You Could Be the Next Winner!

Have you ever wondered who wins those contests you see on candy bars, pop cans, boxes of crackers, or chip bags? They're everywhere aren't they? Look under the cap you could be an instant winner! Collect all 4 and you could be the next millionaire! Enter for a chance to win cash and prizes!
In a world where it seems we are all separated by far less than the obligatory 6 degrees, why is it no one has a friend of a friend, or an uncles co-worker, or anyone really that has ever won a single thing from these contests?
I'm calling shenanigans.
I've decided that a free small fry or a complimentary 20oz soft drink is not cutting it for winners. I want to talk to the person who actually won the 62" flat screen home theater system, or the brand new 2009 latest and greatest automobile, or the $10,000 shopping spree to Target.
Every day you can find me at some store, somewhere... EVERY day and I don't see anyone paying for their merchandise with their solid gold gift card that they got from filling out the survey at the end of their receipt.

"Yeah, I won the Pepsi challenge can you believe it?"

"I just entered the code at the website and BAM! I won!"

These are phrases I have never heard.
Perhaps I'm just bitter. Having succumbed over the years to purchasing innumerable products in the hopes of wining said advertised contests, I have not moved beyond the complimentary small fry. I have however moved beyond my lifetime allowance of fast food, candy bars, and pop.
I guess what I really want is to hear from someone who has actually cashed in on one of these contests. Let me know that the dream can be a reality. That someday I could be in line at a department store with a cart full of free goodies all thanks to a well timed Kit Kat bar.  Oh that life were so kind...

More Family With the Fine/Reyes Clan!

The kids got a chance to all be together again today to run and play before Emily heads home to Vegas.  Just thought I'd share the pictures.

Sarah, Max, Bella, Miles and Desmond 

                                                                    

                                                                              

                  

Oatmeal Cream Pies

Miles and I decided to try our hand at baking an old-school favorite today; Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookies.  They turned out pretty good, although a bit too gooey.  I think it needs a bit more oats or flour but I'm not much of a baker by nature so I'm not sure.

First we make the batter for the cookies...yum!

Then we make the fluffy filling...

Yum again!

Finally we have the finished product...

We even let baby Desmond try a little when he woke up from his nap:)






In case anyone wants to try it:

1 cup margarine
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups quick oats

Cream Filling Ingredients
2 teaspoons very hot water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow cream
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

1. In large bowl, cream margarine, sugars, molasses, vanilla, and eggs.
2. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.
3. Add to the creamed mixture; mix in the oats.
4. Drop dough by TBS on ungreased sheets. (I used a small cookie scoop.)
5. Bake at 350 degrees F.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes,or until just starting to brown around the edges.
7. They will look moist; don’t overcook.
8. While the cookies bake prepare the filling.
9. In small bowl, dissolve the salt in the hot water.
10. Allow this to cool.
11. Combine marshmallow cream, shortning, powdered sugar, and vanilla in med bowl; mix on hi until fluffy.
12. Add the cooled salt water and mix well.
13. Spread filling on flat side of one cookie, press 2nd cookie on top.

Fun with Family

Last night we had a nice little break from the kids and hung out with Margaret, Cousins Lydia and Jason, Emily and baby Isaac, and my handsome husband.  Mexican food and frosty beverages were yummy but the night ended with a major migraine!  It's a sign of my age that two beers cripples me with a headache.  I woke up slightly ill still and wondering if all this physical turmoil could be a side effect of an allergy.  Who knows?  Bottom line, getting old sucks.

But I masked it all to take a few fine photographs for posterity:)

             Emily, Lydia, Margaret and Me

A few more shots of cousins and couples

                                                             Jason and Lydia so cute.

                                            I love my husband so much:) xoxo

And what blog entry would be complete without a few obligatory shots of adorable babies?

Who said girls are the only ones who like to push strollers?  These two were falling over themselves to take turns pushing the baby doll stroller at Toys R' Us.  So adorable!

                                                                    
Playing with cousin Sarah and refusing to crack a smile for the camera.

Silly Boys Who Like To Wake Up Early

Today we are anxiously awaiting the return of Daddy. I know the boys are going to go crazy when Matt get's home which is unfortunate because I know Matt is going to want to go straight to bed. He's been in San Diego for a business trip and had a video shoot at 3 am! Yikes! They had to do it at that time because apparently that's when the Marines were handing out the guns. Anyway, long story short Matt will have taken an early flight to get home but will be arriving with a serious lack of sleep (who sleeps on planes really?)

Desmond and Miles are definitely missing Daddy but have enjoyed spending quality time with Namma (I've been sick, thanks for the help ma:)

This picture was taken last August. I'm amazed at how quickly the time has gone by and how much my babies have grown. Miles is like a little man now and Desmond is very mischievious. He has a glimmer in his eye that makes me a little nervous at times!

Flash forward to today. This was taken this morning.

Amazing how much a year changes babies.

XOXO

Katie