Halloween

Happy Halloween!!!

It's SNOWING!

First snow of the year!

Cupcake Crew

Halloween is in full swing around here! Sam, Benjamin, and Amanda came over this morning to make cupcakes. The kids didn't waste any time getting into the candy. After all, what is the point of making cupcakes if you can't eat the cute candy decorations???

Shawn's 4th Birthday

We spent most of the afternoon at Shawn’s house celebrating his 4th birthday. Bryan and John (Shawn’s Dads') LOVE to entertain and make the most fantastic meals ever. For the party they had homemade pizzas – every kind you could imagine, homemade Italian subs, fresh fruits, and a beautiful spinach salad with fresh green apples and bacon. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, out comes a Nemo cake made by John.

It was a beautiful day spent with lots of great people!

Jersey Shore

We decided to take an impromptu overnight trip to the Jersey Shore. Because it’s off-season, the rates were super cheap. So Friday afternoon, we packed up the car and headed for the shore. I didn’t know this at the time, but the particular area we went, called Wildwoods, is the ‘Doo-Wop’ capitol of the world. The hotels all looked like something from a cartoon, it was straight out of the movie ‘Pleasantville’. All the diners were 50’s themed, even the local Wawa was retro style. The hotel we stayed at was called the ‘StarLux’. The hotel was way cool, retro and art deco. You had the option to stay in the hotel, in the cottages, or in the Airstreams…yes, I said, Airstreams. On the hotel property were two 25 foot 1956 Airstream trailers up on a deck covered with Astroturf and fake palm trees (http://www.thestarlux.com/rooms.htm#trailer). The inside of the trailers were all customized in retro deco style. Very cool, great atmosphere, and perfectly located. I couldn’t help think of my dad and all the car show trips we went on as kids. This place is right up his alley.

After checking out we headed a few miles south to beautiful Cape May, NJ. We went to the Cape May State Park where the beautiful Cape May lighthouse is located. After a nice hike on the nature trails along the beach, we went to the park museum, and then over to the lighthouse for photo ops.

Before we headed home we made one more stop, Cape May County Zoo. Lori and I were not sure we’d be able to take Zoe while we were there because of the rain but it turned out to be perfect weather. This Zoo was fantastic and we all had a great time!

Cookies

Growing up, my mom was always the ‘baker’ and the ‘cook’ in the family. Mom was always coming up with creative things to make. We never missed a holiday baking opportunity, be it making cupcakes, gingerbread houses, coloring Easter eggs, making ghosts out of lollipops and Kleenex, etc. One of my FAVORITE things my mom made every year by the dozen were sugar cookies with red and green sugar crystals on top. Mmmmm. I remember coming home from school and smelling them, and asking every thirty seconds, “Are they done? Are they done?” Once they were done, it seemed like an eternity would pass before they were cool enough to eat. Needless to say, when I heard my mom say, “They are ready!” I was the first one in line to collect, and it was GO TIME!

For YEARS, I’ve been trying to make the same cookies. Mom has given me the recipe a million times, but no matter how many times I try to make them, they just aren’t the same. There is something about the way my mom makes them that I cannot compete with, maybe it’s because she has the special touch. Whatever the case, I keep trying -- with no luck. I have however, picked up the tradition of making holiday goodies with Zoe. That is one thing we LOVE doing, and Zoe always looks forward to. Not only do I have so many memories doing them as a child, but also I just love sharing all the traditions passed down to me from my mom. I can only hope Zoe will pass them on to her children too.

Yesterday, when Zoe woke up from her nap, we decided to make some cookies. We did everything possible to make them just like my mom’s but as good as they tasted, they still can’t compare with my mom’s.

Robe

With this chilly weather we’ve been having, Zoe has been wearing her robe in the morning to ‘stay warm’ when she gets up. She got her sassy robe from the Bayless Family last year for her birthday and it’s simply adorable on her. It even has her name embroidered on it!

What a ham!

Weekend Bliss

What a fabulous weekend! Nana and Ed were not here nearly long enough but we were glad to get a little time with them. If it were up to Zoe, her WHOLE family would live within a five-mile radius. She’s a FAMILY GIRL and I can’t blame her!

Saturday, we woke up early and went to eat a BIG breakfast before we headed to a local ‘pumpkin patch’. Once we looked around and took several pictures, Nana & Ed hit the road to continue on their weekend getaway. When we got home, Zoe took a nap while Shelli and I prepared everything to carve our pumpkin. When Zoe woke up, she and I scooped out the pumpkin ‘guts’ to get it ready for Shelli to carve. By the time we were done, Zoe and I were covered in pumpkin seeds but it was so much fun!

