:: Family Weekend- just the four of us ::

Love weekend mornings when we are all in bed together!

We all went to the gym, then had a nice little lunch together at the local "Kanza Yanza" restaurant.. love how Lillian is looking at me and dad is telling Isabelle that Lil is too heavy for her to hold. 

Look at those smiles.

 Sunday morning was home made biscuits and gravy... yum!

I made the first batch too thin {misread her measurement} so I doubled them up on the second batch to make them thicker like the picture in the recipe.. they were really good!

I was even able to make veggie gravy {just make a roux like you would for any white gravy, add fresh ground pepper, a little curry powder {I like the hot yellow one from Penzey's} and any other spices you like, then 1 1/2 C milk {used Almond} + 1/2 veggie stock or more milk if you don't have stock and stir until it thickens} and Jacob liked it!

I found a great + simple biscuit recipe via Pinterest, I would definitely make them again.

Foolproof Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits from 'tracey's culinary adventures'...

9 oz {about 2 C} all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

5 T cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes 

3/4 C cold buttermilk {I made my own buttermilk with 1 C almond milk, 1 T white vinegar.. put 1 T vinegar in a measuring cup and pour in milk until it hits the 1 C line, let stand for 5 mins, then measure out 3/4C}
3 T honey 

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter cubes, and use a pastry cutter (or your fingertips, if you'd rather) to cut in the butter until the pieces are no bigger than peas - the mixture should resemble coarse meal. Stick the bowl in your refrigerator to chill for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together the buttermilk and honey in a measuring cup. Add to the bowl with the butter/flour mixture and stir gently just until the dry ingredients are moistened.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead gently about 3-4 times to bring it together. The dough may still be a little crumbly, that's fine. Roll the dough into a 9x5-inch rectangle about 1/2-inch thick. Fold the dough into thirds like a business letter (using the long sides of the rectangle). Once again, roll the dough into a 9x5-inch rectangle about 1/2-inch thick, and again fold it into thirds like a letter. Roll the dough out to 3/4-inch thickness (the shape doesn't really matter). Using a 1 3/4-inch round cutter, cut biscuits from the dough (don't twist the cutter, use a straight up and straight down motion) and transfer to the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between them. (I gathered the scraps and cut more biscuits once or twice to get as many as possible.)

Bake for about 11-12 minutes, or until the biscuits have risen and are golden brown on top. Remove the baking sheet and transfer the biscuits to a wire rack. Allow to cool for a few minutes and serve warm. Or, if you won't be serving immediately, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds when you are ready.

Isabelle picked out this princess wand for Lillian at the toy store so she was trying to get her to hold it {this is what was going on while I was cooking}, but I think it was too big for her.

And she just wanted to put it in her mouth and it had so much glitter on it, I had to take it away from her.. she had glitter all over her face.

This is one of Isabelle's photos.. wish it wasn't blurry because look at that happy face!

We finished our weekend with home made pizza on the grill.. look how pretty!

tomatoes and green peppers from our garden!

We did try a new pizza crust recipe because we wanted it to be like the crispy cracker type crust and we found one that was really good on the Food and Wine website.. it was really simple and delicious!  There is just nothing better than pizza on the grill {with garden veggies and fresh mozzarella of course}!

Crispy Pizza Dough

3/4 C + 2 T warm water
1 package of active dry yeast
1 tsp sugar
2 C all-purpose flour, + more for dusting
1/2 tsp salt
extra virgin olive oil

1. In a large bowl, mix the water with the yeast and sugar and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the 2 cups of flour and the salt and stir until a raggy dough forms. Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes.
2. Lightly oil the bowl and return the dough to it; turn the dough to coat it with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm, draft-free spot until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 balls.

MAKE AHEAD The balls of dough can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated overnight or frozen for up to 1 month. Let the dough return to room temperature before rolling out.

We had such a nice little weekend as the four of us.. love when that can happen and think it's important to do every once in awhile.

:: Fast + Easy Granola Bars :: Baked Mac ::

I found this recipe for Fast + Easy Granola Bars, they are very similar to our energy balls, but a little different, so I wanted to try them- you know, change it up a little.

