just because

because a rainy day calls for red leggings, a pink skirt, an owl shirt, a yellow striped jacket, fun glasses and chocolate milk

unplugged

Outside of school, our kids are pretty much unplugged.    Once homework is finished, they head directly outside to do chores, play and hunt. 

It's that time of year when the silage bags are freshly filled and super long and they love running back and forth on them and then sliding down the ends!

Cody eating cake

Isn't this just one of the most adorable animations!!??!!    It's from his first birthday, but I just noticed that blogger does this!   FUN!

Wyatt's baseball season

It was another great baseball season for Wyatt.    He grew as a hitter and a pitcher and the guys had a fantastic season!   I'm thinking they were undefeated until the last game!

 Wyatt's very last hit of the season came within INCHES of going over the fence.   He was bummed it didn't go over, but got a good triple out of it.

It's always fun to watch Wyatt pitch.   He's pretty comfortable on the mound so it will be cool to watch him grow as a pitcher over the next few years.

slugger

Of course, Landon played baseball again this year..   He even said to me yesterday "I wish baseball practice would start up!!"    Landon had a great year with big hits.    He is VERY ready for actual Little League next year when he can be pitched to by the players and the rules are much more serious.     Landon has been so fun to watch grow as a hitter..    but it doesn't hurt that he is being pitched to daily by a 6th grader!   He's learned how to hit those fastballs!

tball in October

Wowzer it's October already and there are a lot of pictures that I haven't shared from this past summer.    Hopefully I can get those posted during the next few days.

Audrey is up first.   This was year #2 of teeball for Audrey.    She sort of enjoyed it.   She knew absolutely none of the kids on her team so she was disappointed about that.    She did make friends, but hopefully next year they'll put her on a team of kids that she actually goes to school with!

It's always funny to see how little she takes it seriously when her brothers take baseball SO seriously.  

Great job, Audrey!

Italian Beef Sandwiches

There are at least two nights in every week that are a bit busier than normal and it's always great to have something waiting in the crockpot when we all get home to sit down together.   Dance nights are one of those nights.   We get back home a good time, but there isn't a lot of time to make something start to finish and still get a good bed-time in so crockpot meals work great for these nights!

Italian Beef Sandwiches may be our family's very favorite meal made in the crockpot.   It takes about 3 minutes to put everything in and the roast goes straight from the freezer to the crockpot which means I don't have to plan ahead and have it thawed out.

It seems like a lot of spices and herbs that go into it, but it is SO worth it!

I got the original recipe off Pinterest about 3 years ago and adapted it to our family's tastes..   The original recipe was VERY salty and this adaptation is much better!

The crockpot is Calphalon..    it's new to us and so far I love it!

Italian Beef Sandwiches

2 cups water
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp dried parsley
2 tsp garlic powder
2 bay leaves
1 package dry Italian salad dressing mix
1 packet beef bouillon powder
1 large beef roast or 2 small beef roasts
-------------
Crusty rolls
Provolone Cheese slices


Spray a large crockpot with cooking spray.  Place frozen beef roast in the bottom, pour water over the roast(s).   Next sprinkle all remaining ingredients over the top of the roast.   Cook on high for 8-9 hours.  (if the roasts are already thawed, you can cook on Low)

Once the roast is tender, pull apart with tongs.   Split rolls in half, butter both sides.   Place on a baking sheet and place one cheese slice on each top-half of roll.   Bake at 350 just until rolls are slightly browned and cheese is melted.

Serve Italian Beef on the rolls.

shopping

So much fun are the shopping days when we can just take our time, look around and have fun!   That was today!...    Cody and I took most of the day and tackled our list but had fun while we were at it.   He said "Hi" and "Bye" and "ThankYou" and waved..   he was a little flirt  :)

He even gave me the biggest giggle when I tried this hat on him..  he thought it was hilarious!

The morning sky was beautiful on our drive..   the dark rain clouds against the bright blue sky..  I even saw a rainbow in my rear view mirror.

We hit Starbucks and had time for dressing rooms and just had a Fun day..   just the two of us!   :)

first deer

He did it!!   Oh, the excitement in our house Sunday night when Wyatt called and said he got a deer!

Since Youth Season opened, Wyatt and his dad have gone out a good 7 different times to hunt and finally on the final evening of the season, he got one!

D even says it was at least 100 yards away so it was a great shot for this 11 year old hunter!

Wyatt's first deer

Great job, Wyatt!!

Friday Favorites // Toddler Edition

I am coming around to the fact that Cody is, indeed, in toddler-hood.   I still call him my baby, but I think 18 months and walking qualifies as a toddler.   Here are some favorites that we have been liking in the this stage of Cody's life.

ONE:  Munchkin Straw Cup  //  Perfect water cup for toddlers!   Even if Cody tips it to take a drink, the weighted straw follows the water so the water can always be sucked up.  Cody drains these!
TWO:  Robeez Camo shoes  //  The cutest little shoes for little walkers!   When Cody is just walking around inside, these make the best shoes..   he even wears them outside, too!
THREE:  Robeez Moccasin shoes  //  Another style that I have bought in numerous sizes.   I think he is in the largest size they make so hopefully these will last him for quite some time still!
FOUR:  Night Light //  I bought this as a Christmas present for Cody off of Zulily.   They no longer have this style, but I did find it on the company's website.  There are so many adorable styles to choose from!   I had a hard time picking!
FIVE:  Magnetic Safety Locks  //  These locks work great for lazy susan, corner cabinets.   The lock can be turned off and on so these are great for grandparent locks..   When the kiddos aren't visiting, you can simply turn the lock off!
SIX:  Barnyard Dance!  //  Cody received this book for a birthday gift and it quickly became a favorite!   He loves the rhythm of how it reads.
SEVEN:  Sun Maid Fruit Bits //  A great on-the-go snack.   The bag is lightweight to throw in the diaper bag.
EIGHT:  Aden + Anais Puppy  //  Simply put, Cody doesn't sleep without his Liam puppy.   We have two of these so I keep rotating them so one can be washed while one is being snuggled with.
NINE:  Old Navy Fleece Jacket  //  Just a cute fall jacket for these brisk days!

friday favs

PB Chocolate Banana Smoothie  [aka YUM]

For this friday favs post, I'm sharing my FAV smoothie recipe.

I first found this recipe about a year ago and have probably had it 3 times a week since... it is so good!

It's been so long ago that I don't even remember where I found the original recipe..  I have since adapted it to my taste and definitely don't need to read a recipe anymore to make it.

PB Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Add to blender in this order:

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp natural peanut butter

1 banana

1 1/2 cups Dark Chocolate Almond Milk 

1 cup ice

Blend together for 30 seconds and pour into a large cup (a quart Ball jar works perfect!)   Insert straw - Yum!

party time

Landon had perfect weather for his birthday party with family!