Landon decided that he didn't want to walk around us anymore.

Landon was really tired and when we put him in his crib he just kind of crumbled and fell asleep. This is how he landed.

Life! It has been so busy this past week. Jesse has been working like a madman doing homework, going to school and working. I get stressed out just thinking about how hard Jesse has been working lately. I try not to think about it too often, it makes me want to take a nap. We are going to Utah this weekend for no other reason than just to get a way from the craziness. Yes, we are running away from our responsibilities, and I love it! Between Landon and Penny I feel like a full-time servant. Landon's newest trick is taking his pants and diaper off and throwing them onto the floor. We've had a few accidents...I really want a washer and dryer. I taught Landon the sign for NO! Now when I get frustrated or to the point of insanity I can keep my mouth shut and just sign 'NO!' I am still trying to figure out a healthy way to deal with Penny.

Caramel Brownies

Having a bad day? Have a peace of heaven. No lie! That is my sales pitch for this recipe, so give it a try. You won't regret it. Chocolate is God's way of giving you a small glimpse of heaven. These brownies take a little more work than I normally like but it hasn't stopped me yet from making them.

CARAMEL BROWNIES

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix (Devil’s Food Cake)
1 cup evaporated milk divided
½ cup (1stick) of butter melted
35 caramels (unwrapped)
3 large Hershey bars (or 6 small ones)

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350 F.

COMBINE cake mix and 2/3 cup evaporated milk and butter
(batter will be thick). Spread half off batter into ungreased 13 x 9
-inch baking pan.

BAKE for 15 minutes.

HEAT caramels and remaining evaporated milk in small saucepan
over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Break
chocolate bars into sections and place them over brownie; drizzle with caramel mixture.

DOT remaining batter over caramel mixture until completely covered.

BAKE for 25-30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into 24 squares

Ham and Scalloped Potatoes

I'm lazy, what can I say? I believe a great meal should only take 20 minutes of my time. So here is another great crock pot recipe. I've never had a meal I didn't like from a crock pot. Everything comes out moist and perfectly cooked. Jesse was telling me how much he likes scalloped potatoes and ham so I was extremely excited to make this for him. Needless to say he loves this recipe. The best part is it may take 8 hours to cook, but I only spent 20 minutes on it!

HAM AND SCALLOPED POTATOES

Ingredients

8 to 10 medium potatoes, pared and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 cup water
6 to 8 slices of ham (the thicker the better)
1 onions, peeled and thinly sliced
3 C Cheddar or American cheese, grated
1 can cream of celery or cream of mushroom
Salt and pepper
1/2 C of Milk
Paprika

Instructions

· Toss sliced potatoes in cream of tartar and water
· Soak potatoes for a few minutes (this removes some of the starch)
· Rinse and drain potatoes
· Put half of ham, potatoes, and onion in crock-pot
· Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cheese
· Repeat with remaining half
· Spoon undiluted soup over top
· Sprinkle with paprika
· Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high or 4 hours

Best Buds and Hard Days

Penny was spayed yesterday. She came home quite pathetic and extremely lethargic. She refused to move, and if she had to go to the bathroom she would start to cry and make me carry her outside. Landon was very worried about Penny and checked on her about every 30 seconds. He spent his whole day dedicated to keeping Penny company and made sure she had everything he thought she would need. When she wasn't responding to him he went into his room and one toy at a time he found all of the toys that Penny loves and took them to her. When she wouldn't play with them, he sat on her bed and started to put each toy on top of her until there was a nice pile. When she still didn't move he played with the toys for a while, then decided to lie down with her. He laid his head on her thigh and when he thought it was long enough he would go play and then come back and do the same thing again. He took this very seriously. He loves his "Penny girl".