HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Sweet Distractions

My kids have been driving me crazy the last couple of days.

So...

I bought one of these...

(Don't worry, it's not what your thinking)

To make some of these...

Using a few of these...

To distract a couple of these...

From several more of these...

My sweet aunt Bev has the best Sugar Cookie Recipe around.

So if anyone is looking for a great, fun, "distraction" as I was (or frankly... just because) might I suggest baking up a batch of these.

Sugar Cookies

Cream together: 1 c. margarine or shortening

1 c. sugar

Add and mix well:

1 egg beaten

2 Tsp. Vanilla

3 Tbs. Evaporated milk

Add:

3 c. flour

1 1/2 Tsp. baking powder

1/2 Tsp. salt

Make into soft dough. Chill, roll out and cut as desired but a thicker cookie is best. Bake at 375* for 7-10 minutes. Frost and Enjoy!!

We sure did!!!

It's Autumn Time!

I really do love this time of the year! There is just something so great about the changing of seasons, cooling temperatures, decorations and warm yummy smells and treats. Needless to say we have been in full "Fall" effect around here. We decided not to let a few heat waves and 90 degree temperatures get us down but to go full speed ahead with "Fall" anyways.

(Besides now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure this hot little house just enhanced the wonderful smell of my new "Fall" seasoned pine cones!)

With the first drop in temperature (below 70's) and the first sent of rain we wasted no time in whipping up some yummy potato cheese soup bread bowls.

The boys were very excited to help "harvest" the potatoes.

Although I think that Tav may have gotten a little ahead of himself.

We also improvised one cold morning (before we could get the heater cleaned out) by cooking up a few Pumpkin Bars for breakfast.

It proved to be a great way to

A. Warm up a chilly, old non insulated house

B. Fill a home with a wonderful "Fall" scent

and

C. Provide a fun sweet weekend breakfast treat!

I also love this time of year because it always seems to bring the family together. (Could once again be due to that chilly, old non insulated house). There just seems to be a bit more snuggling going on around here.

Fall is such a great time of year to light up the backyard fire pit and enjoy some roasted marshmallows and smores. So yummy he didn't even know he still had some left, dripping from his chin, when he asked for more.

We wasted no time in getting our pumpkin lights out for all the neighborhood to see and to start practicing with our scary teeth.

And what would "Fall" be without costumes and dress up? We have been visiting many Halloween stores to find that perfect Halloween garb.

I wonder what Phearson wants to be? Surprise, surprise...

And Porter is all about the scary

Have you ever seen a cuter crossed eyed tin man?

Except for maybe this one!

And check out these two. My boys.... devils?... No

We have learned who is afraid

And who is not!

And who really does like to dress up.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the season will bring!

Little Climbers

Who needs chairs when you have the top of the table, right?

Yours, Mine and Ours

I don't know if anyone else does this but every time my kids do something naughty or crazy I find my self instantly turning to my husband and saying something to the effect of

"Look at YOUR kids!" or "Do you see YOUR son?"

I don't think that I even realized what I was saying until recently Ryan, mater of factly replied, "Why is it that OUR kids all of the sudden turn into MY kids when they are acting up?"

Hmmmm?

Just a thought.

"You Have to See This"

Porter: "Mom!" Mom: "What?" Porter: "Come look at this!" Mom: "What Porter?" Porter: "Mom, just come here" Mom: "Just tell me what they are doing" (knowing that it has something to do with his brothers) Porter: "No Mom... You HAVE TO see this!"

Phearson: " What Mom, we are just cleaning." What can I say, I teach them young!

Now I just have to figure out what to tell the doctor when one of them falls and breaks a bone or cracks their head open.