Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Who doesn't love the Fall?  Cooler weather, beautiful foliage, and pumpkins.  Pumpkins on the porch and pumpkins in my belly.  I LOVE baking with pumpkin!  Check out this recipe I tried yesterday.  You can't go wrong with snickerdoodles, but PUMPKIN SNICKERDOODLES?!  Mind blowing! 

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

from a bitchin' kitchen

 

3 3/4 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the coating:

1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Dash of allspice

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk together to blend. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugars on medium speed until well combined. Next, still on medium speed, beat in pumpkin. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract. Lastly, add in the dry ingredients. Beat until combined, but do not over mix. Cover the dough, and refrigerate for one hour, until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and spices for the sugar coating. Scoop dough (approximately 2 1/2 tablespoons) and roll into a ball. Roll the dough ball in the sugar mixture, and place on the lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Take a drinking glass with a flat bottom and moisten with water. Dip the glass in the sugar mixture, and use it to flatten the dough balls. Re-sugar the glass as needed.

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Remove when the centers of the cookies have set. Let cool on the baking pan for approximately 5 minutes, and then transfer to wire cooling racks to cool completely.



We are still surviving here.  I made it through my first week alone with all 3 kids.  It wasn't really too bad.  Kyle and I especially enjoy Tuesdays and Thursdays when the girls are at MDO.  :)

I found super dad with all 3 kids in his lap upstairs the other night.  We probably don't know it, but Aubrie's imaginary friend/pet might be in this picture, too.  The name:  Hello Kitty.  She goes everywhere with us.  Well, she wasn't in the car with us the other day because she was with her mom and dad and twin sisters, Hurra and Hola.  But a lot of times we have to stop in the parking lot to hand her a bone, or Aubrie will tell us what chair she is sitting in when we are somewhere.  The other day at the doctor's office, she said Hello Kitty was out in the parking lot but wouldn't come in because she couldn't find a spot.  She drives a purple car. 

Kelly and K-Sue met Kyle!  They also provided tonight's yummy dinner!

The family went for a walk the other night.  Petey had to go to the vet this week because he had more hot spots.  He always flares up this time of year. 

You know how you start spelling things in front of your kids so they don't know what you are talking about?  Well, the other day I was in the waiting room at the doctor's office and Aubrie turned to me and said, "Mom?  Do you have any AEYMONCS'S?"  My mom and other adults turned and looked at me and I had no clue what she was saying.  So I said, "No, do you?"  She said, "Yes!  Right here!"  After I told Adam about AEYMONCS'S, he asked her if she had any and she pretended to hand him one and he pretended to put it in his mouth.  She got on him and said, "NO Daddy, you don't eat them!!"

We took the crew to the zoo this morning.  We had beautiful weather and the girls had fun.  Towards the end we had Emilie in the stroller, Kyle sleeping in dad's arms, and Aubrie in and out of dad's arms.  She's pretty serious in this picture because she told us eight times already that it was time for lunch.

So, here's one for the veteran parents.  You know how you have a cart cover for your first child?  You wouldn't dream of putting your child in a nasty shopping cart without one.  You also take it to restaurants and protect them from the high chairs.  Well, by the time you get to the third child, you're just happy to get in and out of the store without any melt-downs.  We stopped at Target after church and Aubrie just crawled under the bottom of the cart and laid down.  At one point, she had found a rubber band on the floor and was about to put it in her mouth. 

Here's Emilie babysitting Sheriff Kyle.  Thanks Uncle Steve and Aunt Brit!

The other day at MDO, they had Roy's Ark come for the children.  The kids got to pet a lamb, pig, goat, chickens, and snakes among other things.  Adam and I went to watch Emilie and her class.  I had gone with Aubrie the 2 years prior.  She was doing a good job of petting every animal and he brought by the corn snake.  She's the only kid that would pet it and so Mr. Roy asked, "You want to wear him like a necklace??"  She said, "YEP!"

