Aubrey's Royal Disneyland Adventure with cousin Olivia



Connor's Camping Adventures with Dad and Uncle Randy

Almond Joy Cookies

Here's my version of an Almond Joy Cookie:

1/2 c. softened butter

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. pure vanilla OR pure almond flavoring

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/4 c. white whole wheat flour

1 c. old fashioned oats

1/3 c. almond meal

1/4 c. ground flaxseed (optional)

1/4 c. finely ground coconut

1-2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Cream butter, sugars, egg and vanilla. Scrap bowl and mix well. Add dry ingredients. You may have to play around with the dry ingredients. I sneak in all kinds of wholesome stuff in my cookies. Shhhh...don't tell my kids.

Bake on silpat or parchment paper on a cookie sheet at 375 for 10-11 minutes.

Aaron's Boy Scout Camp Adventures

Ever wish you had a pet Macaw?

After seeing Rio, Aaron has been talking about owning a pet Macaw and even traveling to Rio. A few weeks ago, we happened to come across a lady hanging out near the HB pier with some friends and her pet macaw was just sitting on her handlebars. I told Aaron to come over and I'd get a picture. She came over and was very nice. She told us about her bird Sebastian and showed us some of his tricks one of which was kissing me on the lips several times. Aubrey wanted to join in the action and bravely stood with Sebastian on her shoulder. And of course, Aaron loved every minute.

Bye, Bye Birdie

So, I bet you're wondering what happened to our little hummingbirds? Well, they indeed flew away. We saved the nest and we hope to make a little book all about the baby hummingbirds on our back patio. As soon as the babies began to outgrow the nest, they would try to stand on the edge of the nest and practice flapping their wings. They only did this a few times before they were gone. I'm so glad I was home to capture it. They stayed close by for the first 24 hours or so before flying away with mom. I captured a picture of one of the babies up in the tree along our fence and a little later perched on our bird of paradise. It was quite an amazing thing to behold.