Brownies

I know a few people have requested this brownie recipe, but I can't remember who (mommy brain!), so I thought I'd post it on the blog.

The yummiest and easiest brownies you'll ever make--I promise...

Speedy Brownies

2 c. sugar
1 ¾ c. flour
½ c. baking cocoa
1 tsp. salt
5 eggs
1 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips (can use any kind of chips—white chocolate, milk, peanut butter, etc.)

In a mixing bowl, combine the first seven ingredients; beat until smooth. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

We love dinosaurs!

For a few months now, the girls (especially Emma) have been very into dinosaurs. I don't even know how it got started. They love to play with the plastic dinosaurs Santa brought them, watch YouTube dinosaur songs and videos, and pretend to be dinosaurs. So it was only natural that we take them to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point, right? I love this museum! It's great that they offer so many interactive activities for kids. We could have spent a whole day there! Good times...

The "wet digging area"



Ben and Luke enjoyed the museum too

Roarrrrrrrr!

Future paleontologist

I love the way Lauren and Emma are looking at each other in this picture. They're such good friends!

My Cute Bro

My brother, Cameron, has been serving a mission in San Francisco (a scary place to be right now with all the Prop 8 stuff that's happened) and is coming home in two short weeks! I am beside myself with excitement! I get to fly to my parents' home to see him and have some great family time (we haven't all been together in several years). I'm taking Luke but the girls are staying here. I'll miss them like crazy but it will sure be nice to have a little break. Here's a picture of my cute brother on the day we dropped him off at the MTC. See the "dork dot" on his nametag? I miss him so much--he is a blast to be around and yet such a caring, sensitive guy at the same time. And we have a special connection because being 7 years older, I changed his diapers (good thing he's not reading this blog), taught him his ABC's and 123's, spiked up his hair and played with him all the time. He's my bud! I'm so glad he's coming back out here to BYU in the spring.

My Afternoon Snack

It doesn't get any finer than this.

New Years Fun

We got together with the Familias for a fun New Years Eve. Cheese and chocolate fondue--can't beat that! Here is a picture of our messy fondue-loving kids.

A cute series of Luke pics.

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We spent time at the Bergins on Christmas Eve and enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by a program that included gorgeous holiday music, stories, and of course, the reading of Christ's birth story. We then came home and had our own little discussion of the true meaning of Christmas. And then the elves got to work!

Aunt Kathy reading "The Night Before Christmas" to everyone. Emma practically has it memorized!

Luke loves his Grandpa Bergin

One of Emma's favorite presents: a princess sticker book. Look at those excited eyes!

Emma and Rachel in their new dress-ups. Yep, it was still dark outside during this picture. The girls got up at 6:15 a.m.--Ben told me to tell them to go back to sleep. Yeah, right! I got a good laugh out of that one.

My boys. Luke got a baby Pooh from my parents (which Rachel thinks should be hers to match the big Pooh we got her).


I love my new body pillow. Thanks honey!

Me and my girls


A princess dancing with her prince