cutest.pirate.ever.

Thanks Evantide Photography!

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pumpkins and christmas cookies.

Our poor child. If he needs serious counseling when he is older, he can blame it all on me. Because we are trying to get everything ready for the baby, things have been a little "out of order" this year. For example, 2 weeks ago we were out buying Christmas presents for family. Last weekend we went to a Halloween party, then came home and made a big Thanksgiving dinner (just because I had been craving turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes!). And today, we made Christmas sugar cookies, then carved pumpkins and Carter watched me wrap more Christmas presents.

He must be so confused. Oh well, at least he keeps a smile on his face!
We went to the pumpkin patch 3 weeks ago but the pumpkins have sat out on our back patio patiently waiting to be carved. So, today was the day! Carter was very excited to get his hands into the pumpkin and help. And, for the most part, he was actually a big helper!

Then it was time to decide what the pumpkin should look like. He spent a long time thinking about it before drawing a face he wanted Matt to carve.
This is what he came up with. Not sure if Matt can match that exact image...
Matt did a good job of multi-tasking. Keeping an eye on Carter, cleaning out the pumpkin and watching the Seahawks game.
Once the pumpkins were cleaned out, Carter got bored and went off to play. So, I roasted seeds, Matt and I sampled the seeds and the pumpkins remain untouched on our kitchen counter. Not sure if we'll get around to actually "carving" the pumpkins this year. Oh well.

With all of the baking Carter and I have done together, today was Matt's turn. While I was out of the house for a few hours, Carter helped Matt make sugar cookies. But, of course, Matt used Christmas cookie cutters resulting in Christmas tree, snowman and star shaped cookies. Carter was very excited to help frost them.
This was perfect timing because I had just vacuumed and polished the hardwood floors about 1 hour before we used these sprinkles. Needless to say, I got to spend the following hour doing it all over again.

Always fun to sample!

I'd say they turned out pretty good!

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Baby to Big Boy.

As we prepare for baby #2 (only 7 more weeks!) it's been an interesting journey to watch our #1 grow up so quickly right before our eyes. In just the last month he has gotten taller, learned new words, become more independent, perfected his whine and made us laugh harder than ever before. Crazy that 1 year ago he looked like this at our church's Harvest Festival.And this year he is a big, grown-up pirate!
Our church puts on their annual Harvest Festival every year and even though Carter is still too young to play most of the games (well, at least play them properly) we still like to go and see everyone dressed up.
He got to hula hoop for a prize.
Dig in the hay for a new truck.
And go fishing, definitely his favorite game!
But, wasn't too interested in sitting with me....oh well.
We tried the cupcake walk for a few rounds but never won. I was really wanting a cupcake too!
This past week we made the official transition to the big boy bed. We converted Carter's crib to the toddler bed about a month ago but this week put in a twin bed and moved the crib in to the new nursery. Matt and I have laughed because every big transition that happens, the 2 of us are always so worried and stressed but Carter does just fine every single time! He is sleeping so well in his new bed and just loves to jump up and down like a monkey!
We've been slowly working on the nursery the last month too. Matt has worked so hard to make it just perfect for our little girl. Newly painted walls and changing table, new rug and soon...new pictures on the wall!

I'm really loving how it is all looking. Can't wait for a sweet little girl to sleep in there!

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how to make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.

Carter has been quite the little helper in the kitchen lately. Especially since we bought him a new step stool. And, I have been known to be quite the little baker. If there isn't a baked good in my house at any given time, I must be sick. So, it seemed fitting to bake some muffins today. And what better way to celebrate a beautiful fall day than make pumpkin muffins (with chocolate chips of course!).

1. First, gather your equipment. Yep, the beautiful red Kitchen Aid Mixer.
2. Mix the sugar, eggs and pumpkin. Use your "earmuffs." It can be loud.
3. Get the measuring spoons ready.
4. Gather dry ingredients.
5. Add salt (maybe next time I shouldn't be so literal).
6. Add baking powder.
7. Mix thoroughly.
8. Take a break to sample the mini chocolate chips....just to be sure they still taste okay.
9. Mix in chocolate chips. Add an extra handful, just for fun.
10. Take another break to have a sip of milk. After all, what goes better with chocolate than a cold glass of milk?
11. Sit and wait patiently. Okay, sit for 1.5 seconds to take a picture, then play with toys for 20 minutes while they bake.
12. Take warm muffins out of the oven to let cool.
13. Pick out the chocolate chips on top.
14. Take a big bite!
15. Enjoy the yumminess!
16. Later in the day have another one. And, maybe another in the evening too.

(Disclaimer: to anyone who ends up eating one of these muffins, all hands were washed thoroughly before baking. And, we are getting more salt....it just couldn't be salvaged).

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Stoney Ridge Farm 2011.

We made our annual trip out to Stoney Ridge Farm yesterday. It turned out to be the perfect October day! We decided to skip Carter's nap to get there right when it opened (trying to avoid the crowds). He was great, but then never napped the rest of the day. Hmm..maybe next year, we'll just go later!We met some friends out there too. Carter and Leah weren't too excited about the face board.
But, after finding some more pumpkins, he was back to his happy little self again.
There is a cute little train that kids can ride around the farm. Since we were there right when it opened they hadn't started the rides yet. Lucky for us, Carter got in and had fun without us having to spend the $3 for the ride!
We have the cutest little picture of Carter in front of this growth chart last year. He had just learned how to walk and stood so still. This year, not so much. More tears, more sadness. Oh well...there's always next year.
The farm animals were a big hit.
And so was the apple pie. This pie is amazing. We didn't care that we were the only ones eating it at 10:30 in the morning. We weren't embarrassed to order the ice cream and caramel sauce on top. And, we weren't ashamed that we finished it off in less than 5 minutes!

Time to head down to the pumpkin patch. Carter was a little unsure what to do at first.
But helping Dad with the wheelbarrow was fun!

Then he found his perfect pumpkin!
And told Matt which one to choose across the patch.
Off to find apples!
But first, a pit stop on an antique tractor. He was in heaven.

Finally found the apples.
Apparently, this one didn't taste so great.
We did end up taking home quite a few apples that are delicious though! Love you Stoney Ridge Farm!!!

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