It's not just for pie.

Pumpkin that is...

I think I've mentioned before my LOVE of all things pumpkin. I put it in all sorts of things - bread, soup, chili, even enchiladas once. But this past week, in honor of what is probably the pumpkin's most popular holiday I tried out a few new things.

My first creation was pumpkin cinnamon rolls...and let me just say YUM! I made these for my boys as a treat for breakfast on Thanksgiving. While I didn't have a whole one, I did take a nibble or two and they were fantastic! I used this recipe for sweet potato cinnamon rolls and just subbed in pumpkin instead as well as a few other tweaks. I omitted the nuts because the hubs and my oldest don't like them and changed up the frosting. Instead of a glaze I did a maple brown sugar cream cheese icing that was SUPER. Needless to say these were a huge hit and I see myself making them again in the future. Although next time I think I will try it with sweet potatoes....

Here is a picture. Sorry it's not very good, by the time I got to this step it was around 11pm and I had been baking ALL day - and I also didn't get a very good picture of them baked, so this is pre-baked ready to go in the fridge overnight to be finished in the AM.

Next up is just a picture of my pumpkin pie. This year we had Thanksgiving with friends, and they cooked most of the food, but I was put in charge of dessert, which of course was fine by me. And of course on Turkey day, pumpkin pie is a must. So I just wanted to show my picture. I just use the Libby recipe on the back of the can...you can't go wrong with a classic!

And last but not least in my pumpkin marathon...pumpkin cinnamon swirl french toast. Awhile back I bought a loaf of pumpkin cinnamon cobbler bread at the bakery, put it in the freezer and then promptly forgot about it. However, in recent attempts to actually eat food in our freezer instead of just buying more, I came across it, and figured it would be a yummy snack. Well after it thawed and I tasted it, I realized it was a bit on the stale end and needed to be used ASAP. That's when this brain-storm hit me...it would be PERFECT for french toast.

Saturday we were going to have a busy day and I figured it would be a nice way to start things off, so I mixed up some french toast batter and got to work. The bread worked great, and the finished product was awesome. I'm going back to the bakery soon to see if I can snag some more of this wonderful bread because it really did make for a phenomenal breakfast (although probably not so healthy). Here is a picture of the hubby's plate before he was allowed to "dig in".

So - that right there pretty much sums up my weekend. Lots of baking and yummy food, and time with my family and friends. Another big event of the weekend was getting our Christmas Tree. We went to the tree farm again and had one cut down. This year it was cold, but not raining like last year so that was nice. Here is a pic of my little guys with the Big Guy in the red coat! It was a really fun day.

That about wraps it up for me. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of lots of love. We sure did and we have so much to be thankful for!

6 wonderful years

Well first things first, I want to wish my sweet husband a VERY happy anniversary! It's been 6 wonderful years since the day we said our "I Do's" and it just keeps getting better. He's not only an amazing husband and father, but he's my best friend and I love him more and more every day. Here's a pic of us...aren't we so cute?!?

So, in short, this weekend was amazing. The plan (or so I thought) was as follows: Friday night we were going to an award dinner at the club on base for people that Matt works with, then Saturday the hubs told me that we had plans in the evening to celebrate our anniversary, then Sunday would be our regular Sunday. Sounds like a great weekend right - I thought so...but that's not quite what happened.

Thursday I made plans to keep my friends little boys all day Friday because she has been sick and her hubs is over in the desert. So, Friday AM the boys and I left at 7:45am to go pick up her little boys giving me a grand total of 4 little boys for the day ages 5, 4, and two 2 year olds. We went to the gym in the AM and then spent the rest of the day at the house playing games and jumping in the jump house. It was a busy day, and things were a bit crazy but all 4 boys were great and they all had a blast. Around 5:30 we start packing up so I can drop the boys back at their house then head over to base for the award dinner. I pulled up to the club right at 6:30 and the hubs met me out front to help me get the boys in. I was feeling pretty good and ready for the award giving to begin...

So imagine my surprise when I walk in and see these ladies (this pic was taken later at my house)...

In case you don't know - this is Nataleigh and Amanda - two of my bridesmaids from our wedding and two of my best-est friends in the whole world. The "award dinner" was all a decoy - the hubs planned an anniversary celebration with not only our friends from here where we are, but flew in my bridesmaids to make the night complete. My sister was also supposed to be there but missed her flight - but that's another story for another time...haha. Not only were Nat and Fligs there for our wedding but they were also with me less than an hour after the hubs proposed - so it's only fitting that they were here to celebrate with us! The dinner was great, and such an amazing gift. I had NO idea that anything was planned. I totally bought the whole "work dinner" story.

Anyway, so Saturday his gift to me was that I got to spend the day with my girls, shopping, lunching and just enjoying the company of great friends. It might not be the "traditional" anniversary gift but it was perfect. He said that because I sacrifice being close to friends and family because of life in the Navy (which of course I am happy to do) I deserved a weekend to enjoy being with both friends and family - and what a better way to celebrate our marriage than with the people who have been there from the beginning of "us". Here are a few pictures of me and the girls from Saturday.

Saturday night we all went out to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Amanda and Nat gave us a really sweet anniversary gift and it was just a really nice dinner with all of my boys and two of my favorite girls. As I sit here typing all of this up, I just can't help but be so thankful for all the blessings I have - but especially friends and family! I am one lucky girl. So - I'll stop rambling,but I just had to blog about my wonderful weekend. I'll remember it forever and just couldn't be happier!

quick check in...

Hello dear friends. Well it's Tuesday, and we are just in for a bit in-between things and while there is a MOUNTAIN of laundry that is calling my name - I am blogging instead, because, well the laundry has been calling my name for 2 days now, and it can wait another 30 min. until I can get this done. So, how are you all out there - wherever you are that you are reading this from?

Things here are good. First, my baby nephews are a month old today, and doing very well!!! Will has passed 4 lbs and Erik is catching up fast at 3lbs 15oz. They are still super tiny, but doing great. Thank you for the prayers and keep them coming! Here is a recent pic. They are now out of the incubators - how sweet is this....

snuggles

I just love those little guys...I can hardly wait to meet them!!! We had a really great weekend - it was actually the best in awhile and you know what...we had NO plans - just a nice, relaxing family weekend. Which I think is what made it so great. And we had awesome weather to boot...low 70's and sunny. We took advantage of it on Saturday and went on a family bike ride. It was wonderful! Probably won't have many more opportunities to get out on the bikes here soon. Sunday morning was church and then the hubs and I both teach Sunday school - so we did that too of course. After the little ones nap we took off for the mall for some new pants for my big kid. He's already grown too tall for a lot of his 5T stuff so he's making the jump up to a 6. I swear that child is growing like a weed. But I am now realizing I should have got the 6slim because i have to cinch the waist all the way in to keep them from falling off...haha.

I've been busy with the kids of course, and pictures too. I really need to get myself crackin' on updating my website. I think it's time for some new photos on the gallery and maybe a new color scheme...I dunno. Just one of the many things on my to-do list! hehe.

Lets see...boys are good, I'm good, hubby is good. Next weekend is our anniversary :) so that's pretty exciting. I think we are going out and getting a sitter but not quite sure because he said he wanted to plan it...awwww. So sweet.

I've tried a couple new recipes and want to post them here soon as soon as I get some pics off my computer. So look for those. Lots of pumpkin-y things - and many of them somewhat healthy - shhhhh don't tell my kiddos - they've been gobbling them up!!

Later folks!