My Baby's Growing Up

Today my baby Vaughnie turns 6 months old. Kind of makes me a little sad. It seems like he has always been here but at the same time it seems like such a short time ago he joined our family. Here is a little recap of his life so far. 

DAY 1

ONE MONTH

TWO MONTHS

THREE MONTHS

FOUR MONTHS

FIVE MONTHS

TODAY - SIX MONTHS

He is growing fast. Some new things are sitting up almost unattended, reaching for things, jabbering in sentences and yesterday he started patting mama. I say pat, pat and he pats me on the shoulder. I think he said MAMA this morning.

Just Add Water

The weather was enjoyable yesterday so I met a friend at the park close to our house. All the usual park things happening: flying in the swings, teeter totter, slides.

Lucy's first ride on a big swing.
Woops! Good thing mommy was there.
Vaughn's first ride in a park swing. Loving it!
Lucy thinks he is having more fun than her so she decides to join in. Vaughn just goes with the flow as usual.

Look at that sly little smile. What is she thinking?
Jordyn and Lucy flirting with Austin.
My girls enjoying the merry-go-round.
"Mommy, I"M ALL WET!" Lucy led the pack into the water. Once they saw Lucy was not going to get in trouble it was on. They spent probably an hour wading, fishing, stirring and splashing in the muddy water. Their boots couldn't even protect their feet from that kind of abuse.




Lucy won the dirtiest hiney award. Thanks to Grandma Pam, Lucy's wardrobe is extensive enough that these pants just found their way to the dumpster. There was no hope for them ever looking nice again. I may be the queen of stain removal but I know when I am outmatched. 
Home we go. Lucy had to walk because I wasn't about to put her in the Phil and Ted stroller to drip her yuckiness on her nice clean baby brother who rides under her. It took a long time to get home. She was exploring every yard we passed. 

I just learned the secret

Aaron and I have made a few unwise spending decisions in our time of unemployment and are now digging out of the hole. With some credit advice and a new strict spending plan we are on a roll to being debt free. But in light of our recent struggle to come up with a plan I found this. Very funny but soberingly true.

Grasshopper Pie

Jackson, "Mom, did you know me and Grandpa Vaughn are a lot alike?" "Why is that, Jackson" I ask. He replies with a smile, "Because grasshopper pie is our favorite! Can we make some?" SO...We did. How could I resist that sweet little boys request.     

Making the crust

Mmmmm. Jackson should cook more often.

"When do we get to go outside and get the grashoppers to chop up and put in. Just kidding."

The best part.

Good to the last drop. It really is that good!

TRY IT SOMETIME-

GRASSHOPPER PIE- named for it's color, not what goes in it :)

1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer cookie crumbs

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup milk

1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract

About 12 drops green food coloring

1 jar marshmallow creme

2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

Combine wafers and butter.

Press into 9" x 13" x 2" baking dish, reserving about 1/4 cup for the topping.

Filling: gradually add milk, peppermint, and food coloring to the marshmallow creme. 

Mix well until blended.

Fold in whip creme and pour into pan.

Sprinkle on reserved crumbs.

Freeze

Tastes like chicken

For those of you who have ever wondered..........T-Rex tastes just like chicken.

ROAR!

SO YUMMY!

TWO THIMBS UP!

Laughter

Vaughn has never been a big laugher but when he does... You will find yourself laughing along with him. Just see if you can contain your own laughter.

Field Trip

We braved the torrential downpours and took our annual trip to the lamb barns. We usually go with at least one of my sisters but this year we went alone. I think the sheep were grateful. Get a bunch of excited boys together in a new place and they seem to move even faster and talk even louder and possibly try to show off a bit. So we decided to keep things on the low this year. We got to witness the birth of 2 sets of twins last year. Not as lucky this year but I think the kids enjoyed it more. There were so many lambs already born and they were so cute. 

Jackson thought this was a lot of babies for one mama. Grandma caller her the "Octomom". 

"Hey, not my Bugles!"

"CAN'T SEE!"

Soft lammy noses

Jordyn thought she had found a friendly one. Right after I took the picture it head butted her. She jumped about 4 feet backwards. What if that fence had not been there?

Going to check out the other end of the barn

Jackson tried so hard to entice them all with his bugles, not really intending to share. He did finally get to touch one and was thrilled when it sucked on his fingers.

"WHAT'S THAT BIG DOGGIE!?"

"IT Scares ME!"

Give Thanks

This year from Ash Wednesday to Easter we are doing a road to Easter Map. Each Sunday we begin a new task for the week. This Sunday is marked with a stop sign to remind us to stop and give thanks. So each night at dinner we  all go around and say what we are thankful for.  Today we did a craft called

I am thankful for:

 Joy said

G race that saves me

I mmaturity that makes me grow

V ery large logs that warm the house

E ggs

T elephone calls from hubby

H ands to  hold

A aron

N ickle and dimeing it

K ind words from children

S pring being just around the corner

Jordyn said

G od

I ce cream

V itamins

E ating

T elevision

H orses

A nimals

N oses

K rispies

S occer

Jackson said

G randpa

b I  ke

V ideo games

E eyes

T oys

H ands

A nimals

N ight

K ites

S ix