pumpkin cookies...mmmm....

There is something about these cookies that just capture everything wonderful about this time of year. Pumpkin, spice, cream cheese frosting, the perfect comfort food. If I could remember where I originally got this recipe I would give credit where it is due. Try this recipe, it is unbelievably good!

1/2 c. butter, soft
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 c. pumpkin
2 1/4 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. ginger
1/4 t. cloves

1 c. raisins (opt.)
1 c. walnuts (opt.)

Cream butter and sugars together. Add eggs, vanilla and pumpkin; blend well.
Mix in all dry ingredients. Stir in nuts and raisins if desired.
Drop onto cookie sheet, bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes (until *almost* set in middle, don't overbake). Cool on cookie sheet, frost when completely cooled.

Frosting:

1/4 c. soft butter
1 8oz pack of cream cheese, soft
1 t. vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar (one cup at a time)

collecting leaves

Collecting leaves in the fall is completely necessary. There is something so breathtaking about the colors, sounds and smells outside in late September and all of October. One particularly beautiful afternoon I took Maddy and Luke out to find some leaves.

Luke found many tiny leaves, which he saved for his baby Gabe.


Maddy found a pretty red one.


These are the favorites of the day.


There was fungus growing in the damp grass, and I told them not to touch the fungus. Luke then started singing, "Don't touch the mungus! Don't touch the mungus!"


Did you know it is also necessary to have mints and a sword with you while collecting leaves?

Question of the Day

Riding home in the car today:

Luke: "mommy, what does God eat for breakfast?"

me: "ummmmm....I'm not sure honey, let me get back to you on that."

He's four!!

Birthdays are kind of a big deal around here...and for 5 months of the year we have one right after the other. 3 in June, 1 in August, 1 in September and 2 in October. Whew!

Luke's was October 5th, and we had a great time celebrating with him. For his party with the family, all he wanted was to go to Chuck E Cheese, so we had a Spiderman themed fun time there. (Remind me never to go there on a Sunday afternoon again, ok? Thanks.)



The one tradition we have with our kids on their special day, is to let them choose the menu of the day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner is totally up to them. Luke's was truly unique this year. Breakfast was Cinamelts from McDonald's. Have you ever had those? They are delicious. David went in to order them early in the morning and said he needed 9 of them. The girl working at McD's was like, "did you say nine?" For lunch we had C.E.C pizza and then for dinner...Luke wanted Blinnas. They are like a sourdough pancake that is a recipe from my dad's grandmother, passed down. We have never had them for dinner though! I think this birthday boy was in heaven!



For a cake (yes, we all had a stomach ache at the end of the day) he wanted chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips. (a chocolate lover like his mommy!) He also dipped his face in it.



Ah, like I said in Maddy's birthday post, I wish they would just stop growing up. But apparently I am out of luck in that area. Luke is such a wonderful boy. He is full of spunk and energy, but also full of tenderness and love. His smile and laugh bring life to any room. His hugs and kisses melt my heart. I am so excited to see what the future holds for him.

wordless wednesday

She's 6!!

I keep telling them to just stop growing up, but they don't listen! Maddy turned 6 back on September 30. She had such a great time celebrating with friends at the Young Chef's Academy and again with family on her actual special day. Everything pink for this little girl!



Her big gift was her very first American Girl doll, Kit.



Our third baby, second daughter.
She's funny and has a great laugh.
She's sweet and cares about others.
I often hear her say, "mommy, can I help you?"
Her two little brothers adore her.
She's smart and reads so well.
Her smile lights up the room.
I love you Mads.

< < < rewind

The past 6 weeks or so have passed in a flurry of activity and busyness. We have had many noteworthy events come and go, and though I do take many pictures fully intending to share them with family and friends, I have not actually taken time to post them here on my blog! So this week will be a rewind week. I will share some of the fun things we have been up to since the start of the school year, and *hopefully* will get back into the bloggy swing of things around here! (that rhymed!)

First...a picture of a VERY sweet little boy starting preschool. Doesn't he look like a big boy?

Celebrating the little things...

Today is our 16th dating anniversary! We have liked each other for more than half of our lives...and we still do! Happy anniversary, honey!