Thanksgiving Prep

After much anticipation it was finally time to make our Thanksgiving pies. I love making pie, and make everything from scratch, from the crust to using a fresh pumpkin. Jackson was thrilled to participate in the whole process.
Here are the highlights from the last two days of our pie baking:

Prepping the pumpkin to bake in the oven

Using the pastry blender for the first time to make the crust

Time for a cookie break in between pies
(notice the cookies are decorated with a number and as a turkey)

Cutting and peeling the apples
(this is the greatest kitchen gadget)

The finished product-
Pumpkin and Apple pie
We can't wait to enjoy them for dessert on tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Hard Week

Please pray for this family, the dad passed away last week. The oldest daughter is about the same age I was when I lost my mom, and I am really feeling for her. They have an amazing story of strength and faith along with such a great attitude during their entire journey. You can check out their entire story at CarePages-teamgknoll.

The First Snow

Jackson was so excited when he woke up this morning, and the ground was covered in snow. He had been disappointed that the other few days when we saw flakes they didn't stick around, or even amount to enough to get a chance to play.
He made sure to list everything he needed to wear for outside. One of which was boots, and unfortunately we hadn't bought them yet, so before we could do anything we headed to Target to get some boots. While he was waiting to get out and play he made his plan of everything fun to do in the snow. As soon as we were home, and fully dressed it was time to enjoy the snow.

He had such a wonderful time and I enjoyed sharing in his excitement in playing in the season's first snow. I was thrilled that he actually wanted to keep his mittens on for the first year ever. Him staying nice and warm, meant that I had to convince him to eventually go inside, but he got plenty of playtime and had lots of fun.
Happy Snow!

His Snowball- that he eventually threw at Mommy

Making footprints

Making a snow angel- notice how quickly the snow was melting and how wet his snowpants were as a result, especially since he was sliding down the hill on his bottom.

My Amateur Cakes

Every year for Jackson's birthday, I make and decorate his cake myself. I am a total amateur, but it has been a lot of fun to come up with a plan for a fun cake to go with his theme every year.
I have an icing recipe from someone who actually decorates cakes, that is easy to work with, tastes good, and always makes more than enough, so I never have to worry about the icing.
The hardest part is always executing my plan, and trying to make to actual cake look like what I have pictured in my head. I have been very pleased with how they all have turned out, and Jackson had loved them, which really is the real test.
Here's how they all turned out:

Jackson's 1st birthday- Caterpillar from Baby Einstein

Jackson's 2nd birthday- Cars movie

Jackson's 3rd birthday- Thomas the Tank Engine
by far the most complicated and time consuming, but worth every second when I saw his face the next morning.

Jackson's 4th birthday- Word World cake

A Day of Parties

Sunday was the big day- Jackson finally turned 4! He has hardly been able to contain his excitement the last couple weeks, but the day finally arrived.
We started the day off at home, just the three of us. He requested muffins and donuts for breakfast, not the most healthy, but a perfect kid meal. We also let him open his gifts from us, which was nice for him to get a chance to play with his new toys a little before the big festivities of the day began.
A little before lunch we were off to the Eagles Nest for the kid party. Jackson was overjoyed to have his friends there to play with at the Eagles Nest. It was very cute how they had their own little pack traveling through the play area together.

After about an hour of playing we managed to get them all out to have lunch and birthday cupcakes. Then they were off again to play. I think that Jackson must have played really hard because he didn't complain too much when it was time to go home.

In the late afternoon, we had our families over at our house for dinner to celebrate. We were very blessed to have such a glorious day. Jackson was able to get outside to and play with some of the family members.
It was so fun to be able to share Jackson's birthday with everyone. It was extra special this year since we were able to celebrate on his actual birthday this year. We had a wonderful day, and Jackson went to bed very happy from his fun day and thrilled that he would still be 4 for the whole next year.

Happy Halloween

Halloween is always squished in amongst the birthday excitement at our house. We always go to the Pumpkin Patch party at our church, and Jackson had a great time. He was greatly anticipating the trick-or-treating due to the receiving of candy. It was so much fun to share in his excitement and great participation in the tradition, especially since he could actually say "Trick or Treat" this year. We did come home with lots of candy, and lots of his favorites- M&Ms and tootsie rolls, so the evening did not disappoint.
He also had a great time with all of the carnival games, and he was thrilled that they even had golf to play.
Earlier in the day he even had a chance to do a little trick or treating at speech, so he had a very full day of Halloween.
A very fun Halloween.

Our Lighting McQueen Pit Crew member

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Happy Birthday My Darling Boy!

I can't believe how fast the last four years have gone by. They have been the best four years, and I love watching you grow. You amaze me everyday with all that you know, the things you come up with, and everything else you do. I constantly overwhelmed at how cute and adorable you are, and how lucky I am to be your mom.

I love your great interest in all learning things; letters, numbers, shapes, colors, time and the calendar. It is so much fun to explore and share in your excitement of these concepts as you learn them. I love that you have taken such an interest in baking, it is so fun to share the time in the kitchen with you and teaching you all I know.

Thank you for making my life so wonderful and full of joy.
I hope you have a very special and wonderful birthday. Enjoy being 4.
I love you!