Halloween Nostalgia

A past post I did on Halloween popped up today in my news-feed and that lead me on nostalgic journey of Halloweens past. Man, time is a crazy thing. I can't stop smiling as I sift through images of my babies with cherub cheeks and baby grins, while at the same time tearing up from time gone by.

Wouldn't it be such an amazing thing to be given the opportunity to go back in time for a day? You would get to be you in that present time, but with the future knowledge you have now. Trippy! It would be so hard to choose, but I think I would go back to just an ordinary day at home when the kids were ages: Matt 2, Jon 3, Ella 4 and Abby 6. This was such a sweet time. Our family was complete and we were in a groove. What a gift it would be to go back and squeeze them and munch on their cheeks. There might only be one problem, I might not stop crying the whole time!

I decided to keep the nostalgia going and round up all the images from Halloweens past, so they could be in one place. Now I can scroll through the years gone by smiling and crying at the same time.

Two years in a row I didn't get a group picture, I could kick myself. Oh well, what are you going to do? These were some crazy years, I'll give myself some grace... collages will have to do. 

Easter In Our Jammies

I really love the days when we have an excuse to do absolutely nothing. Jammies are mandatory, yummy food a must, and the only to-do on the agenda is the nap that’s been planned since ten that morning. That's what Easter looked like for us this year... the day couldn't have been more perfect! 

Grandpa and Grandma Wilt were in town. We had a great time laying around, watching the kids sugar level go up and down all day! Of course we dyed eggs and hunted for them, which is always a fun Easter tradition. The Easter bunny came and spoiled the kids with an abundance of cavity inducing treats and we spoiled ourselves with a prime rib dinner... yum!

It's All About Christmas

I had the plan to finish out my "month of Martha" in the kitchen. I'd find some awesome recipes and then bring them to life by strapping on my apron! I will say that my menu sounded delicious and the pictures on the recipes looked spectacular, but something went wrong in the execution process. It wasn't a complete disaster because everything we made was devoured, but if Martha had been invited to Christmas dinner at the Wilt's house I would have called her and told her that everyone had come down with typhoid.

The planned menu; my pinterest pins.

                                                                       Source: thehungrymouse.com via Linsey on Pinterest

                                                                              Source: weheartit.com via Linsey on Pinterest

                                                                              Source: foodgawker.com via Linsey on Pinterest

     Source: bakingbites.com via Linsey on Pinterest

We overcooked the prime rib, but it was still delicious; we just drenched it in au jus!

The strawberries didn't turn out at all, they looked nothing like the picture. Mine looked more like I tried making them blindfolded, but they are in the freezer and I will continue to give them to the kids for snacks!

The potatoes ended up becoming chips because we tried frying them instead of baking them like the recipe called for. The cooking process wasn't long enough to completely cook the potato, but the chips were great!

The lemon bars didn't cook long enough so they were too soft and were a bit too tart, but the platter was empty and the last one was fought over. 

Matty's cookies for Santa were a hit, but then again they did come from a tube!!

A few Christmas highlights!

"What About Bob" on Christmas Eve. Um, it's funny, isn't that the only reason you need for the qualifications of a good Christmas Eve movie?

What I love most about Christmas is spending the entire day doing nothing but hanging out with those we love most; nothing else on the agenda but to eat, play, veg and love! 

Toys, what toys? Boxes are way more fun!

The night ended with the girls quietly playing Monopoly,

the boys beating the snot out of each other,

and Luke the guard dog making sure everyone was accounted for!

I think I'm retiring, being Martha is flipping exhausting. I am sure she will surface from time-to-time, but keeping it up consistently is just not my cup of tea!