Dining Room Disaster?

Not really.

Ben playing with friends Miki and Malia Cook

The kids have moved their train building inside. It used to be in the garage until it got too cold. Now they build, take down, rebuild, repeat all in the dining room and kitchen. We've had friends, insurance agents, customers, and family step over and around these train parts. And it really isn't that big of a disaster. They play together so well, for the most part. It occupies their time and expands their imaginations. I do kick them out of the kitchen area where I cook, but I don't mind stepping over the tracks because they use it so much.

One time after we had just had dinner with the missionaries, I heard Paul, Ben and Claire talking about going on missions with their trains. I didn't think they were necessarily talking about church missions until I heard Paul say, "I've got two cars with Visiting Teachers! Two cars with Visiting Teachers!" Funny!

"Apple!"

We were at Grandma Erickson's one night for dinner. Lainey took the tomato from the table and said, "Apple!" She then took several bites and kept saying apple. It was so funny and she thought it tasted great. I remember picking tomatoes right from the plant and chomping into them like that when I was younger.

Falling into Leaves

Grandma and Grandpa Erickson have a huge maple tree in their front yard.

We just had to go over and jump in their leaves. There were plenty.

We had to sit in the tree for a bit.

We had to throw the leaves A LOT!

We had to run and play and have tons of fun!

Lainey loved her first time in the leaves.

Secret Salon

Benjamin cut his hair. I caught him with the scissors and he fed me some story about cutting paper. It wasn't until a little later in the day that I realized that he cut his hair right off. Yep, right in front.

I told him his punishment was letting me take his picture.
He didn't much like me doing that.

This is the way we pout

Here's how Lainey acts when we say no. She hangs her head in such a dramatic fashion and slumps over like all her strength has left her. Right now, it's funny.

Park: Fully Loaded

The park is now open for play.
And it's a pretty good one too; there's quite a lot to do.
Good thing they finished it just in time for winter. :)

Happy Thankful Day!

This is what I love about the holidays. Lots of people weaving in and out of each other as we fill our plates and help the little ones do the same. We hosted Thanksgiving this year for Jason's family and it turned out nice. It's wonderful to have a big, open gathering area.

Grace and Emma were more than happy to oblige when it came time to eat pie.

All the little cousins waiting so nicely while we took turns

sharing one thing we were grateful for.

Our lovely pies...Yum!

The kids could hardly wait for their piece of pie.
The chocolate pudding pie was their favorite.

Lainey became best friends with Hannah,

who was more than happy to hold her and carry her around.

Prepping Pies

We had Jason's mom and dad come over for a night of pie making. Emma and Paul had a lot of fun watching, helping, and rolling out their own pie crust.

Emma and Paul had fun rolling out their own little pie crusts.

"Lainey, Pray!"

Lainey has learned to strike a praying pose.
We love to say, "Lainey, Pray!" and watch her
fold her arms and bow her head. Such a cute, fun age.

We're making our lists...

They loved looking through the Target and Walmart toy catalogs that were sent out in preparation for Black Friday. We don't watch regular TV, so they haven't seen any toy commercials. They were in heaven.

Weekly Ads: A Couponer's Friend

Jason and I have been trying to coupon more to save money on our household and grocery items. Well, on anything we can really but you see the greatest results in those areas. We have a friend who shares her coupon abundance with us. We are grateful that she does. :) It is a lot of fun!

Sound Reading

This looks like a great choice of leisurely reading, right?

But it must be, she's so intent.

You have to look at it from every angle. It's better that way.

Good Morning Providence Lane

Up in the morning :: Great Sunrise

Playing in the tree box

We got the tree out early. I know - shame! shame!

I just couldn't help myself this year.


Needless to say, the box was the favorite thing to play in.

First Snow of the Season

We got our first real snow of the season. It really didn't stick around that long, but the kids still had fun playing in it.

Our abandoned truck yard

Oh the wonder of falling snowflakes!

A little pampering

Lainey decided that she needed a little pampering. So she sent herself to the couch to rest. She pulled up a pillow and had me spread her blanket out over her. It's funny because she will still move her torso in dance to any music that plays when she's laying down like this.

new treat tried

I tried a new treat.

Once I got it figured out, it was very good.



Here's the recipe for any who would like to try it.
I got it from this site.
http://howdoesshe.com/munchy-crunchy-crazy-yummy/
Goose Crunch
1 cup mini marshmallows
2-3 cups crushed pretzels
1 cup M&M’s
4 cups white chocolate
Cinnamon Sugar & Melted Semi-Sweet Chocolate for drizzling
1 batch Caramel Corn
1/8 tsp. kosher salt (optional)
Mix Marshmallows, M&Ms and pretzels with cooled caramel corn. Melt white chocolate. Pour over mixture mixing until completely coated. Spread on parchment covered cookie sheets. Lightly sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Cool & drizzle with semi-sweet chocolate.
Caramel Popcorn
15 cups popped popcorn
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
¼ cup corn syrup
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
Preheat oven to 200 degrees. In medium saucepan combine butter, sugar, corn syrup & salt. Heat on medium, stirring occasionally. When bubbles appear, cook for 5 more minutes without stirring. Remove from heat & stir in baking soda. Mix with popcorn until coated. Place on 2 greased cookie sheets. Cook for 1 hour turning every 15 minutes.

Nothing Like Pumpkin Pie

We've been making lots of pumpkin pie around here.
We just can't get enough of it. Jason's usually the one at the mixer too.

Ethan's Baptism

Emma's cousin, Ethan, got baptized today.
He's the last one before it's Emma's turn. We're getting excited!

Life's a Mess....

...sometimes.

She makes me think that she'll follow in her brother's footsteps.
This reminds me of Benjamin at her age, getting into trouble.

Sometimes you don't want to face it...

...other times you embrace it.

My Happy Birthday Gift

Jason's mom made me these nifty potholders for my birthday. I guess they were used on Rachel Ray. They are connected in the middle so you don't burn your arms. I know, clever!

Full Toy Access, Almost!

They are almost ready to open the toys.

We can hardly wait!

Fly like an Airplane

We just couldn't stay away. We went over to the park, because the toys are almost done, and played a little...on the grass even. :)

We walked.

We ran.

We danced and laughed.

We flew like airplanes,

and walked the far reaches of the park.

We admired the grass once again.

Oh what fun to play at the park!