Monday, September 27, 2010

Pumpkin Crumb Coffee Cake

I have never posted a recipe before, but this one was very yummy at our MOMS meeting this morning.

This recipe is from a recent magazine, I think Woman's Day. Today was our first 'cool' day here in Texas and the smell of the pumpkin cooking made it a perfect morning. I hope you all are having a wonderful Fall.

Topping:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
Pinch of Salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold, cut into pieces

Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 15-oz. can pumpkin
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten

1. Make topping: In a bowl, stire together flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Add butter and combine with fingertops until mixture is crumbly. Refrigerate while making batter.
2. Make cake: Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter and flour a 9X13-inch cake pan. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. IN a large bowl, whisk together oil, applesauce, pumpkin, vanilla and both sugars until well mixed. Whisk in eggs. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and stir until just combined; do not overmix. Pour batter into cake pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle with reserved topping.
3. Bake cake until a toothpick interserted into center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool in pan on a wire rack at least 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

A Week in Review

Last weekend Jon and I were lucky enought to attend the Love and Respect conference with Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs.


Jon's mom was gracious enough to fly out and stay with the kiddos for the evening so Jon and I could stay downtown overnight between the sessions.

The kids had a lot of fun with their Grandma.

At gymnastics this week they did a Football theme so they asked all the kids to wear their football/cheerleading gear. I thought it would be cute to dress Addie and Ben up in their Miami Dolphins gear. Addie had so much fun at her gymnastics class again this week.

After gymnastics we went to Walmart to print out some pictures. The only way I could keep the kids happy while we waited was to take their pictures and look at them.

On Friday I took both kids to the doctor for runny noses. The doctor said they aren't really sick, but to bring them back if they get worse. On the way home I gave the kids some fruit. They both love fruit and proceded to fit as much as they could in their mouths. Addie was digging her peaches.

Ben was lovin' his oranges.

On Saturday we went to our dear friends birthday party, little Adalee turned 1. It is hard to believe how fast these babies are growing up. Her mom did an adorable and delicious milk and cookies theme party.

All of the liitle kids in their booster seats.

The birthday girl posing for a picture.

The happy family.

All of the older kids crowded in to 'help' Adalee with her candles.

Grace and Addie eating a piece of the yummy cake.

Adalee digging into her birthday cake.

Ben thoroughly enjoyed his piece.

These picture were taken this morning after church.

Ben was singing his favorite song, the Itsy Bitsy Spider, he was trying to do the motions too.

Addie has the prettiest little smile, but it is hard to get on film. This was her attempt this morning. I was just glad it wasn't one of her famous frowns.

Here are Ben and I having a fun moment. I won't be able to do this for too much longer. I am 28 weeks today, we have entered the 3rd trimester. I go to the doctor on Tuesday for my next appointment and then it is every two weeks for appointments. This baby is going to be here before we know it.

Our little man is so sweet. He gives the best sloppy kisses and he grunts a little when he squeezes you for a hug. He had a rough time at lunch, he has been working on his molars for over a month. I am hoping we are almost done with teething for a while becasue our little man has had a rough time. Sweet moments like this make them easier to handle though.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Bennett's First Hair Cut

Today we went and got Ben's first haircut. Ben is such a ham when he sees the camera.

We walked into the salon and he went right for the car. He makes a vroom-vroom sound when he sees any kind of vehicle.

He can be such a silly little boy, he was having so much fun.


They even had a tv for him to watch.

We got the cape on and his hair wet down with out too much trouble. All of the distractions really do help.

The first cuts to his hair.


We are so proud of our little guy. He did such a good job getting his hair cut.

Ben got a sucker for his reward. I love this picture of Jon and Ben, they are two handsome guys.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

15 Months

Bennett and I got to go to the doctor today for his 15 month check up. Addie was at preschool and it was nice for it to just be Ben and I. The doctor couldn't believe how grown up Ben looked and how much he was talking. Ben had fun sitting on this little step while we were waiting for the doctor.
Ben weighed in at 26 pounds. He is in the 75% for weight and 50% for his height.

