#45-Feb. 14th

Valentine's Day is today. The kids all got boxes of chocolates from us, and gifts from both of their grandparents. I got Dan a canvas of the American Flag for his office at work. My gift is the new lens I am shooting the picture with. :)

#44-Feb. 13th

Today was Trent's paintball birthday party. Blake took his first shot ever to the mask.

#43-Feb. 12th

Kids are still sick, so today was a veg day at home. I read to the kids. I also took advantage and read and studied my photography books. Dan took his final for his Masters. It was a day of books.

#42-Feb. 11th

We have sick kids today. One ear infection and three colds.

#41-Feb. 10th

Today is a picture from two days ago, but I spent today learning more in Photoshop. So this is my new art painting look for Kati.

#40-Feb. 9th

Our family just loves banana bread, so when I found this recipe in a cookbook from my grandmother about eight years ago, it quickly became a family favorite. I made some today, and the pan is already half gone!

Can't share without providing the recipe. :)

Black Bottom Banana Bars

1/2 c.butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour, sifted
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. ripe bananas, mashed (abt 2 bananas)
1/4 c. cocoa

In large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Sift dry ingredients and blend with creamed mixture alternately with bananas. Divide batter in half; blend cocoa into one half. Turn this into greased 9x13 pan. Spoon banana mixture evenly over chocolate batter, covering completely. Bake at 350 degrees 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.

I tend to cheat and just spoon half the batter into my pan, and then stir the cocoa into what is left and put the chocolate mixture on the top. I do this to dirty one fewer dish, pretty silly, but it tastes the same. Just serve them upside down if you do this so they are still "black bottom" banana bars. :)

#39-Feb. 8th

Some of Blake and Kati's closest friends stayed over last night. They had a blast playing together.