happy Friday & a craft & a sweet pic

TGIF y'all.  It's been a long week full of runny noses, whininess and tons of amazing cuddle sessions.  I am thankful for health and a week ahead with family in ND.

If you are itching to create with your little ones this weekend this is the perfect craft.  We made these this morning with 3 of Reagan's friends and it was such a hit.  The texture is a lot like homemade playdough.  Quite messy but easy to clean up and they smell amazing (and remind me of my childhood).

cinnamon applesauce ornaments

1 cup applesauce

1.5 cups ground cinnamon

Mix cinnamon into applesauce slowly until it forms a ball without sticking to your hands.  Sprinkle cinnamon on counter and have child roll/press out dough with their hands.  Cut out shapes with cookie cutters. 

Poke a small hole in the top when a pen so you can string some twine through to hang on your tree.

Let dry for about 48 hours.

This year I started a little preschool time twice a month on Friday mornings in our home.  Today we tried doing a little nativity drama.  Hilarious.  I love these sweet kids!

I love bacon // easy app

This amazing dish is perfect for an appetizer, Christmas party, football game or let's be real: I made it for dinner tonight.  I'm in love.  

Cheesy Bacon Sliced Potatoes

One bag of potatoes sliced thinly

One package of bacon, fried or oven baked (reserve 2-3 tbsp grease)

One bag of cheddar cheese 

Green Onions

Ranch for dipping (always)

Preheat oven to 375.  Thinly slice potatoes (about 1/4 inch slices).  Boil potatoes for about 10 min (or until you can stick fork through but not overly done).  Cover baking sheet with a very light layer of grease.  Line sliced potatoes up.  Brush potatoes with another couple tablespoons of grease.  Layer with plenty of cheese and then bacon.  Bake until melted and bubbly.  Top with chopped green onions.  

Halloween 2014

I should probably post about Halloween since I am considering walking downstairs to get my Christmas decorations out.  It's a snowy wonderland up here today.

50th and France pumpkin festival 

Mabel and Ellie as cupcakes.

Homemade super heros.

Homemade (by amazing Lucy) Hawaiian pizza (the best kind of pizza).

Anni and Rea

The moms.

Pretending to be his favorite thing in the world, a "paaappy daw."

elle & james // 20ish months

I still can't believe that this sweet double batch was given to me.  Thanks, Lord.  Thank you for EVERY day.

And who else thinks daylight savings is a big old crock?  

twin cities marathon 2014

We had the privilege of cheering on Brad and Michelle (Chantel's younger sister) in this year's TC marathon.  Mom and Steve joined us and we made a morning out of it.  James (and the girls) saw a glimpse of what their obnoxious mother will be like at their future sporting events.  I love a good competition.   

Jamesey loves Mabey!  

the apple orchard.

Monday was the first cool, crisp fall day and we headed to an apple orchard/working farm with so many wonderful friends in our church family.  Reagan and James were in heaven with the animals and big kids.  Elle hung out in the ergo but eventually warmed up to the big crowd and had a grand time!  So thankful for the amazing families my littles are growing up with.

This picture makes me laugh.  Reagan and her dear friend, Abi, couldn't believe how funny this was!  Reagan adores Abi and follows her around everywhere she goes. Couldn't think of a better little girl for her to emulate!

a sweet summer.

I can't believe it's September.  This summer was so satisfying.  We did a lot and then sometimes didn't do much at all.  Many days my babes were independent, easy and sweet. Sometimes they tugged at my legs all day or we lived on the living room floor with all 3 fighting over my lap amidst piles of books.   

We spent tons of time outside.  We beached, parked, pooled or playdated 4 days a week.  JD and I got addicted to "LOST."  He made me lots of amazing cocktails and we stayed up way too late laughing, chatting and just being next to eachother.  James became our chatterbox, learning words left and right.  Elle has become more quiet, more fearless and REALLY into anything that buckles.  Reagan went from long naps to rests in her room and just said goodbye to her nighttime pull up.  JD worked hard and experienced great success in the office.  We worked hard at home and got a hold on more of our kids' hearts.  God is teaching me to keep my eyes on Him more and myself less.  That's all I want.  

Now onward to football, baby z and p, trips to the orchard (aka donuts), BSF, and lots of soup on my meal plan!  

4 generations.

summer vacation continued.

I took a zillion pictures per usual as we traveled from MN to MI to NY and back again, with a pit stop at Gwynnie's beautiful Linwood.  Here are some of my favorites.  Best parts of vacation: introducing my extended family to my sweet twinnies, being served by my amazing mama, and laying out in the sun one afternoon uninterrupted with my man for more than three hours!

I got it from my mama.

so thankful for the beautiful lady who taught me how to choose joy.