Oh. My. Goodness. Hilarious.

This was posted on my friend Jenny's blog. I hope you don't mind Jenny but I wanted to share. I showed Cole when he got home from school and we both laughed for quite a while. Click here.

Thanksgiving

At first, Thanksgiving was going to be just Cole and I and Cade. No other family. No real dinner. So we were really excited when plans worked out to go meet Shanna and Matthew in Colorado for Thanksgiving. We were in Pagosa Springs, CO and it was gorgeous! It snowed on Thanksgiving and Cole was loving being back in the Mountains. We really didn't do a whole lot other than hang out and spend time with Shanna and Matthew. The boys played a lot of video games and Shan and I did a lot of card making. And both parties were perfectly content.

Cade was throughly confused at who his real mama was. Whenever I was not around he would want to go to Shan. He would hang on her leg, go to her when he was sad, snuggle with her-everything he does to me and will not do to Cole. Whether he thought it was his mom or whether it was the next best thing-we are not sure. But it was funny to watch! Cade was not the only one confused. More often than not, Shan and I would randomly dress alike. And since we all had to share a small space and were always in close proximity, the husbands had to double check before making any type of move!

We had tons of fun and Shan and I made a great semi-homemade dinner. It was really nice to be around family for Thanksgiving and it was so fun to see Cade play with his Aunt and Uncle!
Here are some snippets from the trip.

Cade playing with Aunt Shan (or close enough to mama)

Cade and his real mama

Shan and I making Christmas cards.

Cade wanting to help. Hungry Boys and Cade's first Thanksgiving

We had quite the drive. Whenever we would stop Cade would get so excited. He knew he could get out of the carseat for a bit. Who wouldn't?!

Cade at the wheel.

On the way home, we were passing through the mountains in Colorado and Cole spotted this ram trotting down the mountain. Way cool.

Vampires Galore

Tonight I am going to Twilight. I am going with some other ladies from church. Cole is staying home with Cade to have manly time. I am very excited.

Honestly I am going into the movie with low expectations. The actors look nothing like the characters I saw in my head, Edward comes off creepy instead of dazzling and charming, and I think the film looks cheaply done. (all according to the trailors) I hope I am wrong. They had better stick to the storyline in the book-that is why I am going to go see it.

Speaking of vampires, I have my own little vampire. Here are Cade's latest teeth that are breaking through. Not sure when his front ones will come!

Cade Loves His Mama!

Cade may look like his Dad (which is an ongoing debate because he is looking more and more like his Mother), but he certainly favors his Mom. Here are a few videos that illustrate where Cade's heart really lies.

Here is Cade giving Mom some lovin! (he chose to do this instead of completing the obstacle course Dad made)

Cade expressing his favoritism. Notice the silence when asked to say Dada.

Do you know that sound you make when you blow on a baby's tummy? Here is Cade returning the favor. Listen carefully.

This next video we just thought was funny. This was not staged and, yes, that is a towel on his head. Cade tried to escape the "after bath-time/bed-time" routine.

Pretty Food

Cole thinks I am funny. I love it when my food turns out pretty. He says it doesn't really matter as long as it tastes good. Obviously, taste is the first priority. And I have made many things that resemble dog food but taste great. But I think it is an added bonus when it turns out actually looking like the picture. Somehow there is that added sense of accomplishment (which is short lived before it is eaten!) Here are a couple of things I have made lately that turned out pretty!

Stuffed Pasta Shells (Betty Crocker)
12 uncoooked jumbo pasta shells
1 medium onion
1 lb ground beef
1 1/2 t chili powder
1 pkg (3oz) cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 c taco sauce, divided
1 c shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 c crushed corn chips
4 medium green onions with tops
1/2 sour cream
Cook pasta shells according to the package. Peel and chop onion. Cook ground beef and onion is skillet over medium-high heat until beef is brown; drain.

Stir in chili powder, cream cheese, and 1/4 cup taco sauce into skillet. Heat over medium-low heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray pan with cooking spray. Drain pasta shells. Fill the shells with the beef mixture using about 2 T for each shell. Place filled shells in sprayed pan. Pour 1/2 c taco sauce over the shells.

Cover and bake 20 min. Remove pan from oven and sprinkle with cheese and corn chips. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Peel and slice green onions. Garnish pasta shells with sour cream and onions.

Pretty simple and turns out pretty! (It does takes a little bit to fill all the shells!)



I am afraid of using yeast and never have before. I built up the courage and tried it. I actually am not sure how they turned out taste wise because I have been sick and stuffed up so that knocked out my taste. I thought about that while they were in the oven. But they did turn out pretty, I thought, and that is what matters right?! ;)

Sour Cream Cinnamon Buns (Southern Living)
1 (8oz) carton sour cream
2 T butter or margarine
3 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/8 t baking soda
1 large egg
1 pkg active dry yeast
3 c all purpose flour
2 T butter or margarine, softened
1/2 c packed brown sugar
2 t ground cinnamon
1 1/2 powdered sugar
2 T milk

Heat sour cream in a small sauce pan over medium -low heat. Combine warm sour cream, 2 T butter, 3 T sugar, salt, and baking soda in large mixing bowl. Add egg and yeast; blend well. Add 1 1/2 c flour. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Turn dough out into lightly floured surface and knead lightly 4 or 5 times. Cover and let rest 5 minutes. Roll dough into an 18 x6 inch rectangle. Spread 2 T softened butter over dough. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over dough. Roll up dough, starting at long side, pressing firmly to eliminate air pockets. Pinch seam to seal.

