Coffee Cake!

When you ask Cole what his favorite desert is....He'll reply with Coffee Cake! I believe it's the crumble on top that he likes so much....buttery and cinnamon-sugary goodness! I have (we) have been a hunt for the perfect coffee cake recipe. Last week I discovered this recipe over at the pioneer woman. It really is pretty good....better when served warm and isn't so great the next day. I'm sure it could be heated in the microwave and would probably taste great second day...however we don't have one and it isn't so great cold! This makes a HUGE pan though....way too much for two people! And I'll be honest...the batter was my favorite part!

Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKE:
• 1-1/2 stick Butter, Softened
• 2 cups Scant Sugar
• 3 cups Flour, Sifted
• 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1-1/4 cup Whole Milk
• 3 whole Egg Whites, Beaten Until Stiff
• _____
• FOR THE TOPPING:
• 1-1/2 stick Butter, Softened
• 3/4 cups Flour
• 1-1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
• 1-1/2 cup Pecans, Chopped

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat egg whites and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour mixture and milk alternately until combined. Don't overbeat. Fold in beaten egg whites with a rubber spatula. Spread in a well-greased 9 x 13 (or LARGER!) baking pan. A cake pan with higher sides would be best.

In a separate bowl, combine topping ingredients with a pastry cutter until crumbly. Sprinkle all over the top.

Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until no longer jiggly. Serve warm---delicious!

Giveaway!

This last week I have been itching to craft! I've been browsing through blogs left and right making lists of projects I'd like to do. I've started thinking about Christmas and what I'd like to make for the boys and family. I cam across this awesome blog and found this I-Spy fabric swap....I was sad to find I had missed out. She does have this awesome giveaway though and I'd love to win it.

Playgroup

Today, Cameron and Joshua and I were able to go to playgroup. If you know me you know how hard this was for me. I hate making new friends, I hate meeting new people. After we got home I was talking with my sister-in-law telling how well it went and how much fun Cameron had and how it was nice to be out with other women instead of stuck in the house...I mentioned how I laid in bed this morning trying to talk myself out of going....seriously! I really did lay there for well over 30 minutes trying to talk myself out of going to playgroup.

I don't know what it is about meeting new people. All of the ladies at play group are very nice, they all have young kids and they all go to church with me. It wasn't so much as meeting THEM...it is meeting new people in general....I think it brings out all of my insecurities. I'm really quiet until I get to know you. I am self conscious about my weight. Cole and I are still trying to get established here...it sounds crazy to ME when I'm asked why we moved and what kind of a job my husband has....we moved 3,000 miles so he could install security systems? Seriously!

Anyhow, playgroup went great....Cameron loved playing with the other boy his age there. It makes me so sad every day when he plays alone...in Oregon he had cousins to play with everyday! So it was good to see him take to this other boy and run through the backyard. I had fun chatting with the other moms....I didn't say much but that will come with time! Cameron is already looking forward to going back next week. J also enjoyed himself....he discovered grass and played with a baby doll.

Making friends takes time...I know, but I only have a couple more months before the state of Alaska is dark....I need friends by then!

Me

My days go something like this:

• Wake with the kids but try to doze while they play in our bedroom.
• Get the kids breakfast....sometimes it's toast and eggs, most of the time it's cereal (cold for Cameron and hot for Joshua)
• Get me and the boys dressed.
• Run to the store or library or something just to get out of the house before Cole leaves for work.
• Around noon Cole leaves....the boys have lunch.
• Joshua naps...hopefully this is his second nap...some days it's only his first!
• Cameron reads, colors or plays...I read, clean or catch up on our recorded shows.
• Boys have a snack.
• I start dinner.
• We eat without Cole most of the time!
• Cole arrives home between 6pm and 10pm most days. He comes in and spends some time with the kids before they head to bed.

