zucchini bread

In our garden this summer we decided to try out some vegetables. Usually we only grow raspberries, rhubarb and some basil. This year we have two kinds of jalapenos, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, rhubarb, raspberries and zucchini! The girls have had so much fun watching everything grow, watering and now picking fresh vegetables and fruit right from our own garden.

While we were in Michigan some of our zucchini plants got rather large, in fact- they are HUGE! We have used all of the smaller ones to grill with, but we had two monstrous ones left. Time for some zucchini bread!!

With my great helper and future chef, Kate, we made our first batch of zucchini bread. I used my Kitchen Aid attachment that my mother-in-law got us a long time ago, needless to say I had to dust it off. It worked great!

Freshly grated zucchini- yum!

Our secret ingredients...vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and almond extract. Don't worry I'll give you the recipe.

After lots of stirring and waiting, out came two perfect loaves of zucchini bread. Delicious!! The girls love it!

Here is the recipe....

3 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
2 c. grated zucchini
3 t. vanilla
2 t. almond extract
1/2 t. ground cloves
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
3 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt
1/2 t. nutmeg
3 c. flour

Mix well, in order given. Grease 2 loaf pans. Divide batter evenly into pans; bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour or a little less for dark metal pans. Enjoy!

michigan road trip

Today we made it home from our road trip around Michigan. It was awesome! I will post more later, but here is a sneak peek.

More to come later..... God bless!

picture update

Hi everyone! Matt has all of our new family picture proofs on his site. Click here to go directly to our page. If you have trouble go to www.mattaddington.com/proofs and click on families, you'll find us there. Enjoy!

new pictures

This evening we spent time with our dear friends Matt and Leah Addington and their children, Cameron and Emerson. We ventured down just southwest of Cannon Falls, MN. The Addington's live on acreage that overlooks the beautiful Sogn Valley. It is stunning!

We had the girls pictures taken a little late for their 3 year old pictures and a little early for their 3 1/2 year pictures.....I think it was perfect timing. You can view more pictures at http://www.mattaddington.com/ or view them on Matt's blog, http://mattaddingtonphotography.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

farm cats

We spent this past weekend at Grandma Great's farm in southwest Minnesota. One of Kate and Annika's favorite thing to do there is play with the farm cats in the barn. One cat in particular is very fond of the girls and the cat's name is Dora. (Named after one of Kate and Annika's favorite television shows.) The girls have learned how to carefully carry the kitties, just like a baby. And they love to hear the cats "sing" when they are happy.

And you can't forget the sheep! Grandma Great's farm is so much better than the petting zoo!

We had two great days on the farm. Beautiful weather, yummy food, miles of corn and beans, family, fresh raspberries. So much fun!

big girl beds

Well.....we made the transition to Big Girl Beds! It's been over three years that Kate and Annika have napped, dozed, slept, played and bounced in their cribs- the time had come for big girl beds. The girls never onced climbed out of their cribs if you can believe that, we just figured it was time. We had gotten some bunk beds from school friends when the girls were first born, knowing that someday we would use them. That time came way too fast!

So daddy (Jason) worked on painting the big girl beds white and the girls and I had fun shopping for big girl room bedding, curtains, sheets- the whole works! (We now love TJMaxx!!!!)

This past Friday was the first night sleeping in the new beds and it went SO well! After our nighttime reading the girls literally sprinted to their bedroom and climbed right in. After one "extra" bathroom break, it was off to sleep in their comfy, cozy new beds! I still cannot believe it.

golfing fun

This past Sunday we met Uncle Chad and Aunt Jenny out at "Chad and Jenny's green house", otherwise known as Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course in Jordan, MN. We played 9 holes and the girls enjoyed hitting their little whiffle balls every chance they got. They really have some skills, plus they look pretty cute in their golf hats!