry where we only saw the things that Katelyn wanted to! We watched baby chicks hatch, we pretended to drive John Deere tractors, we played in water, but the best part of the museum was. . .

. . .when we stopped at the old fashioned Main Street for an ice cream sundae.

Yes, we ate it all!

We were able to pick up my cousin, Kaylie, who was in Chicago and went to the American Girl store and my favorite restaurant - The Grand Lux - for dinner. What a fun day!

SIX Months!

He is as sweet and good-natured as the day he was born!

FAVORITES:
Eating, splashing in the bath, sleeping, cuddling with mom, pulling Katelyn's hair, giggling, smiling, and eating some more

I'll do my best to not let him become too much of a mommy's boy, but I sure do love this little guy!

(I might be a little tainted by the fact that he has yet to hit me, throw a temper tantrum in the middle of a store, call me "stupid mom", or throw his food on the floor because it wasn't cut up just right - not that Katelyn would do any of those things!)

Little Performer

Katelyn loves to sing and she'll sing for anyone! I often joke that her life is a musical.

The other day she came to me holding the Primary Children's Songbook turned to the page with a picture of the temple and said, "Mom, I found my favorite song. I need you to play it for me so I can sing." She learned this song while in Rexburg this year because to get to Grandma Laurie's house you pass the new Rexburg Temple and she would sing it EVERY time we passed.

I had to share because it really is sweet (and because I'm pretty proud that she's still in Nursery and knows all the words!) I'm just sorry that we didn't record it so you didn't have to see me! :)

Zucchini

If any of you planted zucchini this year, there's a strong possibility that it is currently coming out of your ears! Personally, my hopes of having tons of zucchini were dashed by the family of bunnies that live in our backyard, but thanks to our friends, Shane & Meredith, I was able to get my hands on a couple of large zucchini.

SO - the reason I bring this up at all is because I have a recipe that needs sharing in the event that you might have an extra zucchini on your hands. I actually shred and freeze mine so I can make this recipe all year long! This is the best chocolate cake recipe I have ever made!

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE (seriously you had to know it had something to do with chocolate)
From Aunt Marilyn

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup oil
2 cups zucchini, peeled and grated
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup cocoa
1 Tbsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and bake for 25-35 minutes at 350 or until toothpick comes out clean. Frost with favorite chocolate frosting. (I use Betty Crocker instead of making my own!)

Hope you enjoy!

Today. . .

I realize that I have an entire summer worth of updating to do, BUT . . . I didn't want to let today go by without shouting out. . .

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, PATRICK!!!

I, for one, am thrilled to welcome you into the 30-something crowd! Thanks for being such a wonderful husband & father! We love you!!!

Hurry home! Here's what's waiting for you. . .

. . .presents that Katelyn can hardly keep from opening - even though she wrapped them herself using an entire roll of tape, AND. . .




. . . two really cute kids who can't wait to have a birthday party! In fact, they are both napping in preparation for the big event (you'd think it was my birthday)!