Issues

I'm having some ISSUES with my laptop. Mostly with Internet Explorer. Hopefully I'll be back online soon.

Last Weekend

Well, we've still got some sniffly noses hanging on, but for the most part we're doing alright. And, for the moment, Christopher's sleeping fairly well. He seems to be able to sleep at night ok despite the 24-7 gas.

Saturday was a bit crazy. We went to my neice's 4th birthday party in the afternoon. Total princess party. Precious. Good food too. The girls wore dress up clothes and got to decorate crowns and wear makeup. My son dressed up as spiderman and chased people. He also made his own crown. Christopher, however, decided to be cranky. It could have been gas. It could have been that pesky 6 week growth spurt. Or he may just be a homebody. We really have stayed home more than ever before this time around. For many reasons. The weather. Illness. The number of kiddos running around here. Obviously the age of baby and my recovery. Anyway, back to Saturday.

Saturday after the party we went to my in-laws for dinner. My MIL graciously offered to feed us and give us a place to hang out and get ready in-between the party and the Christmas Program that night. So, we gobbled down chili and changed the kids' clothes (all the while nursing and consoling cranky baby), and then took off for our church.

The Christmas Program was precious, despite cranky baby. Young children in sheep costumes can't help but be cute. Even if they won't stand still, face-forward like they're supposed to. Or, despite all the vaseline to cure a chapped ring around his mouth and cautions not to lick, they're caught with their tongue out. The pictures tell the story.

Sunday we stayed home - again. Don't get me wrong, I love church. And I love showing off my new baby boy. But it seems like Lola comes home sick every time we go. And it's nearly impossible to keep anyone else from getting it. And, well, with new baby I've been more wary than ever of bringing even more germs home. We'll make it back. Eventually. Note: I've definitely been missing this influence in my life - there's just nothing quite like the teaching, praising and fellowship together.

So, we were home. recuperating. Christopher was still cranky, but it was much more manageable at home. By the afternoon, I was itching to make more Christmas treats. I've really, really enjoyed these activities this year. I'm sure it's partially b/c we've been home so much. Seems like I'm doing more of them too. Note to self for next year. Maybe I try to go too much. Anywho, last week I made sugar cookies and Sunday we made chocolate covered pretzels. The kids took turns choosing the type of sprinkle they wanted to use and then decorating their alotted pretzels. These were actually dipped in almond bark but that doesn't roll off the tongue the same.

So! Without further ado, here are the pics from the weekend!

Beauty.

Here is my relucant princess :-)

My gorgeous SIL. Can you believe she just had a baby?!

Spiderman!

Notice how often the sheep on the end is a blur...

Licking...

Swaying...

Turned around backwards... I should call attention to my girl's strict aderence to what she's supposed to be doing. That's my girl! (She gets very upset when everyone doesn't do what they're supposed to)

Licking and turned around backwards...

Got in trouble for running off into other people's pictures...

FYI, this is the pre-haircut pic. We girls are going to the salon soon.

And here are our pretzels and sugar cookie.

Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie

Well I've actually been back in the kitchen a little bit. And it's been so nice! And let me just tell you... I made pumpkin pie for our family dinner (here at home) and My Man SAID IT WAS THE BEST HE'D EVER EATEN! If you know my man, you know he's not just blowing sunshine... well you know where. And then! Then! I made pecan pie (Pioneer Woman's no less). And My Man said it was THE BEST HE'D EVER EATEN! Seriously, I should stop cooking now. :-) Just kidding. Not to mention I made Pumpkin Cheesecake for our actual Thanksgiving Day Dinner - and that's my holiday fave.

Then, I realized not one of these recipes is on my blog. Now I'm way, way behind! I've got pics, recipes and even a couple of cute crafts I need to tell you about!!

So, here is the link to this fabulous pecan pie...

Now, pumpkin pie....

1 15 oz can of pumpkin

3/4 cup sugar

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t salt

1/2 t ginger

1/2 t nutmeg

2 eggs 1 can (12 oz) evaporate milk

1 unbaked 9" pastry shell

whipped cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 425. Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and nutmeg in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pastry shell. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350; bake for 40-50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whip cream before serving.

And last, but not least...

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

5 T melted butter

1 cup plus 1 T sugar

3 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened

1 t vanilla

1 cup canned pumpkin

3 eggs

1 t cinnamon

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4 t allspice

whipped cream

springform pan

Make crust with crumbs, butter and T of sugar (you can skip the sugar if you're using sugar and cinnamon sprinkled graham crackers). Bake the crust for 5 minutes. Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add pumpkin, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice and beat until smooth and creamy. Pour into crust. Bake 70-80 minutes. When at room temp put in fridge. Chill. Use dental floss to slice. Serve with cool whip.

I knew I should have kept my mouth shut...

Not that I'm superstitious. But, I had to go and announce to the world how well Christopher was doing. That very week he started getting up with gas. Terrible gas. Up all night with gas. And we all got sick. I thought my head would split open when I got up in the night with him. Lo ran a fever. My Man was sick too. The other two had colds but no fevers and weren't cranky but we went through a lot of tissues.

Anywho, everyone's on the up and up now, except for poor baby with his gas. Trying gripe water this week. Not so much so far. We'll just have to wait it out I guess...

More pics though.

We were putting lights on the tree... and it suddenly seemed like a good idea to decorate Powell.

As soon as the first leaf falls the kids want to make a leaf pile...

It's Going So Fast

So. Tired.

That's not really relevant. I just can't seem to process anything else until I get that out of the way!

And yet so blessed. A dear friend looked at me last week and said, 'Carissa, you have 4 beautiful children.' And that sums it up. My Man and I look around the living room in the evening at our children and are just amazed. There's nothing else to do but marvel. And be tired :-)

Tomorrow Christopher will be 3 weeks old. It seems impossible. And I know it won't be long before he (dare I say it) doesn't even look like a newborn. He has been such a good baby so far. I'm afraid to say that out loud!

Here are some recent pics...

This makes me smile

I know I should wait until the announcements are done, but I couldn't wait to share this...

The last 9 days of my life... and the first 9 of his

This is My Man and me at around 3:3o in the morning on the 26th :-)
Here he is! All 10 lbs of him! Actually it was his 15 1/2 inch head that was such an issue! Is that TMI?

There it is. Iguess 12, 13, 14 is average. Well, I guess 14 is on the bigger side.

Aunt Mallory

Aunt Jenny

Cousin Lily and Cousin Jackson

Aunt Michelle, Uncle Justin, Grandma Bolinger, Papa Bolinger, Cousin Lily, Cousin Jackson, and Christopher

Aunt Sarah

My Man and Little Man

3/4 of my kiddos

Papa

Big Sister

Big Brother

Big Sister

Head full of hair... did I mention that this is exactly the color and texture of Maryanna's hair? Her's was probably a little longer and maybe filled in a little more around the face. Did I also mention that I had terrible heartburn with both of them? Kind of funny if you know the old wive's tale, huh?

Getting dressed to go home

Taking care of the last minute details...

Home with all the sibs...

Photo op :-)

You don't know it, but he was talking to him. Told him how cute he is and how much he loves him :-)

I don't think anyone stuck stickers on him at the hospital...

Cousin Jackson

:-)

I love, love, love this one.

My little spider...