Sunday Swims

We went to the Fishing Pond to let Dixie swim on Sunday. Lucas absolutely LOVES taking Dixie swimming. I typically opt to stay at home for some quiet, alone time - but Lucas really wanted me to come along. So, of course I brought the camera.

This is really scary for me, but apparently this is what he does -- take off running for the dock all alone.

Dixie had a blast.

As did Lucas.

Meredith only seemed to have a minimally good time.

I would like to say that I appropriately dressed her for the day - because she asked for cookies all day. (For those who don't know, Cookie Monster with "Give me Cookie!" is on her shirt).

The sun started moving down, so we started moving home. Leftovers again!

Cleaning Champion

For a while, I have delt with fights over the swiffer. But Meredith won this day.

Oh, how fun it is to clean!

Warm Heads

One of the most fun things to do is to get into my walk-in closet and make it look like the rest of the house - a huge mess!

Meredith found a stocking cap and ear muffs carefully tucked away in a hat box in the bottom and insisted I put it on her.

She was so proud of herself. And when she cheeses, she has started to walk toward the camera.

Lucas felt left out and wanted to put on his own winter hat.

Thankfully, last years still fits his huge mug.

But wearing this hat wasn't as fun as wearing Mommy's head gear!

Mere is silly.

Last Friday, we were getting ready to go meet Daddy after his classes for a blind date with some Army folks.

She posed for a photo (I know it looks like she didn't, but she really did).

Then, as I was helping Lucas put on his jacket, she decided we were taking her pumpkin purse with us!

Fair Fun

On Saturday, we went to the State Fair of Virginia. Richard was disappointed that it was called this - because Virginia is not a State, but a Commonwealth. But regardless, it was a fair either way.

We made our way past the booths filled with sweet tea, lemonade, and fried goodness. And began discussing what we were going to eat for lunch. Obviously, we didn't want to fill our tummy with fried and greasy stuff if we didn't have to. So we began the long walk around the loop to get BBQ.

We made several stops along the way, tried out some Brunswick stew (with our donations of course, because nothing is FREE anymore).

I tried to keep the photos to a minimum here....so not to bore you with photos of giant pumpkins, corn, and random animals, here are the highlights.

Welcome to Oregon Trail! The game I so loved in middle school. You could take a five minute ride on the Oxen for $5. We declined....as with the pony ride, and reptile farm....you get the picture.

Instead, we broke the rules and let the kids play in the wagon....while the oxen waited for some poor fellow to come and do more than just rub his horns.

Hello!
Drums from civil war band members were available for fun.

which could have entertained the kids for a long while if we had let them.

But then we found a Tee-Pee - Okay, I know this looks funny, but that is really how you spell it, I just googled it to make sure.

Our very own crouching dragon.
Hidden Tiger!

The midway was next on track.

Lucas took a ride on his first method of major danger. (I am totally not a fan of fair rides).

And Richard, being the smooth Dad he was, not only found the one man who would let Lucas on a ride (he was too short by an inch), but also let Meredith ride.

Someone is obviously not a rule follower.

I was okay with it because the strap was sooo tight on her and he agreed to stop it if she freaked out.

She had a blast!

I know, this is like the biggest loop ever to try to get food. But seriously, this place was so huge.

We stopped to give Smokey the Bear a hug along the way.

Then I needed a snack break since we were stopping in all the buildings to look at crafts or booths or what have you.

This is one fried goodness I couldn't pass up!

We eventually made it to one of the many photo op places that were set up around the fair grounds. We tried so hard to get a good photo.

Lucas willingly participated in all shots.

Meredith cheesing for Daddy before the rest of us were ready.

Lucas ran way so he could "Cheese" us.

But then decided to come back in and hug Meredith during the shot.

She was VERY unhappy and screamed bloody murder the whole time.

We eventually gave up.

And made way to the Live Stock loop. We used the crap out of hand wipes and sanitizer.

Hi baby piggy!

Lucas got in line to milk a cow.

He was very excited about his "I milked a cow" Ribbon -- even though he wanted nothing to do with milking while at the cow.

