Holding Hands

Tali and Sage hold hands all the time now and it is incredibly adorable.

Sometimes it takes them a minute to figure out how to hold each other's hands and then they are off!

Can I just fall in love with their friendship?

So sweet.

We have to watch though that Tali doesn't start dragging Sage behind her. She just moves a little easier and a little faster.

We told them to run and they did.

This was right as Sage fell down. She was tough and didn't even cry.

James up on the slide.

We like playgrounds just as much as kids do.

I love these two pictures of Sage on the swing and her lack of expression lol.

This part of the play ground is scary... at least for a mom... that worries a lot.

For some reason, I love seeing Tali trying to climb up slides. It's kind of an adventurous thing to do (at least for Tali).

I kept telling her that she didn't need to hold her one arm up so high while holding on, but she didn't listen to me.

Tali picked a flower for Daddy, then Mommy, then Aunt Jen, and then Sage.

But not uncle Bryson lol.

Here you go, Sage.

Raden on the swing. Don't you just love his hat?

I think this picture is sweet, with Jen and Raden.

Uncle Bryson started burying a bug under wood chips.

This got the girls attention.

Wish we had brought some bread :(

Tali didn't understand why they wouldn't eat her pebbles.

They were cracking each other up... pretty funny!

Packing in the three cousins (Raden didn't make the picture for some reason) to go shopping.

Quick visit from Poppie.

We celebrated Sage's birthday that night.

Jen's cake was... charming :)

Parts of it collapsed, but I think it's better this way anyway.

I do really like the frosting color and sprinkles.

The party animals.

Haha.

That's all!

Playing In The Dark

Two weeks ago, we went up to Logan to spend time with my parents and my sister and her family, who were visiting. We had a fun night hanging out by the "hollow" (that's what I've heard a few call it) by my parents home.

Tali and Sage got in the tire swing together. This lasted a whole minute. lol

Sage was really excited, as you can tell by looking at her face. Tali... not so sure.

Tali has a blast whenever she's playing outside.

Bryson, taking Sage out for a swing.

Bryson taking Tali out for a swing. I was surprised that she let him!

AND... she liked it!

James built an awesome fire (this picture doesn't give it justice) and we got roasting those marshmallows.

Tali kickin' her feet up.

The two little girls found two little chairs.

It looks like Tali is asking for Sage's marshmallow, but really she's just asking to hold her hand.

Now, I know it looks like she's going in, face first, for Sage's marshmallow, but she wasn't! I promise!

I love how Sage is the only one looking at me for the picture.

Family picture.

It's proving to be difficult... hopefully my dad had better luck getting a picture.

There's Jen and Raden!

Tali, with chocolate pudding all over her face.

Throwing sticks into the fire.

I thought these next two pictures were funny...

Haha! I didn't even know that I got these pictures as she was falling over in her chair! lol

What a fun night!

It's hard taking pictures in the dark! You don't know exactly what you're getting a picture of.

Sour Cream Cranberry Bars

Yes, more baking!

Yes!

This time we did Sour Cream Cranberry Bars. Why didn't they just name them Cranberry Bars? Long title names are too... long. It's like calling someone by their first, middle, and last name every single time you address them.

We don't usually do a lot of baking in our home unless it's a holiday or special occasion or for a church function. We have little self control with treats, so it's just better that we don't invite them into our home at all. So, when I started baking all these things (as in the Honey Bun Cake and these Cranberry Bars) James was wondering if I had gone crazy.

But, I was missing some baking in my life! And this time we shared our treats, okay!

A Sour Cream Cranberry Bars Recipe, coming up!

Sour Cream Cranberry Bars

- 1 cup butter, softened

- 1 cup packed brown sugar

- 2 cups quick-cooking oats

- 1-1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided

- 2 cups dried cranberries

- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

- 3/4 cup sugar

- 1 egg, lightly beaten

- 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Combine the oats and 1-1/2 cups flour; add to the creamed mixture until blended. Set aside 1-1/2 cups.

Press remaining crumb mixture into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cranberries, sour cream, sugar, egg, lemon peel, vanilla and remaining flour.

Spread evenly over crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield: about 3 dozen.

They were pretty good! If I were to make them again, I would add a little less cranberries. James had a good idea to crumble them up and eat them with yogurt.

I think I got my baking fix. It's a little too hot out to be baking anyway.

Honey Bun Cake

I got into the baking mood this last weekend. I thought it would be fun to let Tali help me make make this Honey Bun Cake, which means she stirs or pours in ingredients after I measure it out. It did get stressful for me at times, like when she stirred the ingredients too strongly and a good portion of the contents flew out onto the table. Those are the times when I get to really practice patience.

If you like cinnamon buns, you'll LOVE this cake! I don't even really like cinnamon buns, but this cake might make me a believer....in liking a cake form of cinnamon buns? (Didn't really know how to portray my feelings in that sentence) Okay, I'll share the recipe.

Honey Bun Cake

- 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow or white cake mix

- 4 egg whites

- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

- 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

- 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

- 2 tablespoons milk

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, combine dry cake mix, egg whites, sour cream and applesauce. Beat on low speed until moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.

Pour half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over batter. Cover with remaining batter; cut through with a knife to swirl. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

For glaze, combine confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth; drizzle over warm cake.

Yield: 20 servings.

YAY! Super easy, right? And I already had most of the ingredients on hand! Awesome. My sister noticed that there is no honey in this recipe. Maybe it should just be called, Cinnamon Bun Cake. We meant to share this with our neighbors, but it was gone in two days. Sorry, neighbors.