Spicy Ginger Cookies

If you know me, you know I love to bake. LOVE it! I've been thinking I should share some of my very favorite recipes that we make all the time. One thing you should know first though, is that I do NOT believe in margarine. It's bad for you, (trans fat, which is much worse than saturated), and baked goods always have better texture, consistency, and flavor with butter. There's my snobby, butter spiel.

I found this recipe on a birth board and thought they sounded delish. I have no idea whose recipe it is originally. We love soft cookies, but we also love Gingersnaps, which we have a difficult (and expensive) time getting here. These cookies have the same flavor that we loved in a cookie that is slightly crunchy on the outside and chewy in the middle.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 C flour
1/1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper + 1/8 tsp. ( the original used a full 1/2 tsp. but it was a little too spicy. This amount has just the right kick to it, we think)
1/2 C butter, softened
1/2 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
1/3 C Molasses (full flavor molassses gives much better flavor than mild)
2 egg whites

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, baking soda, spices and salt together. In a separate bowl, cream sugars together. Add molasses and eggs until well mixed. Slowly add in dry ingredients. Use medium cookie scoop and bake for 12 minutes, letting cookies rest for 1 minute before moving to cooling rack.

Hope you guys love them! If you make them, let me know what you think!

Madelyn's pierced ears

Madelyn has been asking for pierced ears for about a year now, but I kept putting it off. I finally told her that if she was a good girl for her 4 yr. shots, I would let her get her ears pierced while we were in Texas. She was so excited, but after they did the first ear, she was not going to let us do the next one. Spencer finally just held her and the silly thing was that instead of crying harder, she stopped as soon as they pierced it. It was like she was crying from being scared, but the actual stab was no big deal. She's in love with her earrings and is very glad she has them.

Spencer and Chase

Spencer and Chase became good buddies. They were so cute together. Spencer was rubbing Chase's hair and when he stopped Chase grabbed his hand and put it back on his head, and then he patted Spencer on the head. It was so adorable to see them!

Chase and Lucy

Chase and Lucy were so cute together! They were chasing each other all over the place. Chase kept giving Lucy kisses; it was so sweet. She then tried to "kiss" him, but it looked more like she was going to attack him! We love those babies!

Chasers!

One of our main reasons for going to Texas was to see Chase. We want to know him and our children to know him and we know that any time with him is precious. He is such a sweetheart! We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with him and his sweet spirit. We thank the Lord every day for how well he is doing and pray that he will continue to do well.

 LOOK at those eyelashes!

Playing at the Splash Pad

We went to a splash pad and had a blast! It was very hot while we were there (but not muggy, so it seemed very tolerable to us with Jeff and Janell's a/c!), so we wanted to get out in the water!

BYU/Texas Game

Spencer, Jeff, and their friend, Brady, who all played High School Football together, along with Aidan and Ethan, were able to get tickets to the BYU/Texas game. It was a bummer because BYU lost, after holding the lead for most of the game, but Texas played well and deserved the win.

While the (big) boys were away, the girls had a little party and watched a Barbie movie. I don't think they missed too much by staying home!

Texas!!!

We found a great price on airfare to Austin, where Spencer's brother, Jeff, recently moved to. He just graduated from his Pediatric Dental Residency and is finally working as a Pediatric Dentist. 

We had such an amazing time! The kids had a ball together and became fast friends, even though it's been over 2 years since they had seen each other. Thanks, Gregersons, for letting us take over your house!We love you guys so much!

Chase & Lucy

 Lucy slept well in the crib. 

 At "Lake" Austin, (really a river)

Little Creeper

Lucy has become a little creeper and is even starting to climb up on stuff lately.

 She got herself trapped here, one arm up and couldn't get it down. She's such a joy!

(Please don't judge me for having her be naked! It's so hot and muggy some days that I can't bring myself to dress her and make her hotter and sweatier than her little eczema  skin needs to be!)

He did it!

Aidan did it! He's learned to ride his bike, at least to ride and balance. 

He needs a little more work on starting and stopping, but he is on his way!