A Few Holiday Highlights

We had a very nice Christmas this year!!

Tim and I drove to West Virginia to visit my family and left shortly after dinner time the evening prior to Christmas Eve. These days, our travels to distances that are greater than one hour are made during Dustin's nap time or bedtime. Otherwise, I am afraid that we'd have a screaming Little Man for the entire trip!

Dustin seemed to enjoy spending time with his cousins. He played and played and played...never wanting to sleep or to be removed from the action!

In the photo below, he is traveling with a new tube of little peoples. He likes his little people!
This next photo shows him checking out Presley on Christmas morning. He sure loved Presley's play keyboard with a working toy microphone! He played with that toy for hours straight. I have tried to locate one since we returned home. Unfortunately, they are exclusively made for Babies R Us and the toy is sold out on the store and on line!

Little Man opening his presents:

Little Man playing with a cord. I'm not certain to what this cord was connected, but he loves any and all cords! (Such a boy!)

My mom's Christmas tree, in color...

and in black and white.

Tim and Dustin--playing with the remote to the PlayStation game.

A few of the baked goods that I made this year. I made several batches of sugar cookies, some cake balls, some chex mix and a delectable cheesecake for which I will soon post the recipe!

Grandma and Grandpa with the grand kids:

Tim, Dustin, me and Jackson -- Christmas 2010!

We hope that you and your family had a Very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year! We loved celebrating the birth of the Baby Jesus who gave us the greatest gift of all--LIFE!!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

Decorating at my house this year was a bit slower than in years past. With me being six months (Yes, 6 months!) prego and chasing a very energetic 17 month old, I've been quite a tired lady. But, still--it is looking a lot like Christmas at our house.

A few photos:








Our Christmas tree--a little more sparse this year than normal, but did I mention that I'm 6 months prego? (Ha!!)



Dustin's new stocking--I think it must be six feet long. AND I think we have enough to completely stuff it!




Mrs. Clause--a bowling pin turned into Mrs. Clause by my mom. She stands in a corner near our entryway--greeting visitors.


The fireplace mantle.





The dining room. The fichus tree is looking rather sad--perhaps I'll fix it next year!


The Christmas Flower arrangement that I made.



The first homemade ornament that Dustin brought home. Next year, we will have a second tree for the boys!







Speaking of boys...my little man walking past the tree! He has done very well staying out of the tree!

Family Photos

Back in October we had our family photos taken by the very talented Jessica Houtz. She has them posted on her website under Client Proofing. They really turned out quite fantastic! I was able to get my Christmas cards created this evening, using her fabulous photographs. Below are a few of my favorite shots:

And so, some of these photos may reappear in a Christmas card to be coming soon to a mailbox near you!

Fall: Festivals, Food, Friends and Fun!!

We have had some good times enjoying the fall. Last weekend, Dustin, my mom and I visited Boyd's orchard where we picked out a few apples. Dustin was able to enjoy his new wagon (purchased by Daddy) while we strolled through the market at the orchard. I was even able to purchase some good apples which were used in some yummy recipes that I will post later in the week! Dustin was a little overwhelmed by all of the people at the orchard and was mostly quite as a result. Here are a few photos of our trip:

Dustin in the pumpkin patch!

The pumpkin butt makes its annual debut:

Cute Lauren in her cat outfit (Megan did a terrific job pulling it together):

Dustin in his wagon, delivering the treats:

I searched for a good costume for Dustin to wear this Halloween and found the cutest little golfer's costume. But, Tim suggested finding a costume at a consignment shop. Well, I did not find anything cute at the consignment store! By the time I went to order the golfer uniform on-line, they were all sold out! :( And so, on Thursday afternoon I did find a black hooded long sleeve shirt with glow-in-the-dark skeleton bones. Since it was a bit cold last night, we had to wear a jacket over the shirt, so it cannot be seen in these photos. Next year, we'll do better!

Dustin rode around with his little pumpkin and a bowl full of candy to give to the trick-or-treaters. Next year, he will be amongst those knocking on the doors!

Dustin just loved the pumpkins!

And for the end...pumpkin butt!

Ace in the Hole -- In the Kitchen

Frosted pumpkin cupcakes get spiked with fluffy sweetened cream cheese.

I just love fall! Just a few of the great features that I enjoy about fall include the reds, oranges and magnificent yellows that appear as the green leaves release their moisture and turn color; cooler, crisper air; WVU football (!!); fresh apples from the orchard; and pumpkin!

