The kids at school

The kids had a fun last week of school before Thanksgiving break. I was very glad I got to help in Joshua's class for their Thanksgiving Celebration. Marissa was thrilled to go up to get her Honor Roll certifricate at the Friday Assembly. The holiday season has started. The kids and I are looking to having this next week off. Tomorrow I will grocery shop for Thanksgiving Dinner. We are greatly blessed that Kevin's Family will be spending Thanksgiving with us this year at our house. The kids are excited to have a turkey roasting in our oven. Marissa is looking forward to her low protein feast!
Here are some pictures from our highlights of last week.
Blessings to everyone!

Student of the Month!

We are so very proud of Marissa. Month number two in 5th grade, she was chosen as Student of the Month! It was a total surprise to her as her teacher doesn't tell the students. I was so glad I was able to be there as she got her award. Afterwards they have a little reception in the cafeteria to celebrate. Even Joshua was so proud of his BIG sister. He too is growing up as normally he would whine if he didn't get something that she did.
Marissa is working very hard and doing very well in 5th grade. She truly loves school, wants to please, and always does her very best. She got many complimnets from her teacher and she truly looks up to him. Once again we are greatly blessed with another great year in the public school system.




Marissa with her principal, Mr. Trujillo

Pumpkin Bread

Well, this is called Pumpkin Bread but it is more like PUMPKIN cake! WOW, this recipe is amazing! WARNING: Once you have had one bite you WILL NOT be able to stop! Oh well, I exercise so I have enjoy life's goodies....right??


Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Preheat oven to 325F degrees
Grease and prepare baking dish/pans

2 Cups of Flour
2 Cups of Sugar
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1 1/4 Cup of Oil
1 15oz can of pumpkin puree
4 eggs lightly beaten
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together ingredients and pour into a greased pan: 9 x 13 inch baking dish, muffin cups, 10 inch round cake pan or loaf pan.
Bake at 325 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes.
Let cool and frost with cream cheese icing

1 stick of butter or marg
8 oz of softened cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 box of powdered sugar or to taste (2 cups)
1 Tbsp honey
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

We've been ELFED!

I know...it's a lil early for Christmas but it was so hard to resisit posting this! So, we are goofing off and acting lives elves. Enjoy these next few weeks, may the spirt of Christmas be in you all.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Halloween

Halloween was an action packed day this year. The AM started off with Joshua's end of the season soccer party. Then he played his last game at 2:15, then it was off to trick or treat. Well, if you know me...i just love ALL holidays but Halloween is really one of my favorites. I love the excitement the kids get from dressing up and the excuse to just eat one more piece of candy is always a plus. We ended up trick or treating in Disovery Hills. Here are a few pictures of our SPOOK-TACULAR night!
Below are the BEE-utiful little Bees! Sophia and little friend Reagan were buzzzzzzin' around the neighborhood.

Bye Bye October, Hello November!

It's so hard to believe that the year is once again over. They do go faster ever year. Our Lil baby girl will be three this month and that seems just impossible. October was a busy month for us. Joshua finished up the soccer year, the kids have had choir and soccer practices, we're always running off somewhere. It will be nice to have a couple months off before baseball season starts for Joshua.
We were truly blessed this month and got to go on a Lil family vacation. The 5 of us went on a cruise to Catalina and Ensenada. It was so nice to get away from the school routine, the after school activities...but the best part was the kids got to see their dad every AM and every PM as well as all day! There was no cooking, cleaning, or monitoring that needed to do onboard, so I was truly able to enjoy my family. We were very fearful of boat viruses as well as the H1N1 crazy flu. Therefore, we only put the kids in the Camp during the day for a couple hours in the afternoon when it wasn't very busy. when they were there, they had a wonderful time. And while they were there Kevin and I got to spend some interrupted time together. WOW, interesting concept, huh? We went to the adult only deck of the boat, layed on a lounge chair, and really got to be on vacation.
We had a fun time and were all sad when it was over. We all stayed healthy and felt very fortunate that we were able to go on such a nice little trip.