The Pumpkin Patch

The last week we headed up to a nearby Pumpkin Patch. The kids had a fun time picking out pumpkins. Barrett picked a very round pie pumpkin and Brooklyn picked the smallest white pumpkin in the place(the smallest of any color). She loved on her little pumpkin the whole time. We also got a large round pumkin to care as it gets closer to Halloween. Barrett had a fun time carrying the pumkins in the wheelbarrow. The highlight for the kids though was the hay maze. Barrett ran through the maze over and over again. He also loved playing hide-and-go-seek from us. Brookyn seemed to like running through it too and she held on to her little pumkin the whole time. It was a nice time for everyone.

Pumpkin Carving and other Fall Activities

Here are some things that we have been doing in the past week or so...

We went to a Dripping Springs high school football game with some friends. Barrett is now a huge fan of the Tigers!
Derek got to go to the Texas vs. Oklahoma State game

We've been to the park with friends a few times too
Derek and the kids carved a pumpkin. The kids were a little disgusted and so Derek did most of the work. Though, Barrett did supervise the cutting of the pumpkin.

Pumpkin Time

Fall is here and pumpkins are such a part of fall.
My father-in-law loves all things pumpkin and his mother used to cook all sorts of pumpkin things for him. My friend, Julie, also loves the pumpkin flavor and gets excited about all of the seasonal pumpkin items. I like it too. It reminds me of fall and cooler weather.
I've toasted pumpkin seeds, but I have mainly only had pumpkin flavor in desserts(and from a can) and as a flavor in drinks. So, I am going to attempt to make some new dishes that have pumpkin or pumpkin flavor(and cook and use an actual pumpkin instead of just the canned kind). Here is a list of some pumpkin recipes I am going to try out in the next month or so. Most are desserts, because that is really fun for me, but I am going to try some other things too.

I'll will just list them and then if you click on the recipe name, it will take you to our recipe blog where I will have the entire recipe. And, feel free to share if you have any great pumpkin recipes.

Pumpkin Roll- Derek's favorite pumpkin recipe

Pumpkin Risotto- this is a new one

Pumpkin Waffles- sounds yummy

Double Layer Pumpkin Pie- a new twist

Pumpkin Crunch Muffins- great for breakfast

Pumpkin Bisque- something new to try

Pumpkin Bread Pudding- how can this be anything but good

Derek's Trip to Cyprus

Derek had a good time on his trip to Cyprus. He was in the town of Limassol. He said it was neat how old and historical everything was. Suprisingly, the terrain is alot like central Texas. Of course, Cyprus is an island, so it has views of the beautiful, blue ocean everywhere. It looks gorgeous. They had a lot of fun events planned that included a tour of a castle, playing soccer, going to the beach, wine tasting, eating some good Greek food in the village. Here are some pictures I thought I'd share.

At the Vickery's

Our friends, the Vickery's(Marisa, Kellen and Tomsen) had a Halloween play date the other day. It was a fun time. All the kids were to dress up in costumes(I put the kids in old costumes). I taught with Marisa before kids and our kids are close to the same age and it is always fun to see them. They live on 5 acres in Dripping Springs, so the kids like going to their house "in the country" to play and run around. There were lots of kids to play with and lots of good food. It was a fun day for us all.

Kellen and Tomsen's daddy is a fireman and this is an old mask of his.The big boys spinning the girls aroundSkylar and Brooklyn have had enough spinningHaving fun!A nice look don't you think?

Barrett on the 4 wheeler-he loves this!!Our friend, Kellen

Brooklyn playing in the woods

Tagged...

Here's the rules:Grab the nearest book.
Open the book to page 56.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your blog along with these instructions.

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the CLOSEST.
Tag five other people to do the same.

Here is mine- from Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood
(This is regarding an experiment where a parent pays attention to what a child loves and says something specific about the child's interests 3 times during a week to show a child that we notice interests and not judge whether good or bad)
They also comment that their children are typically more compliant when they have been using this tool. Why is this so? When children feel that their parents notice and value their interests, they are always more happier and more cooperative.

I tag Kellee, Kara, and Chesley

Some Favorite Products

Here is a list of some of my faves I have at home that I really like to use or have.1. Method Best In Glass Cleaner- It is window cleaner, but I use it on a variety of surfaces. It has a great mint smell. It contains no chemicals either. I buy this at Target.

2.MorningStar Farms Veggie Bits Spinach & ArtichokeThese are a great snack or meal. My kids even like them. All you have to do is pop them in the oven and they are done! They have a variety of snacks like these that are good too, but these are my favorite! I get at HEB in the frozen section.

3.Mary Kay TimeWise Skin Care-I am starting to see and feel the effects of my age. I really like these products and feel like they work and make my skin smooth. I get these from Casey who sells Mary Kay.
4. IPOD speakers and remote. It works with any kind of Ipod, which is good since Derek and I have different kinds. The sound is great, but the speakers are small and take up very little space and is easily portable. I got ours at Overstock a few years back, but see them at alot of places.

5. Nutella- it is a chocolate hazelnut spread. Derek and I got really addicted to this after our honeymoon. It is so yummy and goes on anything from french toast and pancakes to strawberries and pretzels.

6.Capri Blue Volcano No. 6 Candle- I love how this smells. Several people I know have this and everytime I use it or I go to someones house that has it burning, the whole places smells wonderful. It really fills the whole house. They also have an Aloha scent that smells really good too. I have seen them at Anthropologie and Francesa's .

7. Epicurean cutting board- these are made from an environmental friendly wood composite. It is great, doesn't dull knives and it not porous, so no room for bacteria growth. You can get at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

8. Lollia Bubble Bath- I have the Evening Bubble Bath and it is divine! It smells so good and a little goes a long way. It is made with natural ingredients. Such a treat!

So, what are some things that you have or use on a frequent basis that you love? I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Birthday Derek!

Today is Derek's birthday and he is halfway around the world at a conference. I think he is having a fun time, but I wish we were together to celebrate. I guess, at least it draws his birthday out a little longer.

I officially met Derek when I was 15, but we both knew of each other a few years before that. I think it is so neat to have known each other so long and have been a part of each others lives and history for almost half of our lives. It is amazing to think of all the changes we have gone through.

Derek is awesome. He is truly my other half, the half that makes me whole. He loves me and our kids so much. The is such an unselfish person. He is a hard worker. He puts others ahead of himself. He is smart, has common sense and takes care of us well. He is just a big kid and knows how to relax and have fun! He is laid back and stays calm. He is a huge blessing in my life. I am so lucky to be his wife and journey through this life with him.

So, Happy Birthday Derek! We love you and miss you!

Derek and some high school buddiesPicking blackberries with BFishing in Islamorada with his dadPlaying at the pool with BrooklynBird hunting with David

Painting Pumpkins

A few weeks ago we bought some mini pumpkins and the kids painted them. Here is them working on their masterpieces and the final results.