Monday Listicles - 10 Firsts

Monday, Monday.... I have been dying a very slow, painful death due to ear infections. The pain has been horrible. So horrible in fact that I called for pain meds, and was given Vicodin, which did nothing. Went back to the Dr (with both boys who acted like a-holes...) and was given better antibiotics and Percocet this time. Still hasn't helped. Ugh! I think it might finally be getting better... fingers crossed! "Sleeping" on the couch (getting no sleep really) mixed with  the pain and crying babies sucks! And my poor son gets so upset when I start crying from how bad it hurts.

Anyways... onto Stasha's Monday Listicles! This week Bridget from Twinisms has chosen the topic of 10 firsts. Hmmm..... So many choices

10 Firsts (random of course)

1. My first dog was a golden retriever named Casey. My dad gave him to us on Christmas morning.
2. My first husband (OK, only husband) is named Casey also.
3. My first trip without my parents was to Spain.
4. My first stay at the hospital was when I was three. I had meningitis.
5. The first time I was in a wedding I was a flower girl. I had the chicken pox
6. My first stitches were in my forehead. I was hit with a golf club. Not on purpose, I just didn't stand far enough back.
7. My first Christmas gift from my husband was a scarf. We had only been dating a week.
8. The first time I met my husband's parents was after I had spent the night with him at his house. Talk about ultimate walk of shame.
9. The first time I saw my son I was scared to touch him cause he was covered in icky goo. Oh and I had an oxygen mask on and almost passed out. And yes, I still feel bad about it.
10. My first concert was Dixie Chicks. A few friends and I had to drive to the Tacoma Dome (2 hours away) I didn't tell my parents it was that far.

Sunshine Award

Its a rainy, dark fall this week. I have a horrible cold, now with ear infections. And a couple of kids who also have the cold.

But Diane from Our Adventures with Riley was out spreading sunshine and has given me the Sunshine Award.


The rules are to answer the 8 questions, and then spread some sunshine to 8 other bloggers that you think are awesome!

Here it goes....

1. What is your favorite Christmas / Holiday Movie?
I have a three... A Christmas Story, and yes I watch the full 24 hours of it, Elf of course, and 4 Christmas's is HILARIOUS

2. What is your favorite flower?
I love roses, especially yellow, orange or purple roses. My favorite

3. What is your favorite (non-alcoholic) drink?
Why not alcohol?! I guess it would be coffee Ha ha!

4. What is your passion?
I like Diane's answer... passion means guilty pleasure right?! Again I would have to agree with her, slot machines, reading, pedicures, white cheddar popcorn, and long island iced teas

5. What is your favorite time of the year?
Summer hands down! Its so nice, you can just be outside for forever! And it doesn't rain much here

6. What is your favorite time of the day?
Well... I hate that I still get up early, but its my favorite time cause the kids are sleeping and its quiet. I can do things I want to... like blog, or read blogs Ha ha! And its the only time of the day they sleep at the same time

7. What is your favorite physical activity?
Now, walking with the boys. Before... playing basketball

8. What is your favorite vacation?
Without kids, Fiji! With kids... so far we have only done one and it was San Diego. I would love to go back there!

Now onto the 8 blogs I am handing awards out to
1. Emily at Stop! She's Got A Camera!
2. Tami at Pretty Purplexing
3. Mary at Sweet Little Bluebird
4. Stacie at Snaps and Bits
5. Leslie at Pampers, Play Dates and Parties
6. Monica at Peeper Summarized
7. Recovering Supermom
8. Caitlin at Mrs. MidAtlanic

Monday Listicles- Halloween Costumes

Happy Monday everyone! Back from my girl's weekend, where I of course had a horrible cold. Came home to kids who also have the same horrible cold. Ugh! Spent the night one the couch with the baby. Poor little guy.

This week for Monday Listicles, Stasha, with the help from Bridget at Twinisms and Ellen at Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms have asked for a list of 10 Halloween costumes.

1. Jakah's first costume

2. Jakah's 2nd costume

3. Jakah's 3rd Costume that he refuses to wear this year so I took it back

4. Jensen's 1st Costume

5. Jensen wearing Jakah's costume

6.  Casey and I as a Hippie and Will Ferrell more cowbell guy






7. I thought this was adorable for this year, but Casey said no

And future costume ideas! After looking thru costume ideas I just want to say how thankful I am for boys! Girl costumes are so skanky looking! Does that mean I am getting old?

