Catch Up!

So after not posting anything for one month, maybe it's time for another one!  We've been doing a little bit of everything around here, except being outside.  We've been "stuck" inside because of weather like in the picture below, which was taken on MAY 1!

And I had walked outside in 80 degree weather the day before!  Hopefully the white stuff is finally all gone for the next six months.  Now it's been rainy off and on.  I'm pretty sure God's just answering all our screams for rain from last summer!
A few weeks ago we had another member added to the Ten Clay family.  Dan's brother and sis-in-law welcomed their second child, Hannah.  We can't wait to meet the little peanut!  Hopefully we'll be able to go out there in June.  Here's a pic of her and her proud big brother, Joshua.

Oh!  Did I mention that we're going to Hawaii this month?  We'll be heading to Kauai and Oahu for a total of a week.  We're so ready to relax and soak up some sun, but we have quite a bit to do before we can leave.  And I may be slightly freaking out because I haven't even made my packing list yet...definitely need to do that this weekend!  I'll post lots of pics after we get back!

I promise I made more than bars this past month, but that just happens to be what I have pictures of.  Enjoy!

Fat Bars

Fat Bars (Appealing name, not?!)

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups oatmeal

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

10 ounces peanut butter chips (can also be made with butterscotch or chocolate chips)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 Tablespoons butter

Mix butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla together.  Then add oatmeal, flour, salt and baking soda.  Press half this mixture into a greased 9x13 pan.  Set aside.  Mix peanut butter chips, milk, and butter together; melt in microwave.  When melted, pout over crust, then crumble remaining oatmeal mixture over it.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

*Taken from Melvin Centennial Cookbook

Oatmeal Carmelitas

Oatmeal Carmelitas

32 caramels (use the Kraft brand)

5 Tablespoons milk

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup melted butter

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup pecans (optional)

Melt caramels and milk.  Combine all other ingredients, except chocolate chips and pecans, in a bowl.  Stir until butter is absorbed and mixture is crumbly.  Press half of crumbs in a 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips and pecans.  Cover with caramel mixture.  Sprinkle with crumbs.  Bake 15-20 minutes longer.