Gingerbread House Time!

Every year I always buy a Gingerbread Kit for the boys to build a Gingerbread house. I bought it a couple of weeks ago and every day the boys ask can we make it yet? I finally gave into them on Thanksgiving night. They worked on it for awhile and I'm happy to show the results! Our next mission...that would be our Christmas Tree!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Basketball Practice

I can't believe we're going to allow "Little Cam" to play church basketball this year. He has to under throw the basketball to even get it into the goal. It's the cutest thing but he's just so short that he can't get it up high enough. His coach is Ms. Sandra Howard and she plans on teaching them the basics. I hope she has lots of patience because a team full of 5 and 6 year olds can be a little challenging but with her patience, I have faith she'll do a wonderful job!

Going to see Santa!

Saturday we piled up in the car and went to see Santa at the Jackson Mall! (I refuse to go to Memphis anymore) so we usually head to Jackson for any shopping, dining etc...

Anyway, cousin Lillie Grace, Cade Carter and Cam couldn't wait to see Santa. Because the lines were very short, we got to spend lots of time with Santa telling him what we want for Christmas. I was getting a little anxious when the kids continued to tell him what all they wanted when Cade Carter whispered something in Santa's ear. I thought OH NO-What's he telling him? Santa looked over at me and smiled and said "I think having a puppy is a family decision and Santa doesn't bring puppies." I couldn't believe Cade Carter had the nerve to ask for a puppy when I tell him constantly that he's allergic and the answer is NO! When we find that hypoallergenic puppy, I will then consider it, MAYBE...that is a BIG MAYBE..

Thanksgiving Feast

Cam (all the way to the left giving me his peace sign!

Ella James and Camden (Future Couple?) Note the hand on the shoulder???

There's that peace sign again!!!

Cam had his Thanksgiving feast today at nursery school. They dressed up like Indians and chowed down (not on turkey, but Chicken Strips) They had corn and tater tots to go with it! Who says Thanksgiving doesn't include Chicken Nuggets?

Check out Camden's new "thing" to do in public...he likes to give the Peace sign to everyone! Every time I would snap his pic today I'd get "Peace!"

Fall Weather brings many, many PECANS

This year my Mom & Dad's trees produced many pecans and I dragged Cade Carter out of the house (he was watching a movie, IMAGINE THAT?) to help me pick up pecans. He was a little grumpy at first when I told him to GET OFF THE COUCH but he got over it. He helped me pick some and we took them home to crack them. I bet I cracked pecans for a whole hour and this is all I got! But hey, my holiday baking will include pecans I literally picked up MYSELF!!! If your lucky, I might send some of you some of my Paula Deen goodies!!!

Christmas Cards

I have procrastinated putting up my tree even though so many already have theirs up! Each year I tell myself that I will have everything up by Thanksgiving. And of course I have nothing up! SO, as of this weekend I've decided I would work on my Christmas cards and wrap some presents, that way I will not be stressing over getting my cards out in a reasonable amount of time and the presents will already be wrapped to be placed under our tree. If I have to do cards, wrapping and PUTTING UP THE TREE in the same week-I'd be SUPER STRESSED! So this year, I will take my time. Hopefully Camden will not ask me anymore "Can we put the tree up?" He's asked me probably 20 times a day since last week. I told him "Let's just get through Thanksgiving, kid!" Cade Carter got a shot at me with all my cards piled all over my bed...But guess what, I'm done!!! Expect your card next week!!

Is the Elf visiting us this year?

Last December a little elf (named Elroy) showed up at the Sampson Home with presents for the 25 days of Christmas! Let me give you a little history-Every morning the elf hides in a special place, (such as hanging from the ceiling fan, OR our freezer,it's cold in there like the North Pole! (and one day he was in our car fixing to go for a drive.) You never know where that little elf might appear. The presents are all wrapped up by the fireplace, and if for some reason the boys are bad-NO PRESENTS FOR THAT DAY! By the way...these presents include little items like a snow globe, Jingle Bells, and when they are bad-they opened up ELF POOP! YUCK!
Just the other day the boys asked "MOMMA, is that elf coming to visit?" I told them I didn't know and hopefully he would! I'm hoping he comes REAL SOON because their behavior has not been the greatest lately! Hopefully Elroy will be a great incentive for these rambunctious boys!

I've got to cook the turkey?

Looks like Thanksgiving is going to be at my house this year and I've had a turkey in my freezer for awhile and I'm going to attempt to cook it. I haven't a clue on how to do it...Looks like I'm going to have to rely on "Old Faithful" (that would be my Food Network HERO Paula Deen!

Since I searched for a turkey recipe from Paula, the only thing I can find is "to deep fry" it... I just don't think that I am going to attempt this alone...Looks like I'll be calling on Hank to help me.

1 (10-pound) turkey
2 tablespoons House seasoning, recipe follows
2 tablespoons of your favorite dry rub
3 to 5 gallons peanut oil
Cooks Note: To measure the amount of oil needed to fry the turkey, place turkey in fryer, add water to top of turkey, remove the turkey and the water line will indicate how much oil will be needed to fry your turkey. Having too much oil can cause a fire. The pot should not be more than 3/4 full or the oil could overflow when the turkey is added.
Directions
Wash bird inside and out, and allow to drain. Rub turkey all over with House Seasoning. Coat turkey with dry rub. Allow the bird to sit until it reaches room temperature.

