Food Friday - Cherry Cheesecake Dip

This week at Kellys Korner the "Show us your Life" Topic is Appetizers.  Just recently I tried out a recipe I've seen on pinterest and it was a big hit!

Cherry Cheesecake Dip
 adapted from The Oxford Place Diaries

I had seen this recipe all over pinterest and even had friends attest to how good it was but I just didn't have a reason to make it!  Well, finally, for ladies meeting last month with church ladies I decided to make it and it was a huge hit.  I only made one 8x8 pan and there was only a little bit left.  The only thing I ran into was everyone thought it was Cherry Cheesecake so I had to explain that it was a dip and that is what the graham crackers were for - do dip!.  I think next time I would put it in a round dish and place it in the middle of a large platter and put the crackers around it.  (And make a sign that signs "Cherry Cheesecake DIP" HA) 

Ingredients:

2 tubs of cool whip
1 small tub of Marshmallow fluff
8 ounce cream cheese (Softened)
2 cans of cherry pie filling
1 box of graham crackers
 
(2 8x8 pans OR 1 9x13 pan)

Directions

1) Crush one sleeve of graham crackers and evenly distribute between the two pans (or one 9x13)
2) Mix together the Fluff, cream cheese, and Cool Whip VERY well.   Spread this mix carefully on top of the crushed crackers.  You'll want to work "big" with this meaning drop big globs of the fluff mix all over the pan so you really just have to "smoosh" it into place - it won't spread well. 
3) Pour the Cherry pie filling on top.  Chill for a few hours before serving. 

This keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 full days so you can make it in advance without a problem. 

Foodie Pen Pals - November

This is my second month participating in Foodie Pen Pals over at The Lean Green Bean and it was once again a huge success!! 

This month I got a package from Jenny over at It's Sweet for Certain and she really sent me the perfect box!

 Above is everything she packed in my box.  Yep, it was very full!

 Let me just tell you, I had one very excited little boy when he saw the box - he kept saying "Mom, you got a present!  It is Christmas time AND your birthday" HA!

 In the box was this fun bottle of water - it is suppose to give you energy because it has extra oxygen in it.  I'm waiting for the perfect day to drink it :-)  (Actually I just like seeing it my fridge - I love the labeling.)

 I'm not sure if she read my blog but in the box was my "new"favorite obsession from last month, The Dark Chocolate covered Blueberries YUM!  The Chocolate Cranberry Crunch is fantastic too - I've been nibbling on both of those all month long.

 This little package came right on time.  It's filled with stuff for the flu and cold season and guess what we have all had in the past week??? Geesh! 

 Then this collapsible water bottle.  This will be fabulous to use for trips to the zoo and camping.  I've seen these and wanted one but never bought one - now I don't have too!

This was what the box looked like when I opened it (noticed to little boys hands on each side of it - they were thrilled!)  There were also some Kashi bars in the box and some energy chews - I took a photo of them but somehow that photo disappeared when I was working on them.  My 4 year old loves the Kashi bars (so do I) so I think I will have to pick up a box - they would make a great snack for him and his brother.

Normally, I would now list how YOU can be a Foodie Pen Pal too but for the month of December, the Foodie Pen Pals is doing something called Foodie Pen Pals for Charity and you can be part of that as well.  Just click on the link and read all about it. 

An Advent Celebration

I know I said on Monday I wouldn't share this until next week but, decided to share it today so if you want to do this with your kids, you have time to get everything together. 
 
Last year, I came across a great advent series to do with the kids called Truth in the Tinsel.

I purchased the downloadable book (only $7.99) and put it away to use this year.  It really is the perfect thing to do with the kids becuse it is at their level.  It includes a simple ornament craft that goes along with the days short devotional.  I also like the fact that there is a master supply list AND a daily supply list so you can make sure you have everything you need before you start.  I'm really excited to walk through this study this year with the boys and, honestly, we'll probably do it at least one more year if not two more years since repetition is so good for kids (And a whole year goes by anyway!).

This week, I'm working on gathering all of the supplies for the first two weeks of devotionals so we are ready to begin on December 1st.  We'll be hanging all of their ornaments on our little dining room tree.

Another idea you could do with older kids is to do a simple study on all of the names of Jesus.  Just created simple ornaments that are just those names and each day take time to read verses and talk about that name.  That is another idea I came across a few years ago but have put it "away" until the boys are a little older.

