So I mentioned in the last post that we went to an event at our church on Halloween. Instead of having a Fall Festival this year (like we have had the past few years), we decided to do a different type of outreach to our neighborhood. We began the evening with a cookout at the church (where we ate the pumpkin roll and other yummy goodies!). We then split into teams and went out into the neighborhood to go trick-or-treating. However, it was trick-or-treating with a twist. When the owner of the home gave the children candy, one of the adults would then give the owner a pre-wrapped (didn't want them to worry about the safety of it) muffin with information about our church and the Gospel. It was a neat way for the children to get to trick-or-treat and for the adults to make some connections with those living in the neighborhood around our church. Daniel and I didn't dress up this year, but our son was most definitely the cutest dressed baby this world has ever seen! :) Take a look for yourself...
"I'm not so sure about this..."
I mean, is that not the most adorable giraffe you've ever seen?!
Oh how he's going to love these pictures when he's 15!
Based on my last two posts, I thought it only appropriate to combine Pumpkin and Rolling. :) Ok, so really, it's just a coincidence that those two words are now combined in the title of this blog, but it sounded good, right?! Daniel really gets into cooking with pumpkin this time of year, and after signing us up to bring dessert to our church's Halloween gathering, he decided we should make something with pumpkin! Recipe of choice: Pumpkin Roll...yum! I had never made any type of "roll" (jelly, pumpkin, etc) before, so he took the lead on this endeavor. It turned out looking and tasting wonderful!
This one called for a few more ingredients than the last pumpkin encounter we had (and no, we did not include the Enfamil formula in the recipe...it's simply an egg holder)
The "roll" about to go in the oven
As soon as the roll is finished cooking (about 12 minutes), you dump it onto a towel with powdered sugar sprinkled on it. You then remove the wax paper it was sitting on in the pan and quickly roll it up in the towel
Hence the name, pumpkin roll :) It has to cool completely (takes about an hour) before you can do the next step
And for the filling...cream cheese (we used 1/3 less fat to make it a little healthier), 6 tbsp butter, 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla
The twins waiting for the roll to cool completely
And here's the finished product! Let's just say, we only brought two pieces home with us after church that night!
I just captured Riley rolling over on video! He's been doing it for a couple days now, but of course, when I pulled out the camera he'd freeze up. He cooperated tonight, so without further ado, here's our almost 15-week-old!
Fall has finally arrived in south Louisiana (of course, I'm writing this on a day where it's warmed up and is unbelievably HUMID...I'm hopeful this will pass soon!), and the time has come for pumpkin decorations and yummy pumpkin recipes! The other day I found a recipe for pumpkin pancakes, and it sounded delicious! We decided Sunday night was the time to try out this new tasty treat. The tradition in the Bramlett house is Laura mixes the pancakes and Daniel makes/flips them. Sunday was no different.
The pumpkin we got on clearance at Target last year
All this recipe takes is pancake mix, water, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice...I think Daniel was a little excited about the new cooking adventure. :)
So the recipe called for 1/2 cup pumpkin...a can of pumpkin is about a cup...we decided to double the recipe and have pumpkin pancakes until Jesus comes back. :)
The first pancake on the skillet
What did Riley do while we were trying our hand at the pumpkin cakes? Played in one of his new favorite spots! He loves hitting the toys and looking at himself in the mirror!
When he got a little fussy, it was time for the bjorn! Riley is a very sociable little guy, and we've noticed that while he doesn't mind playing by himself sometimes, he really enjoys being around his mommy and daddy.
Daniel got serious about his pancake-making and pulled out both skillets...one of these days we're going to have to get a griddle.
big mouth ready for the big pancake :)
Here they are! We had some good friends over to eat, and after the four of us had our fill, we still had pancakes left over that I was able to freeze for another meal.
This past Saturday we introduced Riley to the massive, wonderful world of Wal-Mart! He knew this was a special occasion, so he wanted to get cutified (pretty sure that's not a word) for it.
Ready to go!
