Pumpkin Carving

Madigan loved carving pumpkins this year. Last year we took some videos that she watched for months. This year we got one pumpkin and all chose a facial feature-Mom chose the eyes, Madigan chose the nose, etc.
Halloween is so different with a 3 year old. She's into ALL of it!-from the costumes to pumpkins to decorations.

Walk with Dad

This weekend, Mom needed an hour to herself so Dad and Madigan went for a walk. Madigan took her doll stroller and pushed it almost the entire way. I'm going to be so sad when she outgrows this pink hat- I absolutely LOVE that hat on her.

Pumpkin Patch 2009

We headed to the pumpkin patch this weekend- it was a blustery windy day and the farm was very muddy. We didn't skimp any part of the outing knowing it is what it is.

First up; hay bale maze and teepees:
Both Mom and Dad sought warmth inside the kid sized maze.


The hayride out to the pumpkins:

Pumpkin picking:


And the final pumpkin chosen. (We decided to only get one this year.)

And a look to the past:
2007:



2008:
More in the archives in you want to look back.... I couldn't resist. I find myself looking through photos so often these days.

Recipe Sharing 2

I made this cake tonight- it's delicious! I used mini chocolate chips and subbed some of the white flour with whole wheat pastry flour (left out the nuts altogether) and it's super yummy!

Autumn Apple-Chocolate Cake
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 T. cocoa
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup soft butter or margarine
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup water
1 cup chopped nuts, optional
2 cups grated apples
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan. In medium bowl mix together all dry ingredients. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time and beat for one minute each. Add water and blend well. Gradually add flour mixture and beat until fluffy. Fold in nuts, apples, chocolate chips and vanilla. Spoon into pan. Bake about 1 hour. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Recipe Sharing 1

We made this coffee cake over the weekend and it was perfect for the single digit temperature weather we had! I tried to type it up, but blogger is having some problems with my formatting--ugh. If you want to try this, but can't print it (or figure out how to print it), email me and I will send it in an email to you.

First Ballet Class

Today was Madigan's first ballet class. She seemed to loved it. On our way out, she said "Mom, I want to come here again." She seemed to be able to keep up with the other girls who all started before her.
I just couldn't choose which video to post so here's all 4! Turn your volume DOWN, since the other moms were talking while I filming and it's nothing exciting.

Marching Band Wanna-be

Olivia Forms a Band is one of Madigan's favorite books right now. AND the high school marching band recently went down our street!! It was an evening Paige was over so the girls and I ran from the back yard and followed the band up and down our street for almost a half an hour. IT WAS THE BIGGEST DEAL around here for quite a while. So between the book and the real marching band, Madigan's been pretty excited about being her own band. This past weekend as we were trapped inside with cold temps, Dad helped outfit her with some marching band attire.