Family Pumpkin Night

Last night we had our little Shaffer family pumpkin party. Addi was so excited, and started organizing everyone. "Dad, you make the decorations! Mom, make us a cake!! Kaden, you find some candy! And I, Addi, will be the entertainment and bring the cheer!!" I made the Toy Story cupcakes because Kaden is going to be Woody for Halloween. Addi was going to be Jessie, but we settled on cowgirl Addi instead, who according to Addi, "Is much prettier than Cowgirl Jessie, RIGHT?" Right Addi.  We ate the cake first, and while we carved pumpkins we watched Garfield's Halloween. Then we gave the kids thier Halloween present, Season One of Scooby Doo. They were super excited and it was a great night. 

Tony carving away, making his signature big pumpkin eating the smaller pumpkin, this years twist was the Steelers emblem. I was not feeling my pumpkin carving creativity much this year and went with a simple tribute to the greatest baseball team of all time, THE Atlanta Braves. :o)

Pumpkin Fun

This year Addison knew exactly what she wanted to do with her pumpkin. She has been so excited for the newest Disney movie, "Tangled" that she had to do a Princess Rapunzal Pumpkin. I thought it would be cute to use ribbon for her hair, but Addi had her own vision and wanted to buy the fake hair, so I let her. Afterall, I know how it is to have a vision. :o)

For Kaden's pumpkin we used Mr. Potato Head pieces. Kaden was in rare form tonight, not wanting his picture taken, so this is the best I could get. He has been a bit cranky today, cutting new teeth. After my full day of cooking, cleaning, shopping, recycling, dealing with children, and decorating pumpkins with the kids I was exhausted and not exactly looking forward to carving my own pumpkin. It worked out that Tony was busy playing Madden, and appologized for ruining the pumpkin carving day. He promised to make it up to me. And I was off the hook. :o)

Added a picture of tonights dinner. Tried a new breading for my baked chicken and it was delicious. I used Panko bread crumbs, shredded parmasean cheese and seasoning. This is going to be the new standard for baked chicken.

"Some call it Fall, but as for me, I like AUTUMN!" -Addi

Yesterday was cold and rainy and we spent the entire day inside. The kids were extra cuddly, and I got all the hugs and kisses a Mother could ask for. I thought the picture above was a perfect snapshot of fall in our new house. 

For dinner we had Turkey Chipotle Cheddar burgers on homemade rolls. Mmmmmmmm.

And for dessert, my Mother's World Famous Chocolate Chip cookies, made by me! These are without a doubt the best cookies you will ever eat, and I fully stand behind that statement. :o)

Kaden helped himself to Addi's discarded apple. Infact, he happily accepts all of his big sisters leftovers! :o)

Shananagans

My kids sleep in one room, and then they also have a playroom. This has worked out well for us while they are this young, but sometimes they do rile eachother up at bedtime. Usually it's Addi trying to keep Kaden awake to play with her. But THIS night Addi was trying to sleep and I heard her crying about her precious pink teddy bear coming up missing. She was convinced someone had come in her window and stolen her stuffed friend. And then I spotted her baby brother, cracking up in his bed. Not only had he stolen her bear, but also all her pillows. Knowing Addi, I am sure she had it coming!

Addison is turning into quite the little baker, and as her mother I couldn't be prouder. I was so impressed with her when we made these cutout cookies. She knew exactly what she was doing and wanted to do it all by herself. She told me, "Momma, I can do this! I can be nice and easy and get the job done!" So I sat back and watched her maneuver through each step and in the end she made the perfect cookie!!

Quiche, round two. This time Spinach and parmasean.

In search of the Great Pumpkin!

Today we took the family to Green Bluff to pick out the perfect pumpkin. The weather was ideal, and we had a great family day together. 

My Pumpkins are getting so BIG!

 Found ours!

Tony searched high and low for his pumpkin,

 and FINALLY found the perfect one!

I wrangled Kaden and put him in the fenced off baby pumpkin area.

He got MAD at me when I told him it was time to leave.....

...well as mad as Kaden gets. Which isn't all that bad, especially when compared to his drama queen older sister!

The kids were wiped out after the great pumpkin hunting outing!

The Lineup.

My goodies from the farm. Love how Kaden tried to swipe the honey as I took the pic! 

It was perfect that the new Little People set I ordered came today! The kids have been playing with it ever since we got home.