Kade's "Photo Shoot"

Here are just some of the photos taken by Becky, my sis-in-law. She took so many good ones, it is hard to decide which to make into baby announcements! We had a good time with you Becky-thanks again!

Sugar Cookies

These have always been the sugar cookies I make, ever since I was little. They are SO soft and yummy! With Halloween coming soon, I think we will make some pumpkin and leaf shapes...enjoy!

Ultimate Sugar Cookies

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 stick Butter Flavor CRISCO Stick, (or 1 cup Butter Flavor CRISCO all-vegetable shortening)
2 eggs
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups plus 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine sugar and shortening in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, syrup and vanilla. Beat until well blended and fluffy.
Combine 3 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add gradually to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix until well blended.

Divide dough into 4 quarters. Wrap each quarter of dough with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Roll out and cut the dough into desired shapes. Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375ºF for 5 to 9 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies (bake smaller, thinner cookies closer to 5 minutes; larger cookies closer to 9 minutes). DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to foil to cool completely, then frost and decorate if desired.

My Amazing Sister-In-Law

So, I have to say I have the most amazing sister-in-law who drove for an hour to take pics of my lil' baby Kade. She does such a good job and is the most creative person I have ever met! She not only has ideas, but brings them to life. This is just one example...she placed my baby on the moon! I can't wait to post some more pictures she took for us! She is working on them for me...Thanks Bec-I love ya!

Brock's Tball Game

Brock is playing Tball now and it is such a blast watching him! He is on the "Indians" with a few kids from his soccer team, and he even gets to play with Scotty again!. They won their game yesterday-4 year olds are very entertaining in Tball!. The best part is when they are in the outfield and the ball is hit...all the kids run for the ball and show their parents that THEY got it before anyone else. It's tricky trying to teach a 4 year old about teamwork in Tball. (There is no "I" in Tball=). We are proud of you Brock!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

So what do you like to do when it starts to get a little chilly and overcast outside? (ok, for Texas it is chilly at 80 degrees)... BAKE! I'm gonna start posting my favorite recipes for this time of year. Today, the boys and I made these and I have to say...they are so good. It makes the house smell so yummy! Had to share the recipe with all of you:

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
6 ripe bananas, mashed
1 ½ C Sugar
2 eggs
1 C melted butter
3 C Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 C semi-sweet choc chips
1 C milk choc chips

Mash Bananas; add sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well. Add all dry ingredients, don’t over-mix. Stir in choc chips. Spray muffin tins and add muffin mixture, then sprinkle 1 tsp sugar on top of each muffin. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 min. Makes 24 muffins.

(You can half the recipe and it turns out just as good!)
ENJOY!

Kade Wilson Wardell

Our baby is here! He is such a sweet boy and he looks a LOT like Brock when he was first born. So after a couple days of trying to decide what to name the lil guy, we came up with Kade. I really like that name, and in reality, it was the only name we could agree on! Wilson is named after Ty's grandfather, and his mother's maiden name. He has been such a blessing to have in our lives and we thought what a better way to show him our appreciation than to name our baby after him.

Kade reached out and grasped Ty's hand right away. He still loves to hold onto fingers...so cute! Our new lil baby arrived on Sept 4 at 8:32 am.

Kade Wilson Wardell

7 lbs. 4 oz.

20 inches

The boys are handling the change really well & they love their lil' brother! Enjoy the pictures!