Slice roll into 12 (1 1/2 inch ) slices. Place slices cut side down in greased muffin pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place free from drafts, 30 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Bake at 375 or 12-15 minutes or until golden. Remove buns from pan immediately, let cool on wire rack. Combine powdered sugar and milk, drizzle over buns.

Ok enough with pretty. This last one is so yummy and so not pretty! Hence, no picture. But they are pure gooey yumminess! If you like pecan pie you will love this!

Pecan Pie Bars (Southern Living)

1 3/4 c all purpose flour

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 c butter

1 c packed brown sugar

4 eggs

1 c dark corn syrup ( I used 1/2 light corn syrup, 1/4 honey, 1/4 syrup because that is what I had and they turned out great)

1/4 c butter, melted

1 t vanilla

1/8 t salt

1 1/4 c shopped pecans

Combine flour and 1/3 c brown sugar. Cut in 3/4 c butter until crumbly. Press mixture evenly into a greased 13x9 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 15 to 17 minutes.

Combine 1 c brown sugar and next 5 ingredients, stirring well. Stir in pecans. Pour filling over prepared crust. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until set. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Double Tag

I have been tagged for two different things so here it goes.

One Word Tag
Here are the rules:

1. I have to answer the following questions with one word answers and one word only!
2. Then I must pass it on to seven others.

The questions are as follows:

1. Where is your cell phone? nightstand
2. Where is your significant other? class
3. Your hair color? red
4. Your mother? organized
5. Your father? patient
6. Your favorite thing? boys (Cade & Cole)
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your dream/goal? performer
9. The room you're in? kitchen
10. Your hobby? making
11. Your fear? fire
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? mommy
13. Where were you last night? neighbors
14. What you're not? tall
15. One of your wish-list items? house
16. Where you grew up? Texas
17. The last thing you did? laundry
18. What are you wearing? jeans
19. Your TV? off
20. Your pet? Cade
21. Your computer? essential
22. Your mood? optimistic
23. Missing someone? Shan
24. Your car? Kia
25. Something you're not wearing? lipstick
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Your summer? changes
28. Love someone? family
29. Your favorite color? green
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? yesterday

I tag: Emily Aldrich, Emily Sharp, Tayrn, and Alisa

Here goes the second tag: 8 tag

RULES
1) Post rules on your blog
2) Answer the six "8" items
3) Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment

8 Favorite TV Shows
1. The Office
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. So You Think You Can Dance
4. Good Morning America-not really a show but I don't watch a lot of TV!
5. American Idol
6. occasionally Oprah
7. ummm......
8. drawing a blank.....

8 Things I did Yesterday (it was a Sunday AND we were all sick so not a very eventful day)
1. drove to Salina
2. went to church (stake conference which was an hour and 15 min away)
3. Cole and I took turns napping and watching Cade
4. Gave Cade his medicine
5. blew my nose a lot and used lots of tissues!
6. prayed that Cade would get better soon
7. made meatballs for dinner
8. went to bed early

8 Things I look forward to
1. Thanksgiving with Shan and Matthew
2. Christmas at home
3. Cade's 1st birthday
4. Cole being done with school
5. Uninterrupted sleep
6. Growing my hair out
7. Thursday evenings watching the Office
8. Twilight movie coming out

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Macaroni Grill
2. Olive Garden
3. Cheesecake Factory
4. Applebees (the best chocolate milkshakes ever)
5. IHOP
6. Chinese Buffets (whichever one happens to be local)
7. Cold Stone ;)
8. Japon

8 Things on my wish list
1. an always healthy Cade
2. being able to travel for free
3. go on a cruise someday
4. lived closer to family
5. to be in a movie
6. dishes to clean themselves
7. be more creative
8. could sew better

8 People to tag
1. Kati
2. Julia
3. Christi
4. Hailey
5. Melissa
6. Laura
7. Debbie
8. Ciera
Good luck!

Daylight Savings Time

It is a good thing that church starts at 1:00 for me. I totally forgot about the time change. Earlier this week I knew it was coming up. But last night and this morning it was completely out of my mind. But to cut me some slack-Cole has been out of town since Thursday (he gets back tonight!) and I have been dealing with a sick little boy. With no one to remind me and all my efforts towards helping Cade (and stay sane with little sleep) it really was not on the forefront of my mind.

In the past, I have had serious issues with this whole time change thing.

When I was in Elementary school, for a few years in a row, when ever it came time to change the clocks I would be so confused. My issue: How does the sun know to come up later or earlier than it did the day before? I totally didn't get it. My dad would sit with me and try to explain over and over. He would even draw diagrams. I finally did realized that us as beings physically change the clocks. I know. Tough concept.

When daylight savings came around for the first time after Cole and I were married, we were near celebrating our 2 months of marriage. Old-timers. We were feeling on top of the world, independent, successful at living on our own, and that we could do no wrong. At that time we had church at 8:30. You guessed it. On this one particular Sunday we show up to church and could not figure out where everyone was. We kept looking at the clock and rubbing our eyes making sure we were seeing it right. Yup-still says 8:25. Then we keep staring at it hoping miraculously it would change to 7:30 to give us a reason why no one was there. It took a while of sitting there to figure it out. We were thoroughly embarrassed and not so on top of the world feeling. Luckily no one was there to witness it since everyone else was home where they should be.

Do you have a funny daylight savings story? Ooo leave a comment and do share!! (or maybe it is just us!)