Zucchini Bread

My parents gave me a huge Zucchini today and the best way to eat it is in bread! 

 Zucchini Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 cups grated fresh zucchini
• 2/3 cup melted unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• Pinch salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)

Directions

 Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). 
 Start with a Zuchinni and shred it up. (If you have leftover you can freeze it for use later)

In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. 

 Have Half Naked 4 year old feed cranky teething baby a popcicle (Optional)

Mix in the grated zucchini and then the melted butter.

 Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour, a third at a time. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and nutmeg and mix. 
 Fold in the nuts and dried cranberries or raisins if using.(I only had 1/2 cup of cranberries and I did not put nuts in it.) 










Divide the batter equally between 2 buttered 5 by 9 inch loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour (check for doneness at 50 minutes) or until a wooden pick inserted in to the center comes out clean. 

 Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks to cool thoroughly.

Makes 2 loaves.

Dream Tree

When my twin sister and I were kids we used to love climbing trees. We would even name the trees. We had a wishing tree and a dream tree. I guess the dream tree was the tree we went to to daydream.  The wishing tree was where we made the wish that all our dreams would come true. Wouldn't it be nice if life were really that easy? 

It's so weird that when you are a kid you just can't wait to grow up. I don't know what the big hurry was. I had a lot of fun as a kid. I have a lot of fun as an adult too but things I enjoyed as a kid just are not the same now. I guess most of it is because of the responsibility that comes with being a grown up. Responsibility can also mean worries, stress ect. and that takes some of the fun out of things. Oh well that is part of the circle of life. I need to learn to enjoy the part of the circle I am currently in because when I get to the next part it might not be what I expect either.


In the real World
As in Dreams
Nothing is quite
what it seems.
~The Book of Counted Sorrows

The New Pond

My Dad Dug a New pond this year. It is about 20 feet deep in the middle and longer then his other pond. On Wednesday the 20th we Swam in it for the first time. I was babysitting my 2 nephews and 2 nieces. Kevin was off work and he took Nathan to the store. It was nice for me to have a little break and I was able to enjoy some time swimming with the kids. My nephews were grossed out because the pond is a little muddy so they did not swim. None of the girls had a problem with it though and we had a great time!

The girls having fun!

 The boys sat here the whole time and refused to get in!

 Look like they should be on Peter pan flying, lol

 View of the Pond from the Dock. At the other end is another Dock.

 Another "Flying" Picture

More Pond fun (Videos)

Eldridge Park

It was a really hot day today but we decided to take the kids to Eldridge park in Elmira, NY. We always have a good time when we go there.

 We got our picture taken in an old time photo booth.

In the last two pics Kevin was trying to get in, LOL

My parents Pond

There is no place like home, or New York State. One of my favorite places to be is at my parent's pond. It is so peaceful and on the top of a hill. I went on my honeymoon in Mexico 5 years ago and I have to say with all honesty when it comes down to it I still think I like my parents pond more. My dad dug this pond out himself 10 or 11 years ago. He also built the dock himself.

Finally done unpacking

We got back from Indiana last Sunday but I just finally finished unpacking today! The day we got back Kevin came down with a stomach bug and then later that night Gabby got it. So I had a bunch of extra laundry to do that night before even touching anything from the trip. It seems like every day since then I was gone pretty much all day so I was only able to do a little bit at a time. Then Yesterday I woke up sick and was sick and in bed almost all day. Then Last night Avalynn got sick so that created even more laundry. I was feeling better this morning so I finally finished all of the unpacking. We are going out of town again in August so in about 4 more weeks I will have all the packing to do again.

Indiana Visit Summer 2011

Saturday June 25th

Kevin and I woke up at 3:00 a.m. I nursed the baby, made a pot of coffee and changed the baby's diaper. Kevin took a shower and then we woke the girls up and got all 3 kids buckled in. My dad let us borrow his car for the trip so we decided we would park both of our vehicles at their house. We dropped the van off when we picked up his car. So Kevin drove our car to my parents house and I followed him there. We pulled out of their driveway at 3:50 a.m. 

Gabby and Nathan both napped but Avalynn stayed awake. We drove to Erie before we made our first stop.  We got breakfast at McDonalds. Then I nursed the baby while Kevin walked our dog Kito. We filled up the gas tank and then Continued driving. Our next stop was after we got through Cleveland we stopped at the fist travel plaza on the toll road. We got kito out to do his business and then we went in and did ours. Then we got back in and drove until we got to the first travel plaza in Indiana. The kids were all starting to get cranky by that time. We got out, ate lunch outside at a picnic table so Kito could be out of the car longer. 

We got back in the car and shortly after that all 3 kids took a long nap. By the time they woke up we were almost to Chesterton. We got out of the car at Coffee creek and met My Father In law there so he could see us before he went to work. Avalynn was so excited because we saw a snake there. She Loves snakes! Our trip ended up taking about 11 hours which is faster then I thought it would take. Before we had kids it took us 10 hours.

When we got to my In laws house The kids took a bath in their Nannie's big bath tub. she filled if with bubbles for them and they loved it. After they got out we went to a grocery store to get some groceries. We picked up white castle on the way back for dinner. Kevin's brother Ryan came over with his son and daughter and the kids had fun playing together.  We were exhausted and went to bed early.

In the Car 

Getting to see Papa before he had to go to work

 Avalynn looking at the Snake

Sunday June 26th

The kids were all awake at 5:00 a.m. which is about right since the time is one hour behind us and they usually wake up around 6:00. We had breakfast & washed up. Then we went to coffee creek to walk around and showed the kids where Kevin asked me to marry him. 

