Cute Costumes

Here is Kamey G. as a mouse. Check out that total Bowen cheeser!
Here are the two kids. Cooper went as a bear. (Actually, it is just a bunting we got at Old Navy to keep him warm. Fortunately for us, it has bear ears!) There wasn't too much excitement going for Halloween. We missed all the trunk or treats and the carnival at the middle school didn't have much for little tykes. However, Kameryn did get a hot dog at a neighbors. She also went trick or treating at about 5 houses. Not much of a haul but she thought it was awesome. She practically skipped to and from every house. Next year, I think we are going to do a progressive dinner type trick or treating experience. 

Our Yummy Halloween Donuts

Recipe by Alton Brown

1 1/2 c milk
1/3 c vegetable shortening
2 T yeast
1/3 c warm water
2 eggs (beaten)
1/4 c sugar
1 1/2 t salt
1 t nutmeg
23 oz flour (3 1/2 c flour = lb)
oil for frying

Place milk in medium saucepan, heat over medium heat, just until warm enough to melt shortening. Place shortening in bowl, pour milk over, set aside. Sprinkle yeast over warm water, dissolve for five minutes. Pour yeast mixture into mixer, add cooled milk and shortening mixture. Add eggs, sugar, salt, nutmeg, and half of the flour. Mix on low until incorporated, then mix on medium until combined, add remaining flour, mix again on low first and then medium. Continue to beat until dough pulls away from bowl and is smooth (3 min) Put in well oiled bowl, cover and let rise 1 hr. Roll out to 3/8" thick, cut out into donuts. Set on floured baking sheet, cover lightly and let raise 30 minutes. Preheat oil 365 degrees. Fry donuts 1 minute per side. Transfer to cooling rack.

Okay, that is the recipe. Here are our tricks. First of all, it sounds more involved then it actually is. Second, we have learned that if you're not set on the donut shape, it is much faster to roll it out and then use a pizza cutter to cut it into "bar donuts". The flour measurement we use is 5 1/4 cups. And that's about it. Here is the glaze recipe:

Donut Glaze:
1/4 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 c powdered sugar

Heat milk and vanilla on stove until warmed. Sift in powdered sugar, stir. Remove from heat. Set over a bowl of warm water and dip donuts.

Tips: Do take it off the heat and don't dip donuts until they have had a while to cool/drain. Otherwise the oil on the donuts will just slick the glaze right off.

We hope you enjoy! Don't be intimidated by this recipe. The first time you make them you may be a little unsure of yourself, but once you've made them once, it's a piece of cake. And, if you're a messy cook like me, be aware that this recipe can make a mess. (At least I always do)

Happy Halloween!

So, not much of an awesome mom this year. I usually like to go all out for holidays, but I just haven't seemed to have it together this year. No pumpkins, costumes, decorations, or parties. Granted, we've had are share of pretty good excuses this last month. So, I figure, there is always Thanksgiving. However, the one "tradition" I intend to keep this year is Halloween dinner. We ALWAYS have chili and donuts for Halloween. Our chili recipe is quite simple: a chili packet (follow the instructions) and add a tablespoon or so of brown sugar. We also find we like it best cooked in the crockpot. Simple and easy, but we've tried a ton of different recipes and this is our favorite. (However, if you have a different one that you really love, let us know. We are always trying new recipes!) Our donut recipe isn't quite so simple to explain, but if you bake, it is actually a really simple recipe and oh so delicious!! The donut recipe is in the blog above! Enjoy and Happy Halloween. (If we go trick or treating we will be sure to include pics!)

Crafts and Fun Stuff to Do

So, here is the scoop. if you want fun new ideas to do with your kids go to FamilyFun.com Loads and loads of fun crafty ideas, etc. You can even search for fun ideas by age. We have the link listed here on our blog under our profile and it will take you right there. Fun, fun times, best of all its free-ninety-free!

Fall Yard Work

Today was such a beautiful fall day! We decided to join our neighbors outside and spruce up our yards before the snow comes. Here are some pictures of the kids playing in the mule. They thought they were pretty awesome. And honestly, so did I because I got to check a project of my list. (Of course it wasn't on my list for stuff to do today... my house will just have to wait until tomorrow)

Kids in pics: Lily Neibaur, Jacob Ward, (Gwen was babysitting) Lydia, and Kameryn. Gwen also made a cameo appearance! Fun Times

Yummy New Recipe

Kay, so I've decided once in a while to post yummy new recipes we have found. This weeks recipes comes from Gwen. Way easy and yummy yummy.
Poppy Seed Chicken:
Cooked chicken (cubed) - the amount depends on your family size, we did 2 chicken breasts and it made enough for 2 meals about.
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 sleeve ritz crackers
2 tsp poppy seeds
1/2 cup butter

Put your chicken in the bottom of the pan. Combine the sour cream and soup, then pour over chicken. Lightly crush ritz crackers and mix them with the butter and poppy seeds. Pour mixture on top and bake in a 375 degree oven for roughly 30 minutes (just until brown and bubbly)
Serve with mashed potatoes. (I know it sounds weird but so yummy with the mashed potatoes!)

