This Unfamiliar Road

October 26, 2012

2 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

I have noticed this recipe floating around Pinterest lately, and I have to admit-I was way skeptical. I just didn't believe that 2 ingredients could come together to make something so delicious. But, I figured...it only cost $4.00 between the 2 ingredients, so really I had nothing to lose (or only about $4)!

Here goes nothin':

What You'll Need:
1 (15oz) can pumpkin (you will need the pure pumpkin, not pie filling!)
1 box spice cake mix

What You'll Do:

-Mix 'em together and drop by rounded tablespoon onto a lined cookie sheet

-Bake at 350 for about 18-20 minutes, or until edges are a little firm

I was quite pleased with how these cookies turned out. If you are looking for a crunchy or chewy cookie, this is not it. These have a more cake-y texture. In fact, I think for my next batch, I may try them out as cupcakes or muffins. I might even get crazy and add some cream cheese frosting. Watch out!

# Recipes

October 21, 2012

Pumpkin Patch

Andrea 10:14 PM 0 Comments

On Saturday, we took Peyton to her first pumpkin patch! I am all about family traditions, especially around the holidays, so it's these little things that are important to me.

After Aunt Maya's soccer game, we headed to Berry Patch Farms to partake in fall festivities like hay rides and pumpkins! I love this farm, and every year they seem to grow!

Maya is enjoying her ice cream...not exactly a fall treat

Walking towards the patch

Once in the pumpkin patch, the photo shoot began. I was so excited to get some of P sitting with the pumpkins. Peyton, however, was way more interested in her feet. The minute we sat her down, she began staring at them, and wouldn't look up! I got about 10 pictures like this...

"Oh look, my friends!"

Poppi was a thinker and handed her a Peyton-sized pumpkin, which helped a lot! I still wasn't crazy about the lighting. We were there around 5pm, so the sun was in a weird spot, casting shadows everywhere.

I was so focused on the pictures, I almost forgot to pick out a pumpkin! After our hayride back to the barn, we walked around a bit more. I found my friend (& coworker), Haley, who volunteers her time at the farm. She painted a pumpkin on Peyton's face.

P fell asleep in the Moby...again!

The girls played on an old tractor...perfect photo op

Laurel and her buddy

Maya-photogenic as always

Showing off her pumpkin

Family picture

Since I wasn't really pleased with the lighting at the farm, I decided to snap a few pictures when we got home. I somehow managed to capture this (lighting was PERFECT!):

I'll take it!

I hope everyone enjoys seasonal & holiday traditions with family!

October 18, 2012

Tour de Atlanta

Andrea 12:16 PM 0 Comments

We had a great visit with family from AZ and MI last week! It seemed that the goal was to squeeze as much into one week as we possibly could. Achieved!

Ben and his brothers spent 2 days playing in their annual "Brother's Cup" tournament. I think all the boys agreed that 4 rounds of golf in 2 days was way too much.

Ben's brothers gave him a special gift

I had to work on Tuesday & Wednesday, so P spent the whole day on Wed. at Grandma G's house with cousins Ava and Kenny. I was super nervous about her being away from home all day, but she was awesome! (and took much better naps than she does at home, of course)

Grandma G threw a birthday party for Ava!

On Thursday, we took the kiddos to the zoo!

Me and P

Amanda & Kenny

Kiddos

(I think P was eating lunch when they took this one)

Betsy & Emersen

Clearly, Peyton enjoyed the zoo ;)

We spent Friday trying to catch up on chores, then we got together for dinner. Jared stayed with us for the week, and he and Peyton spent lots of time together.

Uncle Jared teaching P about football

Saturday was our trip to the aquarium!

Rich & Ava 'petting' the fish

Peyton was actually interested in the fish

Ben's turn!

Can you tell I use the heck out of my Moby wrap? I love that thing! I will say it takes a bit of practice to get the wrapping right, but now, it's so easy to use. Peyton loves it too! She is able to look around and enjoy the scenery. Then, when she's sleepy, she just lays her head down and sleeps!

Once again, our little P bug was amazing! We were so busy, I don't think she ever took a real nap in her crib all week! There were a few days that she fell asleep in the car, so we put her whole carseat in her crib and she slept for 2 hours! What a trooper.

What a week we had! I miss our family and can't wait to see them again!

# Family # Weekend

October 17, 2012

Ben takes on the world...

Andrea 1:14 PM 0 Comments

A few months ago, my parents asked if we could take care of the girls for a weekend in October so they could go to a wedding in Savannah. I figured it wouldn't be a big deal-Maya and Laurel are easy, and super helpful with Peyton.
As the weekend approached, however, we realized that I had to work that weekend, and the girls' social calendar began growing. Ben assured me that he could handle it, though!

On Friday, we picked M&L up from the bus, took Maya to soccer practice, then took them to the school carnival!

Laurel on a ride

Peyton was so curious!

I ate dinner while she napped in The Moby...and accidentally spilled some queso on her head!

On Saturday, Ben took Laurel to tutoring in the morning, then Maya's soccer game in the afternoon.

Rockin the Baby Bjorn

My parents came back on Sunday afternoon, just in time for Ben to pack up and head to his Mom's house to see our fam from AZ (that's another post!)

Did I mention that Ben had to work Thursday, Friday, & Saturday night?! He did amazing!

