Happy Thanksgiving

Since today is Thanksgiving I wanted to let you know what I am thankful for:

My Savior

Dave

Arden

Thomas

Our families

Dave's job

Our house and neighborhood

My job

The ability to stay at home with our kids

Arden's school

Our church

There are many more things that I am thankful for but I don't have enough room to list them all. I find it very important to constantly count my blessings because it really keeps things in perspective.

Wordless Wednesday

One More Video

Here's Thomas in his element. He is 100% boy without any prodding. He is already into cycles. He loves to roll Arden's tricycle. He will sit there and roll it over and over again.

Rockin'

Thomas wants to crawl so bad. He's trying hard to get moving. He can pull himself anywhere he wants to go but he can't figure out his hips and legs.

Question of the Week

Does anyone else go to the grocery store and forget the main item that that originally went to the store to get?

Happy Birthday Laura

This weekend is the birthday weekend in our family. Today is our sister-in-law Laura's birthday. We can't wait to see Laura at Christmas. It's been a year since we've seen then. Until then...Laura we hope you had a great birthday.

Happy Birthday Eric

Today is my brother Eric's birthday. He is the big three-O today. I still can remember when my parents brought him home from the hospital. I wanted him to be able to play with me right then and there. I also remember being the big sister and telling my kindergarten teacher all about being a big sister.

Today my brother is:

The best uncle to my kids. He treats them as if they were his own.

He's not afraid of babies.

He's generous.

He's very funny.

He's hard working.

Happy Birthday Eric. We'll celebrate with you soon.

Playing Together

Arden loves to play with Thomas. The other day I left Thomas in his room while I ran downstairs for a moment. Arden ran into the room to play with Thomas in his room. They rolled around the in the floor.

Arden asked if they could play in Thomas' room more often.

Wordless Wednesday

The Picnic

Arden loves picnic's and we usually have them on the floor. So the other day I surprised her and took her outside for lunch.

She had a great time. She carried out the cookies and napkins. She loved it. She told me that it was her favorite part of her day. That night when Dave was tucking her in and they were praying. She said that she went on a picnic and it was her favorite thing of the day.

I love doing the simple things with my kids that end up making a huge impact in their day.

Arden did not want me to take a picture of our picnic but I did anyway.

Hot November

The weather the past couple of days has been amazing in the mid-70's and sunny and we are taking full advantage of it.

We've had picnics, played tag and hide and go seek. We've also walked around the neighborhood plus went to the park.

It has felt like spring and I love it. Just don't remind me that winter is still on its way.

Question of the Week

Why oh why does the housework never end?

Cranberry Caramel Bars

Do you ever wonder what to make with fresh cranberries? I love cranberry juice and cranberry sauce but other than that I've never know what to do with those fresh cranberries. This weekend I discovered a delicious way to enjoy them and I just had to share the recipe. Plus it was super easy.

One of the ladies that I work shared this with us and all of us loved them even Arden. If you try the bars let me know if you like them. I have a feeling this will be a favorite of ours. Sorry there are no pictures because we ate them all.

Ingredients
1 c. fresh cranberries (next time I am going to double it but that's just to my liking)
1 T. sugar
2 and 1/3 cup flour divided
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups uncooked regular oats
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 c. melted butter
3/4 cup finely chopped dates (find them in the isle with the raisins)
1 c. chopped pecans (optional)
1 (12 oz) jar caramel sauce

Stir together cranberries and 2 T. sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.

Combine 2 c. flour and next 4 ingredients; stir in melted butter until crumbly. Reserve 1 c. flour mixture. Press in remaining mixture into a bottom of lightly greased 13x9 baking dish.

Bake at 350% for 15 min.

Sprinkle dates, pecans and cranberry mixture over crust.

Stir together caramel sauce and remaining 1/3 c. flour together. Spoon/pour over cranberries.

Sprinkle with reserved 1 cup flour mixture.

Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and cut into bars.

Yields: 2 dozen

Playing Together

Arden has a giant bunny that my brother gave her last Easter. She loves this bunny. She sleeps with him every night. Every once in a while he will make his way downstairs to join the rest of the family.

Arden decided the other day that Bunny was going to be a pretend car. She asked if Thomas could play with her on her bunny. She pretended to be a bus driver and was driving Thomas all over town. They had a blast together.

The Meaning of Fall

Our house is surrounded by tress and every Oct/Nov Dave starts talking about putting the house on the market because of all of the leaves that fall. He litterally spends every Saturday for 2 months cleaning up the leaves.

This fall Arden is really picking up the differences in the changing of the seasons. She notices the difference colors of the trees and the fact the leaves are actually falling to the grown. She also has discovered the pure joy of jumping into piles of leaves. I love listening to her laughter. It's pure joy.

LIke Mother Like Son

The other day Thomas and I ended up matching. I thought we were cute together.

8 Months

Here I am at eight months!

8 Months

Thomas turned 8 months today. I know every month it doesn't seem possible. Since my camera is still not cooperating I will tell you what he's been up to the past month.

He currently has three teeth. All on the bottom.
He can pull himself around the floor with his arms.
He loves to bounce.
He eats 4 solid meals a day.
He will sit and listen as Arden and I read.
He loves looking down the floor vents.

Hopefully, there will be pictures tomorrow.

Pictures

There are pictures coming. For some reason my camera does not want to download the pictures I recently took. Hopefully, tomorrow I can get it all straightened out.

Question of the Week

"Why are you laughing if it isn't funny?" asks Arden.

An Observation

I have noticed that Thomas likes to sleep with his feet upon the rails of his bed. It must remind him of when he used to put them up in my ribs.

Get Ready

Thomas has figured out that he is strong. Tonight he would put his arms out and then pull his legs behind him. He was so excited because he can now get around. He was into everything tonight. He couldn't decided what to get into first.

Life has officially changed. I have a mobile baby.

Wordless Wednesday

Good Hygiene

Thomas' two teeth are fulling showing and Arden has taken it upon herself to teach him out to brush his teeth.

She found the toothbrush we got for Thomas and proceeded to teach him out to brush his teeth. He has to be the most patient baby. She did a great job and then encouraged him afterwards.

Now if I could only get her to brush her teeth when I ask the first time.

"This is pretty easy."

"I can't forget the one's in the back."

The Stroller Press

Thomas love anything that moves. He is fond of his sister's baby stroller. If the stroller is within his reach he will grab it and pull it and bench press it. He just laughs.

"Mom, I'm busy here. I am building muscles so I can get into everything."

Question of the Week

Is there anything better on a Sunday afternoon than a nap with the kids?