More of the Crab Dance

So I have to get even with C for posting my "Crab Walk Dance"...of course all in good fun!

Later during the trip we realized that we forgot to get a magnet in New Hampshire...let me explain...we decided on our honeymoon that we would try to get a magnet in each state that we travel to together.. and if possible, the magnets can't be too cheesy...as we were leaving New Hampshire, we realized we forgot to find a magnet...so this video highlights our search and then the other video captures C doing a "Victory Crab Walk Dance" to celebrate finding a magnet (the magnet we found has a moose on it, which we didn't see any of, and someone wrote 'New Hampshire' on it with a Sharpee marker...but it is still a magnet and it is from New Hampshire...it fulfilled our qualifications)...let me tell you, our efforts were quite valiant and hysterical (at least we thought so!)

A few videos from the trip...

This was our trip to Angler's Restaurant...

This would be Sara imitating a toy crab...

Our time in the apple orchard...

And of course, B had to show off a little...

One More Recipe

I promise, I won't replace our photos and life happenings with recipes, but this is another fall favorite...I have had a couple people ask me for it so I thought I would share it...

Layered Pumpkin Loaf

1 can canned pumpkin
1 cup plus 2 tbs. sugar (divided)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
4 egg whites, divided
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup oil
2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. salt
1 8 oz. package of neufchatel (cream cheese) softened

preheat over to 350 degrees
grease a bread loaf pan
Mix:
pumpkin, 1 cup sugar, brown sugar, 3 of the egg whites, milk and oil in a large bowl
Add flour, baking powder, pie spice, and salt & stir until moistened
set aside; in another bowl beat the neufchatel cheese, remaining sugar (2tbs) and the last egg white with wire whisk until blended

pour half of the batter into the loaf pan, spoon the neufchatel cheese mixture evenly over batter; pour the remaining batter over the cheese mixture

bake for 60-65 minuets of until baked all the way through (check with a tooth pick).

Enjoy!
It is what I would imagine fall to taste like...in a sweet bread form!
(recipe taken from Kraft Food and Family magazine)

New Recipe!

I was able to have some friends from B's and my "Mommy & Me" yoga class over for lunch today. We enjoyed some fantastic pasta, the recipe was from a friend from high school...she gave it to me at one of my wedding showers and this is the first time I have tried it. It was so good that I felt like I needed to post the recipe to share...if anyone ever reads our blog...and you feel so inclined to try it...I hope you enjoy it!

Chicken with Dried Cranberry Pasta

4 boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 lb. package of Rotini pasta, cooked and drained
1-1/2 packages of dried cranberries
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup light (made with olive oil) mayo
1/2-3/4 cup Brianna's Brand Poppy Seed Dressing
Fresh baby spinach (optional)

Brown the chicken in oil
Cut into bite-sized pieces
Mix remaining ingredients together (pasta, chicken and everything else)
Refrigerate until chilled
*Add a little more poppy seed dressing to the entire salad just before serving

If you are using the spinach, add just before serving

***This recipe makes a lot! So it would work great for a larger gathering or you could split it in half***

It is official...B is mobile!

After much frustration and patience (on B's part), many failed attempts and face plants into the floor...B figured out how his arms and legs can work together to crawl! B has been using the "Army Scoot" to maneuver his way around as he plays, but as of this weekend...the Army Scoot is out and crawling is in!

C and I are bracing ourselves as we are celebrating this big milestone but also a little daunted by the reality that this milestone brings...we are working to "B proof" our house, moving breakable things up, securing things down, covering outlet plugs, taking our shoes off when we are in the house, vacuuming and being hawks as we watch B play and move around the house...Ella isn't quite sure what to think of her little friend's new movement...before we know it, B will be riding Ella like a bucking bronco!

We are so grateful that B is healthy and happy...it is such a gift to watch him grow and humbling to think about the task of parenting that we have at hand!

Whirlwind Weekend in Minnesota

We got home from Maine, unpacked, did several loads of laundry, repacked and headed up to Minnesota for a little dose of fall and and my cousin's wedding... My cousin's baby, Mia, was born about three weeks before B. It was so fun to see both babies together and to watch them experience the wedding reception...music...dancing...they seemed to love it, despite the fact that both babies were up quite a bit past their typical bed times!

B really enjoyed his dancing shoes...so much he decided to eat them!

Dancing with Uncle Jeff...not quite sure about all of the other guests dancing...

