Recipe Share

It's that time of year when I want to bake, especially yummy pumpkin-y stuff. Thursday I made a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip bread and had a request for the recipe.

Harvest Pumpkin Bread

3 1/2 c. Flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp salt
3 c. sugar
1 c. oil
4 eggs
1/2 c. water
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin

Preheat to 350 degrees
Mix together flour, baking soda and powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Set dry ingredients aside. Beat together sugar, oil, eggs and pumpkin until smooth. Gradually add the flour mixture and alternate pouring in the water until everything is combined. Add chocolate chips or whatever sounds yummy to you, nuts, raisins, etc.
Pour into 2 bread pans and bake for 60-70 minutes. YUM!

This time I made it I ran out of sugar and subbed in a cup of brown sugar and it was super yummy so I think I might make it like this from now on. I also thru' in a little extra pie spice. I recommend eating it hot with butter, mmmmm.

Cowboy Up

Wednesday was finally cowboy day at Cole's school. He had been asking since the first day of school when it was going to be cowboy day so when it finally arrived he was so excited he was bouncing off the walls. It was one of those days where I wished we had gotten into the morning class, lol. Anyways, he got all decked out in his cowboy gear and allowed me to take a couple pictures before school. When I dropped him off at school I decided that he was most definitely the cutest little cowboy there. The parents came back for the last 45 minutes of class and the preschoolers put on a little program where they sang some of the songs they had learned thus far, it was by far the cutest thing I have ever seen. Everytime I think back on it I get all mushy inside, I'm a dork, I know it. Cole had told me that cowboys don't get their pictures taken at school but I snuck my camera in and got a few shots. I am so disappointed in myself for not thinking to take the video camera, what is wrong with my brain?

A funny side note: Later that night Cole and I were playing with his cowboy guns (not allowed at school) and I said "Reach for the sky cowboy and say your prayers". He bowed his head, folded his arms and said, "Dear Heavenly Father..." I couldn't stop laughing. What a funny kiddo.

Before school, I can't get him to look at the camera these days...

Singing for the parents, so so cute...

The campfire they used to "roast" marshmallows...

In front of the spider wall...

Baby Photos

You might remember this sweet baby from her birth pictures. I hope it's ok with Leslie if I share these photos of her cute little girl. I took these photos of little Layne at two weeks old. I was quite pleased with how they turned out.

Things That Start With the Letter C

Cole is very aware of the letter C everywhere we go (I guess it's kind of an egocentric thing since his name begins with C). For example he will point out the C on the McDonald's sign or on a license plate, etc. Anyways, that was a random preface to my random post, lol.

Friday Cole came home from school with this drawing of a cowboy in his bag. You might think yeah, so what. But I was totally excited when I saw it because I could actually see a cowboy in it and not just haphazard scribbles everywhere. This is his first drawing of something that actually looks like something. It was a proud Mommy moment for me, lol.



Saturday we went to Chuck E Cheese with my whole family. That place is so cuckoo on Saturday afternoon but my kiddos had a blast with their cousins, grandparents and aunt. It's nice to have older cousins that can keep an eye on them and take them around to play all the games. I didn't bring a camera with me but one of the rides takes a picture of you while driving. Fun times.

Why 4 Year Olds Don't Babysit

In the five minutes I was in the shower this morning Cole turned him and Carson into human artwork...


Click to view larger
Poor Carson, he was not amused. He had four shots yesterday in his legs and I'm sure Cole's coloring on them didn't feel so good. Not to mention the poor little bubba has a cold and is teething.

Shiver Me Timbers

Ahoy me hearties, did you know that September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day!?
We celebrated with a quick trip to Borders (I had to make a return) where we found the coolest pirate pop-up book ever. It opens up into a huge ocean scene with ship battles and a giant octopus and pirates galore.

Also Cole wanted you all to meet Jack; his new scarecrow friend. Jack magically showed up on our doorstep the other day just especially for Cole (Thanks Mom).

