Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everybody! Hope you have a super fun day!

Carving Pumpkins

We carved our pumpkins last night.

Drawing on the faces.

The boys did not like touching the insides of the pumpkins!

We were obviously vigilant about knife safety :)

Their favorite part was turning off the lights to see the pumpkins glowing.

Check-ups

We went in for Layton's 3 year, and Parker's 18 month check-ups. I hadn't been to the Dr. with either one for over 6 months! So I had no idea what they would weigh, or how tall they were.

We talked a lot about being brave and what was going to happen at there.

Layton did so so well, he sat super still for his exam. And then after did all the things the Dr. wanted (jump, walk on tip toes, walk on heals, etc.) and was super happy about the whole thing. Which is a major improvement for us.

Layton weighs 32 lbs (54%) and is 38 1/2 inches tall (75%)

Poor Parker did great for his exam, but then had to get several shots. Needless to say, he was not happy about it afterwards.

Parker weighs 23 lbs 8 ozs (20%) and is 33 inches tall (67%)

I was so surprised by these results. Layton seems so skinny, and I am constantly worried about how much he is eating. But he is right at the 54% and is perfectly average!

Parker seems like such a chunk, but he is only at the 20%!

I was way off I guess :)

Both boys LOVE the fish tanks.

Captain Layton's Pirate Party!

Last night we had Layton's birthday party. We did it at the swimming pool, with a pirate theme. Layton had so much fun, and loved all of it.

This was my first attempt at making a cake with fondant, it was a learning process. But I thought it turned out really cute. The little pirate on top took some time, but I thought he really made the cake.

All the kids (there were 14!) got a pirate hat, hook, and eye patch.

My only regret about the party is that I didn't start it an hour earlier, the kids loved to swim. And were super bummed when I made them get out, so we could have dinner. :)

Giving me his "pirate look"

The kids were all so cute in their hats.

We gave Layton a "kid tough" digital camera, because he loves to use mine. He was super excited about it.

Blowing out the candles,

then finally getting to eat the little balls that were around the cake!

Layton got spoiled with way too many presents, you guys are awesome!

Thanks so much to everyone who could make it. We really appreciate the effort!

Sloppy Joe's and Grape Salad

For those of you who asked. These are the recipes for our dinner at Layton's birthday party.

Sloppy Joe's

2 lbs ground beef
1 small onion
1 can chicken gumbo soup (drained a little)
1/2 c. brown sugar
ketchup

Brown your ground beef, add in chopped onion and a little season salt.
To that, add the soup (I drain it a little so they aren't quite as "sloppy"), brown sugar and ketchup,(I pour it straight from the bottle, until I think I have the right consistency. about 3 cups?).
Cook as long as you want, yesterday I made it in the morning and so it sat in the warm crock pot all day, but sometimes I just mix it up and eat it as soon as everything is warmed up.


Grape Salad
2 bags of grapes (fun to do red and green)
1 cup sour cream
8 oz package of cream cheese (room temperature)
3/4 c. white sugar
brown sugar
chopped pecans

mix sour cream, cream cheese, and white sugar. Mix in grapes. Top with (don't mix in) brown sugar and pecans to make a crumbly crust.

Thanks guys, I'm glad you all liked the food enough to ask for the recipe.

Happy 3rd Birthday to Layton!!!

Today is Layton's 3rd Birthday! I can't belive he is getting so big. He keeps us laughing all the time, and is such a special part of our family.

I am so grateful to know that we will be a family forever.

We love you bud, Happy Birthday!

Clips

The boys found these little clips in a drawer and sat forever the other morning clipping them on each other, and themselves.

What funny boys.