Leaves and More Leaves!

I've told you about the leaves in our front yard before but this day was even more fun for a certain little girl. She has been waiting for someone to rake and put the leaves in a nice big pile so she could jump in them.
Well Dad came home a little early and went to raking. She had a blast in the pile of leaves. Can you tell? Who knew leaves could be so fun!

Pumpkin Chip and Banana Crumb Muffins

These muffins were DE-licious! The best part of course, they were super easy! You've gotta try them. Here's the link for the Banana Crumb muffins and here's the link for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip.
My little helper. I can tell this is going to be one of our past times!

Pumpkin Carving

Last week we got together at my Dad's to do some pumpkin carving. It was a fun night, work for some, but worth it. It sure is hard to get together or see anyone since we've moved. So I think everyone was happy to be together and do some fun things.



After everyone was started on the pumpkins, I had my Dad and Steve help me make caramel popcorn. Steve loves to help me...Yeah, right! He's a good sport. He always saves the day because I'm not great at baking, cooking, etc... So he watches my back and makes sure it comes out right. Funny, I know!

Here's Angelyka and Tina wearing they're costumes.

Here's a couple of finished pumpkins or should I say Jack O Lanterns.

Tina's Halloween Party

This year Tina got to participate in a Halloween party and parade at her school. She was so excited. I had to keep showing her on the calendar when it was. This year she was a super hero (pink one of course). She also had to have a mask because super heroes hide their face.
The parents lined up outside and handed out candy as they paraded around. They were so cute. I guess girl-super hero costumes were big this year. (there's a bat girl behind Tina)



We then came home and found a pile of leaves in the driveway. Tina has been waiting for a dry day to jump in the leaves.

side note: We have a big tree in our front yard. There are ALWAYS leaves in our yard, driveway, in front of our door, in my entry way, etc... The funny thing is we also have strong winds here, so the wind will blow them into a pile. Less work for us!

Halloween Decor and Crafts

Every year I can't wait for Halloween. It has been a very important holiday and month for my family. Both of my boys were born in October so we've made sure to always have a fun time with Halloween. I've enjoyed decorating for Halloween since the boys were little.
This year I was so excited to purchase and make some decorations for our new home.
The candy corn and Halloween sign was made at a church craft night. They were a great addition to my collection of decor.


One night for family night we made some cheesecloth ghost. It was pretty easy but messy! I think he turned out adorable.

I found these skeleton heads at the dollar store. I knew exactly what I was going to do with them. Not really sure if the picture does them justice, but I love the way they look in front of the house.


I also found this pumpkin sign at the dollar store. I knew it was for the door but it needed something. Then I found this wreath at Michaels and put them together, added some googly eyes...I finally had a wreath for my front door. This is probably my favorite decoration this year because it only cost my $4 to make!

While going through some boxes I found this fabric. It was my Mom's. She used it for one of the boy's bday parties (when they were 4 & 2) to make some bean bags. I wanted to make a Halloween bag for Tina, it was perfect.

Can you tell she loves it!


Can you tell I had so much fun this year! I'll be posting pictures of the family decorating the front yard soon.

Oregano-Lemon Chicken

I've been trying to have a new recipe every week. I get tired of the same old meals so I've been on a hunt for new favorites. When I look for recipes I make sure that it is simple and quick. Especially on the days that I work. This chicken recipe I really enjoyed. The family also said it was good. I think that next time I will rub the chicken and see if it changes anything.

Oregano-Lemon Chicken w/ Roasted Red Potatoes

Ingredients
4-6 chicken thighs on the bone (this time I used breast)
3 tbs lemon juice
2 tbs honey
1 tbs olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp oregano, dried

Instructions
-Place chicken in baking dish.
-combine lemon juice, honey, oil, garlic and oregano.
-pour over chicken.
-bake uncovered at 350 for 45 mins

Roasted Red Potatoes
-cube potatoes, throw in plastic bag.
-add Lipton onion packet and 2 tbs of oil.
-bake at 450 for 40 mins

Dinner Table Confessions

Last night at dinner we had your normal conversations; activities coming up, every one's day and such. Christina talks a lot at the table. Mostly because she's trying to avoid eating. Man, I remember when she use to eat everything!
Well this little girl blurts out that she needs to see her boyfriend!! We all weren't sure we heard correctly. Kenny asked her what she said.
Tina: "I said, I need to see my boyfriend, your friend"!
Me: "who exactly"?
Tina: "_ _ _ _"
(yep, it's who we thought it was. I don't want to out anyone, unwilling)
I looked over at Hubby and just started laughing. He does not like this subject. LOL! He says;
Hubby: Tina, you don't mean that. Don't say those things".
Tina: "But DAD, I love him"!
OMGOSH! If I wasn't at the table I would've rolled onto the floor with laughter!
This conversation is definitely for the books/blog!

Crafts and Decor

I've slowly been working on projects. I've had so many projects that I've been waiting to do. The hard part is finding time to do them! I recently noticed that as soon as I'm planning on having some friends or family over I want to quickly get projects done. That's because I have nothing on my walls!
So here is a recent one. Right after we moved in I took this picture of my kids feet. I originally found this idea on this site. I loved it and had to copy it!


