Finally!

We are slowly, yet surely moving into the 21st century. Thanks to mom who gave us her "old" digital camera! No more scanning and waiting for developing and getting crooked pictures on my blog! (although i still have some christmas pics on my old camera that need to be developed)

Of Forts and Treasures

On one of my bad days last week, James took over and had a fun time witht the kids in our family room. He turned the whole room into a fort, and used the kids piggy banks as treasure. They had a blast, and I got some rest.

My Birthday Dinner

James and I have a favorite Indian restaurant. We don't get there much anymore, but we love it when we do. That is where I picked to have my birthday dinner last week. My whole family was invited and even though 3 of them couldn't make it, we still made 16. A very fun time.

Saucepan Oatmeal Cookies

Shawna's recipe looked so good, it reminded me how much I love these simple, delicious cookies. (also made of oatmeal)

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 cups quick cooking rolled oats
11/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 well beaten eggs
1/2 cup coconut, chopped (optional) i take this out and add 1 tsp cinnamon.

Grease a coookie sheet: set aside. In a medium saucepan combine butter and sugars. Cooke and stir over medium heat until melted. Remove from heat.Add oats, flour, baking soda and powder and salt.( and cinnamon) Stir until combined. Add eggs, mix well. If desired, add coconut.
Drop batter by rounded teaspoons 3 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet, stirring the batter often.
Bake in a 375 oven for 6-7 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

These cookies are best right out of the oven. You can also drizzle chocolate over them. Heat up 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 Tablespoon shortning, stirring occasionally.
Enjoy!

Ok, so I haven't figured out how to write under the pictures with the new blog, it just shows all the numbers and letters instead of the pictures, and my pictures always seem crooked, so I apologize for that.
This is Patrick's haircut he got after Christmas. He always seems to look so much older without all that hair. Plus, it is just a really cute picture of my two kids.

Christmas in Iowa

Here are some of our pictures from the Bloom Christmas in Iowa.

The Infamous Hair Washing Incident

Cool!

Well, I finally did it. I switched to the new blogger. They have been begging me to switch every time I posted something new. I had some extra time tonight and took the plunge. It was fun and easy. I even switched some things up a bit, got some new looks and finally learned how to have links to sites I visit. Hope you enjoy!

Ella Part 2

So it is 9:30pm here and Ella was put to bed over half hour ago. I am down stairs reading blogs and was looking at Andy and Jenica's awesome remodel, again. Ella comes down the stairs, announces she has to go potty (there is one upstairs) and walks into the computer room, glances at the computer and says airily as she waltzes through, "cool kitchen."