First Day

Its that time of year again...back to school. I was definitely ready for it to begin and get back into a regular routine.

Nate started grade 2 this year, and in regular Nate fashion he was nervous and needed a lot of Mommy support on his first day. He did wonderful though, and already knew his teacher, and his friend Jack from primary and grade 1 is in his class again. He had a good first day. I had to walk him into the school and go in to pick him up all week. Hopefully next week he can start being more independent like he was at the end of grade one. He always just needs to do things in his time. I can't believe he will turn eight in a few short months.

Ty is finally in Kindergarten. He has been waiting for two whole years for this day to come. They do a staggered entry at his Kindergarten where the first day he goes there are only 4 other kids, the second day half the class is there, and then they start going with the whole class. He had his first day yesterday. He was a little nervous in the morning and kept telling me he didn't want to go, but when we left and got there he was happy and excited to be there. He said it was the best day, and he loves it. Now he has to wait until Wednesday to go again. His little friend Ethan is in his class and he can't wait to spend more time with him. I have to admit, it was wonderful just having the girls in the morning. We did a bunch of running around. I think I'm going to like this.

And in other news...

McKenna got new tap shoes. She starts her ballet and tap combo class next week. She is excited!

Ty has been begging us to take him to the bike hills all summer. Ryan finally took the three older kids, and Ty was in Heaven! It took Nate a little while to warm up to them and try them, but after he did he loved them too. It was too hard for McKenna to ride her bike with training wheels on the hills, but she loved running and playing all over them.

And just a few other pics...

Hayley loves these little fruit juice snacks

McKenna loves lalaloopsy right now. She has such a good Daddy who plays dolls with her

I love this pic of the girls leaving church together. So sweet.

Rest of Summer

I can't believe summer holidays is pretty much over. Nate goes back to school on Tuesday, and Ty starts Kindergarten on Thursday. It will be very different just having the girls for half of the day. I am looking forward to starting this new chapter of our life. We have tried to make the most of our last few weeks. We spent a weekend at my Dad's, went to the zoo, the fair, and Waterton again. We've been enjoying the beautiful weather and have spent tons of time outside in our little pool. Here is a picture overload of our adventure's these past few weeks. (in no particular order.)

Apple Sauce Cookies with Caramel Icing

I made these cookies this week and they were fabulous, so I thought I'd share. I know I'm due for a regular post. I'm waiting for my dear husband to put some pictures on the computer from his phone and he is never home, so hopefully I'll be back very soon (like in a couple of hours) to post on the rest of our summer activities. But in the mean time...go make some cookies:) they won't disappoint.

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups applesauce
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves

Preheat oven to 375 F
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves.  Set aside.
Cream sugar and shortening together.
Add eggs and applesauce and mix well.
Add in dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated.
Drop small spoonfuls of batter on greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 F for 8-10 minutes.

While cookies are cooling, prepare frosting.

CARAMEL FROSTING

6 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, heavy cream and brown sugar.
Cook, stirring occasionally until mixture just begins to boil;  remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Let cool, then stir in the powdered sugar.
Spread frosting over cookies

 ENJOY.

Family Photo's 2012

This year we went to Waterton to do our family photo's. My bestest friend is an amazing photographer which you can clearly see for yourself. Its always tough with little kids, but we got some really great shots that I love a lot. Thanks Dev, for capturing our family so beautifully!

you can see more of our adorable family images here: devon durocher photography