All Aboard!

Labor day was so rainy! Perfect for staying in and lounging in our PJ's. However, we had promised Cohen weeks ago that he would get to go to the train station and ride the caboose. Norfolk Southern hosted a family and friends day for a new grand opening of some of the trains. Zachs moms boyfriend actually rebuilt the caboose and was showing it off this day : ) So off we went in the rain...

sidenote: he lost this balloon within 2 minutes. still a sore subject around here.

top right window cohen is popping out :)

We all came home and enjoyed long naps on this rainy afternoon!

showering babies!

The past 3 weekends have been filled with showers galore! A few weeks back was a shower for Lauren and Chris, they are expecting baby Nate... anyday! And then this past weekend I helped host a shower for Katelyn and Shane, they are expecting a baby boy also, Lucas in November. Our church is filled with baby boys boys boys. I can't wait to meet these new babies!

Behold, bchildren are a heritage from the Lord,

cthe fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 127:3

sneak peek into a camping world. no not the store.

On Saturday we drove up to Floyd Co. to see my dad and his wife while they were camping. I knew that this would be right up Cohen's alley. We spent time visiting, eating hotdogs and chasing Cohen around the camp site. Zach and I really enjoyed going b/c we want to take the boys camping in the near future and we needed to brace ourselves on things we would need, things we would have to do without, etc. It was nice to get a sneak peak at what all is involved in camping (no running water, no shower, no internet, the list is endless). My dad purchased a pop up shower which is pretty nifty (yes i said nifty) where you just add hot water (that you have to heat over the fire, in buckets) then pour in the shower head and you have just enough time to bathe depending on how much water you used. I think this would be a great experience for the boys when they get old enough to understand that you don't take electricity, or running water for granted because this is how some people LIVE, all the time.

I love this boys smile :)

Zach drinking coffee that dad made over the campfire.

papa denning, cohen, and "trouble".

this handsome fellow had a blast too :)

cohen spilled all coke that papa denning on his shirt so we had to hang it to dry.

GROSS GROSS GROSS! Can anyone guess what this is? AN ONION.

brilliant!

I had to share this brilliant idea....

Homemade Protein Bars!!

Its no secret that I am by far from healthy, however, I am trying :) I try to like protein bars but I just can't. I have been researching and researching ones that give you the protein you need, plus taste yummy. I found this and made it and let me me tell you, DELISH.

Here goes:

2 1/2 cups peanut butter

2 cups honey

2 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder

3 cups uncooked oatmeal

1/2 cup chopped almonds

 

Heat the peanut butter and honey for about 2 minutes. Mix the dry ingredients then add to the wet mixture. Press into a 9x13 and refrigerate or freeze. When hardened cut into 12 or 16 pieces (I did 12) and wrap individually. I keep them in the fridge and grab and go as needed.  I just made this batch, and I put mine in the freezer for a bit to harden up before we cut and divide them up.  The frosty pan looks pretty cool though :)  

Nutitional facts (not sure is this is based on 12 or 16 pieces)

200 calories

9g fat

3-4g fiber

15g protein

26g carbs

 

Cohen even likes them :)

Handprint Love

Prior to having kids, I always kept a spotless home, don't judge me anymore : ) There used to be no streaks in the mirrors or windows, no writing on the walls, and no muddy footprints. Now.... well, that's all totally changed. There are finger prints on the glass doors, there is definatly some writing on the wall (ahem, Cohen), and almost 80% of the time you can find a nice dirt/mud footprint on the floor. As frustrating as it can be, I love it. I saw this perfect hand print on the door yesterday and I refuse to remove it (for at least a few days, haha) because one day the boys will leave this house, they will move away and there won't be any more finger prints.

Melt.My.Heart :)

new year, new gear :)

Last year at preschool Cohen sported this bookbag and lunchbox :)

Well, its a NEW year! My dear friend Kristin saw this race car bookbag and lunch box while shopping for the twins booksbags, as soon as she showed me I was sold : ) They were found at Paper and Polka Dots

Cohen loves anything "vroom vroom".

We are so excited for a new school year.