Fall Soup Party

The weekend before Halloween, we had a group of friends over for chili and potato soup.  Caleb has a group of friends who go to church and school with him and they all have older sisters. 

We also happen to enjoy spending time with all of their parents.  So, I decided we should have a "party!"  I made my mom's chili and then did potato soup for the kids.  Turns out, I could have just done chili and been fine. 

I think Caleb was the only kid who ate soup.  Kate had chili and the rest had chicken nuggets.  Ha! 

Before we ate, all the kids played outside in their Halloween costumes.  It was fun watching them just run around with each other. 

E was NOT a fan of the dog but the boys did their best to protect her. 

It was a great night! 

Maybe it will become an annual thing. :-)

Caleb Turns TWO!

I can't believe my baby is two! 

He has been such a joy in our lives and is so fun to watch as he grows and learns.  He has such a kind and friendly spirit and loves his sissie.  He loves to go to school and to church and is already showing signs of loving to read and sing. 

We got to have my parents, Grammy, and some of his friends over to celebrate with a Dinosaur party!

 The kids had a blast playing outside.  Then they came back in for lunch consisting of dinosaur chicken nuggets, dino dung (broccoli bites),

 dino claws (Bugles), dino eggs (M&M's), dino sandwiches and strawberries.

 Then we had cake.  I always enjoy making the kids' cakes.  This year I was really excited about how Caleb's dino cake turned out!

 Even added some dino babies on the side.  Caleb did a great job blowing out his candle

 and then thoroughly enjoyed his cake!

 After cake, he opened presents.

 He did good for a little while and then was pretty much over it. 

He even said "I done" and walked off.  He just wanted to walk around and play with his friends! 

The big sisters had fun playing, too.  We love our Caleb and are so thankful for him!

Labor Day

David and I often say that we want to have people over for dinner or get togethers, etc., but we never do it.  So, when Labor Day came, we just made a plan and did it!  We had one of Caleb's school friends and his family over to cook out.

 The kids played outside on the swing set.  Later, we got out the slip'n slide..which promptly burst!

  Oh, well!  They still had fun playing in the wading pool and the wagon.  David smoked some ribs which I hear turned out great. 

We also grilled shrimp and corn.  Such a fun night to just enjoy friends!

Fish Fry

At the beginning of May, our Sunday School had a fish fry.  David had to work but I took the kids out there to play and eat.  David was able to make it around lunchtime.

 The guys in the class all came around 5-6 am and fished in the pond for our lunch.  Caleb and David both enjoyed the spoils! 

You think they look alike?!  Several of Caleb's friends from school are in our class as well (well, their parents are).

 He had a blast playing with the trucks with his little buddy! 

Kate had a ton of fun on the water jump house. 

Caleb did NOT like the water.  I think it was just too cold for him and he doesn't like water "sprinkling" on him, either. 

His favorite was definitely the food and Kate enjoyed it, too! 

We were all glad when Daddy got there.  He took Caleb down to the lake to watch for fish.

 Shortly after this I took Caleb home.  He fell asleep within 2 minutes of leaving and slept for 4 hours! 

We had such a fun day.  Thankful for fellowship with friends!

Summer Sunday School Party

In August, our Sunday School class had a party out at the lake.  Some of the guys spent the morning setting up a slip and slide down the hill into the lake.  I really wished that I could do it but I figured it wasn't a good idea at about 33 weeks pregnant!  Ha!  Kate did get to enjoy it. 

I think she went down 4-5 times before it started raining...and raining...and raining. 

Thankfully, we were able to enjoy the outside under a porch.  The kids ran around playing with balls.  The dads enjoyed throwing frisbee. 

And the moms just enjoyed being able to sit around and talk! 

Kate, as usual, was so kind.  One little girl got hurt (very mildly) but Kate immediately started checking on her and telling her to "go see my Daddy.  He's a doctor!" 

She has the sweetest little heart!  I made a gluten free pineapple upside down cake for David.  He enjoyed it and wasn't sad that we came home with leftovers. 

Kate wanted to stay and play more but she was tired and lightning wasn't showing any signs of stopping...and THIS mama says no water when lightning is around! 

Hope we get to do this again...maybe Caleb can have his first water slide experience.  :-)

What a Week! 36 weeks

 What a fun and busy week!  I had my work shower on Monday.  We got a lot of diapers for the baby along with a  few other fun things....and got to eat some yummy food.  Then the next day, my other clinic threw a surprise shower for the FOUR of us who are pregnant.  One of the nurses is due the day after me, one of the other doctors is having twin boys (due one month after me), and another doctor is pregnant as well.  Got lots more diapers there. 

(and I THOUGHT I was showing here!)

Thursday was a CRAAAAAZY day!  I mean, it was so not good.  I arrived at work and had a patient waiting for me.  No biggie.  However, I spent a good deal of time talking with the family.  By the time I was done, another patient had arrived.  After that patient, FOUR had arrived - including one that was supposed to come the NEXT day but came early.  Sigh.  I didn't finish morning clinic until 1256.  My first afternoon patient arrived at 102.  In the meantime, the school had called saying that Kate was complaining of her stomach hurting and wanted us to come get her (no, she didn't have fever, she wasn't sick...her stomach just hurt).  So, David got her and brought her to clinic with him.  She was fine!  The saw the rest of my patients and left to go to a meeting that I was 10 minutes late to.  Then, instead of going to get free dinner at journal club as I had planned, I sat in my office and did notes for three hours...leaving with still two left to do.  I got home at 815 that night.  When I got home, I looked at my feet and asked David if they looked puffy.  Yep!  We both agreed they were.  Thankfully, elevation helped.  I think that not getting to eat all day, being stressed, and on my feet a lot had a lot to do with that. 