Too Cute Not To Toot!

This week I decided to take some ideas from Pinterest because several of the blogs I usually get ideas from are not doing their "Linky Parties" this week due to the holiday. 

Some day, I will do chore charts with my kids (I need to start this soon) so when I saw this idea from A Spotted Pony I really liked it but I also liked her post too.  I love that she got her kids their own little cleaning supplies :-)

My sister-in-law recently told me how she used to make activity books to give my niece and nephew over the holiday breaks to keep them busy while she cooked :-)  Well, I came across this idea from Playing with Words 365 for not only a cute Reindeer book but also a great idea for a game to go along with the book.  I think this is simple enough I can put it together for the boys to do in December. 

I really need a new tree skirt.  Mine is small and I'm tired of it.  I love the ruffled tree skirts that I've seen posted so I wanted to share this idea from Prudent Baby.  This is not a "No-sew" version but it still seems like it is over complicated and the tutorial is pretty straight forward. 

So I came across this idea by accident - I actually went to a blog for another post and saw this idea which comes from Just Crafty Enough and uses a tray table to make an easy ironing board. Considering the fact that the only time I iron anything is for crafts - this would make a great addition to my craft space.

Here is the idea I was looking for to begin with from Southern Lovely.  These stocking holders are great and I want to make them :-) 

Here's a great gift idea or just a memory game for the kids from The Idea Room. It has actually reminded me of two other photo projects I wanted to make for my boys for Christmas!

One last idea for this week from Familiy Reunion Helper.  With holiday parties going on I thought this simple game idea would be fun.  It is a simple idea and people always enjoy playing for candy especially if you do some of the candy regular size and some as giant bars :-)

Happy Crafting :-)





 

Advent Season

Today I'm starting a new devotional through Good Morning Girls and I'm really looking forward to it. 

It starts today but you can still get the book if you subscribe to the site.  I think it is so important to stay focused on what the true meaning of Christmas is and not get lost in the schedules, planning, and lights (I love lights!). 

Next week I'll be sharing the advent study I am going to be doing with the kids too :-)

Thanksgiving Fun

Thanksgiving was perfect.  Family, Fun, Fellowship, and Food. Who could ask for anything more?  Well, we would have loved to have my sister-in-law with us but she woke up with the stomach flu so, then I guess we really didn't want her here :-/   In her words, "This is the worst Thanksgiving ever!". 

Here is our day in photos (and some comments ;-) )

 I was really trying to get a "good" photo of the boys and Darryl and it turned into a funny face making competition.  At least we tried ;-)

 Snacks to hold us over until dinner.  Southwestern Salad Dip, Brushetta, and a relish tray with some cheese and crackers.

 The set-up!  So, here's the deal, we have a long living room and, after trying to figure out how to seat everyone I came up with an idea that actually worked.  I tore apart the classroom on Wednesday so that we could use my banquet tables.  We moved the recliners out of the way and set the tables up down the length of the living room.  This allowed us all to sit together which was great.  After we prayed, I actually dismissed the table so that everyone at the far end got food first so that we didn't really have to crawl over people to get to our spots.  It really did work out perfectly.  Once dinner was done, the guys tore it all back down.  For the record, I also chose to use paper products to eat on.  I think once you get past about 8 people, it only makes sense otherwise there are just so many dishes to deal with it isn't fun anymore :-)

 Dinner!  Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Corn and Green Bean Casserole, Sauteed Cabbage and Bacon, Cranberry Sauce and Deviled Eggs.  It was so good and I'm so thankful for everyone that did most of the cooking :-)  I just did the meats, stuffing and cabbage so I had it easy!  My mother-in-law made 4 fabulous pies for dessert and my sister-in-law made a fantastic Cheesecake!

 Watching the game.  We love watching the Detroit Lions Play and this years game was actually a great game despite the fact that they lost.

 My hubby.  I make the plan and he executes it all ;-)

 My dad :-)

 My dad stole my camera and took this photo.  Figured I would share

Ok, this is my mom and my mother-in-law.  The boys convinced them to play a game but eventually, the boys quit playing and these two keep going.  My mom finally won and my mother-in-law was mad :-) hehehe  Yep, they really do get along and it is great!

Weekly Menu

Welcome back!  First up, last weeks menu that I posted?? Well, totally did not do it.  I used up food in the freezer instead.  Well, Thanksgiving dinner was the same . . I guess it was really Sunday-Wednesday that I changed up more than anything.

