A continuation from yesterday!

So I said I would be back with further updates, so here I am :-)!

We went to Hershey Park at the end of July with Steve's entire family--talk about chaos :-).  Jack is enjoying the Chocolate World tour.

Chocolate World tour

We just woke up...

Awww....he's still a miniature.  Maybe you'll be a kiss next year, buddy.

Steve and Olivia were obviously having fun...I'm not so sure Jack was!

Jack and cousin Olivia

Jack was being a real pill on the train ride

Emmett loved his ice cream!

Rhea's first birthday party!

Our Special Surprise Guest!

Playing with Dylan

Cute little birdie cookies

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday dear Rhea....

Such a good cupcake!  That raspberry frosting was really good!

Rebecca, on the other hand, enjoyed the peach frosting.

The fights have just subsided over that phone!

We went for a hike on Sunday and found this little gem.

I made pillow covers for my couch pillows.  I'm quite pleased with how they turned out!

  So as you can see, we have been quite busy!  Steve has been building his mountain bike.  He went a little overboard, but he seems quite happy with it.  He's been going biking every Sunday with Mountain Bikers of Micheaux.  I have been busy with work at the farm, piano lessons, Summer School, chores around the house, and of course, my children.  I have this week off, and then back to school next week.  I'll try to get up a post with all of our home projects here soon.  Jack has been getting so much better communicating.  It's amazing how quickly they learn.  He can count up to 20, sing his alphabet, and can spell his name.  He is also quite the singer and xylophone player ;-).    Rhea is still perfecting her walk.  She took a few steps right before her birthday, but she still prefers "creeping" and crawling.  She is much more interested in playing and interacting with other people :-). 

Well, that's it for now...I've about a bazillion projects I'm working on that I need to finish. ttfn! 

Why hello blogger...

Ok, so I know, I know; it's been a while.  But I have a good excuse:

This was too funny not to post.

On our way to the beach!

So happy!

So cool!

 

He wasn't terribly impressed!  He got over his fears though after a while and played in the sand and water.

Date night!

Our patriotic little boy.  We stopped in Gettysburg on our way back and got stuck because the there was a parade.

We love the pool!

I think he was nursing his baby :-)

For a while, Rhea carried around toys in her mouth...I believe she was called Marzi a few times!

Yummy salad with strawberries

We got chickens!  Jack loves them and would not leave the poor things alone....I think we need a dog; or maybe a fish?

My babies playing piano

I found him with no shorts, rain boots, and a handwarmer I'm crocheting for my mom.  LOL

Good-bye old bathroom!

Good-bye pink bathtub with iron stains.

Good-bye disgusting vanity.

Good-bye to all of the tiles that were falling off the wall!

Good-bye rotten wall!

This picture was too funny not to post with her crazy hair and expression!

Mmmm...daddy's homemade yogurt is delish!

Jack and I made cookies one afternoon :-)

Mmm...yummy

Making cookies is very exhausting!  He fell asleep in the middle of the kitchen floor!

Well, lunch is almost over, and babes must be put to bed. I'll be back to give you more pictures and updates on the Luckie household!  I'm sure you would love to see my new bathroom and our trip to Hershey Park!

Delicious Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

I got a hankering for cookies, and I found this little gem of a recipe on Pinterest.  It only called for three ingredients, so I said, "Why not?!"   I took the recipe a step farther and made them into thumbprints.  It's like a pb & j (....oh how I miss you!)  Here they are:

1 cup of peanut butter
1 cup of sugar
1 egg


Mix them together and make them into balls.  You can either press them with a fork to create those classic pb cookie lines or push your thumb into them and put a dab of jelly/jam in the center.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 8-10 min. 

The cookies were obviously tantrum worthy...haha!

Gluten Free Pancakes

Gluten Free Pancakes

I found all of these flours at Wegmans grocery store (just in case you were wondering.) I made fresh butter this morning (which is super simple!), and I used the leftover buttermilk in my pancakes. I have used milk substitutes as well with mostly success--soy and almond. I haven't tried rice milk.

3/4 cups buckwheat flour
1/4 cup millet flour
1/4 cup amaranth flour
1/4 cup sorghum flour
1 tsp xantham gum
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 cup of fresh buttermilk
3/4 cup of milk
1 heaping T brown sugar
2 farm fresh eggs, beaten
2 T fresh butter, melted

Preheat the pan/skillet with oil on your stove over less than medium heat (you'll have to get a feel for your cooktop.) Mix all ingredients together lightly (you don't want to overmix pancakes!) I've found gluten free batters tend to "puff up" as they sit, so in between batches I will use equal parts oil/butter and milk to "water it down" as needed. Place a scoop on the pan and spread it out some. Let it cook until you see some bubbles or looks cooked around the edges (or smells burnt....haha.) Flip it over until it is done! You can serve it with fresh fruit, real maple syrup, or cinnamon and sugar. You can also add those things to the batter right in the pan or in the bowl. Enjoy!