He says Momma, Daddy, Adda, Please, Push, Thank you, Night-Night (his blanket), and Amen. He is walking very well and starting to run. He gives the best hugs where he squeezes you and grunts. Sometimes he will walk up and lay his head on my legs and give me a little hug.
He is a sweet, busy little boy and we are so thankful for him in our lives.



On another note, our doctor said that she would need to see Ben in 3 months for his 18 month check up. She said that I can just bring the new baby in at the same time. I can't believe the next time I take Ben to the doctor I will have another little one! This baby is going to be here before we know it.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Gymanstics!

Addie had her second week of gymnastics tonight. She took a Mommy and Me gymanstics class when we lived in Colorado and she always liked it. She would hang from the bar in her closet and do somersaults in the living room, so last week we tried out a local gymanstics class. She loved it. So this week we found a leotard and she went back for round 2. She struggled a little more today, only because they worked on the balance beam and she did not enjoy that. Her teacher told me she was very nervous at first, but after she figured it out she was so proud of herself, a good life lesson to learn.
Here are some pictures from before the class.










The most challenging part for me is trying to keep this busy little man entertained. Bringing snacks seems to help and there are a couple of other little brothers and sisters that have to watch that Ben has made friends with.

Happy Labor Day

For Labor Day we headed up to Dallas so that Jon could go see the Miami Dolphins play the Dallas Cowboys in the final preseason game. My Dad was able to fly out and we stayed with my brother, Chris, and his wife, Rene. It was a last minute trip, but we had so much fun.
Jon loves going to Chris and Rene's house because they have fun video games. I think the one he was playing here is called Assaisins, wonderful for our children to watch him play. It's a good thing they don't sit still for too long.


This is Addie and "Derrick". She met him as soon as we walked through the door and they spent quite a bit of time playing. It was so cute to listen to her talk to him.

She was sad to say good bye.

Our last morning there we went out to IHOP for pancakes. The Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity is one of my all time favorite meals and Ben seemed to enjoy the blueberry pancakes as much as I do.



Saying good bye to GeeGee.

Trying to get a picture of both kids is so hard.

Here is Chris showing off his belly, he was very proud that his belly is as big as mine. I am 25 weeks in this picture.

On our way out of town we were able to stop by and visit with my Aunt Wendy, Unlce Joe and cousin Mikey. Addie adores her cousin Mikey and we all always have a good time visiting their house. Jon, Ben, and Uncle Joe going to check out their new RV.

Mikey and the kids playing in the golf cart.

Jon and Ben going for a ride on the four wheeler. Ben had so much fun he was overwhelmed. He was smiling or anything, but he was watching everything Jon did, it was precious.

Addie went for a ride too.

Ben 'driving' Wendy and Joe's new RV. It is such a cool RV with lots of things to explore, but all Ben saw was a steering wheel.

Ben and Aunt Wendy. Ben looks a lot like Mikey did when he was a baby, it is always fun to compare Mikey's baby pictures with Ben. Sometimes it is hard to tell them apart. We had a yummy lunch and then we got back on the road to come home. It was a quick trip, but we had so much fun. Thanks to everyone for their hospitality.

Grocery Shopping Fun

When Ben was a baby I would dream about the day when I didn't have to carry him, or take up valuable space in the cart. I thought about how fun it would be for Addie and Ben to ride in the race car cart together. When will I learn that motherhood never really gets easier, the challenges just change. Addie and Ben both love riding in the race car cart, but just not together. Most trips end up with Ben ripping out chunks of Addie's hair, biting her or trying to climb out over her. Addie gives as good as she gets, teasing Ben, not sharing snacks, or pushing him. I get quite a few dirty looks and a lot of knowing smiles. I love my little shoppers, but I definitely appreciate the times I am able to go get groceries by myself.