Pumpkin Crunch

The easiest and tastiest Fall dessert ever! 
My contribution to Thanksgiving dinner this year.  Mike LOVED it last year.

1 box yellow cake mix
16 oz. packed pumpkin
12 oz. evaporated milk
3 eggs
1/2 C sugar
4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 C shopped pecans
1 C melted butter

Mix together pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, spice and salt.  Pour into greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle with dry cake mix over top of mixture.  Top with pecans. Drizzle with melted butter.  Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes.  Serve warm with whipped cream.

Thanksgiving Feast, Ponies & Cupcakes

Today Grace had her preschool class 'Thanksgiving Feast'.  It was so cute, all the kids had turkey hats and laminated placements with a picture of them dressed like a pilgrim and they said what they are thankful for.  Grace said she was thankful for her friends.  The kids ate a big meal as the parents and siblings watched/helped and played in the classroom.  Tonight we are looking forward to our friend Nola's pony party!  There will be ponies strolling down Cantora - watch out neighbors.  This weekend Grace has a cupcake decorating workshop AND sleepover with Grandma and Papa.  Fun times for these little turkeys :)

Family Updates

We've been busy winding-down Grace's birthday festivities.  She had a fun weekend - cupcake decorating with a few friends & a family  pizza party at Papa/Grandma's house.  Everyone spoiled her so much this year with such kind and thoughful gifts.  She is a lucky little girl!
I'm trying to organize our house a little before the Christmas madness begins.  I feel overwhelmed with toys so I'm focusing on the girls' rooms and our downstairs closet so the house doesn't look so cluttered with toys all over.

Mike is busy working a lot and I need to start getting motivated to work-out after a couple weeks off.  Between colds and the time change we ALL need to catch up on sleep!

We had two photo shoots recently, one of the girls in a studio & a family outdoor shoot (Christmas card).  Nan and I picked out our photos yesterday from the in-studio shoot and they are very fun.  We will be giving some away as Christmas gifts.  The family shoot was very cool at my favorite spot in San Juan Capistrano and I am always so impressed with our photographer's results.  I want to save them for our Christmas card, but here's one of each of the girls individually.
 

Grace's Birthday - Class Celebration

Grandma joined Cami and I yesterday when we went to Grace's school with banana muffins (thx Grandma) to celebrate G's birthday.  They recognize the birthdays at the beginning of chapel and then have a little class celebration afterwards.  The kids put a coin in a can for each year and then the school donates the money to charity at the end of the year.  They also give the birthday kids crowns to wear for the day.  Grace looked a little hesitant standing in front of chapel but liked it in the end.  I think she felt special :)

Happy 4th Birthday Grace!

Four years ago today I gave birth to the most amazing little baby and today we celebrated FOUR years!  Gracie is a huge blessing to us and it has been so fun to watch her grow from a baby, to a toddler, to a little girl & sister full of spunk & personality.  Grace, you are a bright light in the lives of all you touch.  You are loving, sweet, sassy, smart and beautiful, and a great big sister to one lucky little girl.  Daddy, Cami and I love you more than words can say!!

We had a special day for Grace; starting with presents in bed first-thing this morning.  She got her EasyBake oven (among more!) so she was thrilled & ready to bake at 7:30 am (ugh!). We went to lunch and the park with Grandma and had dinner with Nan.  The celebration continues tomorrow at school, Saturday with her friends, and Sunday with her family.  It's a week of birthday party...ing for our girl :)