Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone. Shannon went into this weekend with a little fear of baskets and bunnies. We got a package from my Aunt Lisa in Chicago and it was a bunny in a basket. I don't know if it was the plastic wrapping or what but she totally freaked out. Luckily she warmed up to the bunny. We had a great weekend. Dale's cousin Elizabeth came to town on Friday. Then on Sunday we went to church with my parents which was a trip. In Shannon's defense everyone was signing and being loud so naturally she thought nothing of a little singing and shouting even when everyone else wasn't. We finished off the day with dinner at my Aunt and Uncles. I have some really cute pictures that I need to get from that but for now here is her Easter dress. This was post church so the cute shoes that went with it were taken off and thrown across a pew no idea where they are now.

Homemade granola bars

I've been asked for this recipe a couple of times so here it is. Such a bummer that we can't get those Kashi Trail mix bars anymore those were the only one's I could find without the high fructose corn syrup.

Here is the granola bar recipe I adapted the one from Alton Brown on the food network:

8 ounces old-fashioned rolled oats, approximately 2 cups
2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
3 ounces sliced almonds, approximately 1 cup
1 1/2 ounces wheat germ, approximately 1/2 cup
6 ounces honey, approximately 1/2 cup
1 3/4 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup packed
1-ounce unsalted butter, plus extra for pan
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts


Butter a 9 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside (I used a bigger baking dish for thinner bars). Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread the oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, and wheat germ onto a half-sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, extract and salt in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until the brown sugar has completely dissolved.

Once the oat mixture is done, remove it from the oven and reduce the heat to 300 degrees F. Immediately add the oat mixture to the liquid mixture, add the dried fruit, and peanuts and stir to combine. Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, evenly distributing the mixture in the dish and place in the oven to bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the
oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Moving and Shaking

We've got some updates for you on Shannon's progress. Shortly after we got home from Florida she finally figured out how to crawl forward. We really thought she might walk (backwards of course) first before she figured this out. Being able to move around and follow us has really made her a happy camper these days, but that was not enough. Her newest thing is pulling herself up on everything (even things she shouldn't) opening up a whole new dimension of baby-proofing. I've uploaded a short clip of her and all of her new tricks these days. She does something with her tongue that none of us can figure out how to do must be because we have teeth.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We hope everyone had a great St. Patrick's Day this week. Shannon seemed to really enjoy hers. We got her a cute tee-shirt to mark her first Irish holiday. Unfortunately we are battling another ear infection, and her two bottom teeth are pushing through but she's handling it pretty well. I caught a good picture of just how much drool we are talking about these days it's amazing how much she produces.

For those of you that got this month's Parents magazine I got her to smile by showing her the cute little boy on the cover. She's boy crazy already!

Florida Trip

We spent an amazing week in Florida last week. It was sunny and at least 75 degrees every day. We spent a few days with our friends Jessica and Chris and their daughter Kaitlyn outside of Naples and then headed to Key Largo to visit my grandparents. Shannon did great on the plan and OK in the car. I just kept those banana puffs coming and all was good. It was great to get outside, hit the pool, beach and just be away. Although it's not as relaxing to go on vaca with a 9 month old now I know why people bring nannies and babysitters with them. Next time we're bringing Kiki (my mom) so I can get some more relaxing time in.

Here are some highlights from the trip.

Sunset on the gulf side


Lunch at Naples with the girls


GG and Grandpa


Swimming at GG's and Grandpa's pool


Hanging at the beach was cool but don't try to get me in the ocean I'm a pool girl



I want to go back!!

Florida here we come

This last week was a week of many firsts....

Shannon's first plane ride


The first time at the beach


The first time meeting her BFF Kaitlyn

We left the snow

We left the snow and cold behind and headed to Florida....