Monthly Archives: September 2009

Sep 30

Feeling Like Fall

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Yay! October is almost here!

I’m pretty sure that October has to be my very favorite month in the year. The weather is always amazing, and October brings along some pretty great days too. My hubby’s birthday is in October, and our anniversary, my favorite holiday is in October, and we should be bringing home our little girl this October too. So I’m a little excited about next month.

Fall has definitely arrived too. I had to turn on the heater this morning, which Thade loves, but Dylan says, yuck too hot. This afternoon it is supposed to be back up to 80 though, so I’ll probably have to turn on the air conditioner. Fall in KS, gotta love it.

Today I’m visiting the surgeon and tomorrow I’m visiting my Doctor, and starting weekly visits until I deliver. I’m pretty much going to be living at the hospital for the next month. The boy’s get to go along to today’s visit too, and Thade already has a ton of questions for the Doctor today.

We have our second MOPS meeting this Friday, and my team is bringing breakfast. We have a super tasty breakfast planned too, and I get to try our my new waffle iron. I also had a request from my hubby’s work for Candy Bar Cookies for Friday, so I’ve got to bake a big batch of those too. It is shaping up to be a pretty busy week around here.

Sep 29

Time To Stock Up

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The pantry is running low, and it looks like it is time to make a gigantic Aldi run. The closest Aldi is 30 minutes away, but it is a great place to save.  Shopping and stockpiling for a few months also helps me plan my monthly dinner menus.  Having a stocked pantry also keeps me in the kitchen cooking, instead of grabbing take-out.

Here are a few of my favorite Aldi items that I like to keep stocked:

  • Cake Mix, Icing, and Brownie Mix: all are delicious, and make tasty treats for the boys
  • Oatmeal and Chocolate Chips: I make a lot of cookies, so these have to be stocked at all times
  • Canned Goods: green beans, corn, and black olives too
  • Pasta and Tomato Sauce: Spaghetti night is a simple dinner, and I also use the Tomato Sauce for pizza too
  • Rice: Aldi has great and inexpensive Rice in a 3 pound bag. One bag will make sides for months
  • Canned soups: you can’t beat Aldi’s prices on Cream and Condensed Soup. I use them for fast lunches, or casseroles too.
  • Bread, Bagels, Waffles, and Cream Cheese: from breakfast to lunches, these are great time savers
  • Chili Supplies: I can buy them for about 1/2 price at Aldi. I usually buy for at least 3 batches of Chili
  • Chips and Lunch-box treats: With Thade in school, and taking lunch everyday, these are necessities in the kitchen
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly: Thade loves Peanut Butter sandwiches, so I really go through the Peanut Butter in our house
  • Potatoes, and fresh fruits and veggies: You can usually pick up a 10 pound bag of Russets for a great price. I like to a little bit of time to mash them and freeze them for future dinners

So what do you like to keep in your pantry stockpile?

Sep 29

The Baby Shower

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Sunday afternoon two of my best friends threw a beautiful baby shower for the little one on the way, and me too. It was so much fun, and I have to brag on these girls just a bit, the baby shower was awesome.

Shaunna made the cutest diaper cakes for the table centerpieces. There were 3 cakes total, filled with diapers, onesies, and many much needed baby necessities.

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Stacey made a beautiful baby-quilt cake, and super tasty pink mints too. I don’t think I can ever make a cake again, I’m just going to have Stacey bake them all. She is an amazing baker, and cake decorator. I was lucky enough to get a few pieces to bring home to the boys too.

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There were hilarious games to play, lots of hugs, and so many little-bitty pink clothes too. It was such a fun afternoon, and it was great to spend time with so many dear friends. Thanks again to Stacey and Shaunna, and all of the baby shower guests too. I have officially been spoiled rotten.

Sep 26

What’s Going On This Weekend

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Thank goodness it is Saturday… I’m spending the day catching up around the house, and getting the house ready for company tomorrow. This weekend also brings along a baby shower for the little one and me. My two best friends are spoiling me, and throwing a baby shower tomorrow. I know it is going to be a lot of fun. My best friend Stacey is making the cakes, she is one awesome baker. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.

I’m trying not to leave the house today, and there is plenty to do around here. I hope to finally get caught up on all of the dishes, and I’m baking a Chocolate Marble cake for tomorrow’s family dinner too.  Since everyone is going to be in town tomorrow, I figure I should probably feed everybody. Pot Roast and Potatoes is on the menu, and Marble Cake sounds pretty good to me.

I hope that your weekend is going well, and I hope that the Fall weather is nice for you too.

Sep 25

The Tractor Parade

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The rain was moving in, but that wasn’t going to keep up from missing one of our favorite parades.

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Every year, when Fall finally arrives the first Fall activity is the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, and it starts off with a fun parade. There are tractors, floats, and plenty of candy too. We found a great spot, and the kiddos brought along their back-packs to bring home all of the candy loot.

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Dylan’s favorite wasn’t a tractor though, it was our local trolley. Dylan is obsessed with the trolley, and we are lucky enough that it drives by our house several times a day.

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Whenever Dylan spots the trolley, he shouts “I love you Trolley, Ding Ding!” It is pretty cute.

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There were lots and lots of vintage fire trucks too.

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I think Thade found a new favorite at this year’s parade too. College cheerleaders, and he even got a high-five from a few of the volleyball players too.

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You gotta love Thade!

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Back to the Tractors.

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We always try and pick a favorite, and after seeing all of these tractors, I totally want to drive one.

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Besides the Tractors, we also spotted the Cat in the Hat.

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And a few little trains too.

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Soon, the rain started really coming down, and the parade got to moving.

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Rain or shine the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta parade is always a lot of fun. The kiddos also came home with way too much candy, but they were pretty happy about that.