Trip to the east side!

Last weekend we headed over the pass in the snow! It was so beautiful and my camera was out of reach, darn! This is the art center in my sister's kitchen and the kids went to town. Bryant even cut up his cousin's homework into a million pieces! He loves scissors, which is funny because I don't let him use them at home! Sorry, cousin J... Taylor came down with strep throat, poor girl!

Bry was having a great time riding on the trike, until I told him he was too close to the edge...crash! Like the fake flop pose? Maybe he'll be a great soccer player one day!

Veteran's Day Assembly

Sydney and all of the fourth grade students sang and played instruments at the assembly last Friday. Every grade took a turn and performed. Bry was naughty and absolutely refused to sit and listen! After the fifth graders we ended up in the back of the gym, after the fourth graders... we left! He sat on the stairs in time out for twenty minutes! Ugh! I can't remember the name of the instrument they played, but she did really well!

Pumpkin Spice Whoopies

I saw these yummy things on www.cuisinenie.blogspot.com and they are so good. You must try!

Pumpkin Spice Whoopies

for the cookies:

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/3 cup butter, softened

1 package spice cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

for the marshmallow spice filling:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 8-oz. package cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

half of a 7-oz. jar marshmallow cream

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 375. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or foil (grease foil, if using).

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat pumpkin and butter on medium until smooth. Add cake mix, eggs, and milk; beat on low speed until combined, and then on medium speed for one minute.

3. By the heaping tablespoon, drop mounds of batter on cookie sheet; keep remaining batter chilled. Bake 15 minutes or until set and lightly browned around edges. Carefully remove from parchment or foil; cool on wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, using new parchment paper for each batch.

If desired, place cookies in a covered storage container with waxed paper between layers to prevent sticking. Store cookies at room temperature for 24 hours. Prepare marshmallow spice filling up to 2 hours before serving.

4. To make marshmallow spice filling, beat 1/2 cup softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, marshmallow cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat until well combined.

5. Spread about 2 1/2 tablespoons filling on flat side of one cookie; top with a second cookie. Serve immediately or cover and chill up to 2 hours.

Makes 15 whoopies.

Earth Model

Taylor's first seventh grade Science project of the year was due on Tuesday. It is a model of the earth, labeled. Over the weekend she baked the cakes, four layers, and chilled it. Monday she iced and put the final touches on it. She got docked for the messiness of the icing, but still got an A! And she did it all by herself too!

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! Our festivities started with a Playgroup Halloween Party at our friend's house. Bryant loved decorating the cookies... and eating them too!

At Sydney's school they have classroom Harvest parties. We had yummy cupcakes and played Bingo! The prizes were the best! Sydney won a stuffed dog!

Why do kids stand on their chairs to carve pumpkins? Taylor answered, so they can reach inside!


Nana and family friend Louise came for the weekend to celebrate Sydney's birthday and Halloween! This was Louise's very first pumpkin carving ever!!!
Not too sure why Todd didn't just take one photo of all the pumpkins together...
Here are my Trick or Treaters! Taylor was well, scary, Sydney was a Vampress and Bryant was Buzz Lightyear! Taylor went up to only a few houses and then hung back with the adults. Bryant was totally into it this year and loved all the candy! My kids don't last long trick or treating and just want to go home...what about all the candy out there?!!

Ten years old

Don't you just love to watch someone experiencing pure joy! Sydney turned ten years old yesterday morning. She is so fun to have around and we are so happy she is a part of our family. Sydney loves to draw, write stories, sing, play with her pet shop animals and bendaroos! Her spunky personality is coming out strong now. She will just disappear for hours playing in her bedroom! She is a very obedient child and is very helpful around the house. She loves to bake! We love you Sydney!

Sick, Sick and Sick

Here are my sick boys! Bryant stayed home from school last Wednesday and hardly moved all day, he just slept. Todd came home Friday early from work and almost a week later he is still coughing up a lung! Bryant has a lingering cough, but pretty much is better. He looks like he is feeling better in these photos... But Todd, he has on sweats, sweatshirt, three blankets and a comforter and was still freezing! Taylor now has come down with a cough, Sydney is good and so am I...thank goodness! Don't mind the laundry in the background! :) It is never ending.