The bars were really good, but the balls just seem easier to grab and go, so I think we will stick with those, but here are the ingredients and details in case you would like to try them!

2 cups quick oats

1 cup all natural peanut butter 

1 cup honey

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup ground flax

sliced almonds (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and stir until well blended.  Spread mixture and roll out onto a cookie sheet or pan lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for an hour or so.I cut them with a pizza cutter after they had set for a little while in the fridge.  Wrap each bar up in some parchment paper or wax paper to keep them fresh.

Of course I failed to take a picture of the finished bars after they were out of the pan, but here is Izzy girl {yes, in her cheerleading uniform} helping me roll them out and after I cut them.  My little helper!

I had been wanting to make baked mac and need to get rid of some cheese so I looked for one on Pinterest and followed this recipe.

Creamy Baked Mac + Cheese

• 4 Cups Elbow Macaroni
• 6 Cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese {I did 4 C of sharp cheddar and 2 C pepper jack}
• 2 Cups Cubed Colby Jack Cheese
• 4 Tablespoons Butter
• 4 Tablespoons Flour
• 2 Cups Milk
• 2 Teaspoons Pepper
• 1/2 Cup Italian Style Bread Crumbs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees
2. Boil the elbow noodles until the are al dente - it is important not to overcook the noodles
3. Create a roux using the butter and the flour {slowly stirring the butter and flour until it starts to brown}
4. Add the milk and the pepper and keep on medium-low heat until the mixture begins to thicken
5. Add the shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time stirring the entire time. Be sure that the cheese is completely melted and mixed in before adding more cheese to avoid clumping
6. Stir in the noodles making sure that every noodle is coated
7. In a deep baking dish begin layering the coated noodles and the Colby Jack cheese. Begin with a layer of the sharp cheddar coated noodles, then a few cubes of Colby Jack cheese and then the coated noodles again until the dish is full. Make sure to end with the cheddar coated noodles.
8. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top.
9. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until the cheese on the top begins to brown

:: my girls :: kale flat bread ::

Isabelle just trying to entertain Lillian.. with her socks {notice it on her head}.

Lillian just looking so interested in what Isabelle has to say..

Ha!  love this.. Iz threw the sock up and it landed on Lil's head.. look at that face of wonder.

Silly girls!

tummy time!

I had a lunch date with my little Iz in her play room and this was her sandwich.. mac + cheese grilled chee!  Holy smokes!  That was a mouthful!

such a face full!

hello to you..

Such a little love bug!

Jacob and I had a great kale flatbread at Pachamama's for our Anniversary so I had to try it out, some home made wheat pizza crust rolled thin, sunflower oil, kale and fresh parmesan.. put it on some cornmeal and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.

The finished product.. it was pretty delicious!

Lillian enjoying the mobile Sue Sue made for Isabelle.. I just loved how into it she was.

Lillian at 2 months!

Yummy smoothie that started our day, which consisted of frozen mixed berries {strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries}, frozen cherries {about 5.. our new addition- did you know they are good for your joints?! Total bonus for runners! And other aging bones of course :)}, small frozen banana, 1 kiwi, handful of washed spinach, 1/2 scoop vanilla Juice Plus+ powder {or protein powder of your choice} + about 16 oz of water.. blend.. drink.. ahhh.

I was so anxious to go to the doc and see your stats.. here they are!

Height: 24 inches 96%

Weight: 15 lbs 8 oz >97% {off the charts}

Head Circumference: 40 cm 80%

 ~you are so big, little girl, wearing size 2 diapers

~wearing 6 month and some 3-6 month clothing but not for long.. moved to some 6-9 month onesies shortly after these pics were taken.. pretty sure that's the last time you wore that onesie {hence how tight the button is being pulled in the diaper region}

~you are eating about 5oz of milk

~you slept from 8:30-5 which was amazing and had some other good 5-6 hour stretches during the night
~you have started to make little smiles.. too bad we didn't get one in any of these pics!

~you hold your head up really well and are very strong

~you love baths and the water

~you are such a huggable, squeezable babe and I love all your rolls!
~you like to lay on the play mat and look at everything above you

~you still take most of your naps in the bouncer or swing, but soon to be in your crib!

