Thursday, June 9, 2011

We Love Monkey Bread!

Have you ever eaten Monkey Bread? Or should I say, have you ever heard of Monkey Bread? I knew nothing about the recipe until 3 years ago when I was introduced to it at a church breakfast potluck. It was so delicious! I knew it would be something our family would enjoy....

One of our families favorite dinner meals is breakfast! And last night we had just that for dinner: Breakfast. I cooked up some sausage burritos and bacon. And of course, the meal wouldn't be complete without Monkey Bread dessert.

Here it is, fresh out of the oven, and cooling while we eat dinner.

Ashlan is making her sausage burrito!

Kate is trying to eat her dinner despite her father being silly and annoying her!

Kate devouring her meal, knowing dessert is next!

Dessert Time! I have always just placed the Bread in front of them and let them dig in until they are stuffed!

And now it's time to dig in!!!


If you're interested in this recipe, you'll need:

3 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease one 9 or 10 inch tube/Bundt® pan.
Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag.
Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix.
Arrange pieces in the bottom of the prepared pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan.
If using nuts and raisins, arrange them in and among the biscuit pieces as you go along.
In a small saucepan, melt the margarine with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute.
Pour over the biscuits.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes.
Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate.
Do not cut! The bread just pulls apart.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Her Ears Have Been Pierced

Ashlan has wanted her ears pierced for years!!!! I initially told her she needed to wait till she was 12. That's how old I had to be before I could get that done. She was okay with that up until recently. For at least the past 6 months, she was been pleading with me to let her get it done. I was torn between holding with my initial rule of age 12 or giving in at the age of 7.

Well, as you can tell by the title of this post, I gave in. She had a great 1st grade year, was on her best behavior at school, never gave me much trouble with homework, did fantastic on her spelling tests.....so I figured I would give in on the rule... (Should I be ashamed???)))

I had to take one last picture of my baby girls perfectly intact ears with no holes!!!

Her dad, sister, and I all headed to the ear piercing place. Ashlan was so ready to get this done! She didn't hesitate for a second even though she knew there would be pain involved. The lady is showing her earrings here...

On the count of 5.....1.2..3..4..PIERCE.

Not a tear fell or a sound heard! We were impressed with her calm reaction!
She's getting a quick cleaning before we leave

Happy Girl! She picked out little diamonds since she wanted her birthstone! April=Diamonds

Her support system (minus me who is behind the camera)

Filling out her certificate!!

Listening and learning about how to keep her ears infection free!



She is so happy she got her ears pierced! You did great, Ashlan!!

Presidential Award

Katie has graduated from elementary school....onto middle school now!!! She had several accomplishments this year! She has been in the accelerated program (PACE) since 3rd grade and has kept high A's all three years! She was commended on all her TAKS tests and was 1 of 8 5th graders in her school to get the President's Educational Award! So proud of her and very thankful that she ENJOYS school and learning!!!

Holding her Presidential Award


A very proud father!!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Rainbow Party

I was so excited when Ashlan picked her theme for her birthday party this year - RAINBOW!

Here she is in the entry under the Rainbow Arch...


I found these bright rainbow bandanas which I used to wrap up the kids party favors... And a cloud Thank You tag


The Food Table


Instead of cake, we decided to do cupcakes (easier to eat around the pool)

Rainbow Chocolate Covered Oreos

Rainbow Fruit Kebobs

Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats

Rainbow Sprinkled Pretzels

Colored Cones full of popcorn

Snowcone Machine

My friend made me these water bottle labels!

Sweet Sisters

Our little family




Blowing out a candle while we sing Happy Birthday

A good reminder to DREAM BIG!