The Stache

Just playin' with the cousins...

everything's normal...

nothing unusual here mom...

it's not like I grew a stache over night or something...

The Lake

We spent the weekend of the 4th at the lake with the family.

Lots of snuggle lovin' from aunts, uncles, & cousins...

Lots of exploring down by the water...

Some special treasures found...

and many special memories to treasure...

Silver Dollar City

I have fond childhood memories of hot summer days spent with my family...

riding roller coasters...

sipping on frozen lemonade...

spending the day at Silver Dollar City...

So naturally, I desire that my children have the same kinds of memories....

AJ, Girlfriend, and Bunny rode their first amusement park rides.

AJ dipped his hand in wax...

forever preserving the shape of his little three year old hand...

& even got to take home his favorite color balloon.

Whatever makes ya happy little man.

See ya next summer Silver Dollar City!

On A Mission

Those look tasty.

hmmm...

I think I will just help myself...

minor complication...

My arm appears to be stuck...

yeah, pretty sure it is stuck...

This is just great.

How are you suppose to get these things out of here anyway?!

seriously?!

Mission complete!

Rocky Road Cookies

Ingredients:
1 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (plus a little extra for flattening cookies)
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter (2 sticks) softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 &1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chunks, divided
1 &1/4 cups miniature marshmallows

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well. Beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour mixture; beat just until mixture forms into a dough. Stir 3/4 cup of pecans and 1 &1/4 cup chocolate chunks into dough.

2. Drop eight rounded scoops of dough 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet. Dip back of spoon into cocoa powder; flatten cookies slightly using back of spoon. Lightly press half of remaining pecans and chocolate chunks into tops of cookies.

3. Bake 14 to 16 minutes. Centers will be soft. Remove from oven; immediately press half of the marshmallows into tops of cookies. Cool Completely. Repeat with rest of dough, pecans, chocolate chunks and marshmallows.

4. Enjoy!

Corny

The Release