Our adventures in Ice Cream!

So we "won" an icecream maker- silent auction- its really nice, a bit of a pain (you have to soak it before you use it because is cedar). But since I spent money on it we are going to use it!!!!

Ice cream #1- The Westbend Vanilla mix- not bad- not great- it set up really quick the girls liked it.

Not a great pic- I know I'll do better next time.

So now I got some ice cream books- Ben and Jerrys, Amiple Hills and 2 others so now I'm going to roll with make ice cream ALL summer!  And I'm going to blog about them- all of them- I might actually get tired of ice cream- is that possible????

So Ice Cream #2- Ben and Jerry's Sweet Cream- 1 they say you don't have to cook the eggs- I did anyway- just to be on the safe side- I follow some instructions online. 

Right now I am making it- so I will have to update you on how it goes! 

So what have I learn so far- its only my 2nd try so this could change:
1. The machine is REALLY loud.
2.  You have to mix up you ice cream either the night before or in the morning and let it sit.
3.  You will go broke buying ice- so reuse and don't use as much as they say- go a couple inches above you ice cream line- add more if it expands.
4.  Freeze your container you are going to put it in- less ice crystals.
5.  Freeze your add ins- that way they don't get mushy!!!  I always wondered how that worked!
6.  Listen- you'll know when its almost done and ready for the add ins!
7.  Hadley doesn't like root beer floats- nope she doesn't!

Christmas Dance Recital!

Here you go- I'll put pictures up soon!!!  New Year resolution- more pictures on the blog!!!

Monkey's Dance Recital!

 On May 18th Monkey had her first dance recital!  We couldn't have been more proud- yes the braggy mom in me comes out when I think about it because she was pretty darn good!!!  Here are some pictures and the video shot by cousin Coleton, he was closer than dad!

Miss Emily and Hadley

VIDEO:

Want to see more, here is the smile box slide show!

Picture slideshow customized with Smilebox

Snow on March 24th

Its April 1st and no fools there is still snow on the ground in NE Iowa.  Of course not as much as last weekend, but still snow!  Monkey didn't want to snowmobile much- I don't think she wanted to wear her helmet- so she rode her "sled" behind dad.  I don't know if its officially a sled but its fun!!!  I don't know who had more fun dad or her!!!

 Easter Morning!   The Easter bunny arrived with lots of stuff for both Monkeys!  We had to get everything out right away and play!!!!

 Of course we could both take a good picture together so here you go!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Or the day after!  So its been a while since I posted.  I need to start posting everyday again.  I really love to blog and put great things up here, but of course with two very busy little ones and a very busy teaching career its hard to find time!  So here is a special post with our valentine's card and some of their 3 year/ 6 month pics.  There are lots more of the Little Monkey- Big Monkey just got her's taken first!

This could be my favorite picture of Big Monkey

The 2 collages

Ok, so I have to admit and am super behind on getting out pictures of the girls, so here are the two collage I made up for everyone, I just need to know which one you want.  I will also post the ones of Harper's 3 month, since I will be taking her 6 month soon!!!

Trick or Treat!

Well the bad witch had a good Halloween!  She got lots of treats and even handed a few out.  Little pumpkin was just along for the ride and didn't like it after a while!  Enjoy the pics!

Mickie, Mickie what do you see?  "Reading" our Halloween books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear

No they are not watching a scarey movie....

Give me candy?!

Dad, I'm ready to go get more candy!

Watching for trick or treaters.

This one is going on the wall.

Candy!!!  Thanks Papa!!!

Trick or treat!!!

Fall Photos!

Here is a sneek peek of the girls' fall photos!  We had fun, even though it was a bit breezy and cool!  Harper was more interested in the looking down at her seat than the camera!  I will be editing her 3 month pics this week too!

Baptism and More!

Last weekend and week was very busy!  As most of you know Monkey fell off the couch and broke her arm and it was Little Monkey's baptism!  BUSY!!!!  So here are some pictures from the weekend and than some!!!  Little Monkey has some great god parents!!!  She is very lucky!
PS- All of my instagram photos will now automatically be displayed on the right!  So once I snap it with you phone it will be on my blog!!!!

As promised....

Yes, two days in a row!  A new record!!!  I took pictures of little monkey 2 weeks ago on her 2nd Month birthday, so here they are..... just a few, I will take the BIG shoot on her 3 month birthday, those will be the ones for the family!!!

Its been a while

So its been a while since my last blog post, over a month.  Lots has happened, we finished up our wall around our patio, little monkey turned 2 months!  I have 2 month photos to edit!  Monkey is being a BIG help!!

So here are some updated photos........guess how many Monkey has her tongue out in........

Pose mom!!!!

No....like this!!!  Really that is what she said!

Helping dad dig!

I would rather swing!

Tongue number 4!

We are getting so big!!!

Coloring while dad works!

Like mother like daughter!

5!