We finally found Tractors that the kids could crawl on!

(No) Smiles with Daddy.

Cheese!

Meredith spent a good amount of time like this.

We finally made it to the BBQ booth after this. So we took a pit stop before looking at more animals!

Meredith scared the goat with her screaming. She freaked out when he licked her hand.

Lucas wanted to pet EVERYTHING and didn't understand why we couldn't let the goats out, or get in the cage with them. He attempted to open all the cages as we went by.

It began to sprinkle after a while and Lucas wanted to carry the umbrella.

One last photo op before heading out!

We lucked out - for a day forecasted as rainy - it didn't move in until dinner time. We headed out just in time.

The kids were soaked walking back to the car, but happily changed into warm jammies for the ride home!

Why you don't see me....

Yes, it is true. I don't post photos of myself. I am usually the one who predicts a Kodak moment. These are the ONLY photos I could find of myself, besides the one of me pushing Lucas on the bike (which was already posted previously).

There is a reason I didn't post this. I look pretty retarded.

This photo tells you way too much about how I spend my time.

And there is nothing special about this one....

I promise that I will try to make Daddy the camera holder every once in a while. But I can't promise that they will be worth posting ;)

Chicken Tenders Recipe

I have been trying out new recipes at least once a week. They are hit or miss. Tonight was a BIG hit. It was so yummy, I am still thinking about it now and wanted to share with you.

I found it in a Southern Living magazine and have been waiting for the day to actually make it. I had pecans finally from the muffins, so it was the perfect time!

Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders

16 saltine crackers, finely crushed
1/4 cup pecans, ground
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 egg
vegetable cooking spray
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used whole-wheat since it was in the front of the cabinet)
1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders (I used 8 frozen ones, and it worked perfectly! I had just enough without wasting)

Preheat oven to 425*
Stir together crackers, pecans, and seasonings. Whisk egg in a separate bowl. Place flour in a separate dish. Place wire rack coated with cooking spray on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Dredge chicken in flour; dip in egg; coat with saltine mixture. Spray with cooking spray before placing on wire rack.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, turning once after 12 minutes.

This was soooo good. I totally forgot to spray the rack with cooking spray and some of the little tenders were naked on one side (I didn't bother turning the chicken).

Definately try this one!

Richard's New Do

Richard is trying to let his hair grow out. However, he was in desperate need of a trim.

Here is the finished product (No, I did not take part in this....a barber did).

Lucas liked it so much he wanted to make out with Daddy.

Here is the back. The shirt - yeah - well, he plays softball with the Law Students. Everyone insisited on having an 80's throwback name and Meatloaf was the name they gave him.

Meredith was super excited to take shoulder rides around the house.

Yay!

Apple Muffins

With all the fresh apples hanging out in my fridge, my first desire was to make apple muffins. The babies love cupcakes, and I thought it was a great way to spread the apple love instead of just giving them a straight apple.

I used one of my favorite recipes from Ellie Krieger with a few modifications.
The babies thought they were delicious. Lucas asked for THREE in one sitting.

Apple Muffins

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar + 2 TBS

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (I also add 1/2 tsp cinnamon into the actual batter)

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup whole -wheat flour (Ellie uses whole-wheat flour)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup canola oil

2 large eggs

1 cup natural applesause (this is the kind with no sugar added - it is the only kind I buy)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and cubed into 1/4" pieces (Ellie uses only 1 apple)

Preheat oven to 400*. In a small bowl, combine 2 TBL brown sugar, pecans and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, whisk together remaining brown sugar and oil until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time. Whisk in applesause and vanilla.

Whisk in the flour mixture in batches, alternating with buttermilk. Whisk until combined. Stir in apple chunks. (I waited to peel and cut apples until I was ready to add them to prevent them from turning)

Pour batter into muffin pans. (I overfilled a bunch and still ended up with 18 muffins. The recipe says it should only make 12.)

Sprinkle each muffin with the pecan sugar mixture. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan.

Eat and Enjoy!