Clapping Cousins!

Our girls had a blast this past weekend playing clapping games with their cousin. They were so cute! Their favorite game was called Concentration. It was hysterical watching them come up with topics and maintain those topics while they clapped in rhythm. Such multi-taskers!

Who Has More Fun Than People?!?!

We've been having a great time in the high hills of Wisconsin with 50 other family members and friends. As my father in-law says, "Who has more fun than people?!?"

Hugs,

Melissa

Our family:

Cousin Reunion!

I am sure that you will all agree that there is really nothing more cute than tiny hugging cousins!

Especially cousins who have not seen each other in months. Even at such a young age these tiny people miss each other when we are apart.

Hugs,

Melissa

Monkey's First Airplane Ride!

I love getting to watch our kids' reactions to first time experiences. The wonder, excitement, and curiosity just shines on their faces.

As I type this, I am watching our youngest one delight in his first airplane ride. He is looking out the window and asking if we can go higher :-).

I still remember my first airplane ride. I was 5 years old and we were going to visit my great grandparents in Arizona. My mom dressed my sister and I in really cute dresses and fixed our hair just so. Flying back then was a really big deal. All the flight attendants seemed so glamorous. The pilots were like super heroes to me.

I love those childhood memories and I love making new memories with our children.

Hugs,

Melissa

Cotton Candy Capers

The little guy recently tried some cotton candy for the very first time.

When I first handed it to him and told him to taste it, he looked at me like I was crazy.

As he tentatively tasted the cotton candy and he realized what a treat it was, he was hooked.

Five minutes later, the sugar kicked in and that little guy was full of cotton candy craziness! His big sister was a happy participant too.

We have created a couple of cute little cotton candy monsters.

Hugs,

Melissa

Independence Day!!!

Happy Birthday America!!!  Today my heart is more full of pride than usual.  I am proud to be an American!

I am thankful for the men and women like our founding fathers and my grandfather who served our country and sacrificed so much so that we can live in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave".  I want to thank our service men and women (and their families) who are standing in harm's way today so that we can celebrate our country's birthday and freedom. What a privilege it is!!!

Let freedom ring!!!

Hugs,

Melissa

My Date with a Monkey

I took a little monkey on a date today.

We had a lot of fun at Chik-fil-A.

He got a new haircut and I must say,

He melts my heart in the best way.

Watermelon Gone Wild!

Late last night I wanted a snack.  We were watching The Artist (fantastic!) and I just felt like eating something sweet, spicy, salty and oh yeah, maybe a little smokey (I have very specific cravings).

So, I thought to myself, "What about wedges of watermelon with a little sea salt sprinkled on?"

And, I answered myself, "Yes, that's a good start, but what about that spicy-smokey favor?  We need something smokey and spicy"  (We needs it! My precious!)

Then, I remembered that we have some really amazing, super-spicy and smokey chipotle powder from Penzeys.  Score!!!

Watermelon wedges, with a sprinkling of ground sea salt and a light dusting of chipotle powder equals perfection!

You should try it!

Hugs,

Melissa

Are You Achin for Some Bacon...Ice Cream?

Raise your hand if you like bacon.

Raise your hand if you like ice cream.

Raise your hand if you think that I like food waaaaay to much. Put your hand down.  I thought that we were friends.

What if you could take ice cream and bacon and mix them all up. Strange! You say? Yum! I say.

I made some homemade maple bacon ice cream this past weekend and it was amazing!  That smokey bacony goodness blended with sugary maple loveliness...

I will share the recipe with you, but first you have to take back that you think I am waaaay to into food.

Okay we're good and here's the recipe:

Take a quarter gallon of heavy cream, mix in one cup of pure maple syrup and one fourth cup of bacon grease. Put the mixture in your ice cream maker and mix per the manufacture's instructions.

Serve over homemade waffles or eat it by the spoonful.

This is a very rich, heavy ice cream so a little goes a long way. Enjoy!

Hugs,

Melissa