cuteness overload.

I went to the zoo on my way home today to see the zoo's latest addition. This darling little creature doesn't have a name yet, but she is 11 days old and was put on display yesterday.

 She is tiny and wrinkly and perfect!

 Images Via

as if that wasn't enough my mom showed me this today. I died.

Happy Birthday to the Brother

Happy Birthday to my brother Blake! I would very much like to wish him a happy birthday over the phone but some people (like him, my mom, and my dad) will not answer their phone. It's a little frustrating when it's a day as big as this!

When we were younger we would stay up all night the eve before the birthday playing games, watching a movie, and doing whatever we did as a sister and a brother. Then when the clock ticked to 12:00 on the day of June 13 or September 2 (depending on who's birthday it was), we would do a little celebration, then went to bed. We wanted to be the first person to wish the other a happy birthday.

Sadly this could not happen this year with college and different states. I was young when he entered my life so I really don't know life without him. Happy Birthday Blake (hopefully we can talk soon)!

backwards

Image Via

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

-Soren Kierkegaard

Happy Independence Day!

I love this picture.

May your day be filled with family, good food, and love for this blessed country.

God Bless America.

Image via pinterest

The Sister Date.

Today I was bored. And so was Emmie, my sister. We were pinteresting and found this recipe. 

"Oreo cheesecake cupcakes?!?!" We said. "Heck yes!!"

So we embarked to Ridley's to get oreos and then got started!

The Process:

 

(From the top left): Oreos in the base of cupcake liners. MOUNDS of cream cheese. Adding sour cream. Mixing them together. The oh-so-important sugar. Can't forget the salt! Eggs. REAL vanilla. Oreos in the blender. Blended oreos. Putting the cupcakes in the oven. Side photo of finished process.

(Middle): THE FINISHED THING!!!

The sisters:

(From the top right down): Me, in all my glory, struggling with the mixer. Emmie, dumping mounds of cream cheese in the bowl. Emmie, mixing the oreo bits in. The popcorn we ate as we waited for them to cook. Eric, Lucy, Petey and Emmie, watching Phineas and Ferb while we waited some more.

(Middle): Me and Emmie, after consuming the cupcakes. Happy happy girls are we!

 Of course, we didn't do this alone. As I mentioned, I was having issues with the mixer...so we recruited our Dad to assist us in the matter. Aren't dads wonderful? I say yes.

But try these. They are wonderful.

Off to watch Ramona and Beezus with Em.

Bake on, my friends. 

Welcome Home Pioneer Brother

My brother has been gone for the past 3 days because he went on the pioneer trek and yesterday he came home! Welcome Home Brother! 

The Pictures:

1. Blake and me
2. The sign of time of arrival for the buses
3. I got a little bored so I took a picture of my feet (we were 1/2 an hour early).
4. The arrival of the buses!
5. Blake getting off the bus. Welcome Home!
6. Everyone getting their stuff. It was just a little crowded. 

Happy Sunday. Carry on, carry on, carry on!