So he put it around her and she froze still.  He left it on her for awhile so everyone could take pictures.  Adam kept saying, "Emilie!  Look at me!  Say cheese!" but she wouldn't move.  He decided to get one to put around her at the dinner table so she would have the same focus.  :)

I'd like to wish my handsome brother, Robbie a Happy Birthday!  I can't believe October is this next week.  Time is flying.  Kyle is now 6 weeks and weighs 12 lbs 15 oz.  He's a big boy.  He loves to lay on his play mat or the bean bag and listen to his sisters play.  They've got it coming once he becomes mobile! 

Love to all! Pin It Now!

Marcie Kindred Photography

I promised to share these a while ago, but never got around to it.  Here are some of the pictures from our session with our friend, Marcie.  She's super talented, her link is on the right side of my page if you want to check her out.  She did a great job of capturing the family in our setting.  AND I can't believe how little Kyle the Crocodile is!

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On our own!

Well folks, this is it.  It's been five weeks and my help left this morning.  Adam and I are now on our own with our 3 lively children.  Dad came to town on Wednesday to meet Kyle.  He calls our children by their number (in Spanish).  Aubrie is Cuatro, Emilie is Seis, and Kyle is lucky number Siete.  It was so good to see him.  I haven't seen him since Easter. 

I've had such a mixture of emotions about my mom and dad leaving.  I probably have said this way too much, but I feel so fulfilled and content with our newest family member and now having a family of five.  Our hearts are so full.  Also, knowing this is my last, I've enjoyed every minute.  Kyle is such a good baby.  He eats so well and is already on a good schedule.  But at the same time, this is the last time my mom is going to come to town and help me get back on my feet after having a baby.  I really cherish the time we have together.  She not only is really helpful, but I have so much fun with her.  Being around us helps her remember things from when she had Robbie and I. 

I loved making my mom a grandma.  They say there is nothing like your own daughter having a baby.  When my mom came into the recovery room after my surgery and Adam was with Kyle in the NICU, she didn't know what I had yet.  So she walked in with big eyes and a big smile and I couldn't wait to tell her.  When I told her we had a boy, she slapped my bed rail, and said, "You did?!" and put her head down and laughed.  She was so excited for us.  It was actually the first time I got to break the news to her.  With Aubrie, I was in recovery for a long time and Adam got to tell her.  With Emilie, she overheard the nurse tell the other nurse that we had a girl before she saw us.  I'm glad I got to finally experience her initial reaction. 

I hate living so far away, but cherish the memories we make when we are all together.  Thanks mom for all your help!  Thanks dad for loaning me mom for all those weeks to help us out.  I love you guys!

So in the meantime, Aubrie has learned how to shake her hips while she sings and dances and it is quite a scene!  I think she is going through a growth spurt.  She ate 3 servings of french toast the other morning, always asks for more food, and even took a 3 hour nap the other day!

This sweet princess went BACK to the doctor on Friday because she still grabs her ear, screams, and is pretty miserable.  Every once in a while, I have to get out her knit hat and let her wear it around the house.  It really helps her out.  The doctor told us to give the medicine 10 days to work, so it looks like I'll be back on Monday because tonight she was quite a little bear. 

Thanks for the shoes Aunt Jackie!  I've already worn a pair to church on Sunday and the girls think they are for them...

The girls being silly for me and Gram.

Here's my big 5 week old!  His head is so strong and we weighed him yesterday and he's 11 lbs 9 oz!  Such a big guy!!

Poppy is here!

Emilie helped Poppy fix the toilet!

Aubrie swung a hammer and helped push the nails back in our fence. 

And in case you were wondering, all is well in the world because I got my first smile this week from sweet baby Kyle.  He's so precious!

Gram's birthday is October 6th and so we stuck a candle in her french toast and sang happy birthday to her. 

Here we are before mom and dad left this morning.  I was a hot mess.  I cried a lot and as a matter of fact, I'm crying now.  Growing up and moving away from home is tough, but that is what we are supposed to do.  I cannot wait to help my three children grow up to be exceptional people and help them when they start their families.  I'm thankful for my family!

I hope everyone is doing well.  Love to all! Pin It Now!

1 month already?!

Time sure is flying.  Today baby Kyle is 1 month old and he's getting so big!  We have a scale at home and he was weighing in at 11 lbs the other day.  He's a really good eater and mostly a good sleeper.  He has some rough nights, but nothing we can't handle. 

