Last wedding of the Season

 Erik and Jodi's wedding

OMG- could I have asked/imagined having a cuter child!!!!!!!!!!!  I think she gets more adorable as each day passes:) 

We celebrated our last wedding of the season - Brian's brother, Erik, married the love of his life, Jodi, this weekend.  Their story is a beautiful, classic epic that began in highschool, ended for several years but then re-connected a few years ago!  They have loved each other for over 20 years and we were lucky enough to share the moment they were able to commit to each other for the rest of their lives.  It was an amazing ceremony that brought tears to my eyes and made me thankful to witness that moment. 

Why Carve Pumpkins?

I found this to be an interesting little story I just came across when trying to find a recipe for pumpkin seeds and thought I would share with all of you:)

The story of the Jack o'Lantern comes from Irish folklore. Jack was a crafty farmer who tricked the Devil into climbing a tall tree. When the Devil reached the highest branch, Jack carved a large cross in the trunk, making it impossible for the Devil to climb down.

In exchange for help getting out of the tree, the Devil promised never to tempt Jack with evil again. When Jack died, he was turned away from Heaven for his sins and turned away from Hell because of his trickery. Condemned to wander the earth without rest, Jack carved out one of his turnips, took an ember from the devil, and used it for a lantern to light his way. He became known as "Jack of the Lantern."

15 month appt

Evie went to her 15 month dr appt today.  All went well except she is still having a lot of trouble with her skin and we now have even more creams to lather her up with! 
She weighed in at 26lbs = 90th %, 33 inches long = 95th%, and her head size is in the 95th%.  She is now wearing exclusively 2T outfits and I am amazed at how much she is growing.  She is starting to slim down and you can actually see a well defined stomach and a couple of rib bones but it is still hard to lug a 26lb toddler around.  She is also walking very good, is cutting another tooth and made it through the last 3 shots she needs.  She also has a great vocabulary - She can now point at something and say "SEE" to show me what she is interested in, she also asks to sit on the couch with us but standing in front of  us and yelling "SIT" (I am trying to add Please to that sentence so it is less of a demand and more of a question:), Tree, Rockabye, tickle, doggy, cheese, and many other words escape her mouth through out the day. 

Sleepy Girl

My sleepy little girl!! There are certain days Evie takes two naps - she will wake up at 6:30- take a nap at 9:30 for half an hour, then another nap around 1:30 for two hours.  I like this schedule most days but when we are out running around or at a playdate Evie will miss her morning nap and usually holds up until 12 when she finally falls asleep in any position, in the middle of whatever we were doing (today it was eating lunch:)!  I figure I am not going to push Evie to change - if she wants two naps one day but only one the next - that is cool with me as long as she is a happy camper and can make it through meal time.

Halloween Bash!!

Evie is throwing a Halloween Bash for all of her friends - if you didn't get an invite but want to come - stop on by October 30th at 3:00pm.  I love Halloween- I love the decorations, Garfield's Halloween Special, the candy, and anything associated with the holiday except for dressing up.  I love seeing all the adorable children costumes and I enjoy adults that relish in becoming a new character for a day but I do not like dressing up - I can never figure out what to be and then it never looks the way I want it to.  Luckily this party will satisfy my desire to celebrate Halloween but will also allow me to go as myself, which is the best costume of all - MOM! 

So this spooktacular event will have a couple of trick or treating stations where the children can knock on a door and receive a treat (so far I have goody bags that will include a toothbrush and an apple, Halloween books and Marissa will be providing plush monsters).  There will also be cider, cupcakes and yummy snacks.  I think Evie will be dressing up as a little fairy - I have a purple too too and wings for her, which will cost me nothing and  will look absolutely adorable!!! 
On another note, my lovely child just climbed up her high chair so she could eat her leftovers from snack time and got stuck - OMG- she is going to give me a heart attack one of these days:)

Jam

Evie and I just made an amazing batch of Caramel Apple Jam - yummy!!

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2009/09/02/caramel-apple-jam/

Cupcakes

Since becoming unemployed I have tried to find productive ways to spend my days - one of the recent things I have found to be extremely fun is cooking/baking.  I wanted to share some very fun, delicious cupcake recipes I have recently made:

Evie's first B-day cupcake- http://patentandthepantry.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/applesauce-spice-cupcakes/

Aunt Sharon's rehersal dinner cupcakes- http://www.fun-tea-party-ideas.com/black-forest-cupcakes.html
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/red-velvet-cupcakes-3/detail.aspx
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Special-Mocha-Cupcakes
http://joylicious.net/2011/06/27/strawberry-cheesecake-cupcakes-2/ (these were my favorites)

Jams and butters- http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pineapple-Kiwi-Jam/Detail.aspx
http://www.pickyourown.org/cherrybutter.php
http://www.agway.com/know_how/lawn_and_garden/canning/black_cherry_espresso_jam_recipe.html
http://www.patchworktimes.com/2009/09/02/caramel-apple-jam/
I have also made regular applesauce, peach butter, apple butter, strawberry jam, blueberry jam, microwave pickles and homemade yogurt!  I have been very productive this summer and as Brian says "We are all ready for the Zompocalpse", which is a combination of his Zombie nightmares and my obsession over the 2012 apocalpse:)