It wouldn't be a trip to Minnesota without a run around Lake Harriet...We bundled B up and he enjoyed a nap while we ran around the lake...notice that the true "Texan" is wearing shorts and the true "Minnesotan" is wearing pants, a long sleeved shirt and a down vest!

B showing off his synchilla, otherwise known as the "Cookie Monster" suit to Uncle Jamey

One morning, we walked to one of my favorite pancake houses for breakfast...I was able to enjoy my favorite item on the menu, delicious yogurt, fruit and granola!

B enjoyed being bundled up in the stroller sleeping bag on the walk to breakfast and on the runs...he looked so cute in his little hat...

We were even able to sneak in some quick time with our dear friend Mackenzie...our Caribou dates are few and far between!

On a quick visit to my grandparents house, B tried out a rocking chair that belonged to me when I was little...

My grandparents were taking care of Mia, so B got a little "cousin" time (I think technically it is second cousin once removed?)

B enjoyed a good bear hug while he visited..hugs and time in Minnesota is few and far between, but we will take what ever time we can get and are so grateful for the memories! Bri...thanks for giving us a chance to celebrate with you and Andy...and the rest of our family!

Enjoying rice cereal with Gram...one of my perks of visiting...it was a treat to hand of this daily ritual to my mom...she thought it to be quite novel...and I thought it to be a nice break!

We are looking forward to our next trip and hope that we are able to connect and catch up with more of our family and friends.

The Trip Continues...

Of course we had to make a stop at the compound... B's Clam Box and Bartley's Dockside Restaurant, all we were missing is Elizabeth's Something or Another

Couldn't be happier/warmer.

Some really sweet suspension bridge in southern Maine

Some really sweet river in Southern Maine

Acadia National Park. Technically at Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park.

Just doing some exploring, soon I will have B on my heels doing this...

No resembalance at all...

One of my favorite pics...

Acadia...

Acadia....

Cadillac Mountain, with Bar Harbor in the background.

Alright B, give us something over the shoulder. Perfect.

Just being cute... No idea how he got up there. We were turning to leave and then looked back and there he was.

Sunset at Pretty Marsh in Acadia.

Good looking family, if I say so myself...

I just can't help my self...

Happy as a clam (yeah, that is a northeast pun).

Anglers Platter = fried clams, fried haddock, fried scallops, fried shrimp, french fries. I was just diappointed that didnt fry the plate it came on.

Sara sad she didnt like her Maine lobster...

The Rest of the Trip...

Sara and B enjoying a nice morning on the porch of our cabin. (Belfast, ME) Breakfast time. The stories from breakfast were probably better than the breakfast, but no complaints from these two kids.

Camden, ME, a true little gem on the coast of ME.

Brackett Orchards. We did a little apple picking here and Chad almost had to go find the car keys in the apple orchard. almost.

B doesnt trust his dad's arm strength. So he takes the matter of not falling into his own hands. Literally.

Sara and B hamming it up while Chad gets the gorilla pod setup.

Those eyes are daggers.

I know I am biased, but cutest kid ever.

Representing Brackett Orchards.

Our pumpkin patch picture.

The beautiful state capitol of New Hampshire. (It's in Concord.)

Trying to kill some time in the airport. We were doing laps.

Rhode Island Locals

We were blessed with the opportunity to head out east last week...it was an incredible opportunity to visit family and see some incredible fall leaves.The days of traveling light have come and gone...we looked like we were hunkering down for quite a trip as we waited for our flight at the airport...

We flew to Boston, rented our first car (that was quite an experience and an exercise of patience) and then drove down to Rhode Island to visit my brother and sister-in-law. B was quite a trooper, we didn't arrive at their house until WAY after his bedtime...B decided that it was totally worth it because it meant that he was able to get some good sugar from his aunt Amanda and Uncle Jeff.

The next morning we enjoyed breakfast at one of Jeff and Amanda's favorite local dives, The Handy Diner, it was everything that they had described it to be...it was delicious!

B enjoyed hanging out in his chair while we enjoyed our breakfast and coffee...

B needed to send a couple emails on his phone while we ate, he displayed some major multitasking abilities!

After breakfast, we got to take a tour of where Jeff is going to school. It was so neat to be able to get a glimpse of what he is doing at school...he seems to be totally in his element!

Later, we took a drive around the town that Jeff and Amanda live in, we got to see some beautiful old homes along the coast and really get a glimpse of Jeff and Amanda's life in Rhode Island. It was such a treat to be able to visit, though our time was brief. We can't wait to hopefully visit again...we truly treasure all the time that we can spend with family!