I'm back-but who knows for how long?!! What have I been up to??? Hugging babies most especially.Feeding babies.Rocking babies. Holding babies.Changing babies-, just sometimes!!! Ahh,the great reward of grand parenting!!!!

In our free time,we collectively collapse in differing vegetative states in front of tv or computer screens. That new glazed look we're wearing means if you ask us anything,we will answer without thinking & we will not remember what you asked;when you asked;why you asked nor what we answered. Bedtime is the most exciting time around here!! It is looked forward to with great anticipation-by all but the twins, some nights!!!!

Soo,since I'm obviously not writing,creating,sewing or anything where is the creative outlet?? In my cooking & baking.Since we still have to eat, I'm loving trying new things in the kitchen.....

WHAT FAB FOOD IS HAPPENING IN MY KITCHEN:

A really good sandwich you've got to try!!!

Get a really good sourdough bread & brush slices with olive oil,bake in a 425* degree oven for 5 minutes each side. Spread each side of the bread with a mix of equal parts mayo & pesto mixed together.Layer on turkey,sliced mozzarella,thin tomato slices & fresh basil leaves. Let your creativity go on this one-how about ham,monterey jack cheese,marinated artichokes instead of turkey, mozz. & tomato? Vary the breads,meats,cheese,veggies,the changes are endless & all very tasty I'm sure! Let me know what you come up with!!!

ANOTHER GREAT THING: Chipotle in adobo sauce ,the one I use is by Beano,found with the sub sauces.I mix half mayo(I use low fat),half chipotle sauce. Dan & I LOVE this stuff.Great on sandwiches of all sorts, & especially good on a hamburg with sauteed onions & mushrooms.

DESSERT FOR TONIGHT:

Little mochaccino puddings in espresso cups with fresh whipped cream!! Here's the recipe:

2 c. milk

1/3 c. sugar

2 TB.cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp. instant coffee

1 Tb. cocoa
dash salt

4 oz. bittersweet chocolate,,broken up

1 1/2 tsp.vanilla extract

1/2 c. heavy cream

1 Tb. confectioner's sugar

Whisk milk,sugar,cornstarch,cocoa,instant coffee & salt together in a saucepan.(What I like to do is whisk my dry ingredients together to mix them thoroughly,then whisk in my milk.Does this make any difference? I suspect not ,I just FEEL like it does!) Bring this mixture to a boil over med.high heat,stirring frequently to make sure none sticks to the bottom of the pot.

Let boil for 1 minute,you should feel the thickening as you stir.Stir the whole time it's boiling,then remove from the heat.Stir in the broken chocolate pieces & vanilla until chocolate is melted & mixture is smooth & creamy.

If you own a cute espresso cup & saucer set now's the time to use them!! Pour mixture into 6 cups.Cover & refrigerate at least 1 hour so it has time to firm.Put mixing bowl & beaters in fridge also.

When it's time to serve- Remove bowl & beaters from fridge.Beat whipping cream & confectioners sugar until soft peaks form. I sometimes add a little vanilla also,not always,just sometimes. Add a creamy puff of whipped cream atop the rich chocolate-y little cups & garnish as you wish.

The recipe is very good but I would make it a little sweeter next time by using all or some semi-sweet chocolate instead of the bittersweet. I compensated for this by replenishing the whipped cream as I ate every delicious bite!! Let me know if you try it!! Or better yet-request me to make it the next time we get together!! Enjoy!!!

It's freezing rain here today. Gavin (in Pic) is napping.His Mama is napping. Zane,his twin, has just fallen asleep. Guess where I'm headed....zzzzzzzz

An exciting day at Grammy's and Grandpa's

Today was Ariana's first time eating cereal! It's hard to believe the little girlie is already big enough for that- but she is! After the first few bites, she definitely got the hang of things. Grammy Jill was impressed at how well she did and that we actually got most of the cereal in her and not on her bib and clothes! By the end she was already opening her mouth for the spoon...Mommy is hoping that this will keep her little, ravenous girl happy a little longer than just a bottle does!

G & Z

Zane

Gavin

My Mr Z and G

just relaxin'

Well, let's see,what's life like with two sweet as sugar baby boys?? Busy,yep.definitely busy. Dan & I have each had a baby in our arms & joke "Who knew we'd "have twins" at our age?"!!! They are precious!! Gavin was smiling' at his Mommy this morning & a grinning & talking to his Grandpa this evening! We simply melt with all this baby love going on!!
In the midst of Babyland,we are trying to fit in Christmas.There will be no cards this year & little else!!! I'm late for my usual schedule of doing things.Christmas shopping,wrapping,decorating....really, it's going to be a simple season.I got some wrapping done yesterday...I stayed up til' 2 AM. Evening was the only time I had to get stuff done!!! And, I loved it!! I'm having so much fun wrapping presents for my loved one's.Maybe I can post a pic soon! I still have shopping to do,haven't got Trav's pkg. mailed,but it'll all come together.
Dear Dan put up the tree today,maybe lights tomorrow!!! Ashley & I ran errands & Christmas shopped. While we were out,we met up with Summer,so another impromptu "girl party" commenced!!
My friend, Kathleen brought a delicious meal over for us,with dessert!! It was so nice not to have to even think about supper!!!
Thank- you, Lord for the friends & family who bless & brighten my day. Open my eyes to see ways to bless those around me, too!

Ariana- Four Months Already

Hey...it's Summer again.... I took some pictures of the little girlie this morning, that I figured I would share with you all. I woke up and the lighting was absolutely perfect in my bedroom, so I couldn't resist! Hurray for photography done in your pj's! I can't believe she is already four months old- time has flown by so quickly... She's doing lots of new things- rolling over from her back to her tummy, trying to sit and almost able to do it sometimes with a little support, still loves the sound of her voice...ALOT...discovering her tootsie toes, grasping and playing with toys...Having big conversations with Grandpa Dan...It's so much fun! She also met her two little cousins and loves to watch them!!

Things are pretty busy over at mom and dad's place right now...as I'm sure you can all imagine! Caring for two baby's is...well... pretty much all they do! The big accomplishment of the day being getting a shower or making dinner in between feedings, diaper changes, calming fussy babies... More or less, you run from the time they get up until...well...hopefully, they go to bed! Poor Ashley doesn't get much sleep! But we all know its worth it and hopefully, soon they'll settle into more of a regular schedule that includes sleeping long stretches through the night! Already in the one week that they have been here, I can see changes in them. How quickly they grow! I am hoping to do a photo shoot of Ashley and the boys soon- we'll be sure to post pictures for you all to see!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

All our love, Summer and Ariana