4th of July

I realize that the 4th of July was almost a week ago, but I thought I'd share some pictures from the day and how we celebrated our country's independence!

We started out the day with a trip to Valley Forge Park.  We live about 10 mins from the park, and I think we often take for granted how close we are to such an awesome place.  Growing up, I spent a lot of time at VF park- sledding in the winter, picnics, riding bikes in the summer.  I have very fond memories of spending time there.  So, I like that we are starting some of the same traditions with our kids.  

Last year, they started a free event on the 4th with games and activities for kids.  All of it is free, and they give great prizes to kids, it's very fun.  The only thing that cost money is the food, which is very reasonable).  Definitely worth checking it out if you live in the area.  

Aiden's favorite part was the dunk tank, which unfortunately I have no pictures of.  He got really good at dunking the girl in the tank.  It was so hot that day, I wished I had her job!

Aiden also joined in the Continental Army and learned all about the disccipline of being a soldier, which of coures also included a wooden rifle.  I was impressed that he stuck with the 30 minute activity of marching and lots of standing and listening.  

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Later in the day, we had some friends over for a picnic.  I'm so glad that our backyard and picnic table is getting lots of use this year!  

I had won a giveaway over at one of my favorite blogs- Jolly Goode Gal, which helped me decorate for the occastion.  When I received my little package in the mail a couple weeks ago, I immediately hung up this little flag banner- isn't it great?!

I moved the banner outside for the picnic- do you see it strung between the fence and the tree?

I also made a special dessert from a pinterest recipe.  I was very nervous about how they would turn out, but they were a huge hit!  The only thing I did differently in the recipe was added more flour.

I hope you all had a fun filled 4th and are enjoying your summer!

Sweet and Sinful

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  It was ridiculously hot here and I am hoping that things cool off a little bit this week and that we get some MUCH needed rain!

I have a confession...I rarely cook, and by rarely, I mean never.  Rob took over cooking when I became pregnant this past winter.  I had a hard time giving that up because I felt like it was part of my "job description" being a stay at home mom.  But, I've been learning to let go of unnecessary guilt in my life.  Rob enjoys cooking, I don't so much.  He's good at it too, and it works for us.  There are some nights when I cook, but it is rare, and that's ok.

Anyway, I do like to bake, and I have a sweet tooth.  I would probably bake more if it wasn't so tempting to have sweet things just sitting around the house.  So, I like when there is an excuse for baking- like having company or going to someone's house and bringing dessert.  But, in the summer it is too hot to turn on the oven.

I have an amazing and easy no-bake recipe to share, but I have to warn you, it is just downright sinful.  But, every time I make it, people freak out about it.  And I can't take any credit for it, it comes from one of my closest and dearest friends, Lindsey.  She is always making great desserts and I am always stealing her recipes.

I call these Snickers Crispix Treats...

1 box Crispix cereal
1 bag mini marshmellows
1 stick butter
5 chopped up snickers bars (yes, that's right, 5 snickers bars)

Melt the butter with 2 of the chopped up snickers and stir until melted

{Rob came in at this point and said, "is that butter and snickers bars?"  Yes, yes it is}

Add the marshmellows, stir until melted 

Take of the heat and add the cereal and the remaining bars.  Press into well-greased 9x13 pan. 

The best thing about these are that there are chunnks of snickers bars mixed in.  They are truly sinful.  Enjoy!!