Happy 4th!!

I saw these cute Firecracker Favors and thought they would be a cute addition to our festivities for the Fourth of July. They're super easy to make. Start out with mailing tubes that have plastic lids on top. Cut some red, white, and blue paper and ribbon to size and apply them to tubes with the adhesive of your choice. Then apply a star on the outside of each tube. Poke a slit in the top of the lids, and insert paper "fuses" into each hole. Fill with red, white, and blue candy and ta-da! A super cute, inexpensive favor that everyone will love I'm sure.


Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle

1/4 c. plus 1/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 store-bought pound cake (12 oz), cut into 3/4 inch thick slices
1 bar (8 oz) reduced fat cream cheese, room temp.
1 c. heavy cream
3 c. fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained
3 c. fresh raspberries (or strawberries)

1) Make lemon syrup by bringing 1/4 c. sugar, lemon juice, and 1/4 c. water to boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let cool completely, then brush over both sides of cake slices. Quarter each slice.
2) Beat cream cheese with sugar on high speed until lightened. With mixer on medium speed, gradually add heavy cream in a steady stream; continue beating until mixture is light and airy (mixture will be like a very soft whipped cream).
3) Arrange half the cake pieces in the bottom of a 2-qt serving dish. Spoon half the cream-cheese mixture over cake in dollops; spread to sides of dish. Scatter half the blueberries and raspberries on top. Repeat layering with remaining cake, cream-cheese mixtures, and berries.
4) Cover, refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

a day at the park

We had my sisters, Kylie & Brooke come spend the day with us and had a fun little picnic at a park up in Farmington. Zac loves his aunts! And I can't blame him, they're the best babysitters, playmates, and little sisters around! Love you girls...

In a Nutshell...

I've been wanting to start a blog for myself for a few months now...and I'm so excited to finally be able to sit down and do it! I have loved looking at other people's blogs and seeing what they're up to...so I thought this would be a fun way to share some of my ideas and let everyone see what's going on in this life of mine!

Obviously, this last month has been busy and so great for our little family. Emerson is already six weeks old and is growing so fast, I can't believe that she's almost outgrown half her wardrobe! Zac loves having a little sister to watch over, and I'm enjoying more and more my role as a mom. Life has been good to me...and just keeps getting better! I'm learning that life is much too short to get bogged down by the little things. Life is meant to be enjoyed, to find happiness, and do everything you dream of doing. It's a journey, and I want mine to be a great one!

So here's the beginning of my little blog--my life in a nutshell...

Father's Day...

My kids are so lucky to have such a great dad...Chad is everything a dad should be and more! Not only is he the perfect pal for Zac, but he's a great provider...and super cute!

I had a fun time putting these ties together to hang on the wall for the occasion...they turned out pretty cute I think! :)

Chocolate Chippers

My most favorite chocolate chip cookies ever!!! Hope you like 'em!





3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 cube butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 c. flour (1 c. white, 1 c. wheat)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pkg. milk chocolate chips {the big ones are best!}

Mix sugars, butter, eggs, & almond extract. Add baking soda & salt; mix in flour; add chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.