Hope you enjoy it. Like I said it is super simple and really yummy.

My Big Ornery Butt-Head Day

Okay, so basically I am writing this blog today because I need a release. I am a big ornery butt-head today (so butt-head has become my new favorite mean name to call people: HOW TWO YEAR OLD AM I?) Anyway, I can't exactly say why, its just been one of those days when you wake up and none of your clothes look good on you, you spend all of church trying to get your too tired son to sleep, and you come home and cook a big dinner only to have to clean a big mess up. Nothing different then every other day, just today I'm ornery.
I decided maybe I needed some time to contemplate something other than my mood. I've been thinking a lot lately about the song "My Favorite Things" (I know, sometimes I can be such a cheese-head) I really thought of the words in the song and it got me thinking: what are my favorite things? So, here goes: "I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad"

• Fall: the crisp air, the leaves, the chill, soup, football, holidays, harvest, all of it
• Rain: not the smell after rain, the actual rain, coming down, getting you soaking wet, making big puddles to splash in, that rain; it makes me happy
• Baby Kisses: you know that big open mouth kiss they give when they first learn how to kiss, they are so sweet. My son gives those right now. I just can't get enough of them.
• Laughter: Especially that coming from my children. Kamey can just get going so bad she snorts and Coop has just started to giggle and it's that deep belly giggle, so cute!!
• My Children: You know, I asked Brandon the other day if he ever found himself just stopping and staring at our kids and finding himself completely overwhelmed and speachless at the love he felt for them. He told me no, he doesn't have time to think, he just loves them. I for one, am constantly left gawking in love and awe for my children.
• Puppies: cheesy, yet true. I love puppies.
• Opera Music: Full blast, blow your eardrums out Opera music. (I often do the same thing with Show Tunes and Classical music.)I enjoy it so much I can hardly sit still, I'm on the edge of my seat taking it all in.
• Pottery Barn Catalogs: You know in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory how he gets the candy bar and savors every tiny little bit, savoring each moment. That is how a P.B. catalog is for me. Some joys just shouldn't be rushed, you need to enjoy every moment.
• Sign Language: I can remember next to none of it, but I love it.
• Cookies: a good chocolate chip (more cookie than chocolate chips)
• Cute Clothes: Especially sweaters and skirts. I know, I'm vain and materialistic, but i I were rich, I'd have clothes.
• The Arts: Theatre, museums, symphonies, galleries, you name it. I just haven't found someone as nerdy as I am to accompany me.
• Brandon: you know, he's my best friend.

You know, I've got to stop here. There are so many little things in life that make me so happy. I've only listed a few, but my son is so unhappy with me right now that I had better stop.

Thanks for the release.

This Dang Blog Thing!!

Okay, so I keep trying to post this picture to our profile. No luck. So, we figured we would post it here because Kameryn wants to see herself. Enjoy, this is us, last year, before Cooper. But it is the most current "decent" photo we have.
... and, okay nevermind because I think I just got it to work. So, enjoy two photos of us.

Fun, Fun, Fun, News!!

Kay, so now we really have fun, fun, fun news. Brandon got given a helicopter ride for an early birthday present, and not just any helicopter, one with 360 degree views. Kameryn got to go along. So much fun for Brandon since this has been something he's always wanted to do. Kameryn loved it to, until, of course, they went over the reservoir. Not so much fun for her then. But Brandon loved it!!! He even got himself a commemorative hat! Yeah for Brandon! Thanks Nora.

Fun, Fun, Fun, News!!

Okay, so we don’t really have any, but we wanted to test this out. Honestly, I apologize to any of you viewing our blog. It is nothing special. You know me, I have got to get the format right first!!

Baby Cooper

Here is new baby Cooper. He is already turning out to be quite the ladies man. Check out that wink!!

Trying out the Blog

So... Gwen told me this is something I would love and so we are trying it. nothing to fancy or creative for right now.