Saturday, August 30, 2008

Tiger-Tail Pretzel


We always buy one of these tiger tail pretzels when we go to the mall. Max eats half and then baby Mia eats the rest. It is a fun tradition that keeps everyone happy!

Hippos at the Mall?!

I love going to the mall! There is so much for the kids to see, we get a nice walk, and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory never fails to please me. We went to Opry Mills yesterday. Max loves the hippo outside of the Rainforest Cafe!

Play-Doh Recipe

makes 1 1/2 cups of clay

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
( food coloring - optional)

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Over medium-low heat, stir the mixture constantly until it thickens and begins to form a ball. (about 3 minutes) Remove from heat.
2. Turn the clay onto a clean surface and allow to cool. When cool enough to handle, knead until smooth. Food coloring may be added at this point.
(Store in the fridge!)

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Health Nut or Junk Food Junkie!?

I thought that there might be some concern regarding the nutritional information of this page as it is mostly chocolate. I have included a picture of Baby Mia eating a healthy serving of green beans to prove to any who might wonder what goes on in the kitchen at the Newmans!

Green Beans

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Doughnuts!

Chocolate Banana Nut Cake

I have been working on this recipe for a while. It is a really great snack cake.

5 bananas mashed
3/4 cup butter
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
1/8 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup white sugar + 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup ground nuts (just pulse in a blender or food processor)
1 cup all purpose flour + 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Melt the butter with the chocolate. Add chocolate mixture to the bananas. Add the cocoa ( I like the combo of melted chocolate and cocoa powder) Mix in the sugars, baking powder, soda, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla.
3. Blend in the ground nuts and add the flour. Finally stir in the chocolate chips.
Bake for 50-55 minutes.
4. Serve dusted with powdered sugar.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Nashville Restaurant Review #1

I say number one because I hope that Ty and I will be able to go out on more dates, and visit more restaurants in the area.
Last night Ty and I had dinner at Woody's Steakhouse. It is the oldest steakhouse in Tennessee. I thought it was delicious. They bring you fresh bread, warm from the oven, with butter. I cannot resist warm bread with butter. The salad was fresh. The steaks were tender and juicy. Overall we had a very good experience. It was fun to be out just the two of us and have a dinner that we did not have to clean up!

Play-Doh

Building Blocks

I recently bought Max a set of wooden blocks. He has had so much fun with them. He talks about the "really big towers" he is building. He is very creative, I am always amazed at what he can accomplish.

Our Little Architect

Thursday, August 21, 2008

In the middle of my decade

5 years ago:
I was engaged to Ty. I was ridiculously giddy. I was working at the BYU creamery and telling every person who came through my line that I was getting married. The future was full of possibilities but all I could see was Ty.
5 years in the future:
Still crazy in love with Ty. Done with school and settled, maybe in a beach house somewhere. One or two more babies. A trip to Machu Pichu Peru to tell everyone about. More money to spend on shoes, and chocolate.

August 21, 2008

Baby Mia loves sugar! Last night before bed she got into the pantry and poured brown sugar all over the kitchen floor. She then proceeded to eat it with gusto! This morning she went into the kitchen and found chocolate chip cookies. She was an adorable mess! I guess I can't blame her. I love the sweet stuff myself!

delicious

Yum-O!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Mia and the big pink ball

Happy Birthday Max!

Max turned 3 today. He was super excited for his special day! He wanted fruit loops for breakfast and pizza for lunch. Ty's parents sent Max some Thomas the train underpants for his birthday and he loves them. Max got to go with his friend, Levi to Chuck E Cheese. It is his most favorite place to go!

Max's 3'rd Birthday!

Monday, August 18, 2008

I am Princess Jasmine!


You Are Jasmine!
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Independent and adventurous. You don't want much; just to break out of the guilded cage society has put you in and experience life to the fullest. Following orders isn't really one of your strong points, and you would rather live a life of poverty than being forced into something that you hate.


Which Disney Princess Are You?

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Chocolate and Zucchini Cake

This is a really fabulous cake. I have made it twice and it is delicious!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

1/2 cup butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
2 cups unpeeled grated zucchini
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a 10 inch springform pan.
3. Cream the butter with the sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Add the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix in the flour, fold in the zucchini and the chocolate chips.
4. Pour into prepared pan.
5. Bake for 40 minutes.

fabulous with frosting or without

Sunday August 17th, 2008

Yesterday we went to Mcdonalds on our way to the park for french fries. When Max and Mia were finished with them we fed them to the ducks. After hours of play everyone was filthy and it was bathtime. We love bathtime because not only do the kids get clean but so does the bathroom floor.

Splish Splash they were taking a BATH!

Friday, August 15, 2008

We love our happy girl!

Friday August 15, 2008

Today we went to Maggie Moos for ice cream and it was amazing! I had the red velvet cake flavor with chocolate fudge and fresh strawberries. Max had the bright blue cotton candy ice cream with gummy bears...a real classic! It was fun, and while we were eating it started to rain. We love it when it rains in Nashville. All of the humidity seems to get washed away with the rain. At least for a little while!

Max loves balloons

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Beautiful Mia

August 14, 2008

Max's birthday is actually on the 19th but he got a birthday card from his grandparents with some birthday cash so we went to Toys R Us. Max had so much fun. The staff gave him a birthday crown and a birthday balloon. He sang Happy Birthday to himself all the way home!

Birthday Shopping At Toys R Us

The Amazing Playground

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

August 13, 2008

Today we discovered a fabulous park in Hendersonville. It has a giant playground and a lake filled with ducks. We did not anticipate the ducks so we were without bread. Thank goodness we had teddy grahams! The kids had a great time and I got to sit in the shade and read Breaking Dawn so I consider the outing a huge success!