I just love the way it turned out! (quick side-note) Right after I finished the frame, Tina went to pick it up and dropped it! It put a nice little crack in it that I had to glue. It took everything in me not to yell! I mean I've been planning this for months. But how could I get mad at that sweet face saying, "I just wanted to look at it"!

Funny Girl and The Things She's Says!

Sometimes I can not believe what comes out of my little girl's mouth. I really have to try hard not to laugh. Here are some recent quotes, conversations and such;

1. Anyone who's had a young child knows you can't get a moment of peace, even in the bathroom! This story begins with ME trying to use the bathroom...
Tina: "Mom?"
Me: (in the bathroom) "I'm busy, just wait"
Tina: "Mom, can I have an otter pop"?
Me: "NO"!
Tina: (running down hall) "Mom said YES"!
This happens quite a bit!!

2. (We're sitting at the dinner table)
Tina: "Mom, what do green beans do for you"?
She likes to know what benefit she'll get out of her veggies.
Me: (thinking what to say) "They help make you strong" (you can't use the "Popeye" bit anymore, these kids don't know it) "give you big muscles".
Tina: "I already have muscles" (flexing)
Mateo: "you don't have muscles like me" (trying to help)
Tina: "yeah, I do, wanna wrestle after dinner"? "I'll win"! (quick side-note; Tina loves to wrestle with her brothers and Dad)
During this conversation, Kenny was also saying Tina already had bigger muscles than Mateo! LOL!

3. One morning I was trying to get Tina to get dressed. I'm brushing my teeth and she's laying on the bed, avoiding getting ready.
Tina: (farts) Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha! (she's cracking up)
Me: "Why are you laughing"?
Tina: "I just farted"!
Me: "That's not funny"
Tina: "yeah, it is", "I can't wait till I'm a teenager"!
Me: "WHY"?
Tina: "cause this GIRL farts and burps"! Ha, Ha, Ha!

That one just blew me away!

Pumpkin Patch Time

Last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch. It was perfect weather; not too hot, enjoyable weather. I just love seeing the pumpkins in their patch. It's such a pretty site. Tina was scared of the scarecrows. We had to keep moving her inch by inch to get near it. Then she realized it was fake.

They had a lot of fun centers for the kids. This was the bubble station.

Tina was disappointed the horse/pony couldn't move.


We got to take a wagon ride w/ mechanical horses, so funny! Can you tell she's excited!



Tina got to pick her pumpkin and then paint it. I think that was the best part of the day for her. She loves to paint!

Here the kids were getting ready to enter a dark maze. Tina was scared but wanted to go in. By the time she came out she wished she hadn't. She was crying! She told me, "I had my eyes closed the whole time"!

The pumpkin patch is always a fun family event. Although it sure is hard getting Kenny excited about it, but I know he enjoys the family time!

A Little Music

We just attended a concert for Mateo's band. It was also a chili fundraiser. Most of the family came out to support Mateo and the band. The band sounded great! I wish I would've gotten more pictures but it's kinda hard when they place them on the stage. Mateo is about 3 rows back on the left. Trust me he's there and he played!

I think Steve got a kick out of being at his old school.
Next month Mateo will be starting drum line and band reviews. I hope to get some great pictures of that.

Girlfriend Week

A couple of weeks ago we had to prepare Christina and Katie for a long separation. Katie is moving to Japan for 4-6 months. Now to four year olds that seems like FOREVER! So we made sure that they had plenty of time to play together before Katie left. Everyday was a different activity; park, tea party/dress up, swimming and sleep over.
These girls are funny, curious and very creative when they get together. We're always having to keep our eye on them. I couldn't believe that they chose not to use the pool and use this bucket. I just had to get a picture of it.



Before Katie left I found this cute BFF book. I thought it would be great for girls to have something to look at while they are away from their best girlfriend. We picked some pictures of the two of them and put them in. The girls also drew pictures of each other in the books.

We'll miss you Katie!

Minute To Win It

Recently for a church youth activity they played Minute To Win It. Have you seen that show yet? It's hilarious! They do crazy-off the wall challenges. Each challenge has to be completed in one minute. Well I just had to make sure to get pictures of this, check 'em out!

Stick The Landing- They had to throw a water bottle and have it land standing up. It looked so hard and so many had problems. I was really surprised that some were able to do it.




Bucket Head- They had to bounce the ball and land it in the box on the head. This one was pretty easy, they just had to gauge it just right.


Elephant March- with pantyhose on your head (ball inside) you had to knock down the water bottles. It took a lot of coordination for this one!



Junk In The Trunk- They had a tissue box wrapped around them w/ ping pong balls. They had to shake their booty and get them all out in under a minute. Now I have to say Kenny was probably the quickest @ "3" seconds. No Joke! It took most a full minute! (and of course while I'm taking the pic there's girls running around, LOL)




Cookie The Face- This was hilarious! They had to put a cookie on their eye and wiggle it down to their mouth. Many dropped the cookie and had to start over, but at least they get a yummy reward in the end!