Halloween Preparations 2013

I finished creating all types of treats for our little booger bears. This year, I made candy treat hands with bat rings for each student in both Katie and Colton's class.  I used Smarties for the fingers and individual bags of Skittles and M&Ms for the hand part.  I tied off the top with decorative ribbon.

It's been a few years since I've made Salt Dough Ghosts, but I thought Katie and Colton's teachers would like them as a Halloween gift.  CLICK HERE for the Salt Dough Ghost instructions.



Lastly, I wanted to try something new.  I found these on the grocery store shelves.

Now, you may have already seen these Jet-Puffed Pumpkin Spice Mallows before, but I had not.  I love the pumpkin spice flavor and a light bulb went off.  Why not make pumpkin rice krispy treats in the shape of pumpkins?  I got the ingredients and went home.  I used a Rolo for the stem and green icing for the leaves.  As I was looking at Kraft's website, I like the idea of putting a mini candy bar like 3 Musketeers inside the pumpkin.  Great idea!  However, I didn't have any mini candy bars to put in the center of each pumpkin.  I basically made these just like you would make regular rice krispy treats.  

Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispy Treats 

3 Tbsp. Butter 

1 package Kraft Jet-Puffed Pumpkin Spice Mallows

6 cups Gluten Free Rice Krispy Cereal

6 Individual Rolos

Green Icing 

On low heat, melt butter.  

Add marshmallows and stir constantly until melted. 

Add cereal and stir until coated completely.  

Keeping your hands wet at all times, form the cereal into a large ball and place on a flat surface.  Because your rice krispies are still warm, it might try to fall apart.  Keep your fingertips wet and mold back together.  Once it cools the ball will stay in it's form.  This recipe will make 6 large pumpkins.  Place a little icing on the bottom of the Rolo before placing it on top of the pumpkin, to make your stem.  With a leaf tip on the bag of green icing, decorate the top with leaves and curly stems.  Have fun with it!  

I could not believe my eyes, when Katie brought this home from school.  They've been well on their way with Multiplication Tables for a few weeks now.  Who would have thought Algebra?  I guess I was a little shocked when I showed it to Doug.  He very calmly said well she can do it.  That wasn't the point.  She's just 8 years old and just began memorizing her multiplication tables.  I looked at the sheet again and realized that yes, she can do it.  

Congratulations Nathan and Natalie

My niece and her boyfriend of three years have finally gotten engaged.  She graduates college this Winter and then she can spend the rest of her time, planning her dream wedding.  They've set a date for this coming Spring and SHE HAS THE DRESS.  Things are ticking right along just like clock work.  We are so excited for them both.  Nathan is so good to her, treats her like a queen.  They are so in love and I don't think I'll have to say it too loud because I think you can see it in the pictures.  They wanted a few engagement photos.  What better time to do it than in the month of October?

I simply made the background black and white

"Love"

Actually, I was planning on cutting their bodies out of this picture and zoom in on the heart, but look at them.  They are so in love.  I couldn't cut them out because this is LOVE. 

My instructor told me how the Autumn lighting is so different compared to Summer.  I believe it!  However, I have to say this photo brings a sense of passion.  

They really liked how this picture brings out their blue eyes.  We think it's the red blanket and Natalie's shirt.  Regardless, it turned out perfect. 

Thank you so much guys for allowing me to pull you around for an hour, taking pictures.  It gives me a chance to get more experience, learn from mistakes and see the difference in lighting opportunities.  

We love you and wish you the very best future God has to offer!!! 

2013 Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

2013 Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

This was a fun little trip for the kids.  We were on a live farm with loads of fun things to do. 

The farm had ponies, goats, sheep and pigs, making all kinds of noises.  The kids loved it!  All except Colton and his buddy.  I kept trying to get him to pet the animals and talk to them, but the only thing on this little boy's mind was having fun.  I could just see his little mind turning.  Thinking, what can I jump, climb or slide down.  

This is called the black mamba.  It is a huge slide, the biggest I've ever seen.  Colton LOVED it!!  I couldn't get him away from it long enough to do other things.  

This is the Johnny Jump.  It reminds me of a enormous trampoline.  Sand is nestled all around the Johnny Jump to catch the kids that jump too hard or high.  You've never heard so many giggles. 

Play Barn - down stairs has a bend full of corn for the kids to play in it.  Upstairs is a big open area to run around and go down the slide.  

Colton having a great time on the Johnny Jump - he found the dump trucks in the sand

Silly lil' punkins

Colton with one of his buddies - Colton hates having his picture taken