Pony Rides

Alan's partner invited us to her daughter's 5th birthday party today. It was quite the extravaganza complete with pony rides, a little petting zoo and two pinatas. Both boys took their very first pony rides ever. Cole didn't seem all that impressed (it was too tame for him I think) but Carson screamed when we took him off, he loved it. Cole was unsure about the other animals, he liked the bunnies but I think the goats freaked him out (hey, they freak me out too, lol). Carson was not allowed to touch any animals, ick, they were kind of dirty and he puts his hands in his mouth constantly (I think he's teething). Cole scrambled for candy when the pinata broke and managed to get quite a bagful, it pays to be little and sneak in amongst all those bigger kids. Fun times!

(My kids are dressed in orange alot, aren't they? LOL).

Imagination

Cole's imagination is absolutely incredible. I'm sure all children's are. The awesome thing about being his Mommy is that I can get a little glimpse of what it is like to imagine pirates sailing through the living room or trains whizzing thru' the kitchen. I can't really remember what it was like to lose myself so completely in play but with Cole around I get that chance to relive alittle of my lost childhood everyday. There are days I admit that if I have to sword fight one more time or repeat the scripted pirate dialog he has concocted for me again I might go insane, but then I try to remember he will only be 4 once and to just enjoy the moment. I probably won't have a clean house until these little dudes go off to college but that's ok. As long as I remember to take time out to play with them and imagine.

(I confess: This post is written as a reminder to me because lately I am impatient and short with Cole and his gigantic, imaginative messes. He's a really good boy and I just need to chill out).

"The world of reality has it's limits, the world of imagination is boundless" Jean-Jacques Rousseau

10 Years

Happy Anniverary Alan!

I can't believe it's been 10 years. Ten years since we said "I do", kissed as husband and wife and set out on this amazing journey together, truly time has flown. I am such a lucky girl to be married to the greatest guy in the world. You are an amazing father, my bestest friend, a loving (and patient) husband and so much much more!

I love you!

Never Forget

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

Howdy

My sweet baby boy!
I was changing Carson's diaper today when he sat up on the changing table and he just looked so super cute I had to grab my camera.

Ol' King Cole

His Royal Highness Cole


His two royal servants

Saturday Alan went on an all day hike to Zion's with the youth in our ward and I was left to entertain the kiddos. I always look forward to Saturdays when Daddy is home to play with the boys and offer me some free time. I was feeling pretty burned out as it had been a long week with the boys and it was turning into a very long Saturday without Alan around to help out. Luckily I have two cute nieces who adore my boys and came to my rescue. Morgan made Cole this crown and they played King for hours. I don't know how Cole did it but somehow he convinced the girls to be his royal servants and they went along with it, lol.

Thanks girls for giving me a Mommy break and for taking great care of my boys. Love ya!

Special Delivery

This little beauty arrived on my doorstep today.

I can't wait to pop it on my camera and take it for a test drive.

M&M Madness Continues

The boys in their matching orange M&M shirts...


And I love this one. I'm thinking it's pretty cute...

M&M World

Cole posing with Green and Red


Cole and Cali next to the M&M Nascar


Looking cool in 3-D glasses

On Monday (Labor Day) our friends the Pollastros were passing through Vegas on their way down to Disneyland. We had the opportunity to meet up with them for a few hours and take in a couple of attractions, catch up on life, meet each other's second born kiddos and have a little fun.
We spent quite a bit of time at M&M world where the kids were overloaded with all things M&M's. The merchandising there is totally out of control (I succumbed and bought the boys matching shirts). We had fun seeing the 3-D movie and gorging on chocolate. For lunch we walked to the MGM and ate at The Rainforest Cafe (a favorite of ours) and checked out the lions which did nothing but sleep.

Leap Frog

Carson is officially on the move and after his big brother's toys. He has a funny little leap frog "crawl", (well it's not really a crawl but I don't know what to call it). It's just the cutest thing ever.