So as you can see my day is that of a stay at home mom. I realize I should feel fulfilled at the end of the days ...as if I've spent my day doing good...most days I do feel that I believe that the work of a mom is 1. never ending 2. the most important job I will ever do...Some days though it isn't as rewarding as you'd think. Some days all I do is argue with my four year old and change the babies poopy diapers...those days I wonder why I signed up for this job. Don't get me wrong I love my kiddos....some days I just need more me!

So, I have decided to turn our family blog into my personal escape....I will continue to post updates about my wonderful little family....but I will also post recipes, crafts and general to-dos! I will also post about myself and my feelings. For now.

We are all doing pretty good. I still believe Cole has adjust the best to this move. Cameron is coming around! I have my moments. For now, we are good. I tell myself that at least 50 times a day....it's become my mantra...we're good. I'm good. It's good!

Alaska Zoo

On Saturday, June 11th we drove into Anchorage for a fun-filled afternoon at the Zoo. It was a beautiful day...a little over cast and chilly but there was absolutely no rain! We explored the Zoo...it's been years since any of us adults had been and Cameron sure enjoyed his first trip to the Zoo.

My sit-and-stand stroller was such a blessing this day...it has been a blessing since I got it! Any how, We walked quiet a bit and it was nice for Cameron to be able to ride in the stroller as well.

Joshua loves the stroller and would ride for hours! He seemed to enjoy being outside...I'd like to think he enjoyed the animals but that might be stretching it!

The Grizzly Bears were playing while we were there....I love this picture!

Cole has been telling Cameron about the Mountain Goat since we arrived in Alaska...He has fond memories of watching them climb the rocky mountain on the drive from Anchorage to Homer. When we took our trip a few weeks ago to Homer he had Cameron on the edge of his seat trying to spot some...we didn't see any but we did get to see them at the Zoo

The wolves were so cool....they had them in separate kennels when we first arrived at this particular exhibit....the zoo keeper was out in their pin setting up food in odd places for them to hunt...we watched them hunt and it was probably my favorite exhibit!

This is a Grizzly cub....

Bald Eagle

Musk Ox

Polar Bears...we visited this exhibit twice....It was Camerons favorite exhibit. We were hoping that on the second visit we would catch them swimming. no such luck... they must have been tired that day!

Sea Otter

Seals

Moose! This was my first time seeing a Moose since we have been in Alaska this time! The following day while driving to Hatchers Pass we passed a moose on the side of the road....and then while driving Emily to the Airport we spotted another Moose on the side of the road...as well as a black bear cub!

I wasn't super impressed with the Alaska Zoo but it was definitely worth the money. We had a great family day and Emily seemed to enjoy interacting with Cameron over the different animals!

Aunt Emily Visits!

After a long 6 weeks my family or a piece of it had finally arrived (had, because I am writing this after she has left!). We had so much fun catching up and exploring our beautiful town with her. Cameron loved having someone new to play with as mommy and daddy get kinda boring sometimes! Joshua had an extra set of hands to hold and arms to carry him, he too was in heaven!

I almost had my sweet sister convinced to stay with us for the summer! She promised she'd be back in December...YES, she's crazy but if she's going to consider University of Alaska at Anchorage as a Med school she has to experience Alaska in the WINTER!

Cameron loves his Aunts and this week Aunt Emily was his favorite!

We had so much fun! I have a few posts planned with our outings and lots of Alaska pictures! Thanks Emily for keeping me company for being a wonderful sister and for being a marvelous Aunt! We love you and miss you more than you know!

Palmer Hay Flats

While Emily was here we ventured down to our favorite evening spot...Palmer Hay Flats. The flats are so beautiful. The very first time Cole and I explored the flats I couldn't believe something so wonderful was just minutes from my home. We promised we'd be back and sure enough we've been back time and time again.While with Emily we took dinner and sat while listening to the birds. Cameron wanted to fish so bad....

Joshua enjoyed eating rocks....and then telling us all about it!

We also walked down by Lake Lucille...Emily had to get a picture of Sarah Palins house.

We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area. I look around sometimes and ask myself what I have done to deserve to live here.