Thanksgiving

This year my mom and sister came to our house for Thanksgiving (sadly my dad had to work!) We've enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving at our house the past couple of years - Matt loves to cook so Thanksgiving is "his" holiday! And he cooked us a fantastic meal as usual - we actually enjoyed everything we had last year so much that we made it all again! We did have one addition this year that turned out ah-mazing - fennel baked in cream. Seriously the best (and easiest) dish ever! Not exactly healthy, but perfect for a once a year meal like Thanksgiving! And Matt made a pear tart for desert that was pretty outstanding too!

Will's "George" Party!

We had an early birthday party for Will while we were in St. Simons. I asked him a few months ago what kind of party he wanted to have, and suggested things like trains or dinosaurs or something and he very enthusiastically said he wanted a "George" party - Curious George! He loves to read Curious George books and he also likes to watch Curious George on tv. So, a Curious George party it was! 

Carrying his new George around that my mom gave him the morning of the party!

My mom got him this little jumpy castle and he LOVED it!

We had the party around lunchtime and served hotdogs, chips, fruit skewers, veggies, and popcorn - and bananas of course!

We made a REALLY good banana punch. I know it doesn't sound great but it was awesome - I found the recipe here. (And you can add rum to leftover punch for a great frozen drink!)

For dessert we had brownie bites, a banana split bar with homemade ice cream, and birthday cake!

The cute brownie toppers that my cousin Christine made!

Banana split bar!

The amazing George cake that Grandmama made!

Liza slept through most of the party!

Cousin Jack!

Dalton grilled hotdogs for us!

Seeing his George cake for the first time with Grandmama

Baby Beau slept for most of the party too!

Liza wore her monkey dress

Uncle Beau and Baby Beau

Sweet boys!

Jack (1 1/2), Liza (9 weeks), Will (almost 3!), Beau (6 weeks), and Otto (2 1/2)

Playing with his Pig Popper from Aunt Lulu!

For favors we gave Curious George and the Birthday Surprise book along with a lollipop!

My sister took Will out for breakfast at Sweet Mama's before the party and took these pics...

And she got this video of us singing Happy Birthday to our little man:)

Father's Day weekend

Friday night I had my turn at a stomach bug that made its way through our house, so Matt took both kids to Chuck E Cheese! What a good daddy! Will had so much fun, and Liza slept the whole time!

Saturday night we went on a date to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I thought it was pretty funny and made me want to visit India!

Sunday morning Matt woke up to a Father's Day message in the shower and then he got a handmade card from Will and a Keurig machine! He'd been hinting at one for awhile:)

Our little monkey watching daddy open his cards and gift!

I made baked oatmeal for breakfast! Matt's coworker Kelsey gave me the recipe and it was SO good! It was easy to make too, and will feed a crowd.

Will approved!

I love these guys SO much!!

Matt's first Father's Day with a daughter!

We ate steak fajitas outside for dinner per Matt's request, and afterwards we sat outside a long time listening to music, eating watermelon, watching fireflies, and just giggling! We finally went inside when we couldn't see anymore...it was the perfect ending to a perfect day!

Baked Oatmeal

3 cups of rolled oats
 1 cup brown sugar
 2 teas. cinnamon
 2 teas. baking powder
 1 teas. salt

½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted

 1 cup milk
 2 eggs
 2 teas. vanilla
½  cup dried cranberries

Mix oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.  Toss with melted butter.  Whisk milk, eggs and vanilla; stir into dry mixture.  Add cranberries.  Spread into shallow baking dish.  

Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Serve warm with yogurt , milk and/or cream.