Well it's been awhile. I get busy and this because a distant memory!

There's been a lot going on lately but I'll just recap a few of the most recent things.

The kids have been making "tents" on their bunk beds with their blankets during the summer.

They played in their pool quite a bit...

We hung out with family... Uncle Tommy & Preslee...

Preslee "drove" with Daddy....

Anastacia got her new do for school... Cut a good 6-8 inches off... I LOVE it!

Triton wanted a mohawk for school and here it is... (not fixed but super cute)

I wanted something cooler for being outside 3 days a week with Anastacia's soccer... Love the shorter hair - quicker to fix and cooler.

Anastacia's 1st day of 1st grade...

6 years old.

Triton's 1st day of Kindergarten...

5 years old.

Boy have the kids grown fast. We now have a 11 year old (Baylee), 6 year old (Anastacia), 5 year old (Triton), and 1 1/2 year old (Preslee). Doesn't seem real to have kids getting that old. It's been a busy summer. Anastacia spent most of the summer with Nana. Triton and Preslee were at home most of the summer. They did quite a bit of stuff with Wayne, Grandma, and the girls. They all had fun. Summer seemed to end very quickly but I think the kids were anxious for school to start and see their friends again.

Now we are closing in on the end of the year almost... Holidays and birthdays and madness around our house! We will do Thanksgiving and Christmas at the house like we did last year. My understand this will be our new tradition. This will be the first "big" deal that everyone will see our house with all the new changes we have done. We need to finish the "dog's bathroom" and then the rest of the changes and additions will come after the first of the year. Following Thanksgiving we will be celebrating Preslee's 2nd birthday. We have decided on a pink/brown giraffe theme. We have her outfit and invitations/banner/juice box covers decided on. Cake has been picked just have to finalize a date so I can make arrangements with Patti Cakes. Goodness where has this year went.

Following the start of school last Thursday (08/16/12) I was looking back at last year's 1st day of school pictures that I took at the house. I put them together to see the difference. So crazy what one year can look like in children. See for yourself...

1st day of Kindergarten on left (2011-2012) and 1st day of 1st grade on the right (2012-2013)...

She has grown so much taller and she looks more grown up with her hair cut. My oldest is getting so big...

1st day of Pre-K on the left (2011-2012) and 1st day of Kindergarten on the right (2012-2013)...

He's grown taller also... They are getting so big...

And I just noticed in both years of Triton going to school he has worn a striped, collared shirt to school for the first day :) Must be a new tradition for him :)

Caramels

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light Karo syrup
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Cook 6 minutes, stirring every two minutes.
3. Stir and pour into lightly greased dish.
4. Let cool.
5. Cut, wrap in wax paper & store in air tight container.
   
   
   
   
   

Butterfinger Pie

• 6 (2 1⁄8; ounce) butterfinger candy bars , crushed
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) carton Cool Whip
• 1 graham cracker crust

Directions:

1. Mix first three ingredients together.
2. Put it in pie crust.
3. Chill
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Impossibly Easy Taco Pie

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1 package taco seasoning

1 can (4.5 ounces) green chiles, drained

1 cup milk

2 eggs

1/2 cup origin Bisquick

3/4 cup cheddar cheese

1. Heat oven to 400. Grease 9-inch pie plate. Cook ground beef and onion in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in seasoning mix (dry). Spoon into pie plate: top with chilies.

2. Stir milk, eggs, and Bisquick mix until blended. Pour into pie plate.

3. Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer. Cool 5 minutes. Serve with salsa, sour cream and lettuce (if desired).

Better Than Sex Cake

1 pkg Devils Food Cake

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Caramel Ice Cream Topping

1 (8 oz) cool whip, thawed

4-5 Heath Bars, chopped up

Bake cake according to package directions for a 9x13 pan. Cool about 5 minutes. Using the handle of a wood spoon, poke holes into the cake. Let the cake cool for a little while. Slowly pour condensed milk over the cake, letting it sink into the holes. Drizzle some of the caramel over the top of the cake. Let the cake cool completely (cover it and out it in fridge for awhile). Top the cake with the whipped cream. Sprinkle the candy bar pieces in top of cool whip. Drizzle the caramel on too. Refrigerate a little longer, then serve.

By the chocolate chips (in store) they have Heath bars in a bag like that. That's what I bought

Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients:

• 5 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup Peanut Butter
• 8 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed
• graham cracker pie crusts
• 3 tbsp Hershey's chocolate syrup

Directions:

Beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar together in a medium bowl.

Mix in Peanut Butter and beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.

Spoon into graham cracker pie shell; cover, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2-3 hours. Drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving.

Impossibly Easy Hamburger Pie

Hamburger Pie


24 oz. package mashed potatoes - I bought the tub of pre-made Betty Crocker kind
1 1/4 lb hamburger meat
1/2 cup chopped onion 
1/4 tsp salt
Dash of black pepper
2 1/2 cups frozen green beans, thawed
1 - 10 3/4 oz can of tomato soup
1/2 cup shredded cheese

In large skillet cook meat & onion until meat is done & onion tender. Drain & add salt & pepper. Stir in thawed beans & soup; pour into greased 2 qt (8x8 pan)

Spoon mashed potatoes on mixture. Sprinkle cheese over potatoes. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-35 mins. Makes 6 servings