Priceless...

...Knowing there are 8 people in this picture. Seven girls and a boy! We all (minus little baby Kapria) used to work together at a software company, and still get to hang out from time to time. And we decided to have a little brunch/baby shower now before the holidays get here and everyone gets crazy busy.

We had some amazing baked French toast (recipe below), and bacon (yum!), strawberries, and OJ. We didn't even need the buttermilk syrup this time, but I'm planning on making pancakes soon to use that up (thanks Tami for that recipe)!

In due date order: 34 weeks (boy!), 28 weeks (girl!) and 20 weeks (girl)!

Baked French Toast

by: Aunt lala from allrecipes.com adapted by Natalie

*Tastes like "Kneaders" french toast. Best served with strawberries and whipped cream (and bacon and oj).

1 loaf French bread cut in 1 inch (or thicker) slices
7 eggs
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup half and half

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup butter
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
3 Tablespoons light corn syrup

Butter a 9x13 baking dish (I also use an 8x8 too). In a large bowl beat together eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, and cinnamon. Dip bread in mix (both sides), and arrange in baking dishes. Pour/spoon remaining mixture into the centers of each slice of bread. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.

I also put together the sauce the night before and keep it in the fridge for quick prep the next morning. In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup (I call this the "caramel" part). I refrigerate this in the pan overnight.

The next morning preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Bake bread and egg mixture uncovered for 20 minutes; take out turn slices over. Heat "caramel" mixture until bubbling. Pour on top of bread and egg mixture (only use half of the caramel mix if you want to use buttermilk syrup), and place back in oven uncovered for 20 more min.

Best Buttermilk Syrup Recipe EVER

From: Tami Harrison :)

3/4 cube butter
1 1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoon Karo syrup
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
*make sure to make this in a high sided pan

Mix butter, sugar, buttermilk, and Karo syrup. Bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes then TURN DOWN and add baking soda and vanilla STIRRING CONSTANTLY. This will foam tons right away and every time you heat it up again in the microwave or stove!