# Family # Weekend

October 08, 2012

Four Months

Andrea 9:23 PM 0 Comments

Its that time again...!
Our P bug is seriously growing like crazy! It's awesome to watch her develop and learn something new every day.

4 months old!

Eating: Still every 3 hours, but she often acts like she isn't hungry, so I think she is moving towards 4 hours. When I'm at work, she takes 5.5 oz at each feeding.

Sleeping: Bedtime is around 9pm, and Peyton wakes up at about 8:30am with one feeding at about 3:30a or 5:30a. I can't complain. She still has not organized her daytime sleep, but she is starting to become more predictable for naps. We still follow a Wake, Eat, Play, Sleep routine.

Favorite Toy: "Hoppy"- a frog that's attached to her carseat. She finally learned how to pull him! She also loves her burp cloths. Her own hands and feet are still the best!

1-4 months

Happy Times: P still loves her bath-and now tries to catch the water when I pour it! She laughs when I sing. And this child is incredibly social...she smiles at anyone new (especially if you pay her a compliment!). Peyton loves to sit up in my lap like a big girl!

Unhappy Times: She gets a little fussy when it's naptime, but other than that Peyton is a happy baby! I suspect that she has begun teething because she drools all the time, and chews on everything! So that has made her a bit irritable lately, but not bad.

At the doctor (before shots!)

Stats: 14.4 pounds (75%) and 26.5 inches (96%). Head circumference 95%

Peyton wears 6 month or 6-9 month clothing

Peyton Caroline,

You are SO much fun now. I love having conversations with you, and although it's just babbling now, I hope that you will continue to tell me everything about life!

You have become a lot more social, and with that, a lot more opinionated. I love watching you kick your legs with excitement! We love you!

# Milestones # Peyton

October 06, 2012

The Line That Changed My Life

Andrea 6:48 PM 0 Comments

There are very few moments in life that I vividly remember as "life changing". Being accepted to nursing school, Ben proposing, and our wedding day are some of the moments that stick out in my mind.
Finding out that I was going to become a Mommy tops them all.

October 6, 2011: I was on my way home from getting a spray tan for my brother-in-law's wedding. I stopped by the store to pick up a few things, and as I passed by the home pregnancy test section, I shrugged and picked one up. Ben and I had recently discussed starting a family-we were comfortable in our careers, had just bought a house, and figured it would be a good time to try. I assumed it would take a few months or maybe even a year...
After I got home, I casually went upstairs to take the test. (Ben was playing golf). I laid it on the back of the toilet and actually forgot it was there. I went about my day...laundry, I think. After about 10 minutes I realized I never checked the results. I glanced at the test stick as I walked to the trash can to throw it away...and something caught my eye. TWO LINES! WHAT?! My hands began shaking. My mind was racing. Rowen stared at me as I frantically paced around the house yelling "TWO LINES!"

I took 4 tests...just to be sure!

I had to wait FOUR hours for Ben to get home. We had lots of family in town (staying for the wedding) and as everyone sat down to eat lunch, I paced around, waiting for an opportunity to tell Ben. Finally, he went upstairs to take a shower, and I cornered him. I was so shocked, I didn't even think about telling him in a special way-I just handed him the test. His response? "No way." and "Do you think it's a boy or girl?"

Two days after I found out!

(We were surrounded by family, but kept our secret until I was 12 weeks along!)

Every day, Ben and I marvel at our little miracle. What did we do to become so blessed? How did God choose us to be parents to our precious Junebug? I'm sure glad He did!

Our first glimpse

Our miracle

# Junebug # Milestones

October 01, 2012

Fall Recipes

Andrea 5:12 PM 0 Comments

Fall is upon us, and I am so ready! Temperatures have begun to drop, so it's time for comfort food, and all things pumpkin and apple!

Slow Cooker Chicken 'n Dumplings

(Serves 4)

What You'll Need

2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (depending on how much meat you like)

2 Tbsp butter

2 (10.75 oz) cans cream of chicken soup

1 onion, finely diced

1 package refrigerated biscuit dough, cut into strips

1 cup(+/-) chicken broth

Seasonings: parsley, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder-to taste

What You'll Do

-Place whole chicken breasts, butter, soup and onion in a slow cooker

-Add chicken broth, plus enough water to cover the chicken

-Add seasonings to taste

-Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours

-About 1 1/2 hours before serving, place strips of biscuit dough in slow cooker

-Before serving, shred chicken (meat comes apart very easily!)

Easy Apple Crisp

(Serves 10)

What You'll Need

6 apples-peeled, cored & sliced*

1 cup water*

1 package white cake mix

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 stick of butter, melted

3/4 cup rolled oats

(**For a quicker dessert, substitute 2 cans apple pie filling instead of fresh apples)

What You'll Do

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish

-Arrange apples in a layer in dish and pour water over the apples

*Omit water if using canned pie filling*

-In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, brown sugar. oats and cinnamon.

-Stir in melted butter

-Mix ingredients until well blended-texture will be crumbly-sprinkle mixture over apples

-Bake for 50-55 minutes

Serve warm with ice cream!

Happy Fall Y'all!

# Food # Recipes

This Unfamiliar Road

October 26, 2012

2 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

October 21, 2012

Pumpkin Patch

October 18, 2012

Tour de Atlanta

October 17, 2012

Ben takes on the world...

October 08, 2012

Four Months

October 06, 2012

The Line That Changed My Life

October 01, 2012

Fall Recipes

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