Thanks

Long time, no blog. Moving on...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving as usual. We wore out our welcome in Dothan, but had a great time. Baker was in heaven. Not only did he get to shadow Hayes for 3 days, but he had Shug and Daggie's undivided attention too. He played so hard. We headed into the week on the mend from tonsilitis and impentigo, but that did not hold him back one bit.

This little wagon was a hit. Many many leaves were collected and dumped to "help" out.

Please note Hayes' fake smile

Who knew an old Fisher Price record player was oh so fascinating?

A moment captured about their feelings for each other

Cousin Julie

It's never too early to "run the option". (I can't wait for Brent to read this and tell me this is not the "option")

We found the perfect tree for toddlers to climb.

Just when you need them to smile for some possible Christmas card pictures, this is what you get:

Oh, and I had a birthday...on the day of the Iron Bowl..happy birthday to me. However, this Reese's cup blizzard Ice-cream cake from the DQ really helped. Let me tell you, this is my request every year from now on.

These were my candles. 2 toddlers with flashlights. The lights are off but you can't tell in the picture.

Whats more fun than making a pallette with cousins? Nothing . Nothing is more fun. Just ask Hayes.

Paula Deen's Pumpkin Bars

So, I made these yesterday for Baker's Thanksgiving feast at school. They were great!!

Ingredients
Bars:
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.
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.

I havent completelyy forgotten about this blog, but life has been way too busy to post. More to come later...Spelling Bee is going great! Only 5 more performances left.

The Bee

In the next week I will be in full promotion mode for my show, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. We open November 11-20.


If you are in or around Tuscaloosa, you will thoroughly enjoy this show. It is witty, clever and highly entertaining. Disclaimer: It is not for kids in case you were considering bringing them. Mainly because the jokes will sail right over their heads but there is also some material that is more for mature audiences.
Thursday, November 10th is our final dress rehearsal and called "Pay-What-You-Can" which is exactly that. You pay whatever you can to see it before we open and if you are cheap (like me) this is a great option.

Halloween

Dumbo says "Happy Halloween"!

Celebrate! Part 2

Baker celebrated his 2nd birthday with an ABC's and 123's party at Wald Park in Vestavia this weekend. One great thing was that some of my friends that live all over the place got to join us! It was so fun to see their kids and hang out for his birthday. We had perfect weather and I was really pleased with this venue. If you live in Birmingham, I highly recomment Wald Park for a party.

A few of my lovely assistants! Thank the Lord for them! The birthday boy
Miss Leah Jane joined us in style. The art table Hey girl! I got some bouncin to do..
Even at his party, Baker managed to keep up with everything Hayes was doing.

Thomas and Leah Jane took 10 seconds to pose for a quick picture.

I love that my college friends came, even the ones that don't have kids. Love these people!

Lexi Poo was there too!
The Ambergueys & The Mahtanis

Precious Watson!

Zoe and Lexi are new best friends!

Kat made it too!

Susan and Mike just got engaged! We will be celebrating them very soon..

Meg & Ted

Daggy and Baker Man My homeade party hats

Honey showing B how to show his age on his fingers. Brent

seems to be learning also.

Brett & Harper

My birthday boys!

Peyton

I think it all turned out really well. I was afraid it was all going to be so thrown together due to my lack of time these days, but it was fun and I got to see a lot of people I love.

Next stop- Closing on our house and moving- All this week...