Card Swaps

Today was our card swap, and I felt pretty good about my cards this time. Of course, everyone has such cute cards always, but I'm always so down on my own cards, like I think they need to be works of art or something, oy. But here are mine this time:

 The only criteria for this card was for it to be blue and white, it's so hard to plan a card with just the colors, I don't know why it's a struggle for me!

The only criteria here was to have it be a girl birthday card, easy enough!

I like the way these turned out, and I have high spirits for next month, let's keep this good cards coming!

Darth and Gecko

These little fellas are too much, you guys. With the hot heat of the summer, these jokers spend some of their days in the nude (these guys have to deal with having no AC in their house, oy vey) and I just love their tiny bodies, they're so small!

 He likes to chew on his own arm.

 Literally all the time.

He is working his eyes for every picture now, they're always so wide.

Double Manicures

I was babysitting my niece E-Money tonight, and we decided to have some pedicures. I painted her nails, and then she wanted to paint mine. She did a bang up job, of course, at her young age.

She chose pink for our nails. After we were done, I had Husband take a picture of us, thinking it would be a nice memory, until I saw E's face in it. 

This literally looks like I've kidnapped a child and tried to make it seem like we're having a good time. I even had told her to smile for it, but no, this look was the winning look. Despite what this picture says, we did have a good time, and after getting our nails done, we played in the park and then watched Frozen, what a fun night for everyone.

Miscellaneous Monday

Happy Pioneer Day! Yes, I know it was yesterday, but today I get the day off from school (first Pioneer day off ever, how exciting!) and so it's a special holiday. Now, did I spend this holiday studying because I have a test in a day? Yes, but still, that was nice not to have school interfere with studying for it. Ugh, tests. I still have so many in the next couple of weeks, oh man.

Because I had no school today, I was able to run the Temple to Temple 5K Run from the old Provo temple to Provo City Center temple. It was my first year doing it, and I was jazzed. I've heard its a great course, so I was really jonesing for a new PR. Oh, also speaking of, we had to run 1.5 miles in health class last week, on treadmills. He kept telling us to push ourselves while we were going, so I just kept pushing up on the intensity. I ended up running it in 11:49! I would never imagine running it so fast, I was so glad! But then that leads to today. I ran the 5K in 22:22! PR! PR! PR! I can't believe it, I've never run one that fast in my whole life! I was just so happy afterwards, I did a happy jig in my heart while my body was dying from running that fast.

We celebrated our Pioneer Day fireworks on Saturday night, since our family was in town then, and wouldn't be on Monday. We lit fireworks for a couple of hours, ate, chatted, etc. It was actually really difficult for me, because my brain decided that today would be the best day to get the worst migraine I've ever had in my life. I couldn't move earlier in the afternoon, but after some migraine medicine I could get up and get going. I kept having to head in the house to avoid the loud noises, but I think the night was worth it, fireworks, food, family and friends is always a great combination. I hope everyone had a great holiday!

Darth and Gecko

I like babies in that you can manipulate them to do stuff and they can't do a dang thing about that. Today was Gecko's turn.

 I got these snapchats, and oh man, I was dying.

When we tried to do this stuff with Darth as a baby, he hated it, but Gecko is so chill, he doesn't even care. 

This guy is just excited in life lately. He really digs cameras.

A Darth Birthday

Basically everyone that I know has a birthday this month. Literally, like Christmas, this is a hard month for my bank account in terms of presents, ha ha. Today is Darth's birthday, this joker is 2! I can't believe it's only been 2 short years since this great guy came into our lives. He sings songs to us now, knows us by name, and is talking up a storm. I can't wait to see what else he gets into in his life.

I made this amazing collage to celebrate the birthday. Happy birthday, buddy.

Cookies and Cream Brownies

Guys! I finally had enough forethought to take pictures of the treats I was making to finally post on here. These are amazing. Eat them. Here's how:
First of all, make a 9x13 pan of brownies. I just did a store bought, because I think the flavor is not important, it doesn't have to be a spectacular brownie, the added stuff is the star. BUT!!! Before baking, after you pour the batter into the pan, place 15 Oreos on top of the batter and push in slightly.

Then you bake like normal, according to box. All right, let it cool completely. Like, hours after its out of the oven, make the frosting.

For the frosting:
8 tablespoons vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup marshmallow creme (such as Fluff)
3 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Beat shortening and butter in a stand mixer with the paddle attached (or a hand mixer). Mix in marshmallow creme and vanilla. Slowly mix in powdered sugar. Spread frosting evenly over top of the brownies. Top evenly with mini Oreos.

For the rest:
About 1 1/4 cups (or more) Oreo Mini Cookies
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons very hot water
Melt the butter and corn syrup in a small saucepan. Turn off the heat and stir in the chocolate chips, then stir in the water to thin. Drizzle over the top of the frosting. Chill the frosted brownies for at least 1 hour until the frosting and topping sets. Enjoy.

These are so dang good. The frosting is nice, and isn't too marshmallowy (I don't really like the flavor of a marshmallow) and oh man, the topping is good. Recommended.