A Tessa Photo Shoot

Tessa got a new dress and is very excited to show it off ...

Grandma Jeane's Wedding

We didn't know if it was ever going to actually happen but Grandma Jeane really got married today! The girls helped celebrate by singing "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You". Congratulations Grandma!!!

Easter Picture

We tried and tried to get a great picture of all the girls in their matching dresses. This is the best we could do after 37 tries. Julia had her eyes closed in about 80% of the pictures.

Grace and Lizzie

Grace is so excited to have her good buddy Lizzie in town. It is quite a change for her to be playing with a girl. She is used to "her boys" from class every day.

Wild Easter Morning ...

We had a housefull this morning but it was very fun. The Fellows family is visiting so there was a total of 8 kids. The Easter bunny came and hid plenty of candy and treats for everybody. The kids had to wait on the stairs and give the little ones a head start. Tessa was so excited about "Easter Egging!"

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup canola oil
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs (at room temp.)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups grated zucchini
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup chocolate chips

glaze:
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 oz semisweet chocolate (chopped)
1 tbsp light corn syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Grease a large bundt pan w/ butter and coat w/ flour. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In large mixing bowl, combine butter, oil, sugar and eggs and beat 2-3 minutes until light and airy. Add vanilla and blend briefly.

3. Mix together dry ingredients in another bowl until well combined.

4. Stir dry ingredients into creamed mixture and mix until evenly blended. Add the buttermilk and mix again.

5. Fold in grated zucchini, about half at a time, then add walnuts and chocolate chips.

6. Scoop batter into prepared pan and smooth top with a spoon.

7. Bake for 50-55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted deep into the cake comes out clean. Cool pan on a rack for 20 minutes then carefully run a knife around the sides to loosen. Invert it onto a large plate and cool thoroughly.

8. For the icing, heat the cream and chocolate in a double boiler until the chocolate melts. Remove the pan from heat and whisk until smooth. Whisk in the corn syrup and vanilla. Let the icing cool a few minutes so that it thickens just a little then spoon it over the surface ot the cake. Makes 14-16 slices. Enjoy!

Silly Little Girls

Grace told me that for her birthday this year she wants a surprise party. Of course Tessa said, "me too!".

Grace

I just can't figure Grace out these days. She is such a shy and nervous child - she ruins her shirts by chewing on the sleeves as a nervous habit - yet she is the most boy crazy little girl we've ever had. A friend of mine who was helping out in Grace's class said she saw her sit down very close to one little boy and put her arm around him and rub his back. John had a talk with her about touching boys too much and she came home the next day very proud of herself. She told us that when one of the boys tried to kiss her, she said, "No. My dad said I'm not allowed to do that anymore". She loves to come home and tell me all about what "her boys" are up to that day. She will be a very interesting child to watch as she grows up!

Cruising!

Lots of Fun!

We had a great time hanging out and relaxing on our cruise last week. It was so nice to see my parents in St. Maarten. We also visited Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.