Heat peanut oil in a turkey fryer or a very, very large stockpot to 350 degrees F. Lower turkey into hot oil, very carefully, making sure it is fully submerged. Fry turkey for 3 minutes per pound plus 5 minutes per bird. Remove turkey from oil and drain on paper towels.

Serve with favorite Thanksgiving sides and salads.

House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

GUESS WHAT I GOT?

...that would be my new Espresso Machine. Anyone who knows me well knows about my addiction to coffee and lattes. When I heard months ago that Starbucks was closing I was so upset SO I began to research machines to figure out how the heck am I going to make a latte at home. When my birthday rolled around Big Mama (Hank's mom) and my parents gave me enough money to order my VERY OWN ESPRESSO MACHINE. It's definitely a science to making a latte, but I think I've got it down. It's really strange that I've got the knack for making the drinks now because I just found out STARBUCKS OFFICIAL CLOSING DAY IS THIS FRIDAY!!! I really hate it, but in the long run, I feel like I'll save lots of money...Starbucks-you will be missed but you will always have a place in my heart.

November Sunday School Social

This past Friday night our "Enjoy" Sunday School Class and children went to Fletcher's Pumpkin Patch and Corn maze. We all froze on the hay ride because it was such a cold night! The corn maze was very tricky! We all got lost and after a little while I started getting frustrated because I was cold and I kept slipping and sliding in the mud and I was convinced there was no way out! Once Cade Carter started yelling at me saying "MOMMA I FOUND THE WAY OUT" I began to wonder...how in the _ _ _ _ did he find his way out when us adults were struggling? Beats me? Are you smarter than a Second Grader? I'm beginning to question it...

Happy 5th Birthday Camden!

We celebrated Camden's birthday over the weekend with a "Pretend Campout." All the kids brought their "pretend guns" and went on a hunt for deer and coyotes! Hank took them on a hay ride and stopped in the woods for them to get out and do some serious hunting. Even some of the little girls with their pink guns were on a mission. We ended the party with a bonfire and of course Smores'. Cam received lots of camo and John Deere items as gifts and he couldn't of been any happier.

Cade Carter and his YOGA?

I couldn't help but share this pose of Cade Carter doing yoga. We got a Wii Fit a few months ago (for those that do not know what this is it's a game where you actually excercise on the Wii Game.) Anyhow, Hank yelled at me across the house and said "YOU GOT TO GET IN HERE!" That's when I fell over in laughter because he was doing YOGA and he was seriously into it! We got the biggest laugh out of his pose!

Now you know...

Yes, my birthday is on Halloween. I have reason to be a witch! Growing up I always had Halloween parties and lots of crude jokes... But nevertheless, Hank and I always try to find time amongst all the festivities to go out to dinner. We went to a Brazillan steak house (Texas de Brazil.) It was not your ordinary restaurant where you order off the menu. The waiter continuously brings meat to the table. You have a card on your table that is green (which means continue to bring more meat) or you can flip the card over on it's red side (which means to STOP bringing meat. ) It was a great meal and wonderful atmosphere. I highly recommend it! Thanks to my wonderful husband for always making my day special!

Fire Museum of Memphis

Gunner with his fireman's cake!

We attended Gunner Wallace's birthday party over the weekend at the Fireman's Museum. It was so cool! There was a play area with firetrucks and similators that made you feel like you were putting out a fire. There was even a room that everyone got in that got up to 89 degrees as you watched a film on fire! Very educational, but FUN! Cam freaked out when the fire alarms started going off...I felt so sorry for him because he just busted out crying saying to me "I don't like it!" Once the fire alarms went off he was fine and continued on having a good time. Cam's never liked anything loud!

 

Batman & Peter Pan and (a fireman?)

Cam doing the cake walk!

Cousin Lillie Grace & Camden.

Big Mama and our little batman (Cade Carter)

MiMi and Cade Carter.

My Batman and Peter Pan had a LARGE time this year for Halloween! Cam couldn't make up his mind if he was going to be a fireman or Peter Pan...so he chose to be a fireman to our 1st Halloween party. We went to the Naifeh's annual Halloween party and had a blast. There was some great costumes no doubt. I consider Dana the "hostess with the mostest" on every party she ever throws. This year they had a paint ball gun and the kids loved it! Looks like that might be on the boys Christmas list for this year!

On Halloween night we attended Oak Grove's Halloween Carnival and there were games everywhere! Cam entered a cake walk and won. He of course chose some "Pilsbury Bake" cookies over an awesome looking chocolate cake! He insisted on those cookies! It was his decision and he got them instead! We trick or treated at MiMi's and Big Mama's! They always have candy waiting on us! The boys had a great time being super hero's but Mom & Dad are tired of all the festivities, did I mention my birthday falls on Halloween?? More on that later...PS I refuse to state my AGE!!!