Halloween 2014

Happy belated Halloween from...

Elsa

General Grievous

and a cute cowgirl!

Profession of Faith

Sunday was a very special day for our family!  Mamie shared her profession of faith with our church congregation.  It was so special to have both sets of grandparents here as well. Here are some pictures from the day.

7th Grade

Mamie went back to school today.  It is so hard to believe that she is in the 7th grade!  She is really looking forward to taking art, choir and drama this year.  She was so excited to see her friends today!

Life lately...

Here are some random things that have been happening lately...

Mamie got braces!

Random breakfast dancing...

Richie spoke at RUF Summer Conference in Panama City Beach, FL, and I was able to tag-along.

Mamie's 12th Birthday

For Mamie's family birthday she wanted a bagel box from Einstein Brother's Bagels for breakfast, and for dinner she requested cheese enchiladas and chocolate cake.  For her birthday present I am taking her to see Wicked in February, and she also got to go get her ears pierced with her friend Anne Wilkes.  We surprised them yesterday after school, and they were so excited!

Happy 12th Birthday, Mamie!

Yesterday was Mamie's 12th birthday! (I am posting this late because she had a TON of math homework last night). She is now a middle-schooler, has started babysitting some, loves to make rainbow loom bracelets, play games and hang out with her friends.  Happy Birthday, Mamie! We love you so much, and we are so thankful for you!

Mamie - Age 12

1. What is your favorite color? turquoise
2. What is your favorite toy? iPod touch and Rainbow Loom
3. What is your favorite fruit? pineapple
4. What is your favorite tv show? Good Luck Charlie
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? leftover pizza or soup
6. What is your favorite outfit? gray and green striped dress with gray leggings
7. What is your favorite game? Apples to Apples Jr.
8. What is your favorite snack? popcorn
9. What is your favorite animal? dogs and owls
10. What is your favorite song? Roar
11. What is your favorite book? Percy Jackson series or Harry Potter series
12. Who is your best friend? Anne Wilkes and Elena
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cocoa Puffs
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? jump on the trampoline
15. What is your favorite drink? Izze
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Minnie Mouse, my dog & warm socks
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? donuts
19. What is your favorite thing to eat for dinner? pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? a veterinarian

A Quiet Evening

These are some shots a took of a rare quiet evening that we had recently...

Middle School!

Today was Mamie's first day of 6th grade at White Station Middle.  She had me paint her nails green last night since that is the school's color.  She was excited and not nervous until right as I was pulling up to the school.  She had a really good first day!  However, she will have to adjust to the super early start time, and her lunch schedule...she eats at 9:20am!

S'mores Cookies

Mamie and I spent some time this weekend baking cookies.  We picked out a recipe together that she wanted to make, and she selected s'more cookies.  She loved deciding who to take these cookies to.  They turned out great, and everyone loved them.  I hope you will enjoy them too!

S'more Cookies

(adapted slightly from Jamie Cooks It Up)

Ingredients:

1 package graham crackers (9 full-sized graham crackers)

6 T butter, melted

1 T sugar

dash salt

1 C butter, softened

2 C brown sugar

2 eggs

2 T milk

2 t vanilla

1 t baking soda

2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

3 1/2 C flour

2 1/2 C milk chocolate chips

24 large marshmallows

4 (1.55 oz) Hershey bars, separated into small rectangles

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350. 

2. Place graham crackers into a food processor, and  grind them into crumbs.   

3. To the crumbs add 6 T melted butter, 1 T sugar and a dash of salt. Let the food processor grind all of the ingredients together. Set mixture aside.

4. Place softened butter and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until the ingredients are nicely creamed together, about 2 minutes. 

5. Add eggs, milk and vanilla and mix for another 2 minutes.

6. In a separate bowl combine baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour. Add it to the creamed mixture and mix until combined.  Toss in the chocolate chips and mix again until the chips are evenly distributed.

7. Pour the graham cracker crumbs into the cookie dough. Using a wooden spoon smash them into the cookie dough. You don't want the graham cracker crumb mixture to be totally lost in the dough.

8. Roll the dough into 2 inch balls, place them on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 6-7 minutes, or just until the cookies begin to crack.

9. While your cookies are in the oven, cut the large marshmallows in half.

10. Press a marshmallow piece into the center of each hot cookie (cut side down). Return the sheet to the oven and bake for about 1 1/2 more minutes allowing the marshmallows to puff up and get all wonderful and delicious.

11. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven. Let the cookies sit for about 2 minutes, then press one Hershey bar piece into the center of the marshmallow.

12. Remove the cookies from the cookie sheet and allow them to finish cooling on a wire rack.

Yields: approximately 48 cookies

Mamie's 5th Grade Graduation

Mamie graduated from 5th grade at Grahamwood Elementary School on Tuesday. I can't believe that she will be in middle school next year! I know everyone says it, but time really does seem to fly by. She has had a great experience at Grahamwood, and we are so thankful for all of the wonderful friends that she made there. We are so proud of you, Mamie!