Playing at Mamaw & Papaw's

On Tuesday, Greg actually had to do some work related stuff on Fort Gordon. It worked out perfectly as far as timing with our trip and the best part was that since he had to do some stuff for work, he got paid gas mileage to drive down to Georgia. It was so nice, we really lucked out!

I have a cookie exchange party coming up in December and wanted to try out a few cookie recipes that I found on Pinterest. So, I brought the recipes with me to my parents since there would be more people to eat the cookies. My mom ended up doing all the work and baking them for me. They were all good, but I picked one to share for the cookie exchange, and I'll share all those recipes next month.

Here's the boys watching Mamaw bake.

Evan had an epic meltdown and I don't even remember what it was about, but I was frustrated with him. Carter had woke up early and was exhausted, so I put him down for a nap and then let Evan watch a little bit of a movie to calm down before going down for a nap. He wanted me to sit next to him and he held on to my arm. It really melted my heart. Those little stinkers can throw the biggest fit and make you want to scream one minute and then do the cutest, sweetest thing the next minute.


It was cold the first few days we were there, so we were so glad that the weather warmed up a little bit. I took the boys outside and let them explore. They LOVE Papaw's tractors.

They spent a lot of time sitting on them and acting like they were driving.

Evan liked to check out all the different parts.

They would push the middle and say "Honk, Honk!"

Evan saying "cheese" for the camera.

I love that my parents have plenty of land for the boys to explore.

Greg got back from his work thing in time to enjoy some outdoor play with the boys.

 

Mamaw pulling Carter in the wagon. They have a long driveway that's perfect for riding bikes and riding in the wagon.

Evan liked walking with them instead of being pulled in the wagon.

Greg drew on the driveway with the boys. The boys loved playing with chalk and they love for us to draw things for them.

We were outside playing when Papaw got home from work. The boys were so excited to see him.

The boys liked riding their bikes, especially Carter. He could do it on his own, but he likes to be pushed.

The boys talked Papaw into pulling them in the wagon too.

I loved spending time outside at my parents house. I used to hate how warm Georgia was, especially in the fall and winter. But, now that we have two active boys, I really appreciate the warmer weather. It was so nice to be able to go outside and play.

Park and Sonic

We're home from Georgia, so now it's time to post about our trip. I tried to do it at my parents, but it just didn't happen. We stayed busy with the boys and spending time with my family.

Monday, we took the boys to the park near my parents house and then to Sonic for lunch. It was pretty cold the first few days we were in Georgia, which I wasn't expecting. It's normally pretty warm this time of year, last year I have pictures of the boys wearing shorts at my parents in November.

Evan loved the seesaw, he liked riding it and then he gave his dinosaurs a ride on it.

Carter was perfectly content swinging the entire time.

It's a cute little park next to a church and we've never seen anybody else there. Neither have my parents.

After we played at the park, we took the boys to Sonic. I love Sonic, I don't care about the food, I'm all about the drinks. My favorite is a vanilla diet dr. pepper. Yum! The boys enjoyed eating outside.

After the boys nap, we let them color. Carter wanted to color the entire time we were there. I had brought lots of crayons, coloring pencils, and coloring books and the boys little desks are there, which are perfect to color on. Evan liked getting all the pencils out and counting them. He can count to ten now and loves doing it.

My parents had so many toys for the boys there. Some were from our house that we sent with my mom last time she came to visit, some were brand new ones that my parents bought just to have at their house and we went ahead and gave the boys their Christmas presents from my parents since my parents are coming up to Virginia to spend Christmas at our house. It's less stuff they have to bring with them.

Relaxing with Daddy after a long day of playing. The boys had a rough time. We're not sure exactly what it was.We cut out pacifiers except for nap time and bedtime, they were sick when we got there, and they were waking up early and tired, so we don't know if it was a combination of all those things or if we just now hit the terrible twos, but there were a lot of tantrums and a lot of cuddling and holding while we were there.