Thankfully, Friday was much better!  I had an easier clinic day and came home to rest before going to the gym to do kickboxing followed by swimming with Kate.  Then we went to get the infant carrier and out to eat.  Was a good day.  Saturday, we went to the gym again and then to my friend's house to swim and cook out.  Kate had a GREAT time with another friend's little girl who is the same age.  Last night I organized the diapers and we cleaned out the nursery.  Today, David put together the infant carrier.  I'm a little worried because I'm having trouble un-clicking the carrier from the base.  I've heard you get used to it and it's easier with baby in it.  I hope so! 

I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday with weekly visits following that.  Just praying that Mr. Boogie Man (he is dancing tonight!) stays put where he is for two more weeks so I can finish work as planned.  Then we are ready for him.  So exciting!
 
Due Date: September 25, 2014  
How Far Along: 36 weeks 3 days
Fruit/Veggie: papaya, romaine lettuce  - 17-20 inches, 5.5-6 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!  
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  I'm definitely slower, have a LOT of trouble bending over.  I will say, a lady last Monday told me I was her hero for still being working out.  Really made my day. 

Sleep: Again, not sleeping well.  I think it's just par for the course right now.  Oh well!

Cravings: Um...not really anything.   Still not much appetite.  Cold and sweet things are nice.

What I love: Feeling and watching the baby move! He's having a boogie party right now!  Getting the nursery cleaned up, baby stuff put together, and spending time with family this HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!!

What I miss: turning over in bed easily, sleeping, being able to pick things up off the floor

What I'm looking forward to:  getting the baby bedding in, spending the day with David and Kate tomorrow, only two more weeks of work!

What I'm thankful for:  My sweet husband, always taking care of me.  A healthy pregnancy. Getting things ready for baby, sweet coworkers

Caramel Cake

What is it about the Christmas season that is so busy?!  I love it but it also just gets tiring.  The week after we got back from Thanksgiving vacation (a week away from work with a 4 year old isn't much vacation, though!) our church had its Christmas music.  I was in the praise team and had several practices.  That took up the entire week.  Somehow the next week was busy as well - I think David and I were both on call. We sang at a local event called Christmas on Ice. 

I think David worked in the ER that Saturday.  Then Sunday night, we had our first party of the month.  It was our Sunday School party.  The theme was "Team Spirit" and we were supposed to dress in our best team gear.  I don't really have any team gear...so I stole David's and K's.  Check this out: 

How awesome is my outfit...complete with hairbow and pager?! 

:-)  It was worth it...I won!  YES!  This was a pot-luck event.  I took green bean bundles, spinach salad, and white velvet caramel cake.  When I saw this cake, I KNEW that I had to make it.  OH MY!  It was SOOOO good!  The icing was wonderful, though I can't see how in the world you could ever use two batches on a single cake. 

The layers between the cake layers were somewhat thin but I don't know that a larger batch of icing could fix that.  Regardless, this was fantastic!  If you like caramel cakes you really must try this. 

The party was fun.  LOTS of food and fellowship. 

We had a dirty Santa in which we won some crawfish pies (YUM!) and a camouflage stainless steel flask (which is now no longer in our possession). Probably the best gift was the bag of two goldfish.  YES!

 We then played Pictionary and the girls totally rocked!  Can't wait for next year.

White Velvet Caramel Cake 
4 oz egg whites–room temperature
1 cup milk–divided–room temperature (I used almond milk)
2¼ tsp vanilla
3 cups sifted cake flour
1½ cup sugar
1 Tbs + 1 tsp baking powder
12 Tbs unsalted butter-room temperature
¼ tsp kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350.  In a mixer combine all the dry ingredients, and mix for about 30 seconds. Add the butter and mix until the flour gets crumbly. Stir in 1/4 cup of the milk and bring the speed to medium high and beat for about 30 seconds.  In a bowl, stir together the egg whites, remaining 3/4 cup milk and vanilla.  Add to the dry ingredients in 3 additions, scraping down the sides and beating for about 5-10 seconds after each addition. Do not over mix, but make sure it is all incorporated.  Pour into 2- round cake pans.  Smooth the batter.  

 

Place pans into the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn over onto cooling rack and allow to cool completely.  Slice each round into two horizontally to make 4 layers total.

Caramel Icing

2 cups light brown sugar

1 stick unsalted butter

1/3 cup whole milk

2 Tbs real maple syrup

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups confectioner's sugar

Bring brown sugar, butter, milk, maple syrup and salt to a simmer.  Simmer just until the sugar is no longer grainy, don't let it boil - this takes several minutes.  Remove from heat and add vanilla, stirring constantly.  Allow to cool just slightly...so that it isn't scorching hot, but nicely warm.  Whisk in powdered sugar.  Whisk well - mind still had lumps in it. Alas!  Cool some but it should still be pourable.  Pour icing on each layer as you stack it. Once all the layers are set, pour the remaining icing over the top.  ENJOY!