Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! Today we are on the farm with my parents and brother. Tomorrow we will go to Pratt with Blake's family to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with them. I will have lots of pics when we get back to share.

Fantasy Football

Blake is in a fantasy football league and they meet every Wednesday night. (Don't ask me to try to explain what it is.) Anyway, they take turns hosting it and last week was our turn. We told Jaxon that Daddy's football buddies were coming over so he went in and put on his Chiefs outfit. When they got there he asked where their uniforms were?

Dear God

Jaxon has modified his nightly prayer a little bit. Now it is, "Dear God, please give me a sister so that I can have 4 to play Sorry Sliders."

He got the game last week and wants us to play it just like the commercial which means we need a sister. One night he did say that she won't be able to play until she gets big though.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Tuesday we put up our Christmas decorations. I know it's early but we've been putting Jaxon off every since we put our Halloween decorations away. I didn't mind because I only have one Thanksgiving decoration and a ton of Christmas. I like to get it up early because we aren't here for Thanksgiving or Christmas so it gives us some time to enjoy our decorations. Also, Satanta has a tour of homes at Christmas and our house is in it this year. Jaxon is so big now. He was a lot faster and putting up the ornaments and he did much better at spacing them out.





Putting up our stockings.




Putting on the star.










All done!


Putting up snowflakes.

First Snow

When we got home on Sunday, right after we pulled into the house the first snowflake fell in Satanta. It looked great coming down but unfortunately it wasn't cold enough so none of it stuck. I purposely didn't tell Jaxon it was supposed to snow but he heard everyone telling us that we should get going so we'd beat the snow and he heard that. It was funny because at first he didn't believe us that it was snow because it was melting once it hit the ground. We had just gotten some new snow boots and jacket so he went ahead and tried them on and went outside to at least say he was out in it. Last year, I felt bad because he was so excited for it to snow and when we finally had snow he was sick and when he could finally go out in it, it had melted. He can't say he missed the first one this year - if you can count it.

It really was snow coming down even though it looks like just rain.

Check out my Motorcycle Shirt

Last weekend we went to the farm and got to see both sets of grandparents. Jaxon found my brother's old Mickey Mouse jacket and Jaxon thought it was cool enough to be his "motorcycle shirt". He kept showing it off to everyone saying he called it a shirt but his Uncle D called it a jacket. He kept saying he was a cool guy in it. So below you can see some poses that cool guys do.







Jaxonism:
They are starting a building project at our church and had to tear down a part of it. When Jaxon saw it he asked, "Why are they breaking my church?"

Christmas Already

The other day we drove by our friend's house the Goods (Jaxon's preschool teacher) and they had their Christmas lights up outside. Jaxon was already bummed because I put up the Halloween decorations so he got really excited and said that we needed to go right home and put our decorations up. Blake was gone Monday and Tuesday to a reading conference so I was able to put it off until he got back. Then we had meetings and stuff the rest of the week so we told him not until next week. We did get out some lights to put up around a window in his room and that will keep him satisfied for now.
I don't really care that much but this week was just too busy and I've got a lot of decorations so if I get them out then I want to put them all up at once. I love Christmas so if we put them up early we'll get to enjoy them longer.

Today was Dad's Day at Jaxon's preschool so Blake got to go and talk about his job. Blake said Jaxon was super quiet and wouldn't talk in front of everyone about his dad. I wish I could have taken pictures but I had to work. Jaxon told me all about it when I got home today. His favorite part was that the kids dressed up as different professions and he had a football uniform on.

Dancing

Last night Addison came over after school. Jaxon was so excited since he was sick earlier the week and wanted someone to play with. I was listening to music while cooking and they started dancing so I snatched some pics and video. It was so cute. Addison is 3 years older than Jaxon and is already training him up.



I'm not really sure where he learned it but I think he's caught a bit of Dancing with the Stars.

Jaxonism:
Jaxon woke up sick Tuesday night. He kept saying all day that his dreams made him sick. Also that he would be sick forever. He also ended up staying home Thursday so he missed his first day of school and a field trip - many, many tears for that.

Halloween 2009

On Halloween, I took Jaxon trick or treating with the Kings. We went around 5:30 and the weather was perfect. Jaxon is so independent. I started to get in the car and Jaxon said, "No, mommy I'll go by myself." I said no way I am going, sorry!. Then Addison and him wanted to walk by themselves and not ride. So we parked close to a bunch of houses we knew would have candy then started walking. Of course, Jaxon wanted to be carried after awhile because his legs were "killing him". So we went back to the car. Then Stacey and I stayed in the car and followed behind while Jaxon and Addison walked to the houses themselves. If we got out of the car for anything, Jaxon would freak out until we got back in. We were only out for a little over an hour and Jaxon said his bag was full enough (about halfway). That was good enough for me. That night we went to Howie's for a Halloween party and Blake's first practice gig.
Announcing: Blake is starting his own DJ business A+ Music. Halloween was the first time he'd used his equipment so we're still working out the kinks. We plan on starting a blog or website to give people info so I will post that as it comes up. Keep him in mind for any DJing gigs.

Jaxonism:
Day after Hallowen: Jaxon - "Is Halloween going to be forever?" Me - "No, honey it's over but we'll have it next year." Jaxon - "Nooo!" many, many tears

Waiting to go Trick or Treating.


