october's end.

school parade, 2010

{starring officer chayse, chief of kindergartners...

and 'salt', with her bff, 'pepper'}

You want thingamabobs? I got twenty!

After much indecision, Stinky finally settled this week on being Ariel, just in time for her class shindig today. I finally dusted off the sewing machine! Fabric for this entire costume cost under $7, plus the $5 Target tee. Gotta love felt & tulle!

{Ariel and her best bud Fancy Nancy.}

two months.

Baby Cole...

Today you are two months old.
I love you more every day!

You love:

...being held
...riding in Daddy's car
...looking at you big sisters & brother
...your bright colored toys
...taking a bath
...kisses on the neck

...tickles under the ribs
...snuggling in your carrier
...being swaddled
...sleeping with Mommy
...sucking your fists (both if possible)
...getting massaged after your bath, especially your feet

You are full of real smiles and starting to giggle. You say "AAAHH" and "A-GUUUH"

You're still not the best sleeper, during the day napping in the car, and sleeping from about 9 pm to 2 am... then tossing and turning and grunting from 2 to 7.

You are in cloth diapers about 50% of the day. I use cloth wipes 100% of the time, and wonder why I ever bothered with disposables with the other kids.

You're in 3-6 months stuff, but quickly outgrowing it all. You need a new beanie cause it's getting cold, and yours no longer cover your ears.

You had your first round of shots today. It was a very cuddly day and I didn't mind at all.

Your hair is growing in and you officially have more than Daddy. He's a little bitter.

You weigh 14 pounds, ten ounces. 97th percentile. And 99% for height. Do you think you'll be taller than Mommy?! Probably by third grade.

You hardly cry, unless you're startled. You get really fussy when your diaper's wet.

Chloe is your mini-mom... Chayse makes all kinds of noises to keep you happy in the car... Camden is so rough with you (out of love... and maybe a wee bit of jealousy), I would never leave the two of you alone together! You make the perfect baby brother.

I am getting used to the sleep deprivation, and things are slowly getting back to normal around here. I like the new normal. You're my Rolley Polley!

XOXOXOXOXO

spooky spiders!

pumpkin pizza

gather:
-store bought pizza shell, cut into pumpkins with a large cookie cutter
-your favorite marinara
-shredded cheese
-green bell pepper chunks
-salami triangles
-black olive slices


your kids assemble...

you bake (450 for 10 minutes)...

everyone enjoys!

i heart faces | in the orchard

For this week's photo challenge, I love this shot of one-year-old Camden from a trip to Apple Hill two years ago. You can barely see it between her fingers, but that's a teeny tiny apple in her hand. I definitely heart that little face!

Vintage CM: Easiest Apple Crisp

{taken from my post on September 14, 2009}

The BEST {easiest!} Apple Crisp Ever.

Today is Apple Crisp Monday. Fall has officially arrived when you have the aroma of apples & cinnamon coming from your oven.

I've been lucky enough to have this recipe passed down to me from Kevin's 'Grams':


Yields 6 servings, but you can see on the right side that she noted
amounts for time and a half (9 servings).

Click to enlarge,
Make it,
Share with a friend.

Happy Sunday.

We have been focusing on selflessness, praise, and "growth opportunities" with these little guys, and if you too are raising siblings, I highly recommend reading this.

"For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (James 3:16)

blog action day | water!

What does water mean to me?
Remember Project 320?

Last year we raised over $10,000,
enough to build two wells in two communities...
offering life, hope, and a future.

Are you ready to do it again?

Today is Blog Action Day, so let's take action!
Let's see what God has in store.

Head here for details.

Vintage CM: Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Squares

{originally posted January 19, 2009}

Here is one of the desserts I made for Tegan's shower. I am not a huge cheesecake fan, but I love using vanilla bean, and I LOVE this recipe! The citrus gives just a hint of background flavor.

Ingredients:

CRUST:
*12 graham crackers (each 2 1/2 by 5 inches)
*3 tablespoons sugar
*5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
FILLING:
*2 bars (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
*3/4 cup sugar
*2 large eggs
*finely grated zest and juice of 1 medium citrus fruit (1 to 2 teaspoons zest and about 3 tablespoons juice) {this time I used blood orange}

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1/2 vanilla bean, scraped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
1. Make the crust: Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. In a food processor, blend graham crackers with sugar until finely ground; add butter and pulse until moistened.
2. Transfer crumb mixture to prepared pan, and pat in gently (wipe processor bowl clean, and reserve for making filling). Bake until beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. While crust is baking, make filling.
3. Place cream cheese in food processor; blend until smooth. Scrape down the bowl well, and add sugar, eggs, zest & juice, and vanilla extract & bean; blend until smooth.
4. Pour mixture onto hot crust in pan; smooth top. Return to oven, and bake until set (filling should jiggle only slightly when pan is gently shaken), 30 to 35 minutes.
5. Cool completely in pan. Cover very loosely with plastic wrap; chill until firm, at least 2 hours (and up to 2 days). Use foil overhang to lift cheesecake out of pan. Cut into squares; garnish with citrus slices if desired.

pooped out!

...just like his mom.

Regular blogging coming soon, I hope promise!