So much to be thankful for.....

Where do I begin? I would say the biggest blessings are our family and friends. We are all so excited that this circle will be increasing next year. We will welcome two new additions and we could not be more happy. Baby Noah in April and Baby V in June. Our family and friends mean the world to us. I am so thankful that the Lord blessed us with the best. I know everyone probably thinks this but I am so very thankful this year for both. My world would not be complete without each and everyone of them!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We spent the morning with my family and then went to Jarred's parents. We celebrated Brooke and Nathan's birthdays. Brooke turned the big 3-0 and Nathan turned the big 3. The gifts were everything Thomas. Nathan is probably never wanting to see him again! We are so thankful for each of you. I hope you guys always know how special you are to us.
And of course there was a little baking going on. I do have to say that our Christmas Cut-out cookies turned out amazing. Nathan and Ava enjoyed eating theirs, they were easy to please. Just give them the plain cookie...who needs icing?
I am so thankful this holiday season. God has so blessed our family!

Break

Well, I took a short break. Not because I did not have anything going on. Brooke and Susie came to town so we could all go to the nutcracker market. Oh. My. Word. is really all I can say. I can sum it up in just a few words. Crowed. Great Shopping. Carmel Apple. A lot of walking. Tired Feet.
Susie took Miss Priss to her house to spend a few days. Jarred and I had a few days off. We went out to eat, did a little shopping, and even got to see two movies! Our first movie date we had the entire movie theater to ourselves. We pretended we were in highschool. Back row. Hands meeting in popcorn. Kiss. (Laughing....)

I was late taking Ava to school last Monday so I had to pick the only item left for Thanksgiving Feast on Monday. Cut out cookies. Poop! I am not nearly as good as my SIL but I am glad she gave me a few tips. (She is amazing!) I thought I did pretty stinkin' good. I almost just thought I would buy them but I felt that would not be very mommyish.
Since I had a little extra time I thought I would start to put up a little Christmas. I put up the photo tree in our room and I let Ava help me put up her tree when she got home today. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... My most favorite time of the year. Christmas shopping is over halfway done. I am going to try to do a little more this weekend.
I am so glad my sweet pea is home. I missed her terribly! It was quite around our house and it stayed clean! It is amazing how one little person can make such a huge mess. I will take the mess any day. I have loved on her all night. She probably thinks I am crazy.

Another reason for the blog break is my computer has been with the Geeks at Geek Squad. It had a virus and had to stay for a few days. I am glad to have it back.

Wow, this post is random.

Pumpkin Pie

First: pick out a lovely baking pumpkin. This is the key because baking pumpkins are sweeter than regular pumpkins. Yes, I found this out in my research.
Hint: Go to a fun pumpkin patch. (This is what really makes it fun!)
Second: Cut, Cook, and scoop your pumpkin. (I had Jarred help me cut and scoop the pumpkin. Cut into smaller pieces. Place in microwave with a little water and cook for about 30 minutes. You will know when it is done because it will practically fall off the pumpkin. This kind of sounds weird but you know what I mean right? Then puree. It will look like the glop that comes from a can.)
Third: Follow this recipe for a yummy pumpkin pie~
* 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin (about 2 cups of your real pumpkin)
* 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

HEAT oven to 425°F. Whisk pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt in medium bowl until smooth. Pour into crust.
BAKE 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F; bake an additional 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1-inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Garnish as desired.
Oh yes, it is that easy.
Forth: Enjoy your pie with a nice side of Cool Whip.
Trust me when I say it is so much better this way. I know, it's a lot more work, but oh so worth it!

Wordless Wednesday

Halloween Weekend Highlights

What a fun weekend it was! Ava had a slumber party with Mimi so Jarred and I got to go on a date Friday night. It is a record, two in two weeks. Score! On Saturday I got to sleep in. Can I get a big Amen! I needed it. Too bad I could only sleep until 8:30. Ava had a treat at Mimi's, homemade chicken and dumplings. I hoped she would love them like we all do but I was not sure. Needless to day my girl now has a love affair with them. I guess I see lessons from Mam-maw and Mom soon. (Mom keep them coming for now!)

Then it was off to the Fall festival at our church. They did such a great job. There were games for the wee ones and games for the big ones. There were jump houses/slides of all sizes. There was a petting zoo which of course was a favorite. They even had a ventriloquist that put on the funnest of shows. Ava thought the monkey was hilarious.
Then off to Madison's first birthday party. It was a costume party which was such a fun idea. The theme was Minnie Mouse. We had the two cutest Minnie's for sure. Happy Birthday Maddy. You are so loved.
Saturday night we had a fall block party. It was fun to meet the neighbors that just moved in and the ones we have not had the opportunity to meet before. This was such a great idea and I hope we do it every year. I left a little early to meet up with Debra and blog friends for a movie. It was nice to hang with the girls!

Before we knew it Halloween was here. We had a fun afternoon painting pumpkins. My girl loves all things crafty. I have no idea where she gets that from?? We had a mess for sure. The most fun times are always the messiest times. I have to let go of control and know that it can be cleaned up. Yikes, with paint flying in all directions sometimes this is HARD.
Then off to Uncle Jimmy's and Aunt Lissa's. Lissa made the kiddos mummy dogs and we had yummy hamburgers. (I had a mummy dog too!) Then off to trick-or-treat. My Minnie loved it! She would walk right to the door and hold her pumpkin out for some candy. If given the opportunity to pick her own she would grab a handful. Ava, we will have to work on leaving some for the other kids next year. At the end of the night we tried to take her pumpkin so we could load up, this caused a huge fit. HUGE.
What a fun weekend. I love these moments that are spent with family and friends. To me, there is nothing more precious. I soaked in every minute!