...a December Birthday

We celebrated Morgan's 2nd birthday last weekend in Carrollton. Grayson helped decorate with some of the "40" balloons Jamie ordered. I have to admit, they were very festive!
The party theme was centered around the children's movie "UP". In the movie the character's house is lifted up and carried away by hundreds of balloons. Since Morgan already had a huge cardboard house (an earlier birthday present), the only thing needed were lots of balloons!!!

Doesn't Grayson make a cute balloon man?

There were balloons everywhere!

When Morgan woke up from his nap he was surprised to see all of the balloons in the house. He couldn't wait for the party to begin, balloons are just so much fun!

We tied party treats to the balloons so they wouldn't float up and away!

The kids made cute door signs to take home and hang on their bedroom doors.

The cake was so fun. Daddy Joel put the foam house together for the top of the cake (isn't he talented!) and we tied balloons to the chimney. It fit the party theme perfectly.

When we sang "Happy Birthday" to Morgan he looked so cute looking around the room at everyone. He wasn't quite sure what was going on, I don't think.

He sure is eyeing that cake, though! He's been to enough birthday parties to know that he does like icing!

He's getting pretty excited now, I think he knows what is coming next.

A big grin, two candles, and one big wish...

...waiting for mommy to cut the cake.

Finally, a piece of birthday cake, or rather, a big glob of icing!

Happy Birthday, Morgan. We love you!

YUM!!!

....fun at Nienie's

wrestling with uncle kk
being held in a head lock by uncle kk

trying to escape from uncle kk

chillin' with aunt kelsey and playing on her phone

watching cartoons from the bed

notice the tiny christmas tree in the background,

beautifully decorated by g and m

painting a cool picture

playing a game on Nienie's iphone

trying to "climb" up the inflated mattress daddy

propped up against the wall

sliding down

trying to get all of the buddies to "climb" up the mattress

(after nienie said, "let's don't jump and slide down the mattress,

someone might get hurt")

buddies are no longer "climbing"

now they're being "tossed" up the mattress:)

and yes, the zebra tent is up again! these boys really know how to entertain their nienie.

and....look who doesn't look so much like a puppy

anymore.

she's getting so big and has such a sweet personality!!!

Outside Fun...

I always enjoy the kids visits over the holidays since it gives us several extended days to be together. This year was extra enjoyable for me since the hubby and I have been "kid- less" in the house since August. G and M had fun in the back yard while enjoying some fresh air. They are absolutely the sweetest little boys!!!

And now, M can join big brother on the swings!

He's holding on tight so Nienie can let go of him long enough to take pics.

G is "King of the Swing Set" thanks to the cool stick he found nearby.

I just love these boys to pieces!!!

Aren't those the sweetest faces? I think so!!!

Our Spookey House...

Anticipation.....
We had so much fun decorating the Halloween House.....

.......and watching

.....and taking turns

...and sharing

.....and creating

.....and squirting icing

.....and admiring our work!!!

Fall Break Fun....

Kelsey and I made a much needed trip to see the grand kids over fall break. We had to leave Caleb behind in Norman to begin his new job, yeah for Caleb! But, we sure missed him tagging along with us. The boys looked liked they had grown soooo much since we had last seen them!
Just look at those sweet faces!!! Jamie had been saving gallon milk cartons for a Halloween decoration, so soon after we got there--out came the markers. Jamie, Kelsey, and Grayson showed off their drawing talents!

We laughed so hard watching Grayson draw a face on the carton, he was having a blast!

The idea is to draw Halloween faces, cut a small opening in the back to insert tiny stringed lights inside and then put them outside in the yard or on the porch.

Grayson is really concentrating, trying not to giggle.

I was very impressed with Kelsey's faces, she really got creative.

And, she did a GREAT job!

I forgot to get a picture of them on the front porch all lit up! I'll have to beg one from Jamie. I'll post pics of our cookie house soon. Happy Halloween, everyone!

Apple Dumplings Supreme

By request, I'm adding the recipe for Apple Dumplings. I got the recipe out of a Quilter's Recipe Book I have had for years. Along with my favorite cookie recipe book, it's one of my all time faves. The recipes all call for common ingredients you most likely would have on hand in your kitchen, and the recipes always turn out yummy!

Apple Dumplings Supreme

Pastry:

2 1/4 cups sifted flour

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup shortening

5 T cold water

(I cheated, I used refrigerated pre-made dough)

Apples:

6 medium tart apples

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 T butter

Syrup:

1 cup sugar

2 cups water

4 T water

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1. To prepare pastry sift together flour and salt. Cut in shortening. Add cold water and form into a ball. Roll dough out into large rectangle and cut into 6 equal squares.

2. Peel and core apples. Place whole apple in center of each square.

3. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and fill cavity of each apple with this mixture.

4. With water moisten 4 points of each pastry square and bring opposite points up over apple, overlapping them. Seal well. Arrange about 2 inches apart in 9" X 13" baking pan.

5. To prepare syrup combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Pour hot syrup over apples.

6. Bake at 425* for 40-45 minutes.

ENJOY!!!