Time to make a FRESH APPLE CRISP!

Okay - we wanted to make a FRESH APPLE CRISP!
So Rachel, Ashlie and Madison went to our tree and picked apples!

We scrubbed them really well!

The cutting part was a little harder than the scrubbing part!

Ouch - Madison cut her thumb! We didn't like THAT part of the project!

When the apples were all sliced - we made the part that goes on top! We used real oats, whole wheat flour, maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla. That's all. We wanted it to be "healthy".

Now it's time to spread it on top of the sliced apples.

Rachel figured out how to do it the fast way.

Now this is looking really good!

In the oven for about 45 mins.

We got so excited about it that we forgot to take a picture of it when it came out of the oven. So this picture is the next morning. Yep - we had fresh "healthy" apple crisp for breakfast! Mmmm good!


Rachel is becoming quite the little cook!
(well - she's almost 11 - so that's not so little anymore!)

We ate every single bit! Joey actually told Rachel it was the best topping
that he had ever had! (way to go Joe!)

PLEASE???

Can you listen to the plea of a darling 10 yr. old girl? PLEASE?

We have this 1,000 piece puzzle to finish...

All these games to still play...

We haven't had the time to do our nails yet.....and we HAVE to do our nails.....

I have to still listen to all these new Disney CDs.....

and we can't forget about all the phytochemicals my body needs.
We still have to eat all these tomatoes!

So can you listen to the plea of a cute 10 yr. old girl.
Can Rachel stay another week???
PLEASE??

Before and after....still "LOOK'IN GOOD!"

"Cucumber - PEEL OFF MASK".....hmmm.. this could sound interesting to three cute girls.

Well - we just happened to have 3 cute girls right here!
Madison, Rachel and Ashlie.
This is the BEFORE picture. BEFORE.... the "pain of it all".


There are many steps to becoming "more" beautiful.
Step #1 - Get your hair off of your face.

Step #2 - Critique the condition of your skin.
(looks super good to me)

Step #3 - Be an example and show them how to apply the mask.

Step #4 - Carefully apply the mask.

...making sure you avoid the eye area.

Step #5 - Lay down and listen to cartoons for 30 mins. Don't make any facial movements and certainly don't move until it stops dripping!

...during the commercials, mumble through your sealed lips that you wished there was a screen on the ceiling and well, isn't this dry enough by now?

...when it is not dripping anymore, you can finally sit up and watch the show - but you will be reminded constantly to watch the show without any expression whatsoever. "Girls..we don't want wrinkles... now do we?"

Step #6 - When you think your mask is dry - sit in front of the fan for 5 more minutes to make sure it will peel off in one big piece. After all - it's not called a MASK for nothing.

Step #7 - Carefully and quickly peel off your mask in one swipe! Ashlie gets to go first!
She announces that it's painful. "well....you wanna look good don't you?"

Rachel agrees - "ouch - this IS painful!"


Rachel is trying to be a good sport here! Slowly but surely - it's coming off!


Now it's Madison's turn. It took a long time for her to work her mask off. I tried and tried to convince her to just get it wet and it would dissolve in a second. Nope. She wanted a MASK.

Step #8 - The final step. Examine the results very carefully.
Wow - my face is so soft and smooth!
(Hmm - not much different than when I stsrted!)


Now you can display the masks so that everyone that comes in can see them! If we let them harden the girls can take them home. (whoa) Look - mine even took OFF my make up. Who needs soap and water for a good washing.....the mask does a better job!


Ashlie.


Rachel.


Madison.


Now - you decide. The AFTER picture looks exactly the same as the BEFORE picture. Fancy that! I guess they didn't need anything to make them more beautiful afterall.

But....we already knew that now... didn't we!

LOVE TO SHOP!

Rachel and I LOVE TO SHOP. We must get it from our mothers!

See how much fun we are having!
(Well, you wouldn't expect a frowning face right?)

We are out looking for new school shirts and maybe a couple of pair of pants. This is one happy shopper - don't you agree? (and cute)

We took along Ashley who is one of Rachel's friends when she comes to visit. Ashley was a good sport to hold a full lap of clothes for Rachel!


Rachel said she tried on about 50 shirts and 20 pairs of pants. Even I was tired after this day of shopping!

Well - this is what we ended up with - including the shirt that she is wearing and we only found one pair of pants. (I'm trying to keep her out of the sun and squinting eyes!)

Ah - she looks better WITHOUT the umbrella after all! What a steal at only $l.99 EACH. (not kidding)

This was the next day when Rachel and Ashley went with me to the antique shops. There's nothing like wearing a new shirt and a new pair of pants. Very cute, Rachel!
Now....we're off to look for dolls, grab a bite to eat and maybe even grab an ice cream cone!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY - DAD!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY - DAD from Grandma's house!

We decided to pick a bunch of apples.

Then we got a really good idea. We picked even more.

They needed to be washed!

Guess what we are going to make?

A FRESH APPLE PIE!


Actually, Auntie Jan made this for Grandpa AND you Dad.
But you aren't here......so you only get "the wishes!".

I miss you and hope you had a great day!
Love, Rachel

By the way - thanks Auntie Jan - it was FABULOUS!!!