A Pumpkin, A Pirate, and A Puppy

We are so blessed to have wonderful friends, and it is so fun to have our boys so close in age. This week we finally made it to the Pumpkin Station in Bonita, after several foiled attempts (thanks to sickness and rain). Trevor {the Pumpkin}, Ryder {the Pirate}, and Jack {the Puppy} had so much fun together at the Pumpkin patch!!

It is always a challenge trying to photograph three 2 (and almost 2) year olds!! They have so much energy, they don't want to be bothered by poses and pictures! At one point, Jack was furiously drumming on one of the pumpkins, Ryder literally made a run for it (no certain destination in mind), and Trevor just wasn't sure what was going on. 

My little Puppy Boy

Of course the day we finally go, it ended up being almost 80 degrees!!! My lil puppy was over his very warm costume!!

{Pumpkin Station Train}

There was so much for the boys to do, and we were lucky enough to go on a weekday morning, so there was hardly anyone there. They had most of the things to themselves! I loved it too, because then we didn't have to worry about big kids, rude kids, or too many germs. The boys loved the Giant Pumpkin Slide and the Giant Pumpkin Jumpy! There was a tractor to sit on and a car & motorcycle merry-go-round type ride!

Our last stop was the petting zoo where the boy got to see the goats, chickens and bunnies! We had such a fun day! My friends Tawny (Trevor's mommy) and Heather (Ryder's mommy) are the best!! So thankful for sweet friends! 

Happy Halloween!!

Mmm D' Licious: Vita Mix Pumpkin Spice Latte

First Recipe Post!! My recipe posts are titled, "Mmm D'licious" as an ode to my tiny son, who so loves his food, that this is literally what he says at the beginning of almost every meal or snack. Although he doesn't really pronounce the "d."

In honor of Halloween weekend, I tried a recipe from my Vita Mix recipe book for a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I love all things Pumpkin, and I am also fully aware of my {probably unhealthy} addiction to coffee, so for me this recipe was a dream, complete with my "happy punkin" mug.

Recipe: {sorry- you have to have a Vita-Mix for this one}


1 Cup Milk
1/4 cup strongly brewed coffee (hot) or 1 1/2 tsp instant coffee granules
1/4 cup pumpkin
1 Tbs white chocolate chips
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg


Place all ingredients into Vita-Mix. Turn on and increase speed to 10 and then High. Blend for 6 minutes (or until steaming).


My Review: It was definitely not a Sbux beverage, and it was strangely thick, but it was tasty! Annddd it was pretty cool that it actually got HOT in the blender!


 Side note: the Vita-Mix is the best thing ever. I use it every day and highly recommend it!!!

Baby Bump: 22 Weeks

 Although the idea of documenting my growing belly kind of bothers me, I figure that it's fun to have a few pics along the way. I am more than FIVE months pregnant already, and finally have a bump to show for it! Just like with Jack, it has taken me a long time to really show, which is a good and bad thing. Good because hopefully I won't get too big and uncomfortable when its all said and done, and Bad because for the past several months I basically just looked like I was putting on the lbs. for no good reason. But luckily- there is a good reason. An amazing reason. There is a little miracle of a girl that is growing, kicking, punching, and turning in there.  It literally feels like womb gymnastics, but that is my favorite part of pregnancy. I love feeling her move all around!

 I'm Five months, and falling in love.

As American As Apple {or Pumpkin} Pie

 Last weekend we took a little trip up to Julian for the day. It was perfect weather for an autumnal adventure: big grey clouds looming int he sky, a little drizzle here and there, and a chill in the air.  When we left our house it was a pleasant 65 degrees or so. Once we reached the town of Julian, it dipped into the low 50's...Burr!! But that it is part of the fun! 

We had a great time walking around the town, finding little places to take pictures, going into Antique shops, and quaint used book stores. 

{Red hightop Converse = Love! }

We drove a little ways out of the town to find a quiet spot to have our picnic lunch. We found a picnic area surrounded by the beautiful trees and large boulders; which were great fun for a little boy
{and his daddy}.

