Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is Andrew's last work day for this week and then he is off for the next 5 days - yippee!

My parents, sister, and grandma arrive tomorrow for 4+ days - SO excited!

We have lots of fun plans including carriage rides downtown, Christmas parade on Saturday, hittin' the Strip District, dinner at a local favorite, I'm sure a rousing game of loaded questions, and who knows what else?! Sure to be fun!

And I'll be in the kitchen a lot over the next few days! I surely don't mind especially when I have someone to entertain the kiddos for me and volunteers to help with the dishes. :)

Here's some of what I'll be whipping up:

Chicken-Lentil Soup with homemade biscuits

Salad with bacon & feta

Spinach/bacon/egg quiche

Apple-pumpkin muffins

THE dinner - turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potato souffle (something I picked up from the southern family I joined!),  sauteed green beans w/ onion, sourdough stuffing with sausage/apples/cranberries, & fruit

Cinnamon scones & homemade yogurt

Monte Cristos (I have a super yummy Rachael Ray recipe but can't find it online) with pineapple slaw

granola bars

Thankful that they are bringing some of the desserts with them which will be very helpful.

So I guess I better get crackin' on what can be made ahead!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving, we surely are.

 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

the sibs: all dolled up

Free coupon for Sears pics............so why not!

But how do you choose just one?!

 might be my fave............... =)

(of course we had to have a lip bash days before!)

 4pm has always been the best picture-taking time for us.

Post-naps, post snacks.....they're ready to go. :)

Graham has always done pretty well when taking pics......but this time he was purposefully hammin' it up!

 princess-doll

anything possible turns into a drum!

and how about a little shout-out to Snuggleluv where I found the snazzy headband, tie, & fedora. =)

power soup

This is one of my favorite soups! I admit, I'm a Betty Crocker gal.....I use my BC cookbook all.the.time!
I have often made this for a new mom as well since I think it's a great comfort soup.
I made some last week and then Eden ate leftover soup most of the week. This made me very happy because it has so many great nutrients in it!

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken-Lentil Soup                   

1  lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (I usually use chx breast)

1  medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)                                           

1 medium zucchini, chopped (2 cups)                                          

4 medium carrots, sliced (2 cups)                                            

1 cup dried lentils (8 oz), sorted, rinsed                                            

4 1/2 cups chicken broth                                          

1/2  teaspoon salt                                           

1/4  teaspoon pepper                                           

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms (opt.)                                          

1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained                                           

1/4  cup chopped fresh or 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves                                           

Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired                                            

•  In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix onion, zucchini, carrots, lentils, broth, salt and pepper. Add chicken.
• Cover; cook on Low heat setting 5 to 6 hours.
• Remove chicken from slow cooker. Use 2 forks to pull chicken into shreds. Return chicken to slow cooker. Stir in mushrooms and tomatoes. Cover; cook on Low heat setting about 15 minutes longer or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with basil. Serve with cheese.

Whip up some Baking Powder Biscuits and you have an easy, super yummy dinner!

nine

3 months away from turning 1! 

{Though it's actually harder for me to believe that means Graham will be turning 3!)

Cheesy smile as always. :)

Here's what baby girl has been up to:

"helping"

loves to chew on this foam 3, I guess it feels good on her teeth.

And why not while she pages through the latest Anthropolgie catalog?

Children's Hospital 3 am. Croup.
Graham didn't get his first cold until he was 11 months old. Eden has been to Children's twice in her young life. Ah the joys of being socialized much more. :-/
Thankfully after treatment, she improved quickly.

Standing! When Graham started cruising around at 8-9 months, we thought he'd be walking soon. Didn't take his first steps until his first birthday. So when Eden started cruising, we thought, no big deal, we've got a while. And then she decided she was ready to stand on her own! So who knows with this determined girl!

She loves all things shiny & my jewelry! She can barely focus enough to eat if I'm wearing a necklace!

blowing

Her new favorite tricks are blowing, clapping, and waving. She is very excited about them.

clapping

Not much new news to report for the night sagas. Last week she had begun sleeping until 4am, I would feed her and then she'd sleep until 7 or 8. Honestly, I would take that any day! The croup hit and topsy-turvy we go again. She's wanted to eat at 11:30pm & then 2am before she settles in for the night. Last night it was 2am & 5:30am. The unpredictability is what kills me! My dr. said I could start giving her cow's milk if she would take it (nope!) and just feed her a regular diet. She is eating tons of great foods from chicken to cheese to produce to meatballs to yogurt......she is a champion eater and for that I am very grateful! For now, I am just trying to go with it and hope that the day is coming when she's settles back in to her nights.
Her top 2 teeth are coming in any second!
Her favorite place in the world to be is under the computer. So many fun cords! :-/
For all the night struggles we've had, she is really a sweet girl and a good napper by day. I am so thankful that our days are very predictable & fairly smooth. (you know, as much as can be with a baby & a toddler!)
Graham is loving it as she gets more interactive with him! He still rolls on top of her, I've come to see that's probably a boy thing that is not going to change. She has started to get vocal about it when he's doing something she doesn't like. Let the tattling begin. Oh dear....................

our Halloween monkeys

getting pumpkins!

 

We love this girl to pieces, crazy nights & all! Love the family God has given us to steward.

Happy 9 months, our Eden-girl!

What tricks do you have up your sleeve for us this month?

We can't wait to see! :)

Was not happy to find a pile of shoes thrown down the stairs by a certain little mister. After stern instructions to put them back, I went back to the dishes. I was a little surprised that it was quiet for so long and I was actually starting to think he might be doing as he was told.

nope.

At least he's organized. =)

NoseFrida giveaway

I have heard several of my friends rave about the Snotsucker gadget! The concept is that you are able to clear out your little one's nose by your own sucking power. :)

{And there is a filter, so there is no chance of you actually inhaling the snot.}

NoseFrida was kind enough to send me one to review for the Momtourage & then have one to giveaway!

So if you have little ones (or know someone who does!), pop on over here to enter to win a snotsucker!

circus fun!

A company had contacted me about doing promos (through the Pgh Momtourage) about the circus for them, so we were fortunate enough to be given tickets in exchange!

We were all very excited take in the Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey show!

Held at the arena where the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL hockey) play.

Little Miss wasn't sure about it. Of course it was starting right at her bedtime. :-/ She did pretty well and eventually fell asleep which was good for all of us. :)

The pre-show where you can go on the floor and see some of the performers.  

yep, Dumbo is painting. :)

 

Graham's favorite was definitely the elephants, but he said the stiltwalkers were his 2nd favorite.

G wasn't sure about all the crowd, so he decided to take in the pre-show safely in his seat. :)

I swear though, he sat in this seat without moving for about 2.5 hours. He was totally enthralled.

Star-spangled banner in the beginning which seemed kind of funny! 

So many acts.........from acrobats to clowns to tigers to motorcyles to trapeeze to dancers and other crazy things. A really fun show! 

The elephants definitely steal the show though.

They are amazing and they seriously look like they are enjoying themselves.

I had no idea an animal weighing that much could have some sweet dance moves. :) 

 We were also given this commemorative book which was perfect.

Filled with pictures from the show which is so great to help Graham remember all of it! 

 

This is pretty much what he has been doing the last few days! 

If you have a chance to go, definitely take it!

*

Next promo: we get to check out the Harlem Globetrotters in December!

I like my job. A lot.

{Andrew does too.} =)