The house with the funny window.

Down the street and around the corner from us there is a house that has a large bay window in the front. We drive by this house every Sunday on our way to church and we just have to slow down to check it out (even when we are running a little late... ooops). Why? Well, every month there is a new display in their window! The theme varies but it always consists of a blond girl mannequin, and two pigs that are dressed in various outfits(depending on the month).

The other night we decided to take a walk and made our destination the house with the funny window. We took some pictures so all of you can enjoy what we get to see every Sunday (sorry they are a little dark).

A close-up of the pigs...yes, they are wearing wigs.


Oh the dedication and extra time this person has!

Fun weekend

Wow, we did a lot this weekend. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do it all to be honest with you:-) Saturday started off with one of my best friend's, Holly, baby shower. It was a lovely shower and she looks beautiful! (Notice that you cant really tell that she is pregnant:-)

We played some cute baby shower games, ate good food, oooo'd and ahhhh'd over the cute baby boy clothes, and admired the cute sock monkey themed decorations.






After the shower I took a nap so that I would have enough energy to go to the Ward Halloween party. Aaron and I didn't have costumes yet so we just wore some festive Halloween colored clothes. Some of the highlights were seeing everyone in their costumes, walking into the scary trick-or-treat rooms, and stringing donuts on string and watching Aaron tease the kids with them.





It was a fun ward party. They even had a live band! We really need to come up with some costumes before this weekend!

Happy Birthday Linus!

It's been a while since we have blogged. I've been out of commission with a case of Mono so we haven't been doing much of anything. We ventured out last night to celebrate the birthday of one of our favorite little guys, Linus! He turned 3 last night and we had a great time celebrating with him and his family. Linus got A LOT of cool trucks and cars that kept him AND the big boys (Aaron and Matt) busy during the party.



Aaron and I had fun playing with little Hazel...

...and she had a good time snatching up Linus's gifts and playing with them before they got snatched back ;-)

Carrie always amazes me with the yummy things she bakes up. Linus had such a yummy chocolate birthday cake that was completely dairy free!




It was nice to get out and have some fun. Hopefully I will be able to get over this Mono sooner than later. It is probably the most frustrating illness I've ever had.

I can't wait for Halloween and all the fun that goes along with it!

Birthday Party at the Van G's

We had such a good time at little Miss Hazels 1st birthday party that I thought we should post some pics of the festivities:-)

Hazel had a great time opening presents with a little help from mom, dad, and big brother.


Lots of cupcake fun...


What is a birthday party without rides? This was the favorite:-)

Once the kids went to bed we brought out the Woof 'ems. Now, I know a lot of you are probably asking "Woof 'em? What's that?" The are the alternative to Smores and I have to admitt that they are now my FAVORITE campfire treat. Aaron and I are making some Woof 'em sticks of our own and I will post about them with more details once they are done.

For all of you that have requested this.

I don't think anything needs to be said:-)




Sorry Darrel:-)

What have we been up to?

Had a fun double date at Downtown Disney...

...with this great couple.

Went to the annual John Williams concert...


(So funny when every one pulls out their light saber when they play the Star Wars music.)


...with these great people.

(Big group this year thanks to Aaron's brother Darrel:-)

Made a quick date to Downtown Disney to pick up some of their kettle corn

and took some silly pictures while we were there.

I swear we have so much fun together it doesn't seem fair:-)

My first batch of cookies ever.

Recently I baked my first batch of chocolate chip cookies ever. I know it sounds strange that this is the first time I have baked cookies. I love to cook but I just didn't grow up eating baked goods or seeing them baked in my home. For a primary activity I decided to volunteer to bake some cookies. They went over really well so I thought I would share the recipe.



Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 3/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1 cup milk chocolate morsels
• 3 (1-ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup toffee crumbles

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

With an electric mixer, beat butter and shortening at medium speed until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well.

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Stir in chocolate morsels and toffee crumbles. Drop cookies by 1/4 cupfuls about 3-inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 11 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool for 2 minutes on baking sheets. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Enjoy!