Giggles

We have 7 kiddos for the next 3 days. It is party central with everyone needing something one right after the other. It is always fun to have the house full of giggles. We were making swirls with the whipped cream yesterday and I pointed out to Izzy they looked like Frosty's. She said, Frosty the snowman? Is there any other Frosty?

Christmas 2012

Our 3 week hiatus to the beach took a turn when I followed everyone else's example and slipped on the pool deck. I knocked myself out and ended up in the ER. This follows having a lady who was texting, run a red light, and total my suburban. Thankfully Izzy and I crawled out of the sunroof. Hopefully, we will leave all this in 2012. Happy Birthday today to my mom. I think about you often and have to remind myself of the quote,"live the life you were given, not the one you want." My mom was amazing in life and I am sure she is more amazing in heaven. Yesterday was also Madelyn's birthday. She would have been 10. Time really does fly. Thanks to God's peace that passes all understanding. At Christmas Eve service the pastor said, "when the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future." Seven more days here at the beach. In the words of Scott..... "Everyday is like a Christmas present."

Toes in the sand

It has been a long time since posting. We have spent fall break in Panama City Beach for piratefest and Thanksgiving in Gulf Shores. Now the elf has returned and he brought pajamas to the kiddos at the Chattanooga ChooChoo. They were so excited to see him again that they were running around the hotel room bouncing up and down. It is a great way to jumpstart the Christmas holiday with an elf tuck-in and elf workshop. This morning they will wake to find 25 wrapped children's Christmas books under the Christmas tree. A great way to cuddle up with the kiddos in the evening.

Catching up!

Thanksgiving was spent with the whole extended family. I set the table with great Grandma's plates that we used on the farm every year. Two days after that we went to ride the polar express train in Chattanooga. It is always a magical ride and they are giddy for the elf tuck-in afterwards. After it is the mad rush till Christmas. School plays, teacher gifts, neighbor gifts, Christmas cards, a visit to Opryland, getting a real Christmas tree, decorating......... It is always a blessing to arrive at the beach and just relax. I look forward to this family time every year. The slow down happens for a little over two weeks. This year after an overnight storm man-o-war came in with the tide. Great science lesson. The sting rays came in a few nights later. So many great memories.

Easy Apple Dumplings from The Pioneer Woman

This is the perfect quick dessert for a busy weeknight. My family loves these. I love the simplicity and they are delicious.
Apple Dumplings

2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream

Bella lost her first tooth!

Bella made her tooth pillow today in the shape of a heart. She sewed it up and ran upstairs to stuff it under her pillow. She is so excited to see if the tooth fairy will make an appearance tonight. Bottom left tooth is the first one to make an escape. She did not want anyone to pull it so it basically got so loose it just fell out of her mouth.

Retro Retreat

Our camper has been lugging us around these past two weekends. We took the kiddos to Beach Bend Park two weekends ago and then to Montgomery Bell this past weekend. Little Man finally got back on his bike after his early summer wipeout. He did awesome. He biked around the big loop at the campground over and over again. Ella even rode her bike around and made friends doing it. Her first tooth is loose. She is soooo excited. Lots of family memories happening on these impromptu family trips. I love that we found the camper and actually made the purchase.