Ella

So the last few posts have been about Caleb and what is going on with him, his diving, and turning 5 so I thought today I would update everyone on Ella and post some of her cute pics. At 2 Ella is soo cute and funny it almost kills me! For one she loves her big brother and copies everything he does weather good or bad :) She is all girl though she loves to dress up in her jewlery, paint her nails, and take care of her babies. I thank God for my girl she brings my life such JOY!

Caleb's 1st Dive Meet

Yesterday Caleb had his first dive meet, and he did very well for his first try. Of course he got out on the board and had to talk to the coach about actually doing the dive. He placed last in his age group but all he cares about is that he got a medal and his name was called first! :) We are proud of him for just trying and if he wants to keep doing it he will only get better. It was a fun day for all of us!

More of Caleb's Birthday

I was not sure how I was going to do a Hot Wheels birthday cake when Caleb asked for it espically since he wanted FLAMES but this is what I came up with, I was very proud of it I thought it came out well and of course Caleb loved it. You can't really tell from the pic but that is a car with flames doing a wheelie with the "HotWheels" flames coming out the back. OH the things you will do for your kids :)

5 years with Caleb

5 Years Old!!

Caleb's Great Big Birthday Jump

On July 5th Caleb turned 5 years old...I still can't believe 5 years have gone by and it scares me for the future because I know we are going to look up and he will be 10,15...and on and on.

Caleb had a great birthday week it seems like his birthday lasts for days. He had popsicles with the dive team on his birthday, then his special birthday dinner of mini-hamburgers & curley fries, and finally on Saturday he had his Hot Wheels party.

It was supposed to be a pool party but due to much needed rain we had a day of fun and games at the church gym.

He had sooo much fun on his 5th birthday that when we were praying the other night he said "God I like being 5" that's the boy we love :)

Happy July 4th

Summer

Well it is fully summer and we are spending every day at the pool, it is the only way I can get my kids to play outside. We are all waaay to dark with bleach blond hair. Our lives have been quiet for the past week, but this week on the other hand is quite busy. We have the 4th celebrations, Caleb's birthday and it seems like something else thrown in there.

On these hot summer days my thoughts have turned to lemons and I have a new favorite I want to share with my fellow lemon lovers. I have always liked lemon bars but they have always been a little to sweet for me, last week I made a Luscious Lemon-Lime Bar that is the perfect tartness with a more creamy texture. The addition of cinnamon in the crust is just yummy!

Luscious Lemon-Lime Bar

For the crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

8 Tbs. (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

For the filling:

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour

Pinch of salt

1 TB . finely grated lemon zest I use more because I just love the zest

3 eggs, at room temperature

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4cup limeade

3 Tbs. heavy cream

Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)

To make the crust, preheat an oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish, preferably glass.

In a food processor, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt and cinnamon.

Pulse briefly until blended.

Add the butter and pulse until the dough forms moist crumbs and sticks together when pinched, about 1 minute. There should be no trace of dryness.

Press the dough into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the prepared baking dish, lightly flouring your fingertips if necessary to prevent them from sticking.

Bake the crust until pale golden, 20 to 22 minutes.

Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the crust cool completely.

Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.

To make the filling, in a bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, salt and lemon zest. Add the eggs, lemon juice and cream and whisk until just blended.

Carefully pour the mixture over the baked crust.

Bake until the filling is set but still jiggles slightly when the dish is gently shaken, about 20 minutes, or longer if using a metal pan.

Transfer the pan to the wire rack and let cool for about 30 minutes.

Run the tip of a small knife along the inside of the dish to loosen the crust from the sides, then let cool completely.

*Don't be tempted to let these bake any longer or you will loose the creamy texture.

* This recipe doubles easily and trust me you will want to :)