Summer Birthdays

HOW IS IT ALMOST SEPTEMBER?! Summer always goes fast, but I feel like it went super fast this year. Maybe its because I don't feel like it was ever here....Did it get hot enough to be considered summer?! (ok ok like a 2 days it was super hot) Since its pretty much fall weather now I'll just summarize all our summer birthdays!

 Opening up my selfie stick!

Because who doesn't want their hose to roll up in a convenient box? 

This picture is typical me!

Getting excited!

 

Modeling his new watch

We can't forget Walter's birthday!

Trying to figure out what it is.

Being good and posing for the camera!

But now he really wants it. He is just waiting for me to say go eat it!

His first taste..

I think he liked it!

Star of Bethlehem

Did you all get to see the Star of Bethlehem two nights ago?! It was actually Venus and Jupiter lining up. It was pretty cool and the best part was the time to see it was from 9-10pm. haha I didn't have to stay up late! For once there were no clouds too!

Right at 9pm. The Star of Bethlehem is the bottom one. You can tell more in the other pictures.

 Around 9:15...They must be aligned now because look how bright it is!

About 9:30. You can start to see them pull apart and now make an ellipse. It was really cool to see!

Then I look a picture of the moon because it was huge and bright!

Lightning!!

Ever since I got my new camera I have wanted one of those awesome lightning bolt pics. I got a few cool ones, but I am still on the lookout for that amazing one!

I love this. The color and how the clouds look! ooh and if you look very closely at the tree you can see a lightning bolt behind it! I zoomed in on the pic below.

Do you see it?! I almost got that awesome lightning bolt pic! haha

You never know how bright it actually gets until you catch it on camera.

Lightning in the clouds.

Yeah that's a little too bright.

Is it daytime again?

I got a little lightning bolt action!

I can't wait to get more!!

Dad P's Birthday

So these past couple posts are out of order. This should have been posted before the gender reveal, but I knew if I made Kristy wait any longer I would be getting some texts. :D Anyway, here are some pictures from when we celebrated his birthday!

I had to...this picture makes me laugh every time.

 Who doesn't love cupcakes...or icing?!

Because in this family you can never have too many guitar strings.

Curt and his mini me.

A New Nephew....or Niece?!

So a few weeks ago, Kristy had a gender reveal party! It was so much fun to find out if we were getting another nephew or a niece! Which do you think it is?

The decorations were so cute! 

My in-laws said they didn't plan this, but come on. How does this happen by accident?! :) Daisy was even in on the gender reveal.

Walter and Daisy both thinking about another child to torture them. hahaha

Look how cute Grayson is....I feel like he has something up his sleeve in this picture!

Everyone is headed outside to find out!

Colton lookin all handsome.

I think it was torture for them to open this box.

 I don't know how she didn't find out at the doctors. I would have found out then had the gender reveal for everyone else. haha

And now to open the box...

ok does it really take this long?

YAY! A niece is on the way. :D

I think she was excited.

Can you tell? 

Sorry Walter, maybe you'll guess right next time!

Dash's Birthday!

Our Dash (aka Dasher) had a birthday a few weeks ago! Yes I am totally behind....yet again. haha Anyway, I had to get him a little cake. I had planned on making one, but life seemed to get in the way. Petsmart sells these little Pup Pies if you are looking for one!

It even came with a cute Happy Birthday piece.

Dash is probably thinking....I think that's for me. I wonder what it is.

Now he is thinking...omg that smells like food! I want it!

Here is his saying....Stop holding it. Give it to me. I want to eat it!

He had a little trouble getting it out of the pan. haha

The whole cookie pie is in his mouth!

Then he realized he would need to chew it up. Walter hopped right in and snatched a piece so then I had to break Buttercup off a piece too. He wasn't very happy with me about that!

Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Oreo Pie

Yeah nothing in that title says gross. Every single word makes me start to salivate. It's just as good as it sounds too. Now this was the first time I made it and normally I wait until the second time so my appearance is better, but people wanted it and its just too good not to share!

Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Oreo Pie

Ingredients:

* 1 bag Oreos (I like to use just regular stuffed Oreos)

* 1 cup butter, divided

* 2/2 cup packed brown sugar

* 1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, divided

* 1 bag dark chocolate chips

 Directions:

* Finely crush the Oreos with a food processor or blender. Stir crumbs together with 8 tablespoons melted butter until well combined. Press into the bottom and sides of a pie pan. Freeze crust for 10 minutes until set.     Best. Crust. Ever!

*Combine remaining 8 tablespoons butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture begins to bubble. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Slowly whisk in ¼ cup heavy whipping cream until smooth. Cool caramel about 15 minutes. Pour the caramel over the Oreo crust, then return to freezer for about 30-45 minutes until just chilled and set.

*Place chocolate chips in a glass bowl. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup heavy whipping cream to a simmer over medium-high heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until completely smooth. Pour the chocolate over the caramel and freeze for a final 30 minutes, until just chilled and set. 

*TIPS: The chocolate layer is a super thick. Its super good, but super rich. I would almost cut it in half, but its personal preference. If you like thick, rich chocolate go for the whole bag! 

**Make sure the pie is laying flat in the freezer. haha Mine tilted some so the caramel all went to one side. 

***Also, freeze the pie. haha They say you can refrigerate it, but its a lot easier to cut if its frozen. 

****I would probably let the caramel bubble for longer than a minute because mine was runnier than what I wanted.

*****OH, and use a spring pan or a tart pan if you can. OR maybe put down some wax or parchment paper to help get it out of the pan. Its tough, but nothing can keep me from chocolatey goodness.

*Before serving, sprinkle the top with a flaky sea salt.

Makes: 8-12 servings.