Here's a gassy smile from 2 weeks ago.

 Fall is in the air in Nashville.  The weather has cooled down, the sun is setting early and the pool is closed.  Dad was home at just the right time with his paternity leave.  Luckily we went to the pool a couple of days this last week because it closed on Sunday.  Aubrie likes to find goggles and toys that people leave at the pool and wear them.  She says she is an astronaut and won't put her head under the water to look around.  She just likes to strut around in them and looks silly. 

 For Kyle's 1 month birthday, Emilie got him a gift for herself.....an ear infection!!!  The poor thing seemed fine yesterday.  She's had a runny nose off and on but we thought it was mostly allergies since we all have it, but this morning when I went in to get her up, I could tell by her eyes she didn't feel good and she let us know she didn't feel good.  She was grabbing her ear and telling me, "owie!!"  And she screamed...a lot.  She wouldn't let anyone else touch her or help her, she only wanted me.  And so did Kyle.  Luckily Aubrie didn't give a hoot about me.  Our doctor got us in first thing this morning and she let him check her out.  Poor girl.  She'll bounce back soon.

Giving some love to Kyle last weekend

 And here is my little one month old.  He's getting so big.  He loves laying on his playmate and talking to the toys that hang down.  He's getting really good about holding his head up.  But his favorite thing to do is listen for his sisters and try to watch what they are doing.  It's going to be a real circus show around here as soon as those two realize they can make him laugh.  We'll really have a house full of giggles then!

Mom is in town helping me now that Adam is back at work.  Next week my dad will fly into town to hang out with the fam and meet Kyle.  Then it will be just us.  No more free help!  I'm very blessed with lots of friends with generous hearts, so I'm not too worried.  Mom has been great help and I'll really miss her.  She spoils me with french toast and right now she's doing our ironing for us.  She's great with the kids and is the only one who can get Kyle to take his pacifier.  I'll be sending her back home tired and worn out. 

Adam and I are doing well.  We can't describe how full our hearts are and how complete our family feels.  We are so in love with our little boy and our little girls give us so much joy.  We're thankful for our family.  It's been interesting hauling around 3 little ones.  Things can get pretty crazy.  The other day after school, Petey ate Aubrie's sandwich when she was talking to my mom and she flipped out.  At the same time, Emilie was yelling about something and all of the sudden Aubrie declared, "This is a mad house!  This is a horrible house!!!"

She can be pretty dramatic, but I had to laugh.

I hope everyone else's house isn't as mad as ours.  :)  Love to all!

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Crunchy Fall Football Mix

Adam's grandma makes this yummy mix called Christmas Crunch (you can check out the recipe here) and we were looking for a Fall version to make.  Adam loves when I mix just nuts and candy corn to have around for football game snacking, but I was looking for something different this year.  After some searching, I found a couple of recipes I liked and came up with my own.  It makes a lot so if it is for just you and the family, you might want to make half a recipe.  But if you have some friends coming over to hang out and watch the game, go ahead and make the whole batch.  But listen, take a couple of handfuls and stash them away for yourself, because it will go fast!

Crunchy Fall Football Mix

4 cups Golden Graham cereal
2 cups Cocoa Puff cereal
3 cups pretzel sticks
1-1 1/2 cups peanut butter candies like M&Ms or Reese's Pieces
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
16 oz white chocolate baking squares OR vanilla candy coating (I used vanilla.  Kroger sells them in a little tray that you just pop in the microwave and stir.  So easy!)

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cereals, pretzel sticks, candies, and peanuts.  Melt your white chocolate or vanilla coating in the microwave.  It usually states on the package to microwave it for 1 minute and then stir.  Then microwave in 15 second intervals and stir until chocolate is completely melted. (If you by the bar, cut it up into pieces before you microwave.) Then pour it over the top and stir.  Immediately spoon out big chunks onto wax paper laid out on your counter.  The mix will dry in large clumps that are easier for folks to grab a chunk and eat while sitting in front of the t.v.  Once the chocolate has dried/hardened, dump it into a large bowl and watch it quickly disappear!  Enjoy!

We have been holding up well over here.  Adam is on his last week of leave and we are going to go through some serious withdrawals when he goes back to work.  Nobody plays like dad does. 