8. Minion costumes I want to make for the boys when they get older


9. Marty McFly and the DeLorean


10. Bobcat

Friday Funnies

Happy Friday Everyone!!! Anyone have plans for the weekend? I am off to my 2nd wine tasting. Its a whole weekend bachlorette party for my sister-in-law. Woohooo girl time and I get a break from the boys!

First off I want to say that I am so honored my Giant Height Ruler project was featured on two other blogs this week! Go check them out!


Now onto the funnies!

You can find these all on my Pinterest board Laughs. And as always feel free to follow me!



This happens with my husband a lot






My dad may have done this too us a few times


After watching the presidential debates and the governors debates this makes me laugh


That's all for this week! Hope you all have a great weekend!

This is linked up with Emily at Stop! She's Got A Camera! Come over and check out the funnies! Link some up yourself!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies - Pinterest I Did It # 7

Oh my goodness I am a crazy Pinterest lady lately.

Seriously! I  made two dinners and these brownies just this week! One dinner was good, but I am going to tweak the recipe before I share it. One was bad, and then these DELICIOUS brownies!

I found the recipe at Browned Eyed Baker and made a few adjustments of my own because I didn't have the exact ingredients on hand. My adjustments are noted in blue.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies - Browned Eyed Baker

 Brownie Ingredients and Instructions
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate finely chopped (I used cocoa powder, the conversion is 3 tablespoons cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon butter or oil = 1 ounce of chocolate. So for this recipe it was 12 tablespoons cocoa powder + 4 tablespoons butter)
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups light brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 9x13" pan with foil, or spray with Pam. In a mixing bowl mix brown sugar and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. (add the extra butter now if using cocoa powder) Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Mix in the chocolate (or cocoa powder) Reduce speed to low and add the flour. Do not over mix. Pour / spread into the 9x13 pan and bake for 25 - 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

While the brownies are baking, make the cookie dough to put on top.

Cookie Dough Ingredients and Instructions
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons whole milk (I used Darigold vanilla half and half)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (I only put 1 teaspoon in since I used the flavored half and half)
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (I used 1 bag of Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips)

In a mixer bowl combine butter and sugars until fluffy. Add milk (or half and half) and vanilla. Mix until combined. Reduce speed to low and add flour, just until combined. Add chocolate chips.

Spread the cookie dough over cooled brownies. (I spread it over the warm brownies and it sorta melted together) Refrigerate about an hour or until dough is firm.

Cut and enjoy!

(Recipe was adapted from Brown Eyed Baker)

This is linked up with:
  

Birthday and Wine Tasting

I've know my BBFF since 2nd grade! She was 8 and I was 7. I had just moved here from Arizona and knew no one. We clicked instantly. Or its cause our moms paid each of us to be friends :) Either way we have been BBFF's ever since. (BBFF stands for Best Bitch Friend Forever)

This weekend we went out and celebrated her birthday that is actually today. She wanted to go wine tasting. Now its no secret I am not a fan of wine. In fact there is only one wine I love, its pineapple wine found on Maui. Our husband's wouldn't let us go there to taste it without them so we had to settle for around here.

She knew of a place in Woodinville that you can walk from winery to winery and taste everything. Seriously there was TONS of places. At least 20 if not more.

So off we went, Sally, her mama, her sister-in-law and me.

First stop was at am eccentric vodka distillery. Sally loved it and was convinced I would love it too. I'm not a fan of vodka either (man I sound like I don't like alcohol!) But I tried it anyways. It smelled like rubbing alcohol and tasted even worse! One special bottle was 160 proof! Yikes!

Not my favorite at all! But we trekked on to some wineries for some wine. Where I found out most places only have red. I'm a white fan (you know, that one that I like)

After two stops and two wineries we FINALLY found a place that had four different whites to taste. I was in heaven. We stayed there for quite a while and annoyed the server. He served us wine out of a piano

It was yummy! So yummy in fact that I bought a tote! A tote that holds 2 bottles worth. And as the owner told us, a tote is so much classier than a box of wine. And it conveniently clips to my pants.

Perhaps this winery converted me. Of course I bought it after drinking 12 different tastings, and I have yet to taste it since buying it. 

All in all it was a fun day celebrating my BBFF's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Sally!