Day 2: Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today was a very busy day and we didn't get home until 8:30 pm. Which doesn't sound late, but for Rylee it is. Especially when she's screaming the whole time for the 30 min. drive home because she's tired and didn't get her nap earlier. Anyway, we got home and Matt went over to the neighbor's while I got Rylee into bed. But I guess he wasn't home (he wasn't home earlier in the day when we went by, either). But not to worry, we'll go back sometime anyway until he gets his cookies! So he went to another neighbor and they were home and very excited about the delivery. I didn't get a chance to meet them but i've seen them in passing and they are friendly. Matt invited them to a health talk he's going to do at our place in a month. That's another thing we're going to start doing..we need something to invite these people to..and he'll need practice doing health talks so it seemed like a great idea. The first one will be on weight loss, and everyone's welcome to come! I'll post more on that when the time comes though. Anyway, we were refferred to another neighbor! What a friendly neighborhood :) And very convenient for us since we don't have to go far. Alright today's recipe! Chocolate Chip..I know, so typical. But this is a new recipe i've never tried but i've had saved for a while. It has vanilla pudding in it..so it made me curious. It didn't taste any different than a regular chocolate chip cookie, but it was very soft. I loved it. p.s. if you make it, take them out just before they look done and after a few minutes they'll set up perfectly.

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
makes 6 dozen. yes, 6! and i made the whole thing!

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture.
Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown.