Egg Hunt

This past Saturday, Kinetic had its annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Baskets all lined up and ready to go

Searching for eggs

Filling up the basket

Full basket

Tons of eggs

Peanut Butter Cookies

Evelyn and I now have a new hobby...baking. Thursday, we make these peanut butter cookies that were amazing. So, I'm sharing the recipe. I found it on Annies Eats.

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup honey
• 2 large eggs
• Sugar, for rolling the cookies

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, ream together the shortening, butter an honey.
• Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• On low speed, add the dry ingredients and beat until blended.
• Roll the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, and coat with sugar.
• Place balls on an ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly golden.
• Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

These are a must try. You won't be disappointed.

Transportation Museum

This past Saturday, Daniel surprised us with a family day to the transportation museum in Spencer, NC. We had breakfast at home and then hit the road. Evelyn and I had no idea where we were going until we arrived at the museum. We had a wonderful day exploring the attractions and our packed lunch.

Sitting in front of a Wright Brother's Replica

First train ride experience

Sitting with daddy

Oh No

Best picture of Evelyn in a long time, maybe Ever

Silly faces on the train

Excited to be on the train

She just had to poke her head in

And now with daddy

Thanks honey for an amazing family day. Lets do it again real soon!

Baking Morning

Friday morning Evelyn and I had some fun in the kitchen. We make strawberry muffins with a crumb topping and rice crispy treats.

I didn't get a good picture of the strawberry muffins but they were amazing. Here is the recipe:

Strawberry Muffins

Muffin Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/2 t. salt
• 2 t. baking powder
• 1/3 c. vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• ~ 1/3 c. milk
• 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries

Crumb Topping:

• 1/4 c. sugar
• 2 T. and 2 t. flour
• 2T. butter, cubed
• 3/4 t. cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease or line 12 muffins tins.
• Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder.
• Place vegetable oil in a liquid measuring up; add the egg and enough milk to fill to one cup.
• Mix wet and dry ingredients.
• Fold in strawberries and pour in to muffin tins.
• Make crumb topping by combining the ingredients and mixing well with fork until crumbly.
• Sprinkle topping on each muffin.
• Bake for 18-22 minutes.

Note: you could replace the strawberries in this recipe for another fruit

Early Easter

This week Evelyn received a package from her Grandma and Granddad. It was an Easter gift and she wanted to open it immediately. Her are some pictures of her putting the face stickers on the eggs in the card and loving her new summer dresses.

Bike Riding

Over the weekend, we visited Daniel's parents in Elizabeth City. We brought Evelyn's bike and she had so much fun riding in the drive way.

Ready to go

Having fun

Going as fast as she can

One proud dad

The Girls

Last week "The Girls" came to visit. "The Girls" include my sister Stacey and my cousins Megan and Melissa. All three of them live together on Hilton Head Island.

Evelyn and I met them at Northlake mall for some shopping. Then we came back to our house. Stacey brought one of Rusty's favorite things...a mostly empty peanut butter jar. We let him clean the jars after we've gotten all the peanut butter we can get out. He usually licks them clean.

That afternoon Evelyn spent the whole time putting on dress-up clothing to show us. Here she is getting help with earings.

That evening we went to Nakato's for dinner.

The next day, "The Girls" went with me to pick up Evelyn from school. While in the car, she decided to wear her necklace as a headband. She looks like she's from the 7o's. Here she is avoiding the camera.

After several pictures, she finally looked at the camera.

After lunch, we went back to the house and took some pictures before "The Girls" had to leave.

Evelyn smiling with her Aunt Stacey.

Evelyn wanted to be the picture taker too. So we took turns taking pictures. She took the picture below of "The Girls". Not bad for a 3 year old...maybe she's going to be a photographer.

Had to get one with mommy.

And of course, Evelyn with "The Girls".

Thank you Stacey, Megan, and Melissa for visiting. We had alot of fun.