Holiday Dessert Idea

If you like homemade pumpkin pie, you've got to try this. Safeway Select Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream (limited edition)- is absolutely delicious!! It tastes exactly like pie, complete with pieces of graham cracker crusts swirled in. Recipe Idea: Try layering the Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream in a frozen graham cracker pie crust, top with cool whip and freeze. Yum!!

Freedom To Organize

Brady & I are very fortunate to have parents that offer to have the kids on a regular basis so we can get out to have date night, dinner plans with friends or hightail out of town every now and then. For that time I am thankful. This last weekend however was HEAVEN- I was home ALONE! If any of you have had the joy of experiencing a weekend to yourself, you know what I mean. Eat when you want, nap when you want ( 2 1/2 hours), leisurely browse all the departments you don't usually make it to (yes there are a few at Freddy's), and organize, organize, organize. Oh it feels so good! The pantry was the center of my attention for the weekend. Here's how it turned out-

How did it come to this???

Ahh...I love structure!

Slumber Party With The McGowans

All cozy & ready for a story. Notice the little
monkey that bonked his head. Now he gets it!




Tate was so proud of his strength!

Irresistible

Our current theme song "Da na na na na na na na Batman!"

Recap OF Fall 2008

Something about the seasons changing has me scurrying to tye up all loose ends before turning the page. A few things I missed in prior posts: The Lake with the Eyfords, pumpkin patches, wine making, date night with the Bankes, more fun in the leaves, catching up with my dear Puyallup friends, Halloween & oh...a much needed weekend HOME ALONE!!! Thanks Babe! Now that we're caught up, I feel like I can decorate the tree:)

Still Roundin' Down!



Brady turned 33 on October 27th! I had the crazy idea to have a fondue party to celebrate. I had no prior fondue experience, nor did I have a pot. You know how that saying goes right?? After doing some frantic research I was able to come up with 6 pots, several great recipes, & a bit of confidence. It turned out to be an absolute blast & great social event (as opposed to sitting at a stuffy table). The highlight of the night was the cork throwing competition. 2 1/2 hours & several cash transactions later we had a winner. Who would have thought???

Fall Colors

It has become a tradition every year to head down to 10th street for Fall photos. The boys love collecting acorns & chestnuts and running through the crisp leaves. My plan is to eventually compile all the pictures of past seasons for a running collage. It's truly amazing how much they grow in a year!

1st Day Of Kindergarten

We're off to a great start! Brady & I dropped Tate off this morning for his first day of Kindergarten. He carried his backpack with confidence and entered his new class with a smile! For those of you who know how much Tate likes his special compartments, you can imagine how excited he was to store his supplies away in his locker.

I've made many lunches for my children over the last 5 1/2 years, but it was nothing like packing a "school lunch". I wanted it to be special, something to look forward to if per chance he was missing home. I stopped yesterday and picked up a boat shaped cookie cutter intending to use for his sandwich. I didn't work great on the bread, so I used a heart instead. I figured I could get away with it before he makes buddies...I'm sure Brady will be shopping for a new cookie cutter this weekend!

We are really looking forward to this school year. Excited for all of Tate's new adventures, looking forward to some 1 on 1 time with Crue, and getting back into a routine.