Here's the plan for this coming week:

Monday - Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potaotes, Gravy and Corn (we had Scalloped potatoes and ham last Saturday instead of this meal)

Tuesday - Turkey Noodle Soup and Homemade Bread

Wednesday - (Just the boys and I) - Not sure what we will have yet.  I always leave it up in the air because sometimes, we just want to go out :-)

Thursday -Swiss Chicken, Crash Potatoes and Green Beans.

Friday -Meatball Soup and Homemade bread

Saturday- Chili Dogs (baked), Baked Beans and Potato Salad

Sunday  - Darryl has a concert so we will be grabbing something on the way home.

I plan on starting some Christmas baking -  basically that means making special cookies each week.  I'm hoping to put together some trays for the neighbors later in December so I'd like to "practice" a few recipes first :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!  We are hosting 13 people today so there will be lots of food, fun, fellowship and . . well, Laughter! 

 

Prepping for Thanksgiving

Hello!!  I'm still here just busy prepping for Thanksgiving.  Getting lots of cleaning done and today I'll be prepping a few food items.  By the time I sit down at night I'm pretty tired so not a lot of blog inspiration is happening this week :-)  The good news is that I have my blog post list written from Saturday through the beginning of January - lots of stuff to write about coming up!  As long as I can keep up with photos . .. it will all get posted :-)

For today - for those of you prepping to host the Turkey Day - best wishes :-)  My goal is to have pretty much everything done by tonight so that the next few days I can just enjoy fun and family!

Little Drummer Boy

Hello!  This has been a fun few days starting with this past Wednesday.  Every once in awhile things fall into place and we get to do something totally unexpected.  I've mentioned before that my husband plays in a Christian Group; they practice every Wednesday evening and he goes to practice, normally, every other week.  He was planning to attend practice this past Wednesday.  I talked to him at about 3:00 on Wednesday and mentioned that if I didn't have the munchkin, the boys and I would head into to town to meet him for dinner.  But, figuring that I couldn't get out of dodge until about 5:00, it just makes it to rushed to meet and still have him make it on time for practice.(not to mention the cost of gas, dinner, and a late night - it is NOT something we do often at all)  Then, at 3:30 the munchkin's mom pulled in the driveway a whole hour early.  I called my husband but, he was already eating so we just said "oh well" and left it at that.  Then he called back at 4:20 and said, "Why don't we just meet at the mall and you all can eat there, if there is time to kill, then the boys can play in the play area?".  Well, let me tell you, we JUMPED at that chance.  When I told the boys we were going, though, they were SURE we were going to Daddy's practice so they went looking for both their little guitars to take along.  Yes, we did go to practice too and we learned that we have a "Little Drummer Boy"!

Josh LOVED the drums. So much so that he played "air drums" with some extra sticks through most of the night and very intently watched the drummer play and tried to do whatever he did.  I think I see some drums in our future.  The good news is that Darryl can play drums so he can teach him the basics.  It was a really great night and, after one particular song, Josh exclaimed, "That was my favorite, do it again!"

This weekend was also filled with putting up outside Christmas "desherashions", going to a Chinese Buffet (which the boys LOVED - nothing better then picking out your own food and getting to eat ice cream!), driving around and looking at lights (Every time we came to a house Josh would say, "Ok, Dad, please stop a minute for me" hehehe)  and attending a concert to watch Darryl play.  It was a fun, family filled weekend!

Weekly Menu

I promise you that we ate last week even though I didn't post a menu :-)  My kids were gone until Tuesday so my husband and enjoyed eating out and easy food.  Isn't it amazing that Thanksgiving is part of this weeks menu???  Wow!  I feel like it is early this year yet it is on the same Thursday every year??  I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner but somehow I've gotten out of making most of the food - I guess that is the way to plan, right?  Anyway - this is our plan for this week!

Sunday  - I know I don't normally start with Sunday but our plans kinda changed so it's a new plan for the day!  The boys and I are attending one of Darryl's concerts and then attending a dinner afterwards for the group before heading home.  I plan on putting a chicken in the crock pot so we can have chicken, stuffing, and veggies for dinner later in the evening.

Monday - Baked Penne Pasta with broccoli, chicken and smoked mozzarella, salad and french bread.

