Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween

 
The boys this morning in their halloween costumes.  The cutest fireman and puppy dog there ever was.  This was the best picture I got of them together.  Colton would not sit still.  I had to give him the remote to make him sit for at least three seconds. 

This morning started off a little groggy since a certain sixteen month old decided to wake up at 6am.  Yuck! I rocked him for about 20 minutes, he fell back asleep then I put him back in his bed.  Of course he woke up then, cried some more then fell back asleep.  

 We had a busy morning dropping Ryan off at preschool then Colton and I ran to Target before heading back up to school to help with his class Harvest party.  It was his first official school party and it was so fun!

Ryan and his little classmates all lined up to wash their hands.  How cute are they in all their fun costumes?  Adorable!

Some of the kids waiting patiently to eat their snack.  Of course I volunteered to bring cookies for snack.  I made some adorable pumpkins.  I'll post a picture tomorrow.  

Sweet little Colton bear tagged along.  He was pretty good for the most part.  He devoured a whole snack trap of goldfish during our hour there but oh well, it kept him busy.  He had fun watching the older kids. 

Anissa read a story to the kids and they were SO good and quiet.  I was shocked to see all of them behaving so well.  

It was such a fun day and I'm so thankful I got to be there with Ryan.

Tonight we took the boys out to go trick or treating.  It was FREEZING and drizzling but we still had fun.  I hate that it was so yuck outside but Ryan didn't seem to mind.  

He had a BLAST walking up each drive way, knocking on the door and saying trick or treat.  He was so polite and always said thank you and usually asked for a piece of candy for Colton.  He would bring Colton the candy and drop it in his bag.  He's so sweet!!! 

The cutest puppy dog I've ever seen!!!

We stayed out for about an hour before calling it a night.  We were frozen solid and damp.  The boys had a blast.  Such a fun day and night!  So thankful for my fireman and puppy dog! 

Monday, October 29, 2012

Sixteen Months


I'm a couple days late - but Colton turned 16 months old on Saturday.

I'm not sure how much you weigh but I would guess between 20-23 pounds.  You feel like you are getting heavier.  You wear size 12-18 month clothes and size 4.5 shoe.


You are a great eater.  You eat just about anything.  You love green beans, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, spaghetti, oranges, turkey, grapes and apples.  I am SO glad that you eat so well.  You would think you would really gain some weight with all the food that you eat.

 
You are still not walking but getting closer by the day.  You love to walk holding on to furniture, a toy or our hands but just haven't gotten your courage up to do it by yourself.  I'm really hoping you walk in the next month.

You are super busy and a climber.  You had the BEST time climbing and playing at the park last week.  You definitely keep me on my toes.


You are such a snuggler and love to give hugs and blow kisses.  You are so sweet and I love seeing your sweet personality beginning to emerge.

You take 1 long nap in the afternoon around 3-4 hours.  

Your vocabulary is growing daily.  You say momma, dada, baby, hi, and bye-bye.  You mimic some words. You have recently started to mimic animal sounds.  Ryan loves to answer when I ask what sound a (insert any animal) makes.  

You are even tempered and so happy all the time.  I love that you are laid back and go with the flow.  You have started the "terrible twos" fits from time to time.  It's the whole can't communicate thing.  When you get mad you definitely let us know and let your voice be heard!

You love books right now.  You will sit in my lap for 5-15 minutes just flipping through books and looking at the pages.  Love that!

This last picture is an out take.  This silly monkey would not sit still for a mili-second.  He is all over the place. It's nearly impossible to get a good picture of him.  Somehow I managed to get some great pics today.  


You are growing so fast and we love seeing your develop and grow into a little boy.  You are such a blessing and we love you so much!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Park Day and Halloween Costumes

 
We had the best time at the park this morning.  I'm afraid it might be one of our last park days until spring.  The rain held off this morning just long enough to have some fun with friends.  

Colton seriously had the BEST time today.  He was climbing all over the playground.  And he was totally fearless.  Oh boy!  I was chasing him every where and he would just giggle and giggle. 

Ryan enjoyed playing, climbing and sliding too.  He played so hard.  After the park we went to CFA for lunch with our friends.  The boys were wore out and both took a long afternoon naps.  
(This pic below is Ryan saying "I DID IT" as he climbed to the top)


So Kelly, over at Kelly's Korner, is hosting Show Us Your Halloween Costumes.  I thought it would be fun to take a look back at past Halloweens.  

When Ryan was just over four months old he was this adorable pumpkin.


He was a monkey when he was 16 months old.  He was the cutest monkey.  He refused to wear the hat.  


Last year Colton was a pumpkin and Ryan was a fireman.


Ryan was the cutest fireman ever.  Later I thought I should have dressed Colton as a dalmation dog but oh well.  I can't bring myself to spend a lot of money on halloween costumes that they will wear once, maybe twice.  I do love to dress them up and take adorable pictures.  

Can't wait to dress up the boys this week!


Thursday, October 25, 2012

Pinterest and Happy Birthday Papou

 I love Pinterest.  I don't get on there very often because when I do I can't get off.  There are hundreds of ideas from food to home decor to the best way to clean your toilets.  Mom, I will have to introduce you to pinterest over Thanksgiving.  =) 

Sometimes I will look on interest for an hour then look around my house and think ugh..there's so much I want to do and change I feel overwhelmed.  I've decided to take just one project at a time.  

I recently found some pins that I love and want to do around the house.  

I want to do this layout of frames in my breakfast room.  I have two big walls on either side of a window so I need something to fill it. 

Love this idea for my entryway!  

I've been searching for something for the shelf in the boys bathroom.  Love this!

I want to send a big Happy Birthday to Papou today.  We hope he has a wonderful birthday and we look forward to seeing him soon!


