:: 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

Lil's 5 months old!!

So I've decided to start with Lillian at 5 months because that's pretty much where we are in life and I don't want to forget any details and I'm afraid with my crazy baby brain {you don't get it back, it's so true and sad} I will.

Oh girl, you are just so big.. and cute!  You were so funny when I was trying to take these pictures, just wanted to try and sit up the whole time.

Some of your stats:

~wearing 9 month and 9-12 month clothing, footy onesies have to at least be 12 months or they are too short

~size 3 diapers, size 4 night dipes {yep, started those on 6.26 with size 3's but moved to 4's on the next box because they would be so full in the morning}

~drinking 5-6 oz of breast milk about 4 times a day

~eating some rice cereal with milk for dinner {around 5:30} and you seem like you were meant to eat, you just knew what to do from the beginning {imagine that, I know!}
~you started sleeping on your tummy on 6.20, it was before you officially rolled over, but you just slept better that way, so that's how I put you to bed!  Illegal, I know.. sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do!

~you rolled over on 6.28!!  And of course, Iz and I were in the kitchen, walked back into the play room and you were on your belly, I couldn't believe it.. so I flipped you over and we sat there to watch you flip over, you didn't, so I walked back into the kitchen real quick to check our lunch in the oven and I heard Iz yell, "she just rolled over mommy!!", I was like, no she didn't?!  Yep, I missed it again!  I couldn't believe it!  Typical!  I did see you roll from your belly to back the next day in your crib and have seen you do both ways several times since :). 

~you have been teething for a couple of weeks and are just chewing on your hands, toys, everything!  Not near as much drool as Isabelle had, haven't had to resort to full time bibs yet.
~nicknames: Lilly girl, Lil bug, Lil, doodle, doodle bug, 

~you are so happy and giggle and laugh a lot, which is great.  You love your big sister and she can make you laugh the best, it's so fun to watch.
~you found your feet and love to lay on your back, grab your feet {happy baby yoga pose!} and chew on your toes

Oh Lillian, just look at that little face, gets me every time!  You are such a lovable, hugable, sweet little baby and I don't know what we would do with out you in our little fam!  I always wondered how I could love another little as much as I love Isabelle, but it just happens and I do!  It's crazy how it works!  We love you so much and can't wait to see how much more you change and grow in the next month {but slow down please, getting too big too fast}!

:: KC :: friends ::

So this is funny, I kept all my beads from Spring Break trips and New Orleans {I didn't do anything for them, promise} and I'm not really sure why, but Isabelle found them and thought they were pretty cool!

Oh and that little basket behind her is what Lillian slept in for the first couple of times we went to Sue Sue's house, didn't last long because she got too big for it fast... she was actually pretty big for it the first time she slept in it.

Man did we need a double stroller.. Isabelle told me she wanted to push her stroller with her baby in it, but we all know how that ends- she got tired and I was pushing her and Lillian at the same time, it was kind of a struggle.. I even tried to rig Iz onto the bigger stroller so I could just pull her, but that didn't work because she almost tipped over.. let's just say, not an ideal way of taking a walk in the heat.

at the park.. Lillian had a nice nap in her car seat there..

We had a fun + crazy night with friends and their littles.. we decided the next time would be without kids!  It was kind of chaotic and confirmed that I could never have a daycare at my house, we were all like, aaaggghh!  It was really fun though and we all laughed about all the craziness.

Trying to capture all the crazy..

All the littles {minus 2 babes and another little that left early}.. Isabelle was trying to take a picture of us while we were taking pictures of them.. didn't really turn out for us since she has a phone in front of her face :(.

happy girl..

just one of my favorite faces {that lip!}.. passed out after eating..

Learning to rock with her kick start leg!

Such a sleepy girl, pretty much fell asleep in the swing!

another sleepy face..

I got a handful of these Alphabet cookies out for Iz and her initials happened to be 3 of the 4- I thought it was pretty cool!  

:: Mother's Day at the K ::

Jacob surprised me with this gem from the girls before we headed to KC for Mother's Day.. I can make my own lattes now!!

Lillian started grabbing onto things that weekend.

I went to a friend's wedding the night before and it was fun to see these friends and watch Gilgus {Nicole} get hitched!

Lizzy, Bonny, Katie

My mom tore this out of the newspaper for me.. pretty funny {and so true}!

The whole fam went to the Royals game for Mother's Day, so Izzy girl and Lillian went to their first game.  Isabelle had a blast! 

Lil just saddled up to the bar!

cousins..

Wish this would've shown up a little better.. Lillian and I.

Sue Sue came and Iz just ran up to her and gave her a big hug, melted me.

the clan..

I didn't realize it was going to be chilly when I packed us, so Lillian got her first game gear- socks.

Iz's game gear.. she just kept saying, "popcorn".

It's hard to see, but Isabelle is rounding the bases with Sue Sue here..

Our little fam.

Isabelle was so pooped from the crazy day with no nap, she passed out on my shoulder on the walk to the car, then slept the whole way back to Sue Sue's.

Look at that squished little face- Lillian loves her sister!

:: chatty girl : skating : sister love ::

It was so fun when Lillian started 'chatting' or her baby babble.. one of my favorite things!  Her faces are the best.

 It didn't take her long to love the infamous Sophie.

 totally normal!  Iz got so excited about wearing her swimsuit, that she just walked out back in it and was ready to go play with her neighbors.

 We went to our neighbors birthday party at the skating rink for Izzy girl's first skating experience.. she seemed to love it!  I hadn't been skating in years, but it all came back to me once I got on the rink {I used to love skating parties}!

 Iz was so cute, dancing out there with dad.. it's hard to tell from this picture, but she was moving her arms up and down with the music.

 Isabelle just giving Lillian some love...

 talking to her and trying to hold her..

I had a friend ask me to embroider some towels as a gift for someone and I thought the towels were fun so thought I would share!