Random August Stuff

I have been meaning to update the blog, oh I don't know... all month! So here is a random post with random stuff.

I made 2 batches of brownies the other day, testing the original recipe against my own tweaks. This picture shows the difference between making brownies while just making brownies and making brownies while trying to help 2 screaming children. They were both delicious, but the top pan definitely looks better!
While I was making brownies, Clara decided to rearrange all the pots and pans in the cabinet.
And this is just a cute picture of cute Lucas being his cute self.
I commissioned my sister Tanya to make Clara an apron so she could help me in the kitchen Here is Clara modeling the apron. So stinkin' cute! Thanks again Tanya! We love it!
If my kids weren't the subjects of the other pictures, this would be my favorite picture! I scored some AMAZING deals at the grocery store! I do love my kids more than I love getting good deals, but some days, I think it is a close call. I paid $24.61 for this lot of groceries. My favorite parts of this are the 19 packages of berries (priced at $.08-$.12 per package)! Those alone would normally have cost me $40-$60, depending on if they were on sale or not. I also got free pizza, free ranch dressing packet, free hot sauce, milk ($1.34/gallon), Warm Delights for $.25 apiece, free Chex Mix, peanut butter for $1.00/jar, loads of produce (carrots, peaches, asparagus, lettuce, summer squash, zucchini, grapes) rice, yogurt, and freezer Ziploc bags. I saved well over $100. It was a great day, and now my freezer is super happy with all those berries in it!
I really like this picture. Clara dumped a cup coarse salt on her face and you can see the little salt crystals stuck in her eyelashes. This little girl sure does know how to get into mischief!
Well, those are the recent happening in the Muhlestein household, hope you enjoyed it!

Swagbucks

Ever heard of swagbucks? Heard of it but skeptical? I decided to give it a try, and I love it! For those who don't know what it is, it is a website that you can do internet searches through (like google). Every now and again, when you search, you are awarded swagbucks. Save up those swagbucks, and you can cash them in for prizes. For example, 450 swagbucks will get you a $5 amazon gift card. And all that just for searching things on the internet like I normally do! I have been using swagbucks since March, and I have already redeemed $50 in Amazon gift cards. I have used those gift cards to make purchases, too, so I know it is legit. The search engine for swagbucks produces results compiled from google and ask.com, so it is a quality search engine. There are also other ways to earn swagbucks to get you those gift cards even faster. Interested in giving it a try? Click on the link below to get started! This is a super easy way to save up for Christmas or other gifts all through the year.

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/ccinderella12

(PS- you get extra swagbucks when you refer people, so if you like this and want to give it a try, please sign up through the link I put up here!)

100 more miles...

About 28 months ago, our friend Ali and I decided to create the 100-Mile Challenge, a race to be the first to run 100 miles.

Well, since then, she has moved, had a baby, her baby has had several heart surgeries (he is doing great now, though!) and a bunch of other stuff.

Since then, I have moved, fathered two children, done two years of law school and a bunch of other stuff.

So, we've decided it is time to start the challenge again to get back in better shape.

You can track our progress on the little box on the right side of our blog.

Happy running!

Happy Birthday Clara!!!

WARNING: This post is heavy on the pictures.

Clara's birthday was on June 20. I should have written this post long ago, but in my defense, Lucas was only 12 days old on Clara's birthday, so I am just proud of myself for getting her birthday done! And as for the tardiness of writing about it, better late than never!

Here are pictures from Clara's birthday photo shoot. I love her scrunched up face smile! That is what she does pretty much every time we ask her to smile.

Like any kid, Clara really enjoyed opening her presents.

We went with a summertime theme for her birthday this year, so most of her presents revolved around summer activities. She got a beach ball (thank you Grandma Muhlestein!)

She got sand and pool toys and sidewalk chalk (thank you dollar section at Target!)

She got a cool doll that has clothes that snap on, so she can change the dolls clothes all by herself and a purse to put her doll and the clothes in. (Thank you Grandma Sorensen!)

Do you think she likes it?

And for the grand finale, she got a sand box!

After presents, we went outside and enjoyed some yummy birthday cupcakes

Then the kids enjoyed the sandbox and toys.

It was a great day! We are so blessed to have Clara. She is such a good girl and has become such a good big sister! We love watching her learn new things. She has such a sweet spirit and is so kind and gentle and yet so rambunctious and ridiculous. Everyday is a new adventure with her and I am so thankful to be her mother! Happy Birthday Clara, we all love you!

Political Ad

I'm slow getting this up, but here you go:
In April, my summer job boss, Mark Weaver, called me and asked me to get as many people as possible to show up to be extras in a political ad for Ohio's Issue 1.

I called Crystal and she brought Clara, and then I called David and he brought Megan and the boys.
Here is the video. Click to see it.

Crystal and Clara are in the first shot, and then you can see them, and me, on the left side of the screen later, (when the main actor is facing the camera) and you can see David (in a suit and tie) with Harry on his shoulders on the right side.

It was fun, and the money we got paid for my birthday dinner at Benihana's.