He fell asleep on the way there and then slept for the first 30 minutes of the shopping experience. He woke up somewhere around the cereal aisle...so appropriate! :)
Riley's not a huge fan of his carseat, so after he woke up and realized where he was, it didn't take long for him to want OUT! Thankfully, we thought ahead and brought the baby bjorn with us...which he loves! Here we are outside Wal-Mart with a happy baby and a buggy full of groceries.
I realized Saturday night when I was thinking back on the day that you know you're the parent of a 3-month-old when a trip to Wal-Mart is the highlight of your day! :)
I'm a little behind on posting because last Friday was my last full day of work, and this week has begun the new schedule and job of being a stay-at-home-mom! I'm still working (very) part-time until they find my replacement, but most of the hours in my day are spent at home with my little man and husband (when he's not working or in class). So far, so good, but it's definitely going to be an adjustment. :) I know myself well enough to realize that I'm going to have to make goals each week or I will go crazy just sitting around feeding/changing/burping a baby. This week, my goal was to choose a different room each day and clean, clean, clean! I've met my goals each day with two more days to go! Anyway, that's random information that you probably don't care too much about. On to the pictures from the past week...
Riley's first ride in the stroller facing forward...you can tell he really enjoyed it. :)
It was 65 degrees that day...we all had to bundle up!
Ready for church...can't we leave already?!
Riley and mama on his 3-month birthday
Riley and I went on another walk a couple days later...he stayed awake this time :)
We walked all over campus...this is one of my favorite views of the chapel
Gorgeous clouds and sunset!
When we got back, it was time to take a nap. Look at what Riley decided to do instead of falling asleep...this is definitely the highest he's held his head up so far.
How old are you, again?!
More stories and updates to come...now it's time to spend quality time with my sweet husband. Have a great night!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5
Today I am in complete awe of my Lord. You see, today is the day of 3's. What does that mean, you ask? Well, 3 years ago today, Daniel and I went on our first date. It was fall break, and I stayed in New Orleans to work. He went home for the first weekend, but then rushed back to "study," or so I thought! His real plan, which I found out later, was to spend the week pursuing me...and obviously, he did a great job! :) On October 20, 2006, we got up early and spent the morning fishing. If you know me at all, you know that I do not fish. It requires too much patience and too much SILENCE! But, when Daniel Riley Bramlett asked me to go fishing with him, I wasn't about to say no! After a fun day together, we spent the afternoon apart studying. We came back together that night to watch a movie, and when the movie was over Daniel bravely shared his feelings with me and we officially began pursuing the Lord's will for our relationship. Here's the first picture we took together...
I began this post by saying it was the day of 3's...so what's the other 3? Well, 3 months ago today this little man came into my life...
I never realized just how much my heart would SWELL with love for this little guy! I still get teary-eyed when I look at him - especially when he shows me that beautiful smile! I love everything about Riley, and I am completely amazed by the life God created inside of me.
Happy 3-month birthday, my favorite little boy!
So why did I title this post "Unworthy"? Because it is only by the GRACE of God that I have both of these men in my life! Grace means to be given something that you do not deserve. As a sinful human, I deserve death and nothing more. However, because of Jesus death on the cross and forgiveness of my sins, I am blessed with so much more than I deserve. Thank you, merciful Father, for saving me and truly giving me an abundant life! My life is Yours, and I desire nothing more than to glorify You in all I do and say.
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
"I'm not so sure about this..."
I mean, is that not the most adorable giraffe you've ever seen?!
Oh how he's going to love these pictures when he's 15!
"And this is supposed to be fun?"
Beautiful Cinderella (sweet Austyn) meets UPSET giraffe!
Calmed down and ready to go...okay, so maybe he's just calmed down :)
"Are all of these pictures necessary?"
What happens when a 3-month-old gets hungry while trick-or-treating. Good thing Daddy's strong!
Love these two so much!
Typical New Orleans road...I'm not sure if the picture does it justice, but this was a deep hole!
Our group walking around the neighborhood
The Bramlett Family on 10/31/09
