Catching up.....

Here is a look back at our month of October.

Freckles and Ashley share a bed, and I just though this was cute. Freckles is a spoiled little dog that is lifted up to bed nightly and as you can see she gets her own side of the bed. She is a sweet little dog. (and getting REALLY fat!) Ashley had about 6 friends over for a little Halloween get together. I had my camera in my pocket, but only got 3 pics. They had a great time. We made a fire outside to sit around and tell ghost stories, bobbed for apples, and ate goodies. There was lots of screaming and giggling and they had a good time.

The menu consisted of cupcakes, PB&J sandwiches, pretzels, red Velvet and cream cheese icing cake pops dipped in green candy melts, popcorn, candy corn, m&m's, caramel apples and orange witches brew. YUMMY. Cake balls are my new favorite thing.

Henry and I took a much needed weekend along to Red River the 2nd week of October. They were having Octoberfest that weekend. We grabbed this from a food vender for lunch one day, and It was soooo good. Pulled pork nachos with hot jalapenos.

We stayed at Lifts West this year. We have never stayed there before. Here is Henry with our place right behind him. We had a balcony overlooking the park where the Octoberfest festivities were. It was a nice relaxing weekend.

The last night we were there we drove to this little area with our grill and cooked out in this little park. It was perfect. We had steak, baked potatoes and bread with chocolate cookies for dessert. There was a Momma dear with 3 babies just up from where we cooked and the air was cool and it was wonderful.

Had to include this cheesy self taken pic of us....when there is no one else to take a pic you gotta do what you gotta do to make a memory. HAHA

Had some yummy margarita's while sitting on the balcony overlooking the beautiful mountains.

This was a view from our balcony the night we arrived. The park is where Octoberfest was.

Ashley also started volleyball session 1. My pictures never turn out at the Courts of Amarillo, so this is the best one I had. You can kinda see her in there. They lighting is not good there. They had a great coach this year and learned a lot of new things. She is also coaching session 2 which just started. She is going to be ready for try outs next year. I have no doubt we have a volleyball future with her. She is a good player and she loves it so much. We are truly proud of her.

Homecoming was October 1 and it's a big deal out here. I made Ashley's mum and had a great time doing it. It has been a long time since I have done anything crafty. I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to what I can do next year.

Well that is what's been going on here. All is well and we are all sill alive, just don't seen to have a lot of time these days. Looking forward to Christmas break.....................

Look out 6th grade....

This year like every year, I tell myself that I'm not going to cry on the first day of school. But sadly like every other year....I cried. As we were sitting in the car waiting on the bus, Ashley looked at me and said "Don't do it mom...Don't do it" and yep I did it. Even though it gets loud and messy with both of the kids at home during the summer, and I get tired of hearing "I'm bored" and "there's nothing to do" a million times. I STILL ENJOY HAVING THEM WITH ME!

I love not having to follow a strict routine or enforce bedtime. That stuff gets so old so fast.
I know it's only 2 years until I have them both in school and will be thinking what will I do now....I'm definitely sure I can find something to do while they are gone.

To my sweet Ashley,
I hope this year brings you lots of great times and memories.
Enjoy it because you will miss your school days so much one of these days.
You are such a bright and talented young lady, continue to grow and strive to be the very best you can be.
GO WILDCATS!
6th grade ROCKS!

What more can I say?

When the kids are home, I've gotta do much more baking and cooking than I do when school is in session. I found this easy sticky bun recipe the other day and it has been requested for breakfast several times already. It really is good and easy. I will put this down for fast school morning breakfasts.Sticky buns:

Topping

1/4 c melted butter

1/4 c packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 cup chopped pecans...Ashley doesn't like them so I left them out.

Buns:

1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 can Pillsbury flaky layers biscuits

Heat oven to 375

in ungreased 8 inch round pan place 1/4 cup melted butter, stir in brown sugar and corn syrup until well blended...sprinkle with nuts

in small bowl place 1 1/2 tablespoons of melted butter and in another small bowl all the sugar and cinnamon. Dip each biscuit into the butter and then roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

Arrange in round pan

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or til golden brown. cool 2 minutes, turn upside down onto serving plate...let pan remain 1 minute so caramel can drizzle over rolls. serve warm!

Cucumber DIP.....

This is so simple, yet one of my most favorite dips that my mom has made my whole life. I love it on crackers or chips, and it is even really good to make a sandwich spread out of it with some extra sliced cucumbers.
use one block of cream cheese

cucumber

I used a fresh cucumber that I got from my In laws garden and left the skin on it, but I don't like the skin of store bought cucumbers...they are waxy!

grate your cucumber on the large side of the grater and add it to your softened cream cheese and mix well. I used a medium sized cucumber, it is really your preference. Add salt and pepper to taste and let your flavors "marry" in the fridge for a couple hours.

SOOOO GOOD!

She Just Takes the Tractor Another Round....

Before this hit...We had to do a little of this first. This was Ashley's first lawn mowing experience, and she did a pretty good job. Now you notice I did say "pretty good". She missed a few spots and she did nearly take out a bush and crashed into our concrete tree rings....oh and her lines were a little crooked, but overall she was a big help.
With all three of us out there doing our part, we finished the lawn work just before the big storm hit and put down some great water to green up the lawn.

Hello Again

Well it seems like it has been forever since I've updated about what is going on around our household. The summer started out pretty busy around here, but has finally slowed down some. I just love summer. No schedules to follow, sleeping in a little and no homework to help with. On the down side the noise can get pretty loud around here....especially when Charlie and Ashley start getting on each others nerves. That is when I wanna jump in the car and head to work. HAHA We started our summer off with a long anticipated family Vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando. We had a wonderful time. It was hot and humid, very crowded but so much fun. We saw lots of fun stuff and had 7 full days of sun and fun, but were ready to come home to our own beds and less humidity.
This little guy had a tough time in the heat...he just turned beet red and his little head would sweat, but that didn't keep him down. He wanted in on all the action for sure. Here he is at Ridemakerz in Downtown Disney. This was a fun place that you get to build a custom remote control car. He got a little blue hot rod and loves to crash it all over the place. Ashley also built one...hers is a pink hot rod with custom wheels and lights. They really had a lot of fun doing this, and I gave us a break from the Florida sun for a little while.

Another first for this trip was Charlie's first airplane ride...let's just say it was an experience that I'm not ready to do again for a while! Look how beautiful this is. I love all the landscaping around there.

Another milestone that kicked off our summer was Conner's graduation. Oh goodness I just cant believe he has grown up so fast. I was 18 when he was born and now he is about to embark on a new chapter in his life! I love this kid so much, and it was a bit hard watching him walk across that stage to receive his high school diploma! I know great things are in store for him. He is a great young man! Congratulations Conner, we are so proud of you!