Fun after bath time

What an entertaining little dude!

Celebrating Grandma's Birthday

Mmm...food...!

Ready to tackle the stairs!

Good thing the carpet is easy to hang onto!

Rock Chalk, Grandma!

Pink Lemonade Cake

ingredients

• 1
  cup butter
• 4
  eggs
• 3 1/3
  cups all-purpose flour
• 1
  tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2
  teaspoon salt
• 2
  cups sugar
• Red food coloring
• 1 1/3
  cups milk
• 1/4
  cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1
  teaspoon pure lemon extract

directions

1.Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, grease two 9x2-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment; grease paper. Flour pans, tapping to remove excess; set aside. In medium bowl stir together 3-1/3 cups flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In an extra-large mixing bowl beat butter with mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium until well combined. Scrape sides of bowl; beat 2 minutes more. Add 1/8 tsp. red food coloring; beat to combine. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

3.In bowl stir together milk, lemonade concentrate, and extract (mixture will look curdled). Alternately add flour mixture and milk mixture to butter mixture, beating on low after each addition just until combined. Remove half (4 cups) the batter; spread in one pan. In remaining batter, stir 1/4 tsp. red food coloring. Spread in second pan.

4.Bake about 35 minutes, until tops spring back when lightly touched. 

5.Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove layers from pans; peel off waxed paper. Cool completely on wire racks. Trim off domed tops of layers so cake will stand flat. Cut each layer horizontally in half, making four layers. Brush crumbs from layers.

6.Place one dark pink layer, cut-side down, on a plate. Spread 1 cup frosting just to edges. Top with a light pink layer, followed by second dark pink layer, spreading frosting on each just to edges. Stack final light pink layer, cut-side down. Spread frosting on top and sides as desired.

From: Better Homes and Gardens 

Wild 'n Crazy Dudes

Look at Cole go!

Watching a pre-season Bronco's game with Dad

Only 9 months old and already king of the remote!

Best.  Faux hawk.  Ever.

Chillin' with the sock monkey!

So serious!

9 Months Old

"9 months old?"

"That's great!"

Big kid - standing up already!

Official stats to come on Monday after his 9 month check-up!

Tour de Cure - Colorado

Dad/Granddad Jeff is ready for the big ride!

Go UCH Beta Cells!

Getting started!

Hidy ho!

The 50K finish!  Way to go!

Official bib and medal!

Dirt + grass = not so tasty...

"Massages are that way!"

Bedtime for Bonzo

"Thanks for helping me get ready, Granddad!"

Time to brush those toofers!

Spiced Apples

Servings: 10-12
Ideal slow cooker size: 6-quart

16 cups sliced apples, peeled or unpeeled
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp minute tapioca
1 tsp ground cinnamon

1. Layer half of sliced apples, sugar, tapioca, and cinnamon in a slow cooker
2. Repeat, making a second layer using remaining ingredients
3. Cover.  Cook on high 4 hours or on low 5 hours.
4. Stir before serving.  Delicious hot or cold.

My notes: I used 7 regular-sized apples and that seemed to work out just fine.  After 2 hours I stirred the apples and did again every 30 minutes or so until they were served.  Turned out great - definitely a recipe to make again!

From: Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly (2004)

Celebrating Granddad's Birthday

Cole was a pro at helping Granddad open presents!

Happy Birthday, Granddad!

Strawberry Margarita Cake

3/4

cup bottled strawberry-flavored nonalcoholic margarita drink mix

1

box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix

Vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box

1

tablespoon grated lime peel

1

container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Strawberries, if desired

• 1Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease or lightly spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. Add enough water to drink mix to measure 1 1/4 cups.
• 2In large bowl, beat cake mix, drink mix, oil and egg whites with electric mixer on low speed 2 minutes. Pour into pan. Bake and cool and directed on box for 13x9-inch pan.
• 3Gently stir lime peel into whipped topping; spread over top of cake. Garnish with strawberries. Store covered in refrigerator.
• From www.BettyCrocker.com

Playing away

"I found my toys!"

"Who wants to come and play?"

Busy little hands

"Come and get me!"

Oakley Visit

Playing on the floor with Great Grandma Gladys!

Look at those dudes!

Sitting in the big kid chair...but not for long!

Cole and Great Grandma Gladys

Uh oh!  Smooches!

We also got to visit with cousins Judy, Connie & Dennis, Great Uncle Lee, Great Uncle Lloyd, and Great Aunt Norma!  It was a fun visit!

Do you see my teeth?

Can you see my two new bottom teeth?

I think I'm ready for a steak!

ArtSmart at Daycare

Mommy & Cole with his artwork 

(middle on the right!)

Cole's class made footprint butterflies!

Daddy & Cole, admiring Cole's handiwork!