Twins

Cartsen & Paxton were born just two days shy of exactly two years apart, so Paxton is able to wear all of Carsten's old clothes in the same seasons and everything. Between that and hand-me-downs from family & friends, I've been able to dress them in quite a few matching outfits. :)

Foraging

Carsten has been foraging a lot lately. Here he is eating an avocado he got out of the fridge, peel and all.

 Here he is eating a (not quite ripe) red pepper he prematurely picked out of the garden.

Treyton used to sneak spinach leaves off the counter when I was making salad (although he hates spinach now and doesn't like being reminded of that story). I've just never been able to get upset at a kid eating healthy foods without permission. :)

Baking Cookies

Carsten & Paxton were helping bake cookies.

I don't remember now what I had to step away for, but apparently it was just enough time for Carsten measure everything back out of the bowl that had previously been measured into it.

I like to take pictures when I find messes like this for two reasons:

1. To document/preserve childhood memories
2. To give myself time to defuse before reacting...

Pinewood Derby

In March Treyton had his first Pinewood Derby.

 Ethan volunteered to help hand back cars after they raced.

 Elise entertained Carsten (i.e. kept him from crossing the "Caution" tape and grabbing race cars).

Refreshments were served afterward: Capri Suns and KRISPY KREMES! I hadn't had one of those in years! Delicious, as always. :) It's a good thing the nearest location is several miles away.

"Soon" is relative...

I give up. May is nearly half over, which means the year is nearly half over, and I still don't have our Christmas update posted! I've wanted to post a few times, but felt that I simply *had* to post the Christmas update first, with the net result being that I haven't posted anything. :(
So, here is our 2011 in a tiny, tiny nutshell:

Brian: bought a boat
Chanda: had a baby without an epidural
Ethan: played tackle football
Elise: started rock climbing
Treyton: started piano lessons
Carsten: started talking
Paxton: was born

Ta da! I am now free to post 2012 events without 2011 still hanging over my head. :) With any luck, I'll post something before Christmas...

Coming Soon! - 2011 Update

Our Christmas card didn't get out until after Christmas, and now that it finally got mailed, I still haven't gotten anything put up here... BUT, stay tuned and I will eventually get something posted here in the not too distant future. :)

One Minute Ciabatta Bread

So much for my New Year's resolution to blog more... :) Here it is half-way through February already and I'm back-dating my first post to January so I won't have missed a whole month.

Anyway, I did make an amazing discovery in January. I stumbled upon a recipe for ciabatta bread that takes only one minute of preparation (presuming the ingredients and utensils are pre-gathered)! It has only four ingredients and it is delicious. In fact, here's a picture of my first attempt:

I wasn't able to get the camera before it was all gone! :)

1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dry yeast
2 c warm water
4 c flour
==================
Mix (easily done by hand with a big spoon) and let rise for 8-12 hours, then shape and bake for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.

I've told everyone I could to Google "one minute bread" and find this recipe because it is nothing short of amazing to me! I shall never buy ciabatta bread again!