Pumpkin Spice Latte: In Review

First I tried this one. Click on the pictures for the recipe.

Then I tried this one.

Then I gave up on the actual "Latte" part and just made Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer.  It was better.

But just so you know, I would still prefer this...

...and this...

...and especially this.

Two and a Half

Men and Shopping Shouldn't be in the Same Sentence

The other day, Chris had to go to the big city for a doctor's appointment.  When you live in a small town like we do, no one escapes on a trip to town without a grocery list.  So, I compiled a list of groceries that our household desperately needed.  I organized it by aisle, highlighted quantity, and even printed out pictures of the items where I thought there might be some confusion.  We went over the list together the night before and after a few hours, I was confident that he could manage it.

From the moment he walked into the grocery store, until the moment he walked out....he called me NINE times.  9. Nueve.  Some questions were legit.  I guess men don't know that the spices are alphabetized.  Other calls were ranting about how he couldn't find something else. 9 times.  At one point he claimed it was too hard and that he was going to quit.  I simply replied, "Honey, you should try to do this with 4 arms flying out of the basket trying to grab everything in sight.  Now, get back in there!"

I will say that when I got home, it was absolutely the greatest thing ever.  Not only did he get everything on the list, but when he got home it was all tucked away nicely where it went (except for a small pile he was unsure about).  He didn't even pull the "Raymond" card and misplace everything so he doesn't have to do it again.

He even went to academy and bought the boys new winter coats and camouflage pants.  What a great Dad!  Now, don't get me wrong, I love to go shopping, but I don't consider grocery shopping with 2 year old twins "shopping."  It's more like a wrestling match.

Nighty, Night...

I don't mind the boys getting in bed with us at night.  We always put them down in their beds, but some time during the night they migrate to our bed.  Heath is worse about it than Hunter.  That's fine with me.  They will only be little for a short time and I will cuddle with them any time I get the chance.  I'm sure by the time they are seniors in high school, they will not want to sleep in our bed.

However, this was last night...

Now...Picture Twins!

I Love Friday Night Football

I love Friday night football games.  Not because I get to watch the game, because, let's face it...with 2 two year olds, I don't get to watch the game. I love it because of the people.  I (semi) get to visit with my friends.  I love the unity of all the people in the stands going for the same team.  I love that no one is embarrassed to dress exactly like 100 other people in the same t-shirt and colors.  I love the traditions.  The band.  The players.  The cheerleaders. The chop. 

 Heath loves it too.  It's the only time Hunter will leave him alone and not  steal his trucks.  Just kidding, he did watch some of the game.  There is only so much football a two year old can take.

GO TEAM!

Pumpkin Ice Cream

My family is really not a big ice cream eating family.  Chris won't touch the stuff and I would prefer to have a brownie over ice cream anyday.  However, I took it upon myself to figure out how Mom's ice cream maker kitchen-aide attachment worked.  Not only did I figure it out, but I made some yummy dessert.  The key (incase you are wondering) is to put really cold ingredients in the mixer.  I mixed it all up a day in advance and let it set in the fridge.  When I added it to the ice cream maker, it only took about 10 minutes to freeze.

Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

1 (15 ounce) can solid-pack pumpkin
1 cup cream

2/3 cup half-and-half

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

What kind of mom would I be if I didn't share?

To find the "real" recipe, click here.  I kind of adjusted the recipe for what I had in the kitchen and didn't have to go buy.  I believe recipes are really just suggestions, anyway.  Don't tell Chris.

...and that's all I have to say about that.

Bird Hunting with 2 year olds. Imperative Sentences.

Heath, don't throw rocks.

Hunter, don't throw rocks at your brother.

Boys, don't throw rocks in the water trough.  You are getting covered in stinky mud.

Boys, don't drink from the water trough.

Heath, don't throw rocks at the decoy.

Hunter, don't sit on the dog.

Hunter, take this bird to Momma.

Hunter, stop swinging the bird above your head.  You're getting blood all over yourself.

Heath, stop chopping down the mesquite tree.

Heath, don't hit Hunter with the mesquite limb, he'll get a sticker.

Hunter, stop throwing shells out of the ranger.

Boys, stop poking shot gun shells down the snake hole.  Momma's not reaching her hand down there to retrieve them.