A night to remember...

So, for you long(er) time blog readers, you have read about my friend, Brendan. It's no secret I am a proud friend, and you can read about it again here, here, here, and here. Oh, and here.

Last Wednesday, we had the unique opportunity to host Brendan in a house concert. As he is traveling the country visiting various venues, he is also stopping along the way performing for friends, family, and complete strangers.

My Aunt Patty was awesome to open her (so perfect) home for the concert. It was such an awesome night, and we had the best time hanging out before the show and laughing about the old college days.



The acoustics were perfect and it really truly was a night to remember.

I've always had faith that Brendan was going to become a household name one day....and I hope that day is soon. He has worked so hard the past 10 years and deserves all the success in the world.

In fact, while he was playing for us, the rest of America was hearing one of his newest songs playing on The X-Factor that evening. You can hear his song here as the background song.

Whoop! Whoop!

Another fun Friday with Nanny

Tonight, we took the kids to the local Children's Museum. Since this is where I just reserved Jake's birthday party, I wanted to get him there a few times before and also see the crowd on a Friday night. It was a great time!








Oh, law.





Um, ok.


Sweet siblings!


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Slow Cooker Weekend: Apples & Soup

Though I have been awful about posting my Slow Cooker recipes each week, I can assure you that the old Slow Cooker is still widely and regularly used.

In fact, it was brought out, not once, but twice, this weekend.

Saturday, we still had a bunch of golf ball sized apples leftover so I attempted this. Pretty yummy.
Crock Pot Cinnamon Apples

Ingredients:
6 large very tart apples, cored, sliced and peeled (peels on is okay too!)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (or less if you have sweeter apples)
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons butter, sliced

Directions:
Put all ingredients EXCEPT BUTTER into crock pot; stir well, coating all apple slices, and place slices of butter on top.
Cook on HIGH for 1-1/2 to 2 hours OR cook on LOW 3-1/2 to 4 hours, stirring once half way through.
Serve and enjoy!

Then, Sunday night we came home from church to this heavenly smell!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Source: jonandjenmiller.blogspot.com via Jaclyn on Pinterest

Happy Fall!

In honor of the first day of autumn I thought I would share some pics of our trip apple and grape picking last Friday.

But did you know that apple season peaks in July/August?

Oops.

But the kids had a great time and we came home with about 50 apples the size of a golf ball :-)




















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Even bigger news...

I was able to announce on Facebook last week that my bro-in-law and sis-in-law are expecting their first baby in April. I am sooooo excited and eager to get some newborn snuggles in this spring. :-)

Some big news...

When last week it appeared that the potty was only going to be used as a stool...


...this week we are making some great progress on the potty-front.

See? That's why I haven't been blogging. No time between chasing a squirmy, stubborn monkey around the house asking every 5 minutes, "Did you pee your pants? Do you have to go? Now? No more juice until you go. Now? Seriously, you peed your pants didn't you? Now? How about now?"

Oy.

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Should I even bother with an excuse?

At this point I'm sure you are all like "whatever."

I got random ADD around this blog the past few weeks- meaning everytime I sat down to do something I was all like, "oh, instagram." or "Wait, there's a Honey Boo Boo I still need to watch."

Yeah, no good excuses. Just excuses.

But anyways, from Labor Day on things have been busy.

Did another closet purge and trip to Goodwill. There truly is no going back to fatter clothes now. They are gone.


Then, I did the easiest.pinterest.project.ever and organized the tshirts that I did keep.


Are you all just truly entertained now? Edge of your seat kinda excitement going on here, folks.


Lots of snuggles, though, which is never a bad thing.

I got mad at my elliptical because it was squeaking so dang loud...


...so on a whim I went out and bought a treadmill.


Love at first sight.

Jake spent some quality time with his Yo Gabba Gabba friends...plus Pablo.


And tossed back a few cold ones.


Brooklyn and I are dealing with her being 2nd grade. And moody.


And when we are not looking, she's making the little sister she always wanted.


But the biggest news is that...oh wait, is that a new Honey Boo Boo.......