Sadie is 1!

Wow time sure does fly. I knew it would but it still seems crazy. My baby turns one today. She is so much fun and we love having the sweet girl. Her funny faces and army crawl have helped her get wrapped around everyones finger.

She's a keeper!

Before and After

I have lived in my current residence for 8 years but have only owned the house for a little over 3 years. During the rental time there was carpet all over the floors. I new there were hardwood floors hiding under the carpet because of one beautiful closet. One closet in this house has hardwood. I used to open that closet and dream of ripping up the carpet in my entire house to reveal a beautiful, shiny, sliver free, hardwood floor.

The day we purchased this house we pulled the carpet out of the living room and then a few days after that I took it out of the hall. Wow, what a surprise! There were hardwood floors for sure. Floors covered with carpet glue, paint spot, gashes, nails, and more nail and they were anything but pretty. We new what it would take to finish the floors and it was not easy or clean.

After years of hating my floor, cursing at every sliver and it not looking clean when it way, we finally took the plunge.

And the results bring a tear to my eye every time I walk in the room.
Now I just have to get the baseboards up and the quarter round and it will be magnificent. I hope I don't have to wait another 3 years for that.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Nothing says fall like pumpkin pancakes. All of my kids, including the adult one, were thrilled when they got up to the smell of pumpkin pancakes this morning. It is a really simple recipe so I thought I would share. I originally got this recipe from my visiting teaching companion 15 years ago. She was a wonderful lady and always had great ideas. Her recipe calls for pancake mix. I don't normally have pancake mix so I adapted the recipe to go with my homemade pancakes. I will include both recipes so you can make it which ever is easier for you.

From Scratch Pumpkin Pancakes

1 3/4 cup flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

3 tablespoons powdered milk

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup water

2 eggs

1/2 cup pumpkin

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp ginger

1/4 cup oil

Mix all the ingredients together and bake.

I always open a large can of pumpkin and then split it up in 1/2 cup increments and freeze it. That way I don't waste any and it is ready to go for the next time.

These pancakes get darker faster than regular ones so turn your griddle or pan way down.

After all my kids had gone to school this is what was on the fridge. I am not sure who wrote it but they were very happy to have pumpkin pie for breakfast. Enjoy!

To make these pancakes using a mix substitute first 5 ingredients for 2 cups pancake mix and add 1 tablespoon sugar.

Our Stay-cation Fall break

This year for fall break (uea weekend) we chose to stay at home and just hang out. We invited my nephew down from Logan to spend a couple of days with us. This is pictures of us at the aquarium. The kids couldn't get enough of petting the stingrays. They spent 80% of their time getting wet.

Will was fascinated with everything. I just love him using the magnifying glass to look at some slimy creature.

Proof that Ben came with us. He wasn't to fond of having is picture taken until he climbed on this frog.

We had a great weekend.

My parents came on Sat and brought us some giant pumpkins they grew in their garden. They always grow pumpkins for the grandkids. This years were amazing. They had to bring the truck in order to bring out 9 pumpkins.

Thanks mom and dad we love them.