National Peanut Butter Day

We'd never heard of national peanut butter day, but it seemed like a good excuse to make cookies! Izzy and Dylan had a lot of fun rolling the cookie dough into balls and covering them with sugar. Even more than that, they loved squishing the mini peanut butter cups into the hot, fluffy dough. I found the recipe on delish.com, but it's actually from Martha Stewart Living. For any of you out there that can't have peanuts, I'm sure you could substitute SunButter in this recipe. It might even taste better. Happy Peanut Butter day!

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies

1/2 cup(s) creamy peanut butter
4 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup(s) packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
1/3 cup(s) granulated sugar, for rolling dough
36 mini peanut butter cups, chilled and unwrapped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using an electric mixer, cream peanut butter and butter in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add brown sugar; beat until combined, scraping down bowl as needed. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until incorporated.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture in two batches.
Scoop off dough by the tablespoon; roll into balls. Place granulated sugar on a plate; roll balls in sugar, coating completely. Place 2 inches apart on a nonstick insulated baking sheet.
Bake until cookies begin to puff up slightly, about 7 minutes. Remove from oven. Press one peanut butter cup in center of each cookie. Return to oven; continue baking until cookies are golden brown and chocolate has begun to melt, about 6 minutes more. Let cool at least 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring cookies to rack to cool completely.

Dylan's Big Day

Dylan was baptized on Sunday. It was a wonderful day filled with family, friends, and lots and lots of sugar! Thank you to everyone who came and supported Dylan on his special day!

Christmas 2011

As busy as our December was, Christmas day was just the opposite. It was peaceful and lovely and simple. We opened gifts, sat by the fire, and ate all day long.



Isabelle got the dollhouse she wanted



and Dylan got a Red Rider BB gun. I'll let you guess how many times he's heard "you'll shoot your eye out kid"!



Here's hoping you had a wonderful Christmas, and wishing you the best for 2012!

The Big 8

Angry Birds was the big thing for Dylan's birthday...he got pillows, stuffed animals, bean bags, a hat, and even a blanket. Score! He had a great birthday and celebrated for at least a week (I've taught him well). Thanks to everyone who made it special. It's hard to have a birthday 4 days before Christmas, and it can be really easy to forget or lump it in with the holiday craziness. All of our friends and family are so sweet and go out of their way to make his day separate and amazing. What a lucky boy! Thank you all :)

Bear Hugs!

The kids got to help out at Bear Hugs for Christmas this year. Luke has the opportunity to organize and participate in so many charitable activities and events throughout the year, but especially during Christmas. Izzy and Dylan were able to spend the morning with a darling little girl. We had breakfast, met Santa Claus and the Jazz Bear, and shopped for Christmas. Too much fun! She got new pajamas, a remote control truck, a barbie, and a new notebook to color in. She was an absolute doll, and the kids were smiling as big as she was!

Did you see that Bobcat?

Dylan earned his Bobcat in scouts. He is so excited about it! So far, Jerry has taught Dylan how to:
*Tuck in his shirt (thank you)
*Milk a cow (without gagging or crying)
*Memorize
*Rake leaves (without complaining)
...and so much more! We are looking forward to pinewood derbies, campouts, and all of the other great stuff that comes along with the scouting program. For anyone who knows Dylan's eating habits, you'll be impressed to know that at the pack meeting, Dylan and his friend Ashton won the pie eating contest! His face kind of indicates his level of discomfort, but it's amazing what that boy will do in the name of scouts!

Sorry about the blurry photo...he was eating really fast!

Happy Halloween

I'm a bit late posting Halloween photos, but better late than never, right?