Notice the Superman curl in the hair. His idea.


He has to do bunny ears all the time now. Who knows where he got it from?


Loving Mommy!








Trick or Treating at Julie's.


Blake with his equipment ready to start the party.

Halloween Recipes

Here are some Halloween recipes I've been trying out.

Mousse-Filled Witches' Hats
1 3/4 c. heavey whipping cream, divided
1 c. milk chocolate chips
4 squares (1 oz each) semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 t. shortening
1 package chocolate ice cream sugar cones
Halloween sprinkles
12 thin chocolate wafers


In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 c. cream to a boil; remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips until smooth. Transfer to a bowl; cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. In a small mixing bowl, beat remaining cream until stiff peaks form; fold into chocolate mixture. Cover; chill.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt semisweet chocolate and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip pointed tips of ice cream cones a third of the way into melted chocolate; roll in sprinkles. Refrigerate until set. Just before serving, spoon mousse into cones. Top each with a chocolate wafer. Invert onto a serving platter. Yield: 1 dozen

Those are the original directions but I had to make some substitutions since I couldn't find all the ingredients. I couldn't find chocolate sugar cones so I just used the regular ones and tried to dip the whole cone in chocolate. Then I couldn't find chocolate wafers (or any for that matter) so I used fudge-striped cookies.

Here are my pics making them with Jaxon and the finished product.






Here are some other things I made last week and took to school for the teachers to try out and they got good reviews.

Pumpkin Drop Cookies
1/2 c. butter-flavored shortening
3 c. sugar
1 can (15 oz) solid-pack pumpkin
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
6 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. salt
1 t. ground allspice
1/2 t. ground cloves
Cinnamon Frosting:
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
2 T. milk
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening and sugar. Beat in the pumpkin, eggs, and milk. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, allspice and cloves; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Drop by the tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 10 - 13 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Frost cookies. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 11 dozen

S'more Sandwich Cookies
3/4 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 T. milk
1 t. vanilla extract
1 1/4 c. flour
1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs (about 20 squares)
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. ground cinnamon
2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
24 to 28 large marshmallows

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in egg, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 8 - 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Place four cookies bottom side up on microwave-safe plate; top each with a marshmallow. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 16 - 20 seconds or until marshmallow begin to puff (do not overcook). Top each with another cookie. Repeat. Yield: about 2 dozen

Butterscotch Peanut Bars
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
3 c. salted peanuts

Topping:
1 package (10 - 11 oz) butterscotch chips
1/2 c. light corn syrup
2 T. butter
1 T. water

Line a 15 in x 10 in x 1 in baking pan with aluminum foil. Coat the foil with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add flour and salt; mix well. Press into prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 6 minutes. Sprinkle with peanuts.
In a large saucepan, combine topping ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until chips and butter are melted. Spread over hot crust. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until topping is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 4 dozen


Everyone loved these!
Spiderweb Brownies
3/4 c. butter, cubed
4 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate
2 c. sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 t. vanilla extract
1 c. flour
1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme
1 square (1 oz) semisweet chocolate

In a large saucepan over low heat, stir butter and unsweetened chocolate until melted. Remove from the heat; stir in sugar. Cool for 10 minutes. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. stir in flour and nuts. Pour intoa greased foil-lined 13 in x 9 in x 2 in baking pan.
Bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted neat the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Immediately drop marshmallow creme by spoonfuls over hot brownies; spread evenly. Cool on a wire rack.
Lift out of the pan; remove foil. For web decoration, melt semisweet chocolate and place in small resealable plastic bag. Cut a small hole in one corner of the bag; drizzle chocolate over top in a spiderweb design. Cut into bars. Yield: 2 dozen

Preschool Halloween Party

Last Thursday was Jaxon's Halloween Party at his Preschool. I got to go for some of it. They were all so cute. Jaxon of course was Superman but it surprised me most of the boys had some sort of muscles on their costumes. So of course that means that they had to use those muscles so it was kind of rough when they were able to play. They had lots of treats and candy that they had plenty left over. I brought Mousse Filled Witches Hats - check out other blog entry for recipe.
Jaxon's favorite was the vampire fangs that he got in a treat bag. He kept putting them in then when he took them out there would be a string of slober then he would panic because he'd have spit on his suit. Still didn't stop him from putting them in.
After they cleaned up the treats, they played musicial chairs. They had never played before so it was really cute watching them figure it out. Some were really aggressive and others had no idea.
They had a really great time!






Jaxon with his fangs.




Jaxon made me help other kids put their fangs in.




Miss Brandee is the witch.






Playing musical chairs.




Jaxon and Caylee sitting in the "special" chairs after they got out.


Jaxon checking out his loot when we got home.

Boo at the Zoo

On October 17 we went to Boo at the Zoo in Garden City. They close the zoo and businesses come in and decorate it up for Halloween. The kids get to go through and get candy. It was really neat. Some even had tents set up as haunted houses. We went when it was still light so it wasn't too scary but I bet it would be neat at night. Jaxon got to go with his good friend Addison King which made him happy to go with a friend.







The crazy long line.






The singing witches.






First Haunted House




Chucky






Jaxon was excited to see his teacher Miss Brandee, Caylee, and Caydon passing out candy.