More Fall...

My wonderful husband built us a brick firepit this fall in the backyard. We are very excited to spend many future nights with friends and family enjoying time around the fire.

This is a photo of the kids "helping" with the building process.


We only waited a few days before planning our first event. I invited many of our friends over for a "smores" themed party. We served munches, chili, hot chocolate, and of course smores. I went a little overboard and made a "build your own smores" table. It was a big hit.

                                                               My Snicker Bar Smore

Halloween...yes in January.

I wanted to share a few of your Halloween memories from 2011. I know it is January now, but I didn't blog most of the Fall so I am catching up now.

The kids love the Lady Bug Girl book series. The first time we read Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy I noticed how much they actually looked like the children. (Dragonfly girl and Butterfly girl also had a strong resemblance their friends Olivia and Emma.)

 As Halloween approached the kids were not really sure what they wanted to be. One night I read the book to Preston. He announced after I was finished that he was going to be Bumblebee boy for Halloween. I said that was a great idea!! We asked Sophia if she was interested in being Ladybug girl and she thought it would be fun! So I set out to create the costumes. I made her a red and black tutu. I found the wings, antenna, and rain boots at Target. She used a read shirt she already had. For Preston I made him a cape and eye mask. I got very lucky that he actually already had a black and yellow striped shirt in his closet. I searched the Internet for hours before I realized he already had it! He went through many "stingers" before he settled on a wonderful stick he found in the front flowerbed. We had so much fun Trick or Treating!

The Camp, Murray, and Krimm kiddos.

I also HAD to make fun treats for them to give to their classmates. I found this fun treat on Pinterest from http://www.theidearoom.net/ 

Oreo Eye Pops

So easy and so cute. They even have free printables to go with the pops.

I took a few photos as I made them so that you can try it yourself (next year).

You will need:

Double Stuff Oreos

popcicle sticks

white melting coating chocolates

waxed paper

gummy savers

writing frosting gel(I used black)

clear goodie bags

ribbon

free printable tags

You first put the oreos on the popcicle sticks. Be very careful not to break the cookie. I only broke 3 !

The next step is to melt your white chocolate over a double boiler. I just used a bowl over a simmering pot of water. Dip your oreo sticks into the chocolate. You can also used a spoon to help coat the tops. Place the sticks onto wax paper. Before they cool completely drop a gummy lifesaver in the middle of the oreo.

Then just dab a dot of writing gel in the center. Allow the pops to cool completely before wrapping them up. Enjoy.

Fall Belated

Okay this Fall went WAY to fast. I feel like I had no time to blog at all. I am going to spend the next few days looking back on some fun in the fall, great ideas you may want to try next year, and recipes you can do anytime!
Early October:
We went on a few fun fall adventures. The first was to Todd’s Family Fun Farm in Dyersburg ,TN. If you are in the area I would recommend it. Our wonderful friends the Duffie’s joined us. The children enjoyed jumping in a truck full of cotton, corn maze, pig races, swimming in a corn silo, and a nighttime hayride. Here are a few of my favorite photos.


This is Preston at the pumpkin patch. We went together on morning while Sophia was in school. It was nice to have that time alone with him.

This is an October trip to the zoo. Sophia had a special connection with the animals. We told her she needed to say with the monkeys… she didn’t think that was a good idea.

With the change of the weather I had to decorate of course!!
I found a few cute ideas on Pinterest. I thought these table pieces were so cute and easy to make. I took a few old vases I already had and layered in split peas, red beans, and corn. I matched up the colors with some fresh pumpkins and fall leaves. I used a simple gold charger to hold the pumpkins I got from Good Will for $1.00. You will also see it used in my Christmas photos.

More Fall tomorrow...night night!!