autumn leaves

Fall is just starting to finally come in Georgia.  My kids were feeling a lack of leaves to jump into, so they asked our neighbor if they could rake their leaves and tote them into our backyard so they could jump into them.  Of course, Mrs. Smith was very willing for them to do that!  

Carina, Jared, Annie, Peter, and David raking leaves.  

James checking out leaves and Kathleen climbing the tree.

James investigating this new phenomenon of leaves

Jared working hard!

David in the autumn air

Jared enjoying playing in the leaves after his work

All the joy of autumn leaves

Kids smiling for mom!

Mr. Penguin

I would like to introduce you to Mr. Penguin.  He is James new snuggly.  He fell in love with him at Kolh's store in St. George and has been enjoying his company since then.  

Mr. Penguin

James playing with Mr. Penguin

James sleeping with Mr. Penguin

Sweet dreams!

Candy corn cookies

The kids and I made fun Halloween cookies on Sunday.  

Minature Candy Corn cookies (recipe below)

Jared showing  how you first chill the dough in layers

The dough is cut out in strips than in triangles

Mom cutting out the cookies before they get sugared

The dough before baking

The finished cookie.  

(It is yummy and we think it smelled like popcorn!)

SPARKLING CANDY CORN COOKIES 

by Land o Lakes Butter

These bite-sized treats resemble candy corn and have a hint of orange flavor.

Preparation time: 45 min   Baking time: 7 min  

Yield: 15 dozen miniature cookies 

1		cup Butter, softened
1		cup sugar
1		egg
2		tablespoons orange juice
2		teaspoons freshly grated orange peel
1/8		teaspoon salt
3		cups all-purpose flour
1/2		teaspoon baking soda
		Orange paste or gel food color
		Yellow paste or gel food color
1/2		cup sugar

Line bottom and sides of 9x5-inch loaf pan with waxed paper or plastic food wrap. Set aside.

Combine butter and 1 cup sugar in large bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Add egg, orange juice, orange peel and salt. Continue beating until well mixed. Reduce speed to low; add flour and baking soda. Beat until well mixed.

Divide dough into thirds. Press one-third of white dough evenly onto bottom of prepared pan. Place another one-third of dough back into same bowl. Add small amount of orange food color; mix until color is well blended. Press orange dough evenly over white dough in pan. Place remaining one-third of dough into another medium bowl. Add small amount of yellow food color; mix until color is well blended. Press yellow dough evenly over orange dough in pan. Cover with plastic food wrap; refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours or overnight).

Place 1/2 cup sugar in large bowl; set aside.

Heat oven to 375°F. Invert loaf pan to remove dough. Peel off waxed paper. Place layered dough onto cutting surface. Cut loaf crosswise into 1/4-inch slices using sharp knife, trimming edges to make even, if necessary. Cut each slice into 6 wedges. Dip each cookie in sugar.   Place 1-inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.  Place cookies onto cooling rack. Cool completely. 

Store in loosely covered container.

Carina's chorus concert

Carina is in the Central High School Chorus.  She is really enjoying it.  Here are some pictures from her first concert

Carina in her Chorus dress

Jared happily posing with his beautiful sister

Another view of the dress.  It is floor length (and very comfy, Carina says)

Carina performing

Carina's chorus (as much as I could fit into the picture from my seat).  Can you find Carina?

Girls Weekend Pictures

I must admit, I forgot my camera.  Luckily for me, there were other cameras. These pictures were taken by my mother in law, Mary Aldrich.

This is my sweet nephew, Asa Ferguson

Asa and Susan Ferguson

Me!

This is my favorite picture, I actually took this one of Sue holding baby Sam.  It is so sweet

 

James looking around at Sam!

This cutie is Samuel Theodosis!

Smiling Sam!

Elizabeth holding Megan

Laura and Mom Aldrich made this adorable Peter Pan costume for Sam to wear for Halloween.  It turned out so well!

All the girls and related kids Sunday Morning before church.

Our gracious hosts, Mary and Harry Aldrich!

Thanks Mom and Dad, it was a fun weekend!

Girls Weekend!

Well, James and I jetted off to St. George to have a girls weekend with my mother in  law, Mary Aldrich, my sisters in law, Laura and Susan and my sister Elizabeth.  We had a fun time.  There were 3 babies:  James, my baby, Samuel, Laura's baby, and Megan, Elizabeth's baby.  Sue brought Asa along.  He thoroughly beat me in a game of Wii bowling!   He is a fun kid.  

The flight out wasn't bad and James gave Grandpa Aldrich a hug as soon as he saw him, than leaped back into my arms.  (that was what he did all weekend!)  He was cute but clingy. We ate fabulously (thanks Grandpa) and had a fun time talking, laughing, shopping, doing a few craft projects and returning the things I bought!   (I am a horrible shopper!)   James was a little bit more of a bugger on the way home but still a good boy.  

For me the best part of the weekend was reconnecting with everyone.  With everyone living in different areas of the country, I cherish the moments we have together.  Thanks so much for sharing your home with us, Mom and allowing us to grow closer!  

 

Blue Eyes...

We were out playing on the swingset and the weather was beautiful. 

 And so were my children!  

I love their beautiful blue eyes!

James

Jared

Annie

Peter 

( I also love his red eyelashes and eyebrows!)

Kathleen

David

Carina

Sleeping....

There is nothing like the sweet faces of sleeping kids.  So I thought you'd like to see some recent pictures of my sleepers...

David and Jared

Always a favorite of mine.  Sleeping and eating in our high chair...

James sleeping on Mama

Sweet Sleeping James!

Jared's shoes

So Michael and I got each other these nice silicone oven mitts for Mother's/Father's Day, but apparently we weren't realizing their true potential which Jared is happy to show us!

Oven Mitt Shoes!

Well I got some pictures of James walking!  I can't upload a video... 

Our connection is too slow.  So enjoy the pictures!

Walking!

James walked across the living room today all by himself!  Whoo Hoo!  10 months old and walking!  Good job James!

Growing pains

This morning, Jared, James and I took the elementary school kids to the bus.  I had given Jared his own backpack yesterday.  He cheerfully put it on with the other kids and we all trotted out to the bus stop.  When the bus came, he happily started following them onto the bus.  He was rather mad at me for stopping him.  When the bus pulled away with the right children on it, he chased after it crying, "My turn, My turn!"  Oh it was so sad for him.