Annual Utah Trip 2013

Goodness, I love my home state.

I miss it so much, and every time we go back to visit, I want to move back.

I pretty much drive Lance crazy about it.

I do love Mississippi. It's beautiful here.

But Utah will always be my home.

 

We had THE time of our lives. As usual.

All except for the 2 weeks we all passed around pink eye.

Worst.Illness.Ever!

Like EVER!

 

But we won't dwell on that.

We had plenty of Café Rio. Went to the lake as often as possible, roasted marshmallows and ever starbursts (yummy!), played with cousins and had numerous sleepovers. Papa and Grandma even slept on the trampoline with all the grandkids.

Talk about some pretty awesome grandparents.

My children will always remember such precious memories.

We went to Lagoon for a weekend with the whole family, and when we went swimming in the hotel swimming pool, we filled up that whole pool and hot tub.

It was awesome, having us all together.

 

Now the 30 hour drive there and back... that was another story.

Actually the drive there was tougher than the drive back.

Lance drove the majority of the way to Utah while I sat in the back entertaining, feeding, holding, and playing with the kids. Then on the way back, my mom and sister-in-law helped me drive back and it was much more peaceful...ONLY because we had Baby Einstein. Talk about a miracle DVD! Layla flew home with her Uncle Greg, and that was a HUGE help. Her and Marx in the back seat together just to go to Wal-Mart is treacherous.

So, in 30 hours, I'd hate to imagine what they'd do to each other.

 

Anyways... here are our memories via iPhone.

Sadly, I sold my camera...

 I'm ready to step up in the DSLR world, so I'm researching new

camera's. So for now, it's going to be pictures from my phone.

Which, btw, I'm pretty happy with.

 

THE Zucchini Brownie Recipe

Now that I am getting the hang of 3 kids, maybe I can find the time to blog again!

I miss it so much...

So to celebrate coming back to the blog world, I want to share with

you the most amazing brownie recipe.

Courtesy of my wonderful mother.

 

Zucchini Brownies

2 cups white flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 cups cocoa

2 cups grated zucchini

1/2 cup canola oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 cup water

 

Mix zucchini and oil together in stand mixer. In separate bowl mix together all the dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to the zucchini and oil slowly, scraping sides as you go. Once mixed add the vanilla and water. Pour into greased 9x13" pan. Bake for 25 min at 350 degrees.

 

Chocolate Icing

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cups cocoa powder

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4-5 TBS. half & half (just enough for desired consistency)

 

Place all ingredients in a stand mixer and mix together with the whipping attachment. Stop mixer, scrape sides, and mix again on medium speed for 2 min. Spread on completely cooled brownies.

 

In my opinion these taste the very best the day after you make them from then on out. I recently made two pans in a week. You will thank me. Promise.