Christmas

This was our very first Christmas in our house together.  Although we have had a Christmas here in Ridgcrest, we didn't actually spend Christmas morning at our house.  This year we did and it was much fun with Grant.  Having a little toddler get excited about Christmas makes me feel like I did as a child on Christmas morning, but now as an adult.  It's pretty awesome.  

Grant got this cute little ride on tractor and it immediately became his favorite toy.  He was so fun to watch.  Gavin got an ipad and I got spoiled with an ipod touch.  

After we did presents at our house, we made our way over to Grandma and Grandpa MacGregor's for a big breakfast and more presents with Brandon, Christina, Ariadne, Nathan and of course Grandma and Grandpa.  

This was such a fun Christmas and I know that as Grant gets older and even more excited, it will be that much more exciting for me and Gavin.  

my 22nd birthday

I always say each birthday is the best one yet and it's true they just get better and better, which is a perk to getting older and older.

Gavin spoiled me rotten.  He surprised me by showing up on the front door with flowers after he supposedly left for work and announced he was taking the day off to spend with me.  He took me out to Denny's for breakfast and then picked up Grant and drove to Burbank to pick up a love seat at Ikea.  When we got back into Ridgecrest we ate dinner at my favorite restaurant, Miso, for sushi and came back to the house for presents and chocolate peanut butter ice cream cake.

The best part of the whole day was spending it with my honey bear.

Headbands and a Recipe

These are my niece's for Christmas...

and these are for you for breakfast.

Pumpkin Pancakes

yields 6 pancakes
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1 1/2 Tbs brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 Tbs vinegar

Directions: 
In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon and salt. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine. 

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot with chopped walnuts and syrup.

Cinnamon Syrup:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup water

Stir all ingredients together in a small saucepan. Over medium heat, stir occasionally until boiling. Let it boil for a few minutes while stirring until it thickens. Remove from heat and set aside until needed.

Sewing Kick

I've been on a sewing kick lately.  I think it might be that everyone and their dog is pregnant (except me) and that makes me want to sew anything cute and baby or it might be that I finished watching the season finale of Project Runway.  

I've always been amazed watching that show that people can just whip up something without a pattern bought from the store.  I've always wanted to be able to do that and today I tried and succeeded. 

Voila, here is my baby girl romper.  I figure that if I make enough girl clothes Heavenly Father will give one to me. 

What do y'all think? 

The never ending project ended

When I found out I was pregnant with Grant I was convinced I was having a girl, no doubt about it.  I bought cute girl dresses, made flowered headbands, put together my first quilt (pink and purple of course) and I bought fabric to make a girly crib bumper set.
Well, turns out my girl was a boy. Oops.  While dramatically shedding many tears, I packed away all the dresses, headbands, etc., including the half put together bumper set, convinced I was doomed to be that lady that has 7 boys and no girls. 
I've since gotten over it after my perfect little Grant-o joined us and changed my mind.  The other day I pulled out the bumper mess and set to work.
 I am VERY happy to announce I finished it and no I'm not pregnant.  I just really wanted to get one thing pulled out of my unfinished project pile.  I'll probably just list it in my Etsy shop or wait to see what the next babe is.  What do you think? Should I keep it?

           

Grant lately

Lately Grant has learned to work and listen to an ipod.  He has learned which remote goes to the DVD player, the ipod dock and the TV and he knows that he has to point it at each and push a button.  He knows how to skip a song and turn up the volume on the TV.  He's definitely growing up in a different generation than I did; that makes me feel old saying that.

Grant loves to sweep and swiffer the floors.  The swiffer is arguably his favorite toy.  He also will take a piece of toilet paper, wipe of the toilet lid and then throw it away in the trash.  He's a pretty good little cleaner.  

He is obsessed with drinking water out of Gavin or my running water bottle.

Grant was recently introduced to sidewalk chalk and drawing.  Although he seems very interested in eating it, he's pretty good at drawing random lines, including on my couch.  Good thing he hasn't discovered markers yet or he could end up in the dog house with his name changed to mud.

Speaking of dog houses, Grant says "ruff ruff" and plays in Max's cage. 

Grant is also pretty cute in his jeans shirtless.

 

My sweet sister turns sweet sixteen

Miss Abby turned 16 on the 24th of September.  We celebrated with a surprise birthday party.  We had tea,  played croquet, ate really good food and dessert and made chalkboards.  Here's a few pictures of the festivities.