Happy Halloween

Last night was our church trunk or treat party so the girls got all dressed up and had so much fun. This is the first year I let them pick them costumes without guidance from me. I think they did a pretty good job!

Everywhere Sydney goes strangers come up to her and say "Oh my gosh you look exactly like your mother," I can't believe how much you look like your mother" etc. You get the picture, anyway so she decided she wanted to be me for Halloween. She got to wear makeup, carry one of my old purses for her candy bag and put a ball in her shirt. Everyone loved her costume and new exactly what she was instantly.

Kennedy our chef in training wanted to be a chef for Halloween. She looked so cute with her new apron and her pot and spoon. She gathered her candy in her pot. Thanks Ammanda for the chef hat it was perfect. Delaney was a ballerina. She changed her mind about 25 times but she was very cute in the end. She had to do a ballerina pose for her picture. Audrey is our newest princess. She is obsessed with Cinderella. All princess are called Rella in her book because of Cinderella. She looked very cute despite her very short bangs she decided to cut last week. This kid really keeps me on my toes. Thanks Stacy for letting us borrow the costume! Everyone ready to head out. Rory wanted to be dressed up too so she got to be a Jack-O-Lantern. Isn't every baby a pumpkin their first Halloween. haha Family picture at the end of the night. What a cute family:)

We did it!!!

After much hard work and a few tears we accomplished our goal. The pantry is done:) I am so thankful I have such great kids, they were so much help!!

Doesn't that just make you smile :0)

What was I thinking

Today is our off day of school and I decided to spend the day in my kitchen. I made 2 lbs of meatballs, 2 1/2 lbs of hamburger patties and browned 3 lbs of hamburger. I figured since I was already in the kitchen I should really tackle my pantry that was in need of some serious help, I couldn't find anything. I had the girls empty out the pantry while I was cooking and this is what I get. I had no idea I had so much stuff in my pantry and now I have to put it all back. My brilliant idea is not so great anymore. This is what Audrey decided to do now that the pantry is open. Crazy child:)

To be continued..... hopefully I finish this today!!!

Canning: Applesauce

I know I am absolutely crazy but I love canning. There is something so satisfying as seeing all of your hard work lined up in your pantry. Last fall I canned 2 cases of peaches and one case of pears but haven't done anything since then. I just haven't had the time but apples were crazy cheap so my friend inspired me to make some applesauce. I really wanted to have it for baby food for Rory when the time comes. (I always make my own baby food.) I thought it would be nice to get a head start on that. Anyway after 40 lbs of apples and a big sticky mess we had lots of tasty applesauce. Here are some of the apples. We had a case in the back of the truck and I had the girls take bags out and fill them up and bring them in the house. I kinda figured carrying a 40 lb box of apples was not good for my pregnant self.

All of the girls pitched in pealing and coring the apples. Audrey thought she was hot stuff that she could do it all by herself.

We did it over the course of two days. The 2nd day went much smoother because I knew what I was doing.

The girls ate a billion apples. They got to eat all of the ones that had big skin pieces on them.

Here they are cooking away. I have to tell you this is the hardest thing I have ever canned because I don't eat applesauce. I had to keep calling the girls to come and taste as I was making it and totally trust their judgement. They were so funny too. Sydney tasted it the first time and she says "Mom it just isn't popping in my mouth it needs more pop." A little lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar got a thumbs up but so funny. They really do watch to many cooking shows.

Here are some of our jars all sealed and ready to go. Such a good feeling and so much fun making it with the girls.

Happy Birthday Eddie!

So I am still catching up. Kennedy Lane Ashley turned 6 in August. She had a fun filled birthday that of course lasted weeks. Her Aunt Jessica happened to get back in town just in time for her birthday. It was a nice treat since we hadn't seen her since Christmas she had been in Florida doing an internship at Disney World. Kennedy thought she was very special to have her here for her birthday dinner. We had a small family dinner for her on her birthday because we had just gotten back from CA the day before. My mom and dad came over, Jessica was here and Jerame's dad was also here. Here we are sitting around the table ready for dinner. Kennedy chose Hawaiian haystacks and homemade bread as her favorite dinner. She was pretty excited to have control of picking the menu. For her birthday we got her a new bike because she out grew her last one. It was a total surprise to her. We knocked on the door and it was waiting outside. I love the surprise on her face:) She had to test it out of course. Unfortunately it is pretty warm outside in August so it didn't last long but it will be fun when the weather cools down.

Here she is opening a few more presents.

Sydney and Delaney bought Kennedy this doll. They were very proud that they picked it out all by themselves. For her birthday dessert she did not want cake but wanted homemade cinnamon roles. They were quite yummy of I do say so myself:) In our family we take turns having parties and doing activities. This happens to be a party year but Kennedy chose an activity instead. She wanted to go get her nails done and she chose her sisters to go with her. We went and had frozen yogurt afterwards. They all thought they were pretty cool and Sydney has already put in her request to do this for her birthday as well:) They are trying to show off their pretty fingers but kind of an odd picture. Oh well they had a lot of fun. Kennedy had a few more birthday activities the rest of the month and had a great time with everything. She is such a sweet girl and continues to amaze me at all that she can do. She has always wanted to be big and does everything as fast as she can, she never wants to be left behind. It is fun to see the new things that she is constantly learning how to do. I love you Kennedy!!!