This morning when we woke up, we decided to go to the farm and pick some fresh flowers. We packed a bucket and a pair of garden sheers and off we went. We ended up with about a dozen of beautiful Zinnias. Zoe had so much fun picking out the all the different colors and making sure we didn’t too many of any one color.

This was the first time since my surgery that I even had the energy to do anything so, needless to say, I was ecstatic to get out and have some quality time with two of my favorite girls!

Thanks again Nana and Ed for taking such good care of Zoe last week. We are sorry you couldn’t stay longer! We hope we see you sooner than later!

Zoe's Home!

It’s been a LONG week but I’m happy to announce, our baby is home! Nana and Mr. Ed got here just in time for dinner. We all gathered around the table to get caught up on everyone’s week.

Today was the first day I’ve felt well enough to get up and out of the house. It was nice to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather we've been having. Shelli took me to lunch and we even went for ice cream after. It was a wonderful afternoon! Thank you all for the get well wishes.

We are looking forward to a weekend of much needed family time. We’ve missed Zoe so much and are so grateful for Nana. Her and Mr. Ed are champs taking care of a toddler for a week. You guys rock!

News O The Day

Just a quick snapshot of Zoe's day at Nana's:

1) Zoe and Thomas pose for a quick photo op (Zoe a little more willingly than Thomas).

2) Paparazzi captured Zoe in full costume from the Sr Center party and she was on the front page of the local paper.

3) Zoe and Nana gather acorns and leaves for Mamaw.

4) Zoe and Nana go to the local apple orchard

5) Zoe takes a trip through the local art gallery.

In other news, Lori is feeling about 85%, no cramps today, just a little 'yucky'. I expect she'll be back to 100% by the end of the week. We are missing Zoe very much, but we know she is having a blast getting some quality 1 on 1 time with 'her' Nana.

Halloween at Nana's

With Lori's surgery coming up, and school being out for the week, we thought it would be a good time for Zoe to spend a week with Nana. On Sunday we met Nana and Mr Ed half way and dropped off Zoe for a big week with her Nana.

Lori's surgery was today, all went well. She had to have a little extra anesthesia so she was pretty groggy and slept most of the day. I made some dinner, gave her a dose of pain meds and put her to bed around 9pm.

Nana and Zoe have a full calendar, with parties at the Senior center, shopping, and a trip to see Ms Sharon. Below are some pics from the party, Nana said Zoe was the life of the party and was doted on and fawned over all day by everyone. After they got home Zoe barely made it to the bed before she was out. You know it's a big day when you don't have to fight Zoe to take a nap!

Wedding Bliss

Yesterday, we went to my cousin’s wedding in Delaware. This was our first time to ever visit Delaware and it was BEAUTIFUL! The wedding took place outdoors and was picture perfect. My cousin and his new wife, Erin looked so happy and so in love. It was so much fun and it was nice to see all three of my cousins. It was the first time in almost nine years that we’ve all been together in one place.

I don't think we had one conversation with Zoe the whole afternoon/night. She was too busy playing with all the kids and eating everything she could get her hands on ---ha!

Father of the bride

My cousin David & his wife Erin -- CAKE TIME!

Family shot with all my cousin's -- Welcome to the family Erin!

Just us... Grabbing a quick picture with the groom (my cousin)

Bike Ride

It was a perfect afternoon for a family bike ride!

Mother - Daughter

When Mimi is away, us girls will play! As much as I hate that Shelli travels so much for work, it’s just the way of life for us.

Tonight, while Zoe was taking a bath she asked me if we could play ‘beauty’. I pulled out the hair rollers, my nail bag, and I got all my ‘fancy’ lotions out so Zoe could pick the one she wanted to use. After she was all ‘done-up’, she asked me to make her some hot chocolate with marshmallows. It was a perfect girl's night!

Shelli will be home late tonight and we (I) always look forward to her walking through the front door!

Crayons

I always save projects that I think Zoe would enjoy doing. Today we made CRAYONS FOR THE TUB!

Crayons for the Tub:

1) Grate a bar of Ivory soap using the smallest holes on the cheese grater.

2) Add 10-15 drops of food coloring and 2 tablespoons of warm water to the grated soap.

3) Add more warm water, a tablespoon at a time, and stir until it looks like thick dough.

4) Press the mixture into ice cube tray and freeze for 30 minutes. Pop the crayons out of the tray, and let then dry for a day or two before using.

These are not the prettiest crayons BUT, Zoe cannot wait to get in the tub with them and that is all that matters!!!