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Sweet and Sour Chicken

 One of my favorite dinner recipes is Sweet and Sour Chicken.  I got the recipe years ago from my friend Amber on her blog thismommycooks.blogspot.com.  This meal is a favorite in our house.  It's always one of Matt's favorites.  

If your looking for a yummy new dinner recipe you much try this one.  

Sweet and Sour Chicken
From My Kitchen Cafe

Chicken Ingredients: 
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch (flour works just as well)
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Directions to cook chicken:
Cut boneless chicken breast into chunks.  Season with salt and pepper.  Dip chicken in cornstarch and then in egg.  Fry in a little oil until brown but not cooked through.  Place in a single layer in a baking dish.  Mix sauce ingredients (below) together and pour over chicken.  I usually double the sauce ingredients and pour over chicken.

Sauce Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 cup regular white vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions to bake chicken:
Bake for one hour at 325 degrees. Turn chicken every 15 minutes.  If you like extra sauce, make another batch of sauce and bring to boil on the stove top. Stir constantly and let cook over medium heat until thickened and reduced - about 6-8 minutes.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Dad's Night

 Tonight Matt and Ryan went to his preschool for Dad's pumpkin carving night.  I think it's so important for Matt and Ryan to have some guy time.  They had the best time.  Ryan came running in tonight telling me how much fun he he had with Daddy.  I love that they had a blast!

Check out this awesome pumpkin the boys carved!


Do you see this adorable face???  Oh my gosh I could squeeze him.  He makes this face all the time!  I love it!  And we can't forget our first baby Annabelle (on the right) who is always close by!

While Matt and Ryan were at school this cutie pie and I spent some sweet one on one time together.  We played with toys, practiced walking and snuggled.  He is so sweet and I could really tell he enjoyed spending one on one time with momma. 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Down on the Farm

 
 We had a low key and quiet weekend.  Saturday was cold and cloudy outside.  We stayed home all day and chilled in our pjs.  I made pancakes for breakfast - the boys favorite.  In Ryan's words - we played cars, we played trains and watched football.  It was a great day and nice to relax at home.  

Sunday morning we went to church then came home for lunch and naps.  When the boys got up from their naps we headed to Shaw Farm in Milford.  Matt's sister Erin and her husband Brad came with us.  It was super crowded but the boys had a blast.  

I totally forgot my big camera at home.  So bummed I didn't get any good pics =( Ryan loved riding the train (barrel thing pulled by a tractor), the animals and of course pumpkins.  

We went to dinner with Erin and Brad to the Schoolhouse restaurant.  I should have taken a picture but I was too busy enjoying the awesome food.  The restaurant is an old, OLD schoolhouse that has been turned into a restaurant.  The menu is at the front of the room written on a chalkboard.  They are famous for their fried chicken and amazing sides of mashed potatoes, corn and green beans.  

I got the fried chicken and it was SO good.  It was some of the best fried chicken i've had in a long time.  The boys did so good and they cleaned their plates.  We even shared a slice of chocolate peanut butter pie for dessert.  

It was the perfect ending to a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Our Day

 
Tonight was Father/Son football night at Chickfila.  Since I had an appointment to get my haircut tonight I thought it would be a great idea for Matt to take the boys to CFA.  He said they had a fun and enjoyed having a boys night. 


I got my haircut then went over to my friend Laura's house for a USborne book party.  I love their books and told Matt I was not buying anything, ha!  

I brought the catalogue home with lots of pages folded down.  I am planning to order some books for Christmas for the boys and some for gifts.  


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

PW Apple Dumplings

 For the past week or so I have been craving an apple dessert.  I love anything apple so really it was not surprising, ha!  I knew when I went to the store this week that I had to pick up some ingredients to make a delicious apple dessert.  I referred to one of my favorite cooks, The Pioneer Woman, and she had the perfect apple dumpling recipe.  

I made these last night and they were unbelievable!!!  Sinfully good!!!  It made sixteen dumplings and I could have seriously eaten the whole dish but stopped after two.  The only thing missing was a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  The leftovers have been calling my name in the fridge all day but I'm resisting until after dinner tonight.  Plus I texted Matt to grab some vanilla ice cream on his way home! ;)   

So if your looking for a good apple dessert recipe or just want to treat your little tastebuds to a piece of heaven you must try this recipe.  


Apple Dumplings

Ingredients: 2 whole Granny Smith Apples
2 cans (8oz) Crescent Rolls
2 sticks Butter
1 - 1/2 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Cinnamon to Taste
1 can (12 oz) Mountain Dew Soda (use can also use Sprite or 7UP)

Directions:  Peel and core apples.  Cut each apple into 8 slices each.  Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll.  Place in a 9x13 buttered pan.

Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir.  Add vanilla, stir, and pour entire mixture over apples.  Pour Mountain Dew or soda around the edges of the pan.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top. 


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Fall Park Days

 
 Yesterday we met up with some friends at the park for some fall fun times!  It was a little chilly and windy but the kids didn't seem to mind.  

They had so much fun running and playing.  This was the first time Colton has really played on a playground.  He had a blast and loved climbing up and down the stairs and all over the place. 

 We invited everyone to bring a pumpkin to paint.  When we went to the pumpkin farm on Saturday I told Ryan to pick out a pumpkin that we could paint at the park.  I picked out some medium sized pumpkins but Ryan didn't want those, he just wanted the tiny, small ones.  So that's what we got.
 
Ryan had a blast painting his pumpkin.  Now when he sees a pumpkin he tells me about painting his pumpkin at the park.  

 We grilled hot dogs and everyone brought chips, drinks and applesauce to share.   It was a great day and everyone had fun.