Dear Santa 2014 edition

Hoping the big guy in the red suit gets our letter before heading out on his road trip on Dec 24th.

So fun to see this magic unfold.

Too bad it was minus a million degrees.  

Getting to the mailbox took a lot of effort and its only 2 blocks away!

Clearly wee Buggy isn't as impressed.

Maybe next year?

Wordless Wednesday… Christmas prep.

Instagram!

I'm still heavy into my love for Instagram.
Plusoneweebeanandabuggy!

Some images from our last few days.
IT'S WINTER IN THESE PARTS!!!

#thankfulnovember

The making of Bat Boy...

Bean loves face painting…

He always has.

It is generally the first stop we make when attending parties.

Today's talent was above most face painting events we've experienced.

Seriously, this was nothing… you should have seen some of the other kids walking around this party.

Impressive!

No matter what, he always asks for a Superhero…

He refused to chat with Santa today but he let some random Artist stick a paint brush near his eyes and blow glitter all over his face.

KIDS!

#thankfulnovember

My HUSBAND and I...

I've waited a really long time to call him that!

#thankfulnovember

Miles of Maui...

I have miles and miles of images to look through from Maui.

I'm taking my time.

And sipping in the memories.

A few more from Maui…

#thankfulnovember

A little bit of Maui… poolside.

Soooooooo many images to share.

Check back, I'll be posting more all week!

Beyond #thankfulnovember!

Pumpkin "Donut" Muffins

Sooooo very yummy!
A perfect recipe to use some of my Halloween pumpkin puree.


Ingredients
2 cups pumpkin puree
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour (I used 3 cups white flour)
1 1/2 cups sugar (I used 1 cup white, 1/2 cup brown sugar)
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
3 tsp pumpkin spice (2 tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp nutmeg + 1 tsp all spice)

Sugar Cinnamon coating
1/2 cup of raw sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Directions
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and spices together.
Whisk together  eggs and pumpkin.  Add oil and vanilla.  Mix until all incorporated.
Slowly add in dry ingredients one cup at a time and mix until there are no lumps.
Scoop batter into a greased muffin pan and fill each 2/3 full.
Bake for  15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.
While the muffins bake, mix sugar and cinnamon together (hello multi tasking!!)
When the muffins are out of the oven and cooled, use a butter knife to loosen them out of the pan.
Toss the muffins one by one in the cinnamon and sugar coating.

ENJOY!!!

(Thank you to BabyBoyBakery for a version of this recipe and the idea.  If you don't already follow this blog I'd recommend it… for many reasons).

#thankfulnovember

Lest we forget...

Warm, sunny, humid, happy.

These beauties are free to flourish.

The first image almost looks plastic.  They are so bright and bold.

Very thankful for the freedom to explore and enjoy these flowers in a peaceful place.

#thankfulnovember

Hotel shenanigans...

This resort is bliss for our family.
We've been here before and will continue to treat ourselves in the years to come.
I LOVE HOUSEKEEPING!!!

And our littles know that jumping on the bed and furniture is allowed in hotels only.
We are embracing those rules….

#thankfulnovember

Namaste.

Namaste.
From paradise...

#thankfulnovember

Mr & Mrs.

November 7, 2014
Our wedding day.

In MAUI...
With our kiddos by our side… literally!

and our parents as our witnesses…
I was gifted with this amazing man.

I would not have changed one tiny detail.
It was such a perfect day!
God is so good.

#thankfulnovember

Critter patrol.

Something about these lil dudes is kinda neat.

Not sure what yet, but I can't exactly call him creepy.

Is it a lizard or gecko or what the heck are these dudes called that crawl all over the place on these islands?

#thankfulnovember

Handsome like his Dad!

Wouldn't you agree!
SIGH.
He's 4 going on 14.  How does that happen!?
And is he ever looking like his Dad.  WOW!

#thankfulnovember

Maui smiles...

Our wee water baby…

and a tiny flower Princess...

Good grief this place is beautiful!

#thankfulnovember

Maui.

5am wake ups….
make for 5am AHMAZING views!

#thankfulnovember