Some Grandma Love

Some Family Fun

At a Local Park On a Beautiful Day

& Some Scooter Races

Brother Kisses

Sorry for blurry pictures, but I just had to get Aidan in motion as he was coming in to kiss his new brother! His kisses are too precious...

Coming Home

Anderson & I just could not wait to come home from the hospital. The kids were not allowed to visit because of the H1N1 virus, so it was actually the most unrelaxing hospital stay I've had because the kids wanted to see Mommy to make sure I was ok & I wanted to see them and have them meet their new baby brother. It was so nice to come home!

The Kids Ready at Home to Meet Their Baby Brother!

Home...At Last!

Some Very Proud Sisters

(Notice the construction paper streamers on the wall!

Abby made them for our homecoming & decorated the whole house! So Sweet!)

All of my Loves

Trying Out My New Swing!

Anderson Cole

Wow...I can't believe how fast 4 months has gone by, or that it's even been that long since my last post! Please forgive me!!!

I would like to introduce you (if you haven't already met) to our sweet son, Anderson Cole Hakes, born on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 11 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. 9 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long.

36 Week Update

I had my 36 week OB appointment this morning & had a great surprise when I arrived at the doctor's office...my hubby was sitting in the waiting room! It was so nice to see him in the middle of the day, but even better that he came to my appointment with me! Besides some ultrasounds with our children, I think the last time he was at an appointment with me was when I was pregnant with Abby, our first child, or maybe Ally. He's normally watching the kids while I go to these appointments, or working. It was such a sweet surprise! Everything with Baby "A" is looking great. He remains head down and I am 2 cm dilated.

I haven't posted any pictures of myself during this pregnancy, so I just had David snap a couple to share with you!

Snow Day Baking

There's just something about snow days, that makes me want to bake & create some special treats for my family. Although the standing in the kitchen makes my back hurt tremendously & makes me tired, I still love it...especially when I see the surprised looks on my family's face.

So, this morning, I made my first batch of 'Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls'. I found this recipe on a blog I read & decided to try it. This is terrible, but I don't think I've ever made homemade cinnamon rolls since I've been married! Anyway, these were absolutely delicious & the family loved them! I thought I'd share the recipe with all of you!

Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls



Dough:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm milk
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 egg, lightly beaten plus 2 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups flour (Add a bit more if dough seems too wet after first few minutes of kneading in the bread machine.)
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Filling (I doubled this since we like our filling, oh yes we do!):
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Icing:
1 teaspoon milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
4 tablespoons (or less) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put the dough ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed and run on the dough cycle. After the dough cycle is finished, roll the dough into a large rectangle and spread it with 2 Tablespoons melted butter and 2/3 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon.

Roll up and cut into 10-15 rolls and place in two greased round cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until browned. Spread the icing on as soon as they come out of the oven.

You can also cover the unbaked rolls with plastic wrap, stick them in the refrigerator overnight, and then bake in the morning.