Brick Wall "Photo Shoot" and More

Over the weekend we attended my cousin's wedding. While waiting around after the big family photo but before the ceremony, we found a cool brick wall to take some photos in front of...some of these look like 'senior pictures', I know. What is it about a brick wall that screams "Take your picture here!" Maybe it's the texture? Color? Aged look? Not sure...

Sadly enough, this was the best photo of James and me together. He just doesn't want to smile and look in the direction of the camera at the same time.

My boys

This cutie patootie is my younger brother Jeff. He just turned 21 this week! (I love the couple in the background taking a picture of the gal leaning over the rail...tee hee)

I know, really adorable couple alert! This is my brother Joel and his wife Elizabeth. They're expecting a baby (my niece!) in February.

the siblings

I sense a little bit of a teen attitude in this slouch...where did that come from?

messing with the black and white setting...

My dad with James

Earlier that day Elizabeth came over to hang out...

...as did our friends Ricky, Kristen, and Elianna....

...and Duncan, Joel and Elizabeth's puppy. James and Duncan get along great! They've only been around one another a handful of times, but James can't get enough! He loves trying to catch D's tongue and giggles when he gets a lick! Duncan appears to be winking at the camera here...smart doggie!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday! There's a GREAT family operation just West of us about 25 minutes, free hay-rack rides and all! James' favorite part was getting to touch as many pumpkins as he wanted. He had a little trouble walking amongst all the vines, but didn't seem to be bothered by it. He'd just tap and try to lift whichever pumpkin he was closest to! I think Mark and I may have enjoyed the whole experience even more than James! We ended up picking out two; a big orange one and a small still-green one. We're pretty sure it will continue to ripen, but in the meantime, it's fun to have a multi-colored pumpkin! We were so thankful for the sunshine on a weekend day so we could all go together. It seemed like everybody else had the same idea; it was a busy place. I actually ran into a former co-worker, a family from church, a new friend from MOPS, and an old classmate from high school.

Enjoy the pictures! (If they go by too quickly, you can pause them and click through each picture at your own pace)

Chow Time

Thirteen months tomorrow. At his 12 1/2 month appointment we discovered James is 21.5 pounds and 31 inches tall. I think that put him somewhere in the 25th percentile for height and 75th for height. He's not too chunky, but only because he's always on the move; he actually eats quite a bit! James normally eats his own breakfast and then begs and mooches off of me for bites of mine! He just can't stand to see anyone eat food and not try a bite himself.

I know that toddlers are notorious for being picky eaters. One day they're eating everything, the next day (and for months to come) all they want is bananas. I really don't know what I'll do when/if that happens! James has tried and pigged out on chili, chicken tortilla soup, garlicky hummus, chipotle-style rice and beans, cheddar chowder, and chicken in buffalo sauce in the past few weeks. Apparently he loves spicy and well-seasoned food! Another thing he loves? Steamed green beans. One things he's tried twice and hates? Scrambled Eggs. Funny little guy.

The above photos are of him chowing on some extra filling from some orzo-stuffed peppers I made last week. I discovered that orzo is a great sized pasta for his little fingers!

I'm having so much fun with the new camera, but know I have a lot to learn yet. I think I've taken 800 pictures! Yikes! Coming soon are some pictures we took over the weekend; at my cousin's wedding and the pumpkin patch!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte

If you enjoy a pumpkin spice latte from any coffee shop, you'll probably reallllly like this recipe! This latte was mentioned this morning on Good Morning America. At first I was concerned I wouldn't be able to find canned pumpkin (it calls for 2 tablespoons), but my grocery store had plenty! Maybe you've heard of the recent canned pumpkin shortage...it's been such an ordeal! (Okay, I've been a little dramatic about it.) But apparently pumpkin is back. I also bought a couple 'pie pumpkins' and plan to try making my own pumpkin puree!

Three cheers for canned pumpkin!

And here's a link to the recipe. What do you do with the rest of the can of pumpkin? Make pumpkin muffins!! I would have if I didn't already have gobs of leftover desserts around the house. My extra pumpkin is in the fridge waiting to be baked later this week! Back to the drink...I really liked this 'latte'. I will say that I haven't purchased many from coffee shops because I'm so cheap, but I did have one a few weeks ago and this tastes pretty close, in my opinion. I thought it was delicious! You could maybe up the spices a little, but it was really nice as is! Enjoy!

p.s. This really only makes enough for a couple of people to enjoy, so you might double or triple it for company!

Back in Business!

Woo-hoo and thanks Mark, my in-laws, and parents for the new camera! Mark picked out a Ca*non Rebel XSi (I think) for my birthday and I am loving it so far. I have a lot of re-learnin' to do, though. I took photography in high school but have forgotten so many of the basics after using 'point-and-shoots' for the last ten years....TEN YEARS?! A decade?! I turned 28 last week. No, it doesn't really feel any different.

Back to the photos...these were all taken with the automatic settings and I think it does a great job...I'm excited to do a little more research and take some more artsy pictures, too!

It's been two weeks since I posted last. We've been to two weddings (congrats Jenny and Drew, Warren and Casie), Mark painted the basement, I started using cloth diapers (that deserves its own post, really), made some fun treats I've been dying to try for a year (cupcake pops), and found out I'm going to have a niece!! My brother Joel and his wife Elizabeth are due in February! I'll include more details and photos later...

Out with the old...

A few weeks ago Mark replaced our groovy 70s green olive kitchen sink with a new stainless steel one! Woo-hoo!! The kitchen feels much more up-to-date. James was totally fascinated with the whole process and tried his best to help Daddy.

I'd post a picture of the new sink, but as I mentioned in a previous post, the camera is not working now. I did get a new cell phone with a camera, but haven't figured out how to use it yet. (I know, how contemporary of me! A camera on my phone!?)

First Birthday

These pictures are long overdue! We celebrated James' birthday last weekend at Mark's parents' home.

The balloons were a special request on my part. Every time James sees balloons at the grocery store, he goes nuts! He yells out, 'Ball! Ball!' He was just as excited about his birthday balloons!

the cake

Can't believe he's a year! He was actually pretty worn out before the party started. He didn't sleep very well the night before...

We had to blow the candle out for him...I'm guessing that's fairly typical. He was desperately grabbing for the flame, though!

James celebrated his b-day with six of his cousins, all his grandparents and many aunts and uncles. His cousins 'helped' him open his gifts!

He LOVED his cupcake! He kept turning it over to get to the frosting side...

Later in the afternoon we headed to a lake for a hay rack ride and bonfire! Mark drove the tractor. James was completely mesmerized by it all.

Ready to go!

Exploring in the straw.

roasting hot dogs on willow branch/sticks...a first for me, too!

James gobbled up his cowboy beans, hot dog, hashbrown casserole and watermelon! No, this meal didn't go down as his healthiest, but boy was he happy!

So far "one" seems pretty similar to "almost one". James does have a third tooth now! It's an upper left tooth...not too noticeable unless he's being tickled! Mark and I think he's developing such a sense of humor. He loves to make us laugh and get our attention by shouting and laughing out of the blue. He has also surprised us by loving some pretty spicy foods this week--fajita marinated chicken and chili!!