Tuesday - Chicken Noodle Soup (using left over chicken from Sunday) and homemade bread.

Wednesday - Italian Wedding Soup and french bread.  I know, I know.  Soup two nights in a row??  Well, there is a chance we will actually have leftovers depending on how much food is left from the previous nights. 

Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!!   We are having:  Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Corn and Green Bean Casserole, Sauted Cabbage and Bacon, Cranberry Sauce, Deviled Eggs and Rolls.  Plus Pies and Cheesecake for dessert.  Doesn't it all sound yummy???

Friday - We are going to get our Christmas tree today!  Our tradition is to stop at our favorite restaurant and get lunch after chopping down the tree. Darryl and I usually get an array of appetizers.  Then, later in the evening we'll have pizza (probably homemade) and dessert - I think I will make some Monkey bread and see how the boys like it.  Maybe it will be a new tradition.  We actually used to do all kinds of appetizers while decorating the tree but, since we now do that at lunch, we changed things around. 

Saturday - There is a possibility my husband will be working but I'm going to plan like he isn't ;-)  We'll have brunch with Holiday French Toast and Bacon.  If anyone is hungry in the afternoon I'm sure there will be left overs. If not, I will have some soup on hand to feed those that need it. Then for dinner we will have Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy and Corn.  Just a good old comfort food meal :-)

Sunday - Roast, Potatoes and Carrots after church and then, are you ready, LEFT OVERS for dinner!  We'll need to clean out the fridge for sure!!

Food Friday - Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Awhile ago, a friend of mine posted on Facebook how they have a Sunday Morning tradition of homemade cinnamon rolls.  I really liked that idea but needed to find something quick and easy so I didn't have to get up early to make them before church.  I ran across this idea on Pinterest (of course!) and they are a hit in this house.  Right now I don't make them every Sunday but I think as the boys get older, they will be something that is expected :-)

Mini Cinnamon Rolls
adapted from Very Culinary

There really is not a lot to say about these other than to say they are really good.  They are the perfect size for little hands and the perfect size to just pop into your mouth. 

 
Mini Cinnamon Rolls
Makes 16
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Ingredients
• 1 (8 ounce) tube crescent seamless dough sheet **
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon skim milk
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
** If you cannot find the seamless dough, then just buy an 8 ounce tube regular crescent roll dough, but you’ll need to pinch all the seams together, then smooth out slightly with a rolling pin.
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a non-stick mini muffin tin with cooking spray; set aside.
Layout your dough, longer side toward you. Brush with the butter. Sprinkle with the cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans. Roll into a log and cut into 16 equal pieces.
Place mini cinnamon rolls into your mini muffin tin. Bake for 12 minutes.
Meanwhile whisk together maple syrup and milk in a bowl. Add in powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over warm cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Enjoy!! 

Stages

Have you ever noticed that life has stages?  They seem to sneak up on you, don't you?  I find that I'm moving along in my daily life, getting things done in a great routine when I start to notice that my "routine" just isn't working.  The things I used to have time for I no longer have time for and then it hits me . .. . we are in a new "stage".

What stage are we in right now?  Well, we are in the 1)Swallowing money 2)getting their own food out of the fridge, 3) interesting conversation, 4) too busy (sound familiar) stage.

1) Yes, yes yes.  I finally had a kid do something weird.  Nate swallowed money on Wednesday.  I walked into the living room to find that they had emptied a little piggy bank I have on my desk.  Josh had made a tower out of the coins and led me through the house with my eyes closed to "surprise" me with it.  Then Nate said, "And I swallowed money, but don't worry mom, it was just one!"  After asking him about 10 times if he really did swallow one of those "monies" and he said yes over and over, I called the doctor.  It appears that he's fine, now we just wait.  I guess if the coin doesn't magically reappear by Friday, I might call back :-/

2) I'm slowly rearranging how I put things in my fridge.  Josh has discovered that he likes to look in the fridge and find something to eat.  I used to keep chocolate chips in the bottom drawer so they don't melt.  They are no longer there.  HA  Instead I keep Apples, cheese, and lunch meat in that spot.  He also will search for things when I tell him we are out of something so now, if we aren't out of it I just say, "No, we are not out of it, but you don't need any more."  Otherwise he would go to the fridge and say, "Mooooom, look, there are still more chocolate chips in here" :-)

3) Oh the conversations that go on in this house now.  Nothing life changing but the full sentence, random topic conversations are just amazing.  I'm so surprised by how quickly they go from just little random thoughts to . . .. actual conversation.  On the flip side, now they can "debate" with me about things and well, I prefer to win those conversations.