Emilie took dad some water while he was mowing the lawn last week.  She's a good helper!

 We had company in town last weekend for Labor Day.  Granny and Gaga were here to meet Kyle.  The girls were so excited to see them.  Gaga brought some of our doll house furniture that he fixed and the girls unwrapped it and were so excited to see their chairs that have been missing!  We always have a couple of things for him to fix when he comes to town.

Kyle was sleeping when they got here so they had to wait for him to wake up.  I love the below picture of Adam handing him over to Granny.

It's always nice to have the house full of family.  Granny and mom cooked and everyone held the baby a lot and I got a nap in AND Adam and I even went to the grocery store without any children!

The girls still enjoy Kyle.  They were playing with him the other night while he was on the mat.  Emilie loves giving him tickles and Aubrie loves talking to him.  The other day he was fussing while I was getting her yogurt and I asked her to go over and see if he wanted his pacifier and to talk to him.  She went over there and softly sang a song and he immediately stopped crying and listened for her.  It was so sweet. 

Going from 2 kids to 3 really has been an easier transition than switching to 2 kids.  What is most helpful is that Aubrie and Emilie have each other and they are best friends.  They now go upstairs to the playroom while I clean up breakfast, or go play in my closet and I don't have to entertain anybody.  When we had Emilie, we were Aubrie's play friends and we were constantly having to entertain while taking care of a newborn. 

But really, the hardest transition is having just 1 kid!  I'll never forget how daunting the task of breastfeeding was when we had Aubrie.  All of the sudden, I couldn't go anywhere or do anything without having to feed her every two hours.  I went from only having to worry about myself to worrying about a newborn that I knew nothing about and on top of that, deal with all the things you go through after having a baby:  ugly stretch marks, a large soft stomach, black lines under your eyes from lack of sleep, hormones trying to recover, and breastfeeding.  The list is truly endless.  I look back and laugh about it now and wish that I was more relaxed so I could enjoy it better like I have with Emilie and Kyle.  But it is what it is. 

For all you new moms, hang in there.  You'll feel normal again and you are still beautiful.  Just tired and a little softer in the mid-section than you recall.  Nothing some good exercise can't fix.  And you'll get used to thinking about "us" instead of "me" and pretty soon you'll turn and ask your husband, "What did we do on Saturdays before we had children?" and realize your life was pretty boring before children.  But my favorite part is still coming for me and it will happen to you.  It's the first time your baby looks at you and smiles...intentionally.  Not the gassy smile they do when they sleep.  They will look you in the eyes, smile, and all the lack of sleep, crying, and diaper blow outs they have put you through will go away.  It's priceless! 

The girls started Mother's Day Out (MDO) this week and they were so excited.  They had cuter back to school outfits picked out but Emilie spilled milk and cereal all over her outfit and had to change and Aubrie wanted to be matching so she changed to look like Emilie, too.  We have extra cocoa puffs left over and Adam's let the girls eat them for breakfast.  They call them chocolate ping pong balls. 

When Adam was putting Aubrie down for bed tonight, he said, "Nite nite Aubrie.  What do you want for breakfast tomorrow?" 

She replied, "Chocolate ping pong balls!"   

"Ok babe, see you in the morning.  Nite nite.  Love you."

"Love you Chocolate Ping Pong Ball Eater!"

She cracks us up.  She says some really interesting things.  She also has an imaginary friend/pet.  It's Hello Kitty.  She only has a Hello Kitty shirt and really hasn't been exposed to a lot of Hello Kitty stuff.  But this cat goes to school with her, sits on the floor by her chair while she eats, and says things that makes her laugh.  Tonight Petey got in trouble for laying on top of Hello Kitty. 

For those of you who loved their bags, they are really affordable and I love them.  They are super cute and I can throw them in the washing machine.  I found them on Etsy at a shop called The Monogram Gift Shop and you can check out their site below!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheMonogramGiftShop

I hope everyone is doing well!  Kyle went to the doctor today is now a 10 pound baby and grew 3/4 of an inch!  He's slept good the past two days and we are probably going to transition him into the nursery this next week.  We'll have to see.  Love to all! Pin It Now!