6 years old already?

Time sure does fly! I can remember, like it was yesterday, the day Andrew was born...all 5 pounds 14 ounces of him. He is a great kid, and I am thankful everyday for him...his quirks and all! 6 years old already!

Here are some pictures from the celebration:

So excited about opening presents!

Andrew always loves his presents! This was a big hit!

Singing Happy Birthday! Look at his sweet face!

Blowing out the candles!

He even got to talk to Daddy at his party! We are now counting down until we get to see Ryan; September 29 is right around the corner! YAY!

Kindergarten Here He Comes!!

Andrew started Kindergarten on Wednesday, and he was so excited! Thankfully Ryan was home and could bring him to the bus stop and snap a few pictures!

Waiting for the bus!

Getting on the bus!

Lots of changes have been happening around the Kimball house....school starting, me back to work at two buildings, and Ryan leaving....but I'll write about that a bit later.

Right now it is time to start the weekend with my two busy boys!

School Already?

I can't believe summer break is over, and school is about to begin. We've had a great summer filled with lots of fun adventures! I have to be back at school on Monday, so let the busyness begin!

These are only some of the highlights from the summer:

Pentwater Fun!

Playing in the beaver den at Frederik Meijer Gardens!

Swimming in "Sam's Grandma's pool"!

Petting a baby alligator at Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park.

Spending the day with Uncle Steve and Aunt Amanda who came to see us from Hawaii.


Camping in Ludington!



Visiting the Pickle Barrel House Museum while camping in Grand Marais!


Watching the beautiful sunset over Lake Superior!

When I get sucked into the craziness of life, I will treasure these memories we made with our boys this summer!

Praline Chocolate Dessert!! Yummy!

Celebrating is always so much fun! It is even more fun when there is good food and more importantly good dessert! This is one of Ryan's favorite desserts...not the best picture but you get the idea! AMAZING is all I have to say about the taste of this delicious treat!

Ingredients

• 2 cups cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 
  PRALINE:
• 1-1/2 cups butter, cubed
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  FILLING:
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 
  GANACHE:
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• Pecan halves

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with pecans.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over pecans. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until set.
• In a large bowl, beat filling ingredients until smooth. Spread over praline layer. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until set.
• For ganache, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Spread over filling. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until set.
• Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; remove sides of pan. Garnish with pecan halves. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 14-16 servings.

One of My Favorite Summer Desserts!!

Easy, Refreshing, and Delicious Strawberry Pie!

This one has an almost-like-sugar-cookie crust and it is so much better than graham cracker crust.



Crust

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
3 TBSP Confectioners Sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix above ingredients and pat into a greased 9 inch pie plate
Prick all over and bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes

Filling

2 Quarts strawberries, cleaned and sliced
1 cup sugar
3 TBSP corn starch
1 cup water
1/2 package of 3 oz. strawberry Jello

Add strawberries to cooked crust
Combine sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Add water and cook on Medium- High heat stirring occasionally. When mixture starts to thicken, remove from heat, and stir in jello. Pour over strawberries. Chill and Serve. Yummy!

Halloween in July?

Yup, this is what our morning was like...



...all ready for Halloween in July because that is how we roll in the Kimball house!

4th of July FUN!!

The celebration of our freedom was a day filled with a parade, lots of yummy food, time with friends and family, and a fireworks show put on by Daddy! We wouldn't want it any other way!