Chef John

I started watching Food Network a while back and have several favorite shows. It is also not bad to have on during the day. John David and I enjoy watching "Ace of Cakes" with Chef Duff. John David can even quote the opening "make it bigger, make it badder, make it awesome." John David loves helping me cook, mix, stir, and even crack eggs! For a while he didn't want to crack eggs because the shells kept getting into the mix but now he can crack eggs without getting the shells in the mix! He loves my mixer. He turns it on, off, and changes the speeds effortlessly.

He likes to be called "Chef John" since that is what Duff is called. I haven't told him that Duff went to Culinary School to earn his name. He has an apron of mine that he always insists on wearing. It is cute! I need to get him one with his name on it soon.

This fall we have been making lots of pumpkin rolls from those who have had babies, MGM, birthday, and for a dinner with friends. Tonight we made 2 for David's Thanksgiving meal for work! We always make sure there is at least half without nuts for those who aren't "nutty"-David!

Weekend

This past weekend the boys were with Grammy & Popaw! It was a great weekend and productive, too. David and I had a list of things we wanted to do without the boys. Boulder had to be taken in to the vet before we got to enjoy a late dinner. On Saturday, David and I slept in before going to run some errands. I am wanting a dining room set for the holiday season. We went to several stores checking out prices and styles we liked. We also went to Jared jewelry store to look for anniversary gifts. Our 10th wedding anniversary is next year and we want to travel and possibly some new bling. Watches or rings? We spent over an hour looking at all kinds of watches and diamonds. Did you know Cartier makes a $32,000 watch for women? It was beautiful and even had diamonds on the knob that sets the time! Of course it is way out of our price range but how cool to have something that expensive on my wrist! (Some brand new cars don't cost that much!)



The boys were excited to see us and we were excited to see them on Sunday! Drew threw a fit when we put him in our car instead of Grammy's minivan. It broke Grammy's heart. They had a fabulous time.

Congratulations Dad!

Most of you know my dad retired from the Air Force and decided to teach public school-junior high! He graduated from Baylor (years ago) with a teaching certificate but hasn't really used it. It took some work to become certified in Oklahoma but he has been teaching since 2004 at Central Middle School. He has taught History and English in seventh and eighth grades. Being in the military, he requires students to refer to him as Col. Gorham, as well as, "Yes sir" and "No sir." He also pays them the same respect with "Yes sir/ma'am". He has many interesting stories working with families with different values. He is very strict with the students and expects a lot from them. Parents are usually pleased when they hear what he is expecting of the students. He also has the support of the principal and asst. principals. The students are always amazed that he has three grown kids who survived. :) A few years ago he decided to get a master's degree, too. This past spring he graduated with a master's degree and turned 60!

This afternoon my dad found out that he was the Teacher of the Year for his school! YEA Dad! He was surprised and humbled. I am very proud of him and look forward to see what happens in the future! He wants to become a principal and hopefully he'll move to Texas!

After Trunk or Treat...

David left Trunk or Treat to go deer hunting while I brought the boys home. Here is a picture of Drew throwing a fit in the kitchen over having to go to bed.

Here is a picture of my boys playing with a blowup that John David played with a few years ago.

Halloween 08

Here is my pirate & Mickey Mouse! The pirate wore Crocs because I knew he would be in and out of bounce houses all night long. It is easier to put on than tennis shoes. :)



I was very fortunate this year and didn't have to buy any costumes! How, you ask? John David was Mickey in '05 so it was only natural that Drew would become Mickey. Our wonderful friend, Adrian, gives us tons of boys clothes all of the time which included a pirate costume months ago. (John David wants to grow up to be a pirate!) For a month, John David wanted to a be a doctor like last year. Finally he changed his mind to be a pirate. This past week I bought him an eye patch and hook to complete the costume. On Friday night, John David didn't wanted the eye patch but wanted to take the hook (renamed a "sword") without the cup. The cup made it look more like the character "Captain Hook".

Here is Drew playing with a skeleton-Jack.


My boys with future girlfriends, Kensley as Cinderella, and Grace and Catherine as brides.
We went to FBC Grapevine's Trunk or Treat. John David loved the bounce houses, went to a few trunks before eating dinner and playing a few games. He went to more bounce houses and games before we headed home.




John David and Natalee (skunk) crawling out of a funky looking caterpillar.



Drew had a fun time and not too sure what to think about everything. Drew ate a snickers while walking around to different trunks. He didn't know what to do with the opened candy at first but after much convincing he started to eat it and didn't want to stop. We only carried one bucket for both kids because we don't need two buckets full of candy.
Drew was great to hold my hand but always wanted a piece of candy to carry, too. He finally figured out that if he put the candy in the bucket, he would get another piece of candy! :)

Carving a pumpkin

Here are the boys carving pumpkins last week in the yard. It was fun to watch them. David thought it would be fun for John David to draw out the pattern for David to carve into the big pumpkin. The eyes and nose are his pattern but I made the mouth a little easier to carve. John David thought it was fun to pick up the pieces and play with them on his face so Drew had to follow. It kept us laughing to watch the boys play with the cut-outs of the pumpkins.

On the smaller pumpkin, I used a bat and moon pattern. We had fun watching them light up on the porch!

Firehouse...a while ago

Earlier in the month, we went to Flower Mound Firehouse's Open House. It was a fun time with lots of handouts-pencils, pads, informative booklet, hats, free hot dogs & drinks. They tore a car apart with the Jaws of Life. CareFlight was supposed to come but got called away instead. We got to tour the Firehouse #1 and sit inside different trucks. John David even got to put out a fire! I am so glad David saw the signs and insisted we go. I think David had just as much fun as the boys, if not more! :) We can't wait until it comes again next year!