Cowboys and 40th birthday

Here is my little cowboy singing "Home On The Range."  Lily arranged all the stuffed animals and dolls to watch and had the moose singing along.

 For my 40th birthday, we had a slow morning with yummy breakfast, lots of presents from the kids and loved ones, and a picnic lunch at Spring Lake.  The kids found crayfish.

I received the most lovely flowers delivered--from my sweet sister!  What a surprise!

Banana Chocolate Coconut Almond Yummy Cookie Recipe

The kids and I just got back from Oregon, visiting my dear friend Viola.  While there, we  attended a game night at her church and got to have these yummy cookies--perfect for my dairy-free husband!  It's also a gluten free recipe.

1 1/2     cup mashed bananas, (about 3 large)
1     teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4     cup coconut oil, barely warm-so it isn't solid (or olive oil)
2     cups rolled oats
2/3     cup almond meal
1/3     cup coconut, unsweetened and finely shredded
1/2     teaspoon cinnamon
1/2     teaspoon sea salt, fine grain
1     teaspoon baking powder
6     ounces chocolate, 70% dark (chips or chopped up bar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, racks in the top third.
In a large bowl combine the bananas, vanilla extract and coconut oil. Set aside.
In another bowl whisk together the oats, almond meal, shredded coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir intil combined. Fold in the chocolate chunks/chips. The dough is a bit looser than a standard cookie dough, don't worry about it.  Drop dollops of dough, each about 2 teaspoons in size, an inch apart, onto a parchment (or Silpat) lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 - 14 minutes.  I baked these as long as possible without burning the bottoms and they were perfect -- just shy of 15 minutes seems to be about right in my oven.

Makes about 3 dozen bite-size cookies.            Serving size: 2  Calories:149

40 Years Ago...

 Mutti mit Kerstin und Vati mit Helmut und Kerstin (im Rucksack).

 Kleine Kerstin und mit Vati.

Bearfoot Honey Farm Field Trip

We have basically finished this school year--today's school day included a trip to the local honey farm.

Ballet & Fun

 The three girls had the opportunity to dance in a ballet "Where Do Rainbows Come From" together.
 I was able to photograph them before and during the show.

 Hanna was the Butterfly Queen.

 Both Hanna and Maggie were en pointe.

 Maggie was the bunny (so appropriate...she loves bunnies)!

 Lily was a small butterfly.

Hanna helped instruct Lily's class this year.

Lily had fun with her little butterfly friends.

 

 

Opa and Oma Heidi surprised us with a visit.

 Opa took everyone rollerblading...

 ...to Screamin' Mimis, of course.  They got out hazelnut ice cream for us from the back (:

 The Show...

Thanks for all the flowers!

 It was wonderful to visit with everyone!

 

Maggie played the flute while we were eating.  We all fit into Opa's station wagon (:

 We enjoyed Hanna's spring concert.  So beautiful!
 Trey made a fish and wanted me to take his photo.