Red, White and Blue kinda' Birthday...

So, I'm a day late, and this is purely for my own fun (because I'm pretty sure being the cool guy that he is and all) Laynce isn't real into checking my blog...but, we can still have some fun with this Leslie and Lyndsay! I haven't been able to keep up with wishing people a Happy Birthday via my blog as well as I would have liked, but when I accidentally ran across these photos this morning I was happy to remember I was only a day late!

Happy Birthday to you....

All the years you've been through...

You've always been true...

And you've always looked good...

In Red, White and Blue!

Weekend kind of day...

I was talking to my friend Sam the other day and at some point it came up that when your man is gone it's hardest on the weekends. Can I get an amen?! For some reason the weekends serve up one big fat reminder that you're all alone...probably because when Nate is here we usually look so forward to spending that time together and with him. So, even though today started off a little crazy, Nate getting all his stuff packed and to the squadron, this afternoon felt very much like a weekend in the middle of the week! We've just been hanging out, and Carter and I had a little fun playing with my camera. Oh yeah, and I almost forgot, I got a $25 haircut that I'm pretty proud of. I'm sure anyone who read about my hair horror a couple of months back is thinking I've lost my ever lovin' mind. I would probably be thinking that about me too. But, if you know me well, aka my mom and my sister, you know once I get it in my head that I want to cut my hair there is no stopping me. I've made my mom cut my hair on more than one occasion (against her will), and due to over reactive outbursts, of a negative nature, toward the finished product she can no longer be recruited. But, lucky for me, the cute little stylist from Europe (who just happens to work at the on base beauty shop) can be convinced for a measly $25 to do a spur of the minute hair cut...and YES, this time I like my hair. Hard to mess up a blunt chin length bob, but I'm thankful for Evetya none the less! I'm on a new economical kick, done with highlights and saying yes to the chipper chicken (or in my case chipper haircut), we've got to send our kid to college after all. Seriously, no offense to any big hair spenders, I've just decided this is an area I'm going to save a little moo-la in. Without further ado...my new do, and photos from our happy day at home...

Punkin'

This past Saturday was crisp and sunny, the perfect day for visiting the pumpkin patch. We chose a quaint little working farm right down the road from out house. It was a beautiful afternoon...

The kittens were a huge hit with Carter...

I caught her mid-sentence, we were conversing about the cats...

First we checked out the animals.

Baby peacocks...

These guys, who have no idea they'll be some lucky families Thanksgiving feast, 2$ a pound...

Spending some time with one of our favorite people, we'll be missing moments like these for a little while...

Don't worry sweet Carter, we'll make through again, I promise...

And with that we were off to search for the perfect pumpkin. But, before it could be found Carter struck a few poses for me (she was pretty into "posing" last year too)....

2007...

New and improved for 2008...

I think dance class has given her some sweet moves...

And then we happened upon the perfect little pumpkin...

Success was ours...

THE END.

Sunshine Sugar Cookies

This weekend Carter and I were a couple of cookie baking queens! I had signed up to make cookies for the base wide kids Halloween extravaganza (which as it turns out we weren't even able to make), but the cookie baking was still fun! While we were at it we went ahead and doubled the recipe. So, by the time it was all said and done we were swimming in a kitchen of almost 50 sugar cookies! We made my mom's recipe which is pretty infamous in our own family. When we were little it was actually published in some sort of "Cookie Cookbook" and was titled Sunshine Sugar Cookies. They definitely bring a ray of sunshine, just look at this sunny little smile...

Of course the fun part is in the decorating...

Here are the "pretty" ones for the party...

and the "Fun" ones just for us...

And, of course the highlight of the evening is getting to eat the results...

All that baking can really wear a girl out. After a nice hot bath Carter modeled her new Hello Kitty house shoes for us...

Both the girls in our house actual got some new winter wear this week, Carter helped me pick mine out...

Baking is becoming something that is really fun for Carter and I to do together. She is such an eager helper and loves just hanging out in the kitchen. It makes me so grateful for my own mom who is one of the best chefs I know! In case this has given you a hankerin' for some sugar cookies that will melt in your mouth (they never last long at our house) here's the recipe!

Sunshine Sugar Cookies

1/2 Cup Butter Softened

1/2 Cup Vegetable Shortening

1 Cup Sugar

1 Egg

1 Tsp. Vanilla

2 1/2 Cups Flour

1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda

1/8 Tsp. Salt

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar, and crisco with mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and add vanilla. Combine dry ingredients and then gradually beat into mix at low speed. Spoon drop dough onto cookie sheet then press with the bottom of a drinking glass (dip in flour to prevent sticking). Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are slightly brown.

Icing

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

3 Tbls. Milk

1/4 Tsp. Food Coloring of choice

Once cookies are cool ice and decorate! Little kid fun guaranteed!