baking with gramma

christmas with the mcconnells

a sleeping car...

equals a happy mama!!

(note: kevin is not sleeping, i just didn't want him to feel left out :)

it was only an hour and a half drive (that's nothin for us).... but still!

gotta count yo blessings.

we drove back today from visiting the mcconnells in beaumont.

we were there celebrating christmas

before they leave for charleston for a few weeks.

i didn't take ANY pictures so i snapped a few in the car.

hardly makes up for our time there. but we had a wonderful visit.

nancy had her new little house all decorated with stockings for ivy and eli,

lots of gifts under the tree,

christmas tree sheets on ivy's bed,

snowmen, wisemen,

christmas towels, etc.

such a fun time of year.

it was fun watching ivy open her presents this year

since she understands what's going on and gets really excited.

she got a new play kitchen (that she loooooves - the girl can multi task)

a tutu and ballet leotard from craig to encourage her amazing dance skills,

new books, bubbles, a stuffed puppy.

eli got new clothes that will solve our everything's-too-tight problem.

the boy is huge.

but i have to say i think i won in gifts this time.

i got some really thoughtful, nice things.

including the miette pastry book with a set of little 6 inch cake pans...

perfect for baking with ives!

craig was crazy as usual......

atleast he:

A) made fun of my husband for being out of shape

B) got us a date night to a concert in boston

C) didn't terrify ivy with his spontaneous yelling

D) didn't cause our son to throw up multiple times.

E) effectively communicated 15% of the time.

so we're making progress.

juuuust kidding. he's awesome and he knows it.

thank you mcconnells for being so wonderful to me.

and ivy.

and eli.

and of course kevin :)

we love you!

happy birthday

dear nana & craig!!

we love y'all!!!

4 months

(technically on the 10th....but we had his appt today.)

photo fun in the doc's office.

stats: 17 lbs, 26 inches. 90%

i love you eli!

you're sweeter, fatter, happier and cuter than ever.

mmwwaaa!

happy anniversary us

officially, december 1st.

if we weren't both holding a baby,

we'd have our arms around each other....

here's to many more!

(years and babies)

and trying to take atleast one picture of just us.

i love you

kevin.

thanks for marrying me!

pumpkin waffles

we made these a few days ago when our friend annie came over to make a gingerbread house with ivy! i know everyone is probably done with the pumpkin this year, but i just wanted to jot this down for my record because they were really good and worth remembering!

1 1/2 cups flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour for half)

3 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1 t cinnamon

1 t nutmeg

1 t ground ginger (didn't have this)

a pinch of salt

2 eggs

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup pumpkin

1 2/3 cup of milk (can't remember how much i used... just add til desired consistency)

4 T butter, melted and cooled

Heat your waffle maker.

Mix together dry ingredients in a bowl. (flour, powder, soda, salt, spices)

In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, pumpkin and butter.

Gently fold in the flour mixture.

Spray waffle iron and pour your batter in.

Cook until brown and slightly crispy.

Serve with honey and syrup of course!

+these also freeze really well. just keep in a ziploc, and when you're ready to make them, put them straight in the toaster from the freezer. we've been eating them all week!+

happy december!

my very favorite time of year!

1: ivy's little tree. she plugs it in when she wakes up in the morning. haha (i know that's dangerous).

2: our festive door :)

3: eli in the tub last night

4: cc's tiny pumpkin muffins & ivy's breakfast the past week (i know that's not healthy)

5: cambridge christmas tree lighting

6: fresh apple turnovers!

7: hot chocolate

8: pumpkin soup with cinnamon croutons

9: ivy's house shoes from gramma

HOME for CHRISTMAS countdown!! 7 days....