4) One last thought for today.  On Monday evening, I was gone and my husband was helping the boys clean up.  Josh was playing with this tiny rubber caterpillar he got with his Halloween Candy.  The boys kept throwing it around and it would get lost.  Well, Nate threw it and no one could find it.  Darryl was looking for it and went into the classroom to find Nate.  He said, "Nate, you need to help us look for that".  Nate, who was working on a puzzle at the moment said, "No, not right now, I'm too busy" HAhahahaha!

So that's our "stage".  The boys love for me to play with them more so I often I chose blocks over cleaning and trains over planning so it takes longer to get things done but on the flip side, when I'm cleaning, I often get helpers.  Even yesterday, as I vacuumed the carpeted floors, I had two boys using the Swiffer Vac cleaning the hard floors so . . "We can be done and we can all play together mom".  So it really is a great stage!

Too Cute Not To Toot

Boo! I'm really struggling right now finding great ideas that I love, that I want to make, and that fit into my lifestyle.  I've always loved this post because there is so much fun stuff out there but . .. if I can't find it, I can't share it!  I may have to do what I was trying NOT to do and that is share ideas from Pinterest instead of ideas that people actually post on blogs.  I'm going to give it another week and see what I find!!

A few ideas of Thanksgiving Crafts :

I've been looking for some fun Thanksgiving type things to do with the kids - one a day for something fun!.  I love this simple idea from Racks and Mooby for making Turkeys.

Another great turkey craft - this one is from Crafty Journal.

Also from Crafty Journal is this simple paper plate Turkey Craft.

Maybe I'll actually have posts to share about making at least one of these crafts!

November Goals and December too!

For a goal oriented person, like myself, having no goals means I flounder.  Yet, on the other hand, when I write out goals, it gives me a jumping off point.  Now, I may now complete the goals on my list but it does help me focus on accomplishing something and that is the key.  I know I wrote goals for October but I don't remember them and, quite honestly, I don't want to look back at them and see what I didn't do!!!  Instead I'm going to go just regroup and refocus for the end of the year.  One "bonus" this month that I'm meeting with ladies for our annual Solutions Social Calendar Planning Event for 2013. 

Here is what is on my radar for the next 7 weeks?? Wow . . .

Home
1. Finish the basement. Organize, clean, and just have it done!
2. Prep the playroom - basically have everything moved out of that room that is not staying so that we can start in January on putting in some softer flower, put in a reading nook and add some fun things to the walls.
3. Decorate for Christmas - I know this is a given but it is a big deal so I think it deserves a spot on the goal list.

Family
1. Go the Santa House for Santa Photos - this is a Holiday house in the next town over that I heard about last year - looking forward to checking it out.
2. Check out Christmas Lights - the boys LOVE them so I really want to make sure that we take time to do this - a ball park near us sets up a huge display and for a small fee you can drive through - I really want to do that this year.
3. One "bonus" thing I'd like to fit in is a trip to Shipshawanna for their big Christmas Activities.  I say that it is bonus because with family parties, play practice and concerts I'm not sure IF we can fit this in or not.

Homeschool/Kids Activities
1. Create our new Advent Calendar based on the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" AND be ready to start it on December 1st.
2. Plan special Christmas Activities to do each day (I did this last year and the kids looked forward to it each day).  I will be incorporating a book called "Truth in Tinsel" that goes through the Christmas Story and provides instructions for a craft each day so I need to prep for those as well
3. Plan some Thanksgiving activities to do throughout November - I have stuff printed, I just have to prep it all.

Christmas
1. Plan and budget all Christmas gifts - the Boys, Darryl, the parents, Sunday School Teacher, and Pastor.
2. Have all gifts purchased and wrapped by December 15
3. Prepare for Nate's Birthday (Not really "Christmas" but it is Dec 22nd so when I plan, I make sure and include this activity in my planning)
4. Make Christmas Cookies this year!!!!!

Pinterest
1.  My new goal with Pinterest is to spend a full month on 2 separate boards.  So over the next 7 or so weeks, my goal is to accomplish at least one item from the following THREE boards (since this list encompasses 1 1/2 months).  The boards are - Thanksgiving, Christmas and For the Home. Two of the three should be easy since they are the current Holidays!