Then we went to Walmart in Michigan city and the girls got to spend some of their money that came from the change they had saved in their piggy bank. They each bought a Pony stuffed animal toy that has it's own comb, food and carrying bag.

We went to Ryan and Kristina's house after that and the kids got in their swimming pool and jumped on their trampoline. Gabby and her cousin Becca stayed in the pool for over 2 hours. We ate dinner there and then went back to my inlaws house and went to bed. 

So we told them to walk holding hands...but it's still cute. 

My blue Eyed boy

They are sitting in the Spot I was sitting when Kevin asked me to Marry him On April 29, 2005

Me and my babies

Monday June 27Th

The kids were so worn out they slept an hour later so we got up at 6:00. We had breakfast and then the girls took a bath in the big bath tub. We all got around and then My Mother in law treated us to lunch at Olive Garden. My Father in law had to work so he couldn't come with us.  A funny thing happened when I was done eating I took Nathan out to the car to feed him. He is so noisy he won't nurse when other people are around. So I was sitting in the car and he was almost asleep. I saw a lady open the door to the car next to ours. Just then My door opened and a little old lady almost sat on my lap just as her daughter called to her that it was the wrong car, lol. She said "Oops wrong car" and just shut the door really slowly,lol. Anyway, then We went to the South lake mall and I shopped in Gymboree with Nathan while Kevin walked around with the girls. We also let them ride the carousel inside the mall.

When we left the mall we went to visit some family Friends at their house. Then we went to Walmart to get some groceries. I stayed in the car to feed Nathan and then he napped until they were done in the store. We got back to the house around 6:00 and had dinner around 7. The girls were so tired they asked to go to bed and fell right asleep.

At The Bennet's Home

Tuesday June 28TH

We had breakfast and then we went to the Duneland Resale shop in Chesterton, IN. I used to shop there all the time when Gabby was a baby. They sell all their baby shoes for 50 cents! I was lucky to get a pair of stride rites once and also a pair of baby gap shoes! I miss that store so much! This time while we were there I found a life jacket that looks almost new for $2.00! I also got Gabby a pair of pants for $1.00 that are in great shape! Afterward we got lunch out and then took the kids to a playground at the school that Kevin went to when he was a kid. After that we went back to his parents house and spent some time with His Mom and brother and his Brother's family.

Wednesday June 29TH

We went to Walmart in the Morning and then headed over to Deep river water park. This was the first water park (Or any kind of amusement park) that we have taken our kids to. It was a lot different then when we went as kids! I had to mainly sit in the shade with Nathan most of the day and Kevin and his parents played around with the kids. Kevin watched the baby for a little bit while I got in with the girls too. Then we all went on the lazy river ride together.Gabby loved going on the water slides and she is so brave for a 4 year old! Avalynn would only go on the tiny little frog one but that was okay too! Afterward we got them dippin dots ice cream at the park. I think they had a Wonderful day and I am so glad we took them there! They both fell asleep on the way back to Nonnie and papa's house. 

Nathan Splashing, He Loves Water!

Gabby after she got off the Water Slide

Avalynn's Kind of Water Slide!

Fun on the Lazy River!

The girls just having Fun!

Eating dippin dots

Thursday June 30Th
My brother and Sister in Law were both off so we all went to Kimmel Beach on Lake Michigan. The water was cold but it was really sunny and Hot so it felt good! Nathan liked the water and also liked touching the sand for the first time. We were there for about 4 hours. Kevin and I took the kids back to his parents house and we all showered. Then we went to his Brother's house and had pizza for dinner from Little Ceasar's. It was pouring rain and Thunderstorm by that time. We then drove to Kevin's friend Rich's house. We had a nice visit with him and his soon to be step daughter who is a little older then Gabby.
Nathan feeling the sand

Gabby having a blast

Me with Avalynn & Nathan

Friday July 1st
Kevin and I decided to go to Lighthouse premium outlets in Michigan city, IN. It had been pouring rain all night and morning and a lot of roads were flooded. We had to turn around several times because of the water across the road. It was Storming so bad we only went to a couple of stores. We then drove out near Warsaw,IN to go to a Jellystone park where Kevin's parents have a 5th wheel they keep out there on lots they bought. That night we walked around the par, let the kids play on the play ground and took them in the pool.  Then we went back to the camper and went to bed. Gabby was really getting home sick that night and crying for her bed.
Could he get any cuter???

Saturday July 2nd
Kevin's brother and his Family came out to the park and we all went on my In laws boat. Gabby was so cute jumping off the boat. The water was warmer then I thought it would be. We stayed out on the lake for a few hours then we went back to the camper and ate dinner. It started storming and down pouring rain. We left around 7:30 p.m. to start home. We drove for 3 hours and then stopped near Toledo Ohio for the night at a hotel that allows dogs. I gave Gabby and Nathan a bath and then put them to bed. Avalynn fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep.
The Boat

Pretty Family of Swans

 Gabby jumping off the boat

Sunday July 3rd.
I didn't sleep well and woke up several times. At around 5:00 I got up and took a bath. Kevin woke up around 6:00. We ate and got around. Then we left and drove the 7 hours home. We had to stop twice. The kids were all really good and did a lot better in the car then I thought they would. We got home around 3:00 which was just in time for my Parent's 4th of July Party they throw every year. Poor Kevin got really sick and ended up going home early. At first we thought he had food poisoning from the taco bell he had for lunch but later that night Gabby also got sick so we think it was probably just a stomach bug because she didn't eat any taco bell at all. The girls had McDonalds instead.