No trip to Julian would be complete without some Famous Julian Pie! We like to get ours at the Julian Pie Co. in Santa Isabel. I was a little disappointed though, because they did not have my favorite pie (and honestly, the one of the main reasons we love going up there in the fall)  Pumpkin Apple Pie. We settled for regular Pumpkin Pie ala mode {with Cinnamon ice cream}. YUM! 

 Jack loved his "punkin pie."

It was the perfect ending to our little family outing!

Mother's Tried She Needs Her Rest

A grandmother pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween. ~Erma Bombeck

If there's no chocolate in heaven, I'm not going. ~Author Unknown

If human beings had genuine courage, they'd wear their costumes every day of the year, not just on Halloween. - Doug Coupland

Our House -- The Munster's Tribute {Enjoy the Show}

Voter Fraud: There's Even An App. For That

OUR GOVERNMENT

HAS GOTTEN TOO BIG

FOR IT'S BRITCHES...

There's been lots of talk this election season about voter fraud? What does voter fraud actually look like and what should average citizens be on the look out for when voting? To help answer that question, I've posted some articles below:

Michelle Malkin » The Left's voter fraud whitewash Oct 27, 2010 ... My column today builds on Monday's voter fraud round-up and spotlights left-wing efforts to demonize citizen election watchdogs. ...

Pajamas Media Must-read and share: J. Christian Adams compiles a voter fraud watch primer.

A must-download:

American Majority Action’s voter fraud app. Use it!

I Am America -by Krista Branch

Pay no attention to the people in the street
Crying out for accountability
Make a joke of what we believe
Say we don’t matter ’cause you disagree
Pretend you’re kings, sit on your throne
Look down your nose at the peasants below
I’ve got some news, we’re taking names
We’re waiting now for the judgment day

[Chorus]
I am America, one voice, united we stand
I am America, one hope to heal our land

There is still work that must be done
I will not rest until we’ve won

I am America

[Verse Two]
You preach your tolerance, but lecture me
Is there no end to your own hypocrisy
Your god is power, you have no shame
Your only interest is political gain

You hide your eyes and refuse to listen
You play your games and abuse the system
You stuff your pockets while Rome is burning
I’ve got a feeling that the tide is turning

[Chorus]
I am America, one voice, united we stand
I am America, one hope to heal our land

I will not give up on this fight
I will not fade into the light, I am America

[Bridge]
You stuff your pockets while Rome is burning
I’ve got a feeling that the tide is turning

[Chorus]
I am America, one voice, united we stand
I am America, one hope to heal our land

[Chorus]
I am America, one voice, united we stand
I am America, one hope to heal our land

I will not give up on this fight
I will not fade into the night, I am America

Krista Branch – I Am America. I am America, one voice, united we stand. I am America, one hope to heal our land. There is still work that must be done. I will not rest until we’ve won. I am America. You preach your tolerance, but lecture me. Is there no end to your own hypocrisy. Your god is power, you have no shame. Your only interest is political gain.

Complete Full Text, Written Words, Reader, Lyrics, Song, Words And Text By Krista Branch – I Am America.

Two.

Happy 2nd Birthday to my precious boy, Jack Hartley Bradford!! He was born on

  October 22, 2008 at 9:07 pm. weighing 7.2 lbs and 19 inches long!!!

{3 days old} 

We never could have imagined how amazing this little boy would be, and how he would change our lives forever.  He is the happiest, most joyful little person who just lights up the room. He has filled our hearts with love and our home with inexplicable fun, laughter, joy, amazement and thankfulness to the Lord for giving us the precious blessing. 

There is nothing sweeter than holding a tiny, innocent, beautiful new person and just seeing God's incredible craftsmanship all wrapped up in this little bundle of blue.  And there is nothing more humbling than knowing that their little life has been entrusted to your care. This is the single most important job that I will ever take on, and I pray every day that God might give Sean and me the wisdom, understanding and discernment to be Godly parents who raise their children in a joy-filled, secure home where they know they are deeply LOVED by us and by their Creator.