Oh how I love my chubba-lub.

This face just kills me.

Kills. Me.

Sidewalk Paint

I've been trying to find some fun, inexpensive activities to do with Taylor on these fantastic, sunny days before the weather gets so hot that we end up hibernating again. While scanning Pinterest I found a simple recipe for homemade sidewalk paint and I just had to try it.

Basically all you do is mix water with cornstarch to make a watery white mixture. Then you divide the "paint" into small plastic containers or a muffin tin and dye each one using basic food coloring. Break out the foam brushes and go to town!


Taylor had lots of fun, and Mommy did too! It was neat to draw shapes with sidewalk chalk and then fill them in with paint. We'll definitely be doing this again.

27!

Yes ladies and gentlemen, today I am 27 years old.
And every time I think about it I laugh because this clip runs through my mind:

I'm not like most women in that my age doesn't bother me. I've never had an issue with getting older and I actually look forward to getting older and (hopefully!) wiser. We're not doing much for my birthday this year because we're saving for our Seattle trip in August, but that'll be a great belated birthday present!

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! Love you all!

I dare you...

...not to smile at these pictures.

Sometimes I have the
Best.
Life.
Ever.

Nine Years!

Nine years ago today I married the most amazing man in the world.


In the past nine years we've had...

Two adorable children.
Three months of chemotherapy.
Four years of college.
Five road trips.
Five speeding tickets.
Eight cars.
Nine moves.

And too many adventures to count!

Sean, I love you more than I can possibly put into words.
We've had our ups and downs but I know that I wouldn't want to
spend my life with anyone else but you.
You are the most
amazing, loving, devoted, loyal, kind, sexy, compassionate man I know
and I absolutely, positively adore you.
I love you, sweetheart!

S'mores Cookie Bars

I hesitated to join Pinterest because I knew it would be severely addicting, and I was most definitely right. I really love it though - it allows me to organize potential craft projects, yummy looking recipes, and inspirational pictures.

One of the recipes I found last week: S'mores Cookie Bars. If there's one dessert that epitomizes Summer it's s'mores, and I was so super excited to try out this recipe. I definitely wasn't disappointed! These bars are so delicious, super rich, and simple to make. I thought I'd share the recipe and spread the yumminess.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 king-sized milk chocolate bars (e.g. Hershey’s)

1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.

Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 2 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Things I love about Summer.

1. Puddle Jumping

2. Sidewalk Chalk

3. Muddy Hands

4. Messy Faces

5. Swings

6. Dirty Feet

7. Flip Flops

8. Happy Chubby Babies

9. Wildflowers

10. Carnival Rides

11. Snowcones

12. Dirt Digging

13. Stroller Rides

14. Summer Love

15. Slides

16. Sunglasses

17. Naked Babies

18. Playing with Friends

...and more to come!
What I'm looking forward to in the next couple of months:
fireworks, barbecues, visiting with old friends, parades, and road trips.

I love Summer!!