That's all!  I'm printing this and posting it on my desk so I can remember!!!

Remember, I said Life is Busy?

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know that I post almost every single day.  I do it because I enjoy it - it is my outlet and adult conversation :-)

Sometimes, though, life gets busy and I need to put other things first.  Guess what?  This is one of those weeks. 

On Sunday, a long time family friend passed away unexpectidly.  In order to attend the funeral the boys and I are leaving on Wednesday afternoon to go to my parents home.  I am returning on Thursday (while the boys get some grandparent time) just in time for a hair appointment.  I then leave on Friday for an overnight crop with ladies from much church, getting home Saturday evening.  On Sunday I'm attending my husband's concert with him so, Yikes!

So, with that list out there, I highly doubt I will get any posts written this week . . .don't worry, I'll be back next week, refreshed and ready to go. 

Enjoy your week!

Life is Busy

Normally I like to post about what we've done in relation to preschool on Mondays but . . .Life is busy.  I'm a really good planner but I'm not always a really good doer.  Life seems to get in the way sometimes or I find myself watching my boys play and use their imagination and really don't want to interrupt.  Last week, in particular, they played.  Together. For hours.  Trains, cars, planes, blocks, Lego's.  At one point, I had train tracks running from one end of the house to the other and two little boys having a grand old time.  I chose to let them play, giggle, laugh and . . .tackle each other :-)  I'm working on some ideas for this month and the month of December.  Then, in the cold months of Winter, we'll retreat to the classroom and tackle more book learning :-)  Life is busy but Life is fun. 

Pinterest is my friend . .. and my nemesis.  I love all of the ideas but boy, do I wish I had the hours and supplies to make everything I pin!  I tend to get into idea overload and can't focus on just one project to get done.  I'm working on that problem :-)

Cleaning is over rated :-)  Yes, I want a clean house but I'm tired of cleaning every day . A little here or a little there .. I'm starting to get back to one day of lots of cleaning - at least then, I have one day when everything is picked up :-)  THEN I might have time to work on projects and play with kids :-)

So, that's all for this week . It's a busy week.  I'm preparing to go on a scrapbooking retreat this weekend and, a funeral to attend due to the very unexpected death of a long time family friend.

Enjoy your day!  

Halloween!

This year, our Halloween went on and on . . .. and the boys loved it!  I will warn you that some of these photos you may have seen in previous posts but I still wanted to put all of our Halloween stuff in one post.

The very first Halloween activity was the Autumn Festival that is hosted by our town.  The boys could hardly contain themselves all day while waiting for Darryl to get home so we could go Trick-Or-Treating!

The Harvest has a "Truck-Or-Treat" set up.  The first area includes lots of games which the boys enjoyed playing.  The second part is local businesses that have set up their "trunks" so you can just walk by and pick up more candy.  The boys so enjoyed it all.  Noticed that Darryl is in Shorts ? Yep.  It was that warm . A near perfect night! 

The following evening, we went on a hayride and had a cook out with our church.  I did not take any photos since it was dark and . . there was hay being thrown but we had fun.  The boys got into throwing straw/hay and thought it was funny.  Nate fell fast asleep about half way through the ride and did not wake up until the next morning.  Josh LOVED roasting hot dogs with Darryl and ate two :-) 

Our next activity was the Zoo Boo which I talked about in Josh's birthday post:

Finally, on Halloween Night we went Trick-Or-Treating for real.  We started by attending a Trunk-or-Treat at a local church so the boys could play some games.  Thankfully the weather turned nicer - no wind and only a few sprinkles.  After finishing the games at the church we started walking door to door and the boys would yell "Trick or Treat".  They loved this part of the night . After going about a block and a half, Nate's legs were so tired that he would take a step and his legs would just collpase.  He was sooo tired!  It wasn't long after that when Josh started saying, "Mom, I just want to go home, I'm so tired" :-)  So we headed back to the car - it was ok, though, they had full buckets :-)

You may notice that we never carved the pumpkins we got at the pumpkin patch . . . well, I figure that we can start that in another year or so.  For now, I'm enjoying using them as decoration :-)

Also, a shout out to a friend of my parents who supplied me with the costumes.  I was really at a loss this year - she sent this over and the boys loved them :-)