~your naps started to vary in length, but usually about 3 hours still {miss those days! {as I write this 2 months later}}

~love that sleepy face

and you holding your hands together.

~at your doc appointment!

~another good snooze pic.. back when you took a bink.. and fell asleep like that!

~I have been calling you doodle bug, love bug, chunky {in a lovable way}, Lillian {imagine that}, Lil, my little.

I feel like there should be so much more, but to be honest, a 2 month old still sleeps a lot and there isn't much action.. I will say we love you so much and are so thankful to have you as a part of our family.  We can't wait to watch you grow and change and see how much you will look like your big sister Isabelle.. we are also very excited for you two to be best friends as you grow up!

:: weekend at Sue Sue's :: Quinoa Pancakes ::

We like to make breakfast at my mom's {well, she usually makes it while we are there.. but I find the recipe!} and these Quinoa Pancakes were delicious from 'fitsugar.com'... they are so worth making.. need to get a better picture of them next time I make them!

Quinoa Pancakes

1 cup cooked quinoa
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon course salt
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg white
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus more for skillet
1/4 cup low-fat milk {we used unsweetened Almond milk}
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, plus more for serving
Fresh fruit or fruit preserves (optional) for serving

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together quinoa, flour, baking powder, and salt. In another medium bowl, whisk together egg, egg white, butter, milk, and syrup until smooth. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and whisk to combine.
2. Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with butter and heat over medium-high. Drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into skillet. Cook until bubbles appear on top, 2 minutes.
3. Flip cakes and cook until golden brown on underside, 2 minutes. Wipe skillet clean and repeat with more melted butter and remaining batter (reduce heat to medium if overbrowning). Serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit or preserves if desired.

Lillian was also excited abou the pancakes!

It's amazing how much she can change her expression within seconds.. 

Look at that face!

Izzy girl, lovin' on her little sister.

Yay, going to the trampoline play place!!

Talking to sister..

Love Lillian's face while Iz talks to her, always so happy and intrigued.

We took Isabelle to 'Sky Zone' and it was such cool place, trampolines everywhere!  Iz was a little shy/nervous at first but it didn't take her long to feel comfortable and then not want to leave.

Izzy girl in action...

Kellie and Henry met us there and Iz was so excited to jump with Hen!

Good thing I brought shorts, she got so hot!

You can jump into a foam pit.. her favorite!

Highly recommend taking your littles there if you ever have the chance.. especially if you need to wear them out before a nap ;)!  We will definitely be going back with daddy so we can all jump together!

We went by one of Sue Sue's bee hives after to watch her and Nick put 20,000 bees {I know, crazy right?!} into their hive.. it was pretty neat to see!

Oh hello Sue Sue.. lookin' fine in her bee hat.. ha!  Sorry mom, couldn't resist!

And there she is, the Queen Bee!

Just dumping 20,000 bees out.. no big deal!  I probably should have stood a little further back considering my 2 yr old and infant were right next to me.. oops.

Just jumping off the mound of dirt.

Izzy girl was so ready for her nap when we got home, it just cracked me up when I looked at the monitor to see her totally lounging with her hands behind her head.

It was a beautiful day for a swing {and a run for me :)!}.

flower for Iz.. pretty sure it's a dandelion.

I peaked at Lillian and couldn't stop laughing.. I was like, umm, mom, have you checked on Lillian lately because she can't see.. I guess it was a good thing she was sleeping... reminded me of the little boy on 'Fat Albert' that always had the big stocking cap covering his face {at least I think that's what it was?}.  It's crazy to see her with a bink in her mouth because those days are over and have been for awhile- she will not take one anymore! 

Look at the little girl..

So it was Masters weekend {part of why we were in KC, so dad could just have it on the tube all weekend} and Iz had to wear her Masters golf shirt for dad, pretty cute.. oh and her whole get-up for our walk.

Iz got tired so her baby had to sit on her lap for the rest of the walk.

We had a nice little weekend at Sue Sue's and Iz can't wait to get back to that play place!  She just kept saying, "I want to show daddy the play place so he can jump with me!".