Let it snow!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Maddie, Olivia, and I made some great cupcakes today. Thanks Lori for sharing your recipe! Here it is:

Cake:
4 eggs
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Icing:
8-ounce package cream cheese softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars. (Recipe makes 6 dozen mini cupcakes, and we baked them for 15 minutes)

To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars or cupcakes.

Just hangin

The kids made a "car" out of a lemon box
Maddie made herself a comfy spot while watching Sprout

Trick or Treat!

Buzz Light Year and our Lipgloss Fairy Ballerina had a great Halloween! Maddie created her character all by herself. Buzz had a great time showing off his back pack. With the push of a button, the wings go up or down, and they light up. One little boy asked if he could take a picture with Buzz. So cute.

Fall Festivities

We have had a really fun weekend! We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday, and the kids were worn out when we got home. There was so much to do. We hope you enjoy the pictures!

The barrel train





The big pipe slide
Preston hauled a tractor...
...to the top of the hill...
...only to ride it down...
...with no one to catch him...
...a true Arwood (my maiden name) with the tongue out!

Teeter-tottering
with Rachel and her niece
Guess who went back for more
on a bigger tractor


Preston's turn to slide



Dancing to the music
We'll be back for more next year!

Marty and I attended a fund raiser for the March of Dimes tonight. We don't get dressed up very often, so I thought we should capture the evening!

Scout's 8th Birthday

My kids aren't scared of anything. Their dare devil side was apparent at Scout's birthday party. It was held at a great gymnastics arena, and my kids loved every minute.
The trampoline jump
The foam pit
Um, yea, he wanted to do it too
He kept swinging so all the kids had to yell "let go"
Ready for the Zipline

Not to be left behind...

This was a big drop
Maddie's turn

Fall Fes-ti-bal

Our preschool had a Fall Festival this weekend. All morning, Preston kept asking when we could go to the "fes-ti-bal". We also had Bryson for the day, so we loaded up for a tractor ride, face painting, and fall fun!
Treat in a haystack
Fishin' for treats
A rocket...
...and a kitty
Boys with Buzz Lightyear
The craft table

Guess the gooey mess (Bryson confirmed the yellow stuff was Jell-O after he licked his hand)