I like it... Halloween.

Last Halloween I wanted to puke my guts out. In fact- I think I did actually. I was preggo and sick and man what a difference a year makes. We decided to "rock" our rocker costumes again and it was so much better this year to not feel like a total dud. and warmer, ooooh it's fun tot trick or treat and not have to wear a million layers or cover costumes with coats! and do I even need to mention the adorable sidekicks we had???

I was cracking up this morning because Derek went to work like this. Bet those were some interesting eye exams...
this is part of my mojo coming back. It was one of those crazy pregnancy fantasies you have when you have a son, but dream about what froo froo you would create for a girl... and bingo! a baby mermaid. pretty sure I didn't invent mermaids... but this is the cutest one I've ever made.
look! she's posing!

isn't she just so beautiful?

and he's so into character of course. halloween is this kid's holiday. I think a mummy is the best costume for a little boy. The dirtier it gets, the better it looks. just don't tell him he's wearing eye shadow...

BOO!!! hope you had a great night!

getting wiggy with it

a little fun was had at our house Halloween morning before sending dad off to work. I was behind the lense but could have been in this wacky hair picture as well... no wig required. :)

can't wait to dress up my kids. is it time for trick or treating yet???

It has occured to me

while doing one of the most mundane tasks {walking into the grocery store} how very blessed I am.

I have a boy who still kisses me goodnight even though he says girls are gross {who also enjoys building giant paper airplanes}

i have beautiful children {that stink a lot sometimes} but always fill my life with richness, purpose and laughter.
she looks like me {she really loks like me}

and that is just awsome.

also... I got my mojo back. oh yes, you'll see.

i'm still.

not still as in "holding still"... still as in

still adjusting. still unpacking, still cleaning, getting up in the night and wondering how long it will be until I feel "settled". After a year in the road I am a little slow on the uptake I suppose, but life is good. Derek is paying do's and I am enjoying the freedom of staying home. As I was looking through pictures, I decided a random update was in order since we are wrapping up our summer of craziness...

my buddy and me.*

love this kid. he is a mini derek so I guess that's fitting.

*I chopped my hair...is summer almost over everywhere else? because here we are still roasting and swimming whenever we can. Easton even has a tan- never thought I'd see the day!
Easton and the Lofgran boys were cracking us up- singing and "showering" the pool.

see? we are cracking up!!! check out the armpit rolls!!!

Our Davis family camping trip left me asking myself two questions:

1.how in the world did so many boys get into our family? We used to be the Davis chicks- now we're overrun by stinky, dirty, gross boys. Payback- right dad?
and

2. Why did I go camping without my husband???

1st day of 1st grade. A sweet kiss goodbye and a short walk to school, then he was off. There were no tears, although he was apprehesive. We are a week and half into it and he is into it. Whew! I'm so relieved!

And what do us girls do while the Ames men are at school and work? We BUMBO!!!

ok-just Saige. But wouldn't it be a hoot in an adult version? I'd want yellow of course! She was a little confused at first-not to mention the fact that her thighs barely fit. there may or may not have been some mashing involved...but then she stayed in here for an hour and just stared at me. What a weird invention. brilliant, but w-e-i-r-d.

drooling and pointing with delight!

"OK mom- I like it. I don't get it- but I like it"

We are happy.

cupcake shops

apperently the new trend is to go to a fancy cupcake shop and spend five of your hard earned dollars (or in our case five of our kindly loaned from the federal government and earing interest daily...) to enjoy one of their delish cupcakes. Well, I don't know about you, but I don't think I've ever met a cupcake I didn't like. They are all delish. so why pay $5 for one? I spent five bucks on ingredients and got 24 for the same price. so... here's how I copied our local cupake favorite:

cake:

1 white box cake mix

3 eggs

2 T veg oil

2 tsp Coconut extract (new discovery- wonderful!)

frosting:

1/2 c softened butter

2 c powdred sugar

2 T cream

1 T coconut extract

top with toasted coconut, and take some to your neighbor. now you only have to feel guilty for eating the cupcakes. not eating them and spending so much. ;)

Is that yummy coconut frosting on your lip honey? yes. yes, it is.