Crock Pot Chocolate Cake

I found this yummy recipe online. Be sure to serve it with homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Add some hot fudge sauce too!

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. two layer chocolate cake mix
• 3 oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups sour cream
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Spray a 4 quart crockpot with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix and pudding mix. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the water, then add the sour cream and oil and beat until smooth. Add to the dry ingredients and beat well. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour into crockpot. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until top springs back when touched very lightly with finger. 8-10 servings

(I just mixed it all together in the crock pot and I cook it on high for about 3 1/2 hours)!

Enjoy the moist, chocolately goodness!!

A Conversation With Emmie...

Emmie: Who is John McCain?

Dad: He's a guy that is running for President.

Emmie: Why is he doing that?

Dad: I guess he aspires to be President of the United States...

Emmie: Does he know Jesus?

Dad: I don't know - I don't think he does.

Emmie: Well, who is going to tell him?

Dad: We need to pray that God will raise up someone who can share the Gospel with him.

Emmie: What about you?

Dad: Well, I don't know him and probably won't ever have a chance to talk to him.

Emmie: What about Michael Phelps?

(What? Where does she come up with this stuff? I'm not sure why she assumes Michael Phelps is a Christian, but I guess she thinks he might have a chance to talk to the President.)

Can I Blame My Lack of Posting on This?

Catching Up

My parents came up to visit a couple of weeks ago and they brought Ms. Fran with them. Ms. Fran is a sweet, old woman (she's almost 85!) from their church in Georgia. She is widowed and doesn't have any children or much other family. We usually try to go to lunch with her when we're down there visiting, and I thought it may be fun for her to come up and visit sometime.

She spent the night at Brian's parents house while she was here so she could have her own space. (Hey -even I was jealous of that!) We loved having her here. She loved on all of our kids and they all loved on her. It was such a blessing for us to be able to spend time with her although we kept her pretty busy.

We went out to lunch, shopped at Sam's, went to Jamestown and Yorktown - all in just 3 days!

This is the ferry to Jamestown.

Here is Ms. Fran with all the kids!

Mimi and Mac at one of the ships.

Everyone 'helping' lift something. Which is comical, because we all know that Mimi doesn't sweat, at least not intentionally. So I'm sure Brian is the only one doing the 'lifting'!

Ms. Fran with Brian's parents - who fixed us a wonderful rib dinner after our long day at Jamestown and Yorktown!!

Thanks for indulging all the pictures lately. If you're interested in some blogging that will make you think, go here.

First Day of School!

Today was our first official day of school! We had a great morning and then went to a cook-out with some other homeschooling friends. It was a great way to start the year!
Coleman - 2nd grade

Emmie - 1st grade

Calvin - preschool

Everyone for circle time (yes, Larry Boy visited with us today - what's funny is that Larry Boy is bigger than Ellerie)!

Happy Birthday Emmie!

Last week was Emmie's 6th Birthday! She's so grown up now. She wanted to have a pool party and a Star Wars cake. (At least her favorite characters are Princess Leia and Padme)!
The sweet birthday girl!

The Star Wars cake (notice the princess figures in front)!

Fun in the pool!

Opening presents.

Playing in the Big Sand Pit.



It was fun to celebrate her special day with family and friends who are like family! Thank you guys for loving on her and making her day special!