Zoo and Park Day

The past two weeks Matt has been home from work (yay!), so we've been busy doing fun summer trips and activities!  One of our recent outings was a zoo and park day.  Matt and I took the kids to the zoo, then later met up with Matt's brother Jon and went to the park.  We had a really fun day.  Here are a few highlights:

Spotting Birds in the Rain forest Exhibit

My two favorite guys!

My Monkeys!

Special Gorilla Exhibit

Elijah looks mad, but I promise he had a fun time!

The best picture I could get of the four of us...Elijah did not want to sit still:)

Park Time

Brothers:)

I hope you are having a wonderful summer so far!  Can you believe that July begins tomorrow?  I can't! 

(Early) Summer Fun!

I know it's only June (and in MN, that means Summer has JUST begun), but here are some of the fun things we've been doing!

Planting Flowers!

Eating Strawberries

Bonfires and S'mores with friends

And learning to ride surprise bicycles from Daddy (right after bathtime!)

This month we are still planning lots of adventures, including swimming, boating, and the zoo!  What are your plans this summer?  Happy Thursday!

Here's to the Dads...

Father's Day is coming up this Sunday (tomorrow already!), and I wanted to wish all the great dads out there a happy Father's day.  In honor of this special holiday, I thought I'd share one of my favorite videos about dads.  Here you go:

And thank you so much to the wonderful dads in my life.  My dad Tom, my father in law, Al, and my amazing husband and father to my children, Matt.  Happy Father's Day! Time to celebrate:)

Cheers!

Grandma's House

When Matt is gone for work, the kids and I often go and visit Matt's parents.  Bella calls it 'Grandma's house'.  When Grandpa asks who's house it is, she is very certain that we are at Grandma's, not Grandpa's:)  Anyway, it is such a blessing to be able to spend time with them.  The kids absolutely love it there (new toys, treats, and fun things to do!), and I love being able to visit with them and be with family.  Lately when we go and visit, we spend most of our time outside.  I thought I'd share a few pictures from our adventures there!

Driving the car

Helping Grandma water the plants

Mowing the yard

Bella showing me some of her cool moves!

At the park

Saying Hello to an old friend

I tried to get a picture by the flowers just like the one we took last year,

Last Year (April 2012)

but here's how it turned out:

June 2013

Oh well, maybe next year!

Thanks Al and Debbie, for always having your door open for us:) Love you! 

Easy and Light Key Lime Pie

This recipe is quick and easy, and such a great dessert for the summer.

Key Lime Pie (Serves 8)
Ingredients:
2 Large Eggs
2 Large Egg Whites
1/2 cup Key Lime juice (can use fresh key limes or juice from bottle)
1 teaspoon grated lime rind (optional)
1 (14 oz) can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 (6 oz) graham cracker crust
1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350*.  Beat eggs and egg whites at medium speed until well blended.
2. Gradually add juice, rind, and sweet and condensed milk to the egg mixture, beat until well blended.
3. Spoon mixture into crust and bake for 20 minutes or until almost set (center will not be firm but will set as it cools).
4. Cool pie, cover loosely and chill for at least 4 hours.
5. Serve with whipped topping.

Enjoy!

Recipe from Cooking Light

Our 6th Year Anniversary (Video)

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life, Matthew!  The last six years have been amazing and I wouldn't change a thing.  Thank you for the love you show me, the laughs you stir in me, and the life you share with me.  I adore you. 

Here's a little video I put together for Matt for our anniversary. Cheers!