Cupcakes and Monkeys

I had four little monkeys for a few hours the other day, so what better way to entertain than let them make cupcakes? They loved it! One of the little monkeys went around the table and ate everyone's leftovers, but I won't say who...





Maddie had a mouth full before she iced it!

Our other baby's birthday

Happy 7th birthday DJ!

A special visit

I took the kids to visit Ms. Linda today. She took care of Maddie Grace for the first 18 months of her life. She is so special to us! When Maddie was just a few weeks old, Ms. Linda and I came to the agreement that we wanted to call my sweet girl "Maddie Grace". Marty and I had never planned to call her by a double name, but Linda and I agreed that it suited her. It still does!

Big Boy Bed

During the Christmas craziness, Preston's big boy furniture came in. We weren't expecting it to arrive so quickly! I still haven't bought his bedding. I borrowed the mattress off of Maddie's trundle just so he could get used to sleeping on it. Guess who wants to sleep on the top bunk?

Christmas Morning

Our Christmas didn't quite work out as planned. My parents made it to our house a few days early, but my sister's family was supposed to come on Christmas Day. The crazy amount of snow at their house didn't allow them to make the trip. We were pretty bummed. We made the most of our day, and the kids loved thier new toys.

Preston and Maddie asked for guitars for Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, we learned that Preston told his class that he was getting a "big bike". That was the first Marty or I had heard about that, but thankfully Santa came through!
Bath robe and rain boots
We love Mamaw!

AND we love Papaw!!
I don't know why we keep buying ball pits. They don't last very long!
Mommy must have been good this year!

Greeting Tree

I found room for a 6th Christmas tree this year: our entry way. I took a skinny tree and decorated it with ornaments that Marty and I have collected since we got married. We filled in the rest of the tree with Christmas cards from family and friends. The kids loved getting cards in the mail then picking spots on the tree to place them. It was a fun way to display all the pictures!

We found our elf, Ho-ho, hiding in the tree.
My parents gave me the train that they used around our family tree when I was growing up. I was able to use just a few pieces of the track to fit this tree, and it was a hit!

Santa

Maddie's friend Koko had a surprise guest at her birthday party! Maddie ran to the door to look for Santa's sleigh and Rudolph.

A Party for Jesus

We had our annual Birthday Party for Jesus party before Christmas. Each family brings new unwrapped toys to donate in honor of Jesus' birth. We had lots of crafts, and we read the story of Jesus' birth to the kids. Their favorite part is singing "Happy Birthday" and eating the cake for Jesus! We hope this tradition will teach our children the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

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!