Just cute pics of the Girls

I has been really nice here and everything is in bloom. Here are just a few photos of the girls enjoying Spring.

My new haircut

What I wanted and what I got...
I love the lady who cut my hair. I think she is really good and she is cheap. But my hair isn't exactly the same. I knew I wouldn't be, but ya know, you always hope. I think I might need some highlights and I definitly need to use more product. I hate product, but I should use more of it. I think it is cute anyway. Adam hasn't really said much, but that is typical of him. What do you think?


I took a 110 pics on my own that this is the best I could get:)

Longwood Gardens

I know that I have already posted a previous trip to Longwood, but this is mostly for my Mom. Longwood Gardens is one of her favorite places. We went one day to see their new tree houses. As always, it was beautiful and refreshing to see the beautiful scenery.

Our Fancy Nancy Soiree

Today Ava had her birthday party, that she has so patiently been waiting for. Her favorite books is the Fancy Nancy collection by Jane O'Conner. If you haven't read them, and you have little girls, you need to get them. Anyway, she wanted a Fancy Nancy themed party. It was so much fun to watch her! When she was opening her presents, she kept repeating, "Oh my goodness!!" It was so cute. The girls made purses, and necklaces, and played like fancy girls should.

Babe-a Ava's 3rd Birthday

I don't know who was more excited Ava, or Elle
Elle didn't seem to understand it wasn't her birthday

Case in point...


Good thing Ava is such a sweetheart.
We love you Ava and we are so happy you came to our family 3 years ago. xoxo

The best brownies ever

So, I was looking through Cooking Light looking for healthy recipes and I came across this recipe. I couldn't resist trying them. How cruel though, tempting people like that! Anyway, it was Ava's birthday, so I had an excuse to make them. They are wonderful! They do taste better completely cooled however...Enjoy!

Ooey Gooey Chocolate Marshmallow Peanutbutter Brownies

3/4 cup fat-free sweetened condensed milk, divided
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine, melted and cooled
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 (18.5-ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
Cooking spray
1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 cup peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350.
Combine 1/4 cup condensed milk, butter, milk, and next 3 ingredients (batter will be very stiff). Coat bottom of a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Press 2/3 of batter into perpared pan using floured hands; pat evenly (layer will be thin).
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.Combine 1/2 cup condensed milk and marshmallow creme in a bowl; stir in chips. Spread marshmallow mixture evenly over brownie later. Carefully derop remaining batter by spoonfuls over marshmallow mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Yield 2 dozen

A Yummy Spring Salad

I started a recipe exchange in our ward and we met for the first time on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun to just sit, eat and chat with friends. Every recipe has to be healthy-meaning, as little processed food and sugar and saturated fat as possible. Our theme this time was spring salads. One of my favorites was this one that I want to share. It is a hardy salad, so even the males in our lives will enjoy it, and it is a one-dish dinner-which I love. Enjoy!!

Warm Chicken & Asparagus Salad -Sis. Shaw
-12 baby red potatoes
-6 bonelss half chicken breasts
-1/2 tsp ground pepper
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 c chicken broth or white wine
-1 tbsp minced fresh basil
-1 tbsp minced freash parsley
-1 bunch of asparagus (I also use TJs Brittany Blend of beans)
-2 c mixed greens or spinach

DRESSING
-1 large shallot minced
-2 cloves garlic minced
-2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
-3 tbsp rice vinegar
-1/4 c olive oil
-2 tbsp white wine (cooking type is fine)
-2 tbsp fresh dill
-1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325. Put chicken in a baking dish, season with salt and pepper, add wine, basil, and parsley. Bake for 30 mins. Cut breasts diagnally making 3 slices

Cut potatoes in half and put in a large pot to steam over boiling water until tender (about 30 mins) Drain and transfer to a large bowl. When dressing is done-pour 1/2 of dressing over potatoes and let marinate.

Meanwhile, cut 2 inshes off the bottom of the aparagus stalks and blanch in a pot of boiling water until tender. Let sparagus cool and when room temp, cut in half lengthwise.

Whisk together all dressing ingredients. (I sometimes blend once to get shallot and garlic small enough.) Arrange all salad components on a bed of mixed greens with an additional tbsp of dressing drizzeled over the dish