And so, what would fall be without some recipes that include pumpkin? My November issue of Rachael Ray magazine included this delicious recipe!

















Don't let this photograph fool you--these little delights were super yummy!



Ingredients:

One 8 ounce package cream cheese--at room temperature
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 large eggs, plus 5 large egg whites
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup light brown sugar
Simmering water
3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces and chilled

Instructions:

• Place a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with baking liners. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar for 3 minutes. Beat in 1 egg white and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
• In a bowl, whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In another bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, 2 eggs, granulated sugar, oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Whisk in the flour mixture.
• Layer each muffin cup with some of the pumpkin batter, then the cream cheese mixture, then more of the batter. Bake until springy to the touch, 25 minutes. Let cool.
• Using the electric mixer, beat the brown sugar, remaining 4 egg whites and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Fill the medium saucepan with enough simmering water to reach a depth of 1 inch; place the mixing bowl on top. Whisk the mixture until it registers 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transfer the bowl back to the mixer and beat at high speed until fluffy; lower the speed and beat to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, then beat at high speed for 5 minutes. Beat in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
• Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag; pipe large rosettes on top of the cupcakes.

These cupcakes were moist (a key for me and Tim) and truly delicious. The only part I will change when I make them next time is the icing. Using 3 sticks of butter for 12 cupcakes made my stomach hurt. It did not turn out to be the yummiest icing and was very tedious to make. The next time, I will use a cream cheese icing, instead. I will also use a larger tip to make larger, fluffier rosettes.

I hope you enjoy!

What's up with Little Man lately?

Little Man is just a little over 15 months old! What in the world has he been up to these days?






I can hardly believe how fast my Little Man is growing up! This is such a fun age because it seems like every day reveals a new moment, a new little something learned, a new expression or something fun for mamma to adore!
























What's up with you:

• You are still wearing size 4 diapers;


• You continue to eat very well--although one day you like carrots, the next, not so much! You love graham crackers, yogurt, yogurt melts and toddler cookies for your snack;


• You took your first steps just a few Fridays ago and continue to take more and more steps everyday--you love hearing us clap and cheer you on;


• Household items have become your toys of choice (see photos above and below--pots and pans, laundry hampers...);


• You enjoy playing with other boys and girls your age and are so sweet to them;


• You have a mouth full of teeth -- sometimes you enjoy having them brushed...other times, not so much;


• You enjoy bubble baths and have copied mommy in putting the bubbles all over yourself;


• You continue to drink 3-4 6oz sippy cups full of milk every day. Sometimes you are lazy and require us to hold the sippy cup for you, although we know you can hold it all by yourself;


• You love climbing the stairs to get to your bedroom--even more toys;


• You continue to take at least one good nap a day and sometimes an extra short nap, too;


• You are in the 75-90 percentile for height and only in the 25-50th percentile for weight (what can I say your long and slim);


• You are wearing size 18-24 month clothing;


• Your momma and daddy love you beyond belief!

Laundry basket...maybe one day I'll be mommy's helper!

Falling asleep playing with my toys!




















Mommy and Dustin on our geocashing train ride! Fun times!

A week away -- VACATION!!

Once again, I have found myself behind on my blogging. Last month, we enjoyed a week away from the daily grind--we spent the week at Lake Cumberland. It was a very relaxing time and well needed! Here are a few photos from our week:

Here is a photo of the marina close to where Tim and I stayed--we stayed in a cute little cabin right inside a State Park.

A waterfall, as seen from the pontoon boat that we rented for an afternoon.

We did lots of geocashing during our week stay at the lake. The goal was for Tim to reach 100 cashes while we were at the Lake. While we did not quite meet this goal, we had a good time hiking and finding some treasures. Tim was also able to debut this backpack, with Dustin riding in the back! Dustin really enjoyed the ride!

Me giving Dustin his milk while taking a ride in the Pontoon. He enjoyed the pontoon, but not the lifejacket!

Too much action for little man, he pooped out right on the boat!

We went swimming one evening in an indoor, heated pool at the lodge at the State Park. Dustin absolutely loved this swimming experience!

This is a waterfall that we saw during one of our cashe searches.

I just loved this sign outside of a dinner where we actually had lunch. Oh, the food that is served in small town USA!!

A pretty photo of the lake.

We had a very enjoyable week at the lake. I was even able to begin and finish a book during the week. I read the Shack--if you have not read it yet, I recommend this book. What a wonderful personification of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost!