Memorial Day Celebration #1

The Sunday before Memorial Day we headed to Jason’s moms house after church to celebrate with his family.  The boys were so excited to see their cousins.  The water was a little cold for most of the adults but the kids didn’t seem to mind and jumped right in.  Brody was of course our little fish and swimming all over the place.

Kim smoked some really good smelling ribs and everyone said they were good – I’m not a rib kind of girl (too much fat to get around).  Of course we had all of the fixings – baked beans, mac n cheese, pasta salad, Asian slaw (which was very yummy).  I seem to always bring the dessert, which I love to bake so it makes it easy for me.  I made good ol faithful Banana Pudding and I also made a new recipe (of course) – Gooey Chocolate Caramel Brownies.  They were very good and definitely a keeper.  Check out the recipe originally found here

Ingredients:

FOR THE CAKE:

1 box chocolate cake mix (I like Devil's Food)

1 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

FOR THE CARAMEL FILLING:

1 (11 oz.) bag caramels, unwrapped

1/3 cup evaporated milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Spray 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine cake mix, 1 cup evaporated milk and ½ cup melted butter.

Mix until combined (batter will be thick).

Spread HALF of the batter into the baking pan (we'll use that other half later).

Put baking dish in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

While it is baking, start making your caramel filling.

In a medium sauce pan, over medium heat, combine caramels with 1/3 cup evaporated milk.

Stir frequently until caramel is melted and smooth.

When brownie bottom is finished baking (it will only be partially baked), take out of oven and sprinkle with 2 cups chocolate chips.  Then drizzle with prepared caramel sauce.

Take the rest of the cake batter and drop by the teaspoonfuls onto caramel layer.

No need to be neat about spreading it out. If you want you can take your spoon or your finger and gently cover any big gaps in the topping but most of it will spread while baking.

Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes (until the center is set).

We brought the boys bikes so that evening we headed out to let them ride.  Rhonda lives in a sub division and there is a cul de sac across the street so we set up our chairs at the end of the road and let the boys ride.  They had so much fun playing with Caleb and Cale. 

My little 3 year old loving riding his bike without training wheels.  I am so impressed at how well he is doing.

Jason thought he could give the little bike a try.

This was so sweet - Trevor was trying to teach Cale how to ride his bike without training wheels.

Enjoying eating one of the Gooey Chocolate Caramel brownies - he was in pure heaven.

Sweet Madison enjoying being outside.

Trevor was all ready for a ride from Cale

Madelyn even came out to join in on the fun – she wasn’t going to let the boys get the best of her – she can hold her own.

Jason also tried out the other riding toy - but it wasn't easy either.

It was a great time to spend with the family since we don’t see Daniel and Jessica very often.