Sister Shower L.O.V.E.

Warning:  Right up front I'm going to let you know, this post is filled with pictures.  So if you don't want to deal with that, you'd better stop before we get started.  Those that are interested, please keep reading .My husband's sister, Bethy, is getting married next month.  We are all really excited and counting down the days until the wedding day. Melissa (my other sister-in-law) and I, got to throw Bethy her shower.  And it was SO MUCH FUN.  My husbands family is very large, and we planned the shower for about 30 ladies.  It was amazing to to have so many people come to honor Bethy on her special day!  The food was wonderful, the fellowship was great, and the bride-to-be was radiant!

Welcome Wreath

Poms!

L.O.V.E Bunting

Beautiful Bride-to-Be

Table Decs

Roses from the garden

Melissa and  Me

Mini Pie Bites

Raspberry Heart Mini Cheesecakes

Mini Taco Dip Cups

Strawberry Bruschetta

Tomato Bruschetta

Tortellini Skewers with Pesto Sauce

Raspberry Mousse Trifle

Princess Punch

She Said, He Said Game

Favors

Bethany - we are so blessed to call you Sister, and we love you!  Congratulations to you-we are very excited to celebrate this time in your life!

Fun in the Sun Hot Muggy Sticky Heat

We have a few traditions in our family. Whenever all of us get together, we always stay together under one roof.  We will all squeeze together no matter what.  And we usually do this during holidays.  Mom and Dad host us all at Christmas.  Eric and Chantel host Memorial Day in Kenosha.  And Nick and I usually host everyone for the 4th of July. So per the usual, we made the trek down to Kenosha this past weekend.  Now that there are five grandchildren (all boys), age 6 and under, our get-togethers are anything but subdued and quiet.  And we would't have it any other way!  The weather was a bit unpredictable this weekend and we ended up with some cooler weather, and then some hot hot hot, humid weather.  So what did we do?  We spent that hot hot hot humid day outside, in the water.  And everybody seemed to forget the hot hot day, and have a blast together in the water.

Easter

So I know that I'm late in getting this up, but better late than never I say.

Every other year, we celebrate Easter up here in the Twin Cities with Nick's family. This year was our year to be here. So, just like every year, we went to Nick's grandmother's house for lunch and spent some time catching up with his side of the family. And THEN, we did something different.

Our very good friends, The Gilberts and The Espersens had no Easter plans and I thought "that's perfect - let's have them over!" So we did. And it was so much fun! We shared a big meal together and then the kids had some fun. We had Easter baskets for them, and the 4 big kids had such a blast! They did an Easter egg hunt outside and despite it being a bit chilly, they had so much fun! Filling our home with close friends and family was so special, and it was even more special knowing that we all share the same faith. We came together that day to rejoice that our Savior, Jesus, died for our sins and rose from the grave! Thank you, dear friends, for sharing such a special day with us - we are blessed beyond measure.

Can it really be...

A year and two days ago, (it was a Saturday) we were visiting my parents in Wisconsin. I got a phone call from my dear friend Jessica Hilden. She said "I have a question for you, so give me a call back when you can." Her voice sounded a bit different, and I wondered if everything was okay. I called her back and and we chit-chatted for a bit. Then she said, "So...I have a question for you. We were just wondering when you guys were planning to have another baby because our squirt is going to need someone to play with?!" My jaw dropped and the tears poured down my face - they had had quite the journey (you can read about their story here) and I was beyond excited to hear their amazing news! ... Man, I still get choked up about it - God's provision is so unbelievably miraculous and overwhelming. Fast forward two days (a year ago from today) and on a spur-of-the-moment decision, I decided to take a pregnancy test, expecting the negative sign. But instead, it turned that oh-so-pretty pink plus sign, and put this Momma into tears. Baby number two was on his or her way. Two days later Jess was over for lunch and I said "So, remember when you asked when your baby would have someone to play with?" and she said "Is it NOW?" God's timing is incredible. Incredible!

I was blessed to grow side by side with Jessica and pray for her and with her. Such a blessing to share such a special time. And now, our two boys are here and already four months old. Born exactly 1 week apart, almost to the minute.

Dear Jessica - you were a beautiful Momma long before you held Max in your arms. It is the most fun watching you with your little man. Dear Max, you are an answer to prayer and such a sweet little buddy - I am so loving watching you grow and change. It's so fun to watch you and Judah grow together!

And to my sweet baby Judah - you are my little love. A year ago today I found out you were on your way to us and since that day, I have not stopped praying for you. I prayed everyday that the Lord would expand my heart to love another baby fully and without abandon. What I experienced with you was instant, over-the-moon, warm-my-heart through and through love. To my little Judah Bear - I love you deeply and fiercely, forever and ever.

Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt S'mores Bars

So about a week ago I picked up ingredients for s'mores. With the insanely beautiful (and warm) weather we've been having, along with the nice fire pit we've acquired, I thought it was a brilliant idea to be ready with s'mores ingredients. I picked up the standard grahams and marshmallows, but I wanted to try something different with the chocolate. I'm sorry to all the standard Hershey's milk chocolate lovers out there, but it just doesn't cut it for me. So I grabbed dark chocolate with a hint of sea salt - yum. Anyway, we ended up not making a bonfire or the s'mores. All week I've been thinking, "what can I do with this stuff?" So I googled. And I found so many recipes for s'mores bars. So many called for marshmallow fluff, which I didn't have. Others called for just using the graham crackers as the crust, but I was hoping for something with more of a "bar-like" taste and feel. So in the end, I combined a few ideas to come up with these: these absolutely delicious dark chocolate and sea salt s'mores bars. YUM.

Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt S'mores Bars

1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 large Dark chocolate with a hint of sea salt bars (I used Lindt), broken into squares
Half a bag of miniature marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. Spread dough evenly into pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Turn the oven setting to broil. Place chocolate squares over hot crust and let sit for 3-5 minutes, until nicely melted. Use a spatula to spread it evenly over crust. Dump marshmallows evenly over chocolate layer and place under the broiler for just a minute or so, until the marshmallows are deeply golden brown. Allow to cool for a little while (if you can wait that long), then cut, serve, and EAT!