Introducing THE PUMPKIN! :)

Mom let Emma help her scoop out the pumpkin to make pumpkin pie. Emma worked really hard helping Gigi scoop the pumpkin out. She had fun! :) It was sweet!

(note: Mom and Emma had been walking Emma's doll, Chatty Cathy (she named her) outside and the rains came down...hence the wet hair!)

Favorite Chicken Recipe

I thought I'd post some of my favortie recipes every once in a while. I made this chicken for dinner tonight. It was one of my favorite recipes...so easy and yummy! Moist Drumsticks (I should have taken a pic...sorry) 3 pounds skinless chicken drumsticks (I leave the skin on) 1 can (8oz) tomato sauce 1/2 c soy sauce 1/4 c packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon minced garlic 3 tablespoons cornstarch (I don't use) 1/4 c cold water (I don't use) Rinse drumsticks and place in a 5-qt slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours (or high 2-3 hours) or until chicken juices run clear. Remove chicken and keep warm. (I don't do the following but you can if you want!) Strain cooking juices. In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir in juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with chicken. We just keep the juices as they are in the crockpot and pour them over our chicken and rice. Sides: wild rice green beans and or salad roasted acorn squash rolls/biscuit/croissant

Pics are coming soon...

I have some cute pics of Mom and Emma that I will be posting soon...

The "Real" School Pictures

I posted the proofs of Emm'as school pictures a while back. Now we are the "real" ones and I thought I would share. They turned out so good! :) I think my very favorite is the last one. The first one is cute too! :) I can't believe my baby will be three in just a few short weeks!!!

Happy (early) Birthday Sweet Emma!!!

The table for the Operation Christmas Child boxes.

The "prizes" aka favors Drinks

Popcorn & Refreshments (to come - hotdogs & nachos)

Keeping with the Carnival Theme

The Bouncy Castle

cupcake table

Emma's "pupcake" she ended up eating THREE that day!

Yummy Popcorn!

"The King" aka Emma's Prince is in the house

She's so happy "Seffy" is here that she can't contain herself.

On a side note...in Sunday School Sunday they stamped their fingers and named their friends on her paper they wrote "Seffy" since that is what she calls him. :) I thought it was cute!

Lovin' each other.

Sweet "big"girls there with their little siblings.

Dad's with the "babies"

Operation Christmas Child Boxes along with a few little gifts for Emma. We collected 10 boxes at her Birthday!!!!

Come on Mom! Hurry Up!!!

Eyeing the cupcake

Looking at her BF :)

Time to sing and make a wish!

While we sang, Emma sang too...it was precious. She has the biggest, happiest smile on her face.

2 out, 1 to go...

still trying...

STILL trying...

and still...

STILL.....

...........................!!!!

whew...finally...I hope she remembered her wish by then! :)

Clapping for herself and SO happy that she FINALLY got it all blown out! :) (NO they weren't trick candles!!! :) )

preparing to dig in!

mmm, mmm, good!!!

"Would you like a cupcake, madam?"

"Elvis"

more fun!

she's checking him out

he's checking her out

boyfriend and girlfriend! :)

Emma with all the shoeboxes. :) Merry Christmas children around the world! :)

Sweet Emma -

We celebrated your birthday a month early. In lieu of gifts we asked everyone to bring a filled shoebox or items to fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. Some even brought you gifts as well. :) We collected 10 shoeboxes to send to Samaritans Purse to be delivered around the world to other children in need. I hope that as you grow you will want to continue to do this to see that it is so much better to give than to receive.

We are so proud of you sweet girl. You are SO outgoing and don't meet a stranger...just like your "great" Papa. I often say that you two would have made great WalMart greeters. I am sure that he is smiling down on you. :) I have more to write on your actual "birth"day so I need to stop now. I love you so much and am so glad God gave us YOU!!!

Every late night, every cupcake, every sore finger (from cutting and gluing), ever penny spent, every minute labored was worth this day and the "magic" in your eyes. I hope your birthday celebration was great for you. After the party you exclaimed "I got to jump with all my friends!" I'm so happy you had fun, sweet girl.

I love you!!!

Mommy