Papaw and Evan playing with the cars.

We Made It!

Saturday morning, we left bright and early for Georgia. 2:37am to be exact. We wanted to get on the road while the boys were still sleeping, hoping that they'd sleep some of the 7-8 hour trip there. We weren't on the road for 15 minutes when Carter threw up! We pulled over, cleaned him up, changed his clothes and got back on the road. He ended up throwing up a second time while we were on the freeway and it was still dark out. So, we pulled over again and cleaned him up, changed his clothes (in the 28 degree weather) and got back on the road again. We stopped for breakfast and let the boys stretch their legs and eat (well, Carter just had a little water mixed with powerade) and then we got back on the road again. Besides Carter throwing up, the boys did REALLY good. I brought several new toys with us. I've been buying inexpensive things at consignment shops for times like these and I also went to the Dollar Tree before we left and picked up a few things for the car ride. So, between sleeping, new toys, and the dvd player, the boys had enough to do on the entire ride.

Here's the boys playing with their new toys.

The boys took a nap later in the morning, which was nice. I like them to sleep as much as possible on long trips like this.

I took some pictures of our ride down there. I love all the pine trees. I think Virginia is beautiful this time of year with all the changing leaves, but something about this view just felt like home to me.

 

 

When we got to my parents, Greg had caught what Carter had and was in rough shape, so he went and laid down. The boys were exhausted and Carter still wasn't feeling 100%, but it felt so good to be at my parents. The boys LOVE coloring, especially Carter, and my mom has their little desks that are perfect for coloring at. So, they have spent a lot of time doing that. It was pretty cold and windy the day we got here, so we didn't want to take the boys outside, especially with them getting over the stomach bug (Evan had it last Thursday)

The boys have bikes, a slide, a wagon, and a playhouse in my parents garage, so there was plenty to do even though we couldn't go outside.

 

Caroline gave me my birthday present, a UGA Tervis tumbler and a bottle of wine. She also got me a lid to go on my Tervis tumbler so I can take it with me wherever I go. I've been wanting a big one so bad and was so excited to get this. I've been using it ever since I got here.  

 

 I'm so glad to be at my parents and in Georgia. It's been a year since we've been here and that's way too long. Unfortunately, the stomach bug has been getting passed around, but luckily it's only a 24 hour bug. My sister got hit much worse than the rest of us and I feel so horrible about that. I hate that we brought those germs with us and I hope she starts feeling better really soon.

 

I hope everybody is having a great week. I'm enjoying spending time with my family and can't believe it's already Tuesday. The internet out here is really slow, but I'm trying to keep my blog updated so I don't get behind. I'm making a point to take more pictures this time. I'm great about taking pictures, except when I'm with my family. I'm usually so busy I forget to, but I'm making a point to take more pictures of the boys with my parents and just of the things we do while we're here.

Thanksgiving Travels

We are on our way to Georgia to spend the week with my family. We set our alarms for 2am so we could get on the road and get some of the drive done while the boys were still sleeping. I'm hoping to update my blog a couple of times while I'm at my parents, but we'll see how next week goes. I'm so excited to see my family and I know the boys are going to have a blast.

So, I've decided to share some of my Pinterest pins about Thanksgiving, the South and some other randomness.

Source: someecards.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: pamelajoycedesigns.blogspot.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Samantha on Pinterest

 

Source: someecards.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: dumpaday.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: mommysavers.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Samantha on Pinterest

Pamesan Meatloaf and Rosemary Olive Oil Bread

 This week I made a meatloaf and baked bread from scratch--both a first for me. I liked the bread, but I wouldn't make it again because of the time it took. Also, it's supposed to be like Macaroni Grill bread that you dip in olive oil, so it's a little dry to eat by itself without dipping it in oil or putting butter on it. I've never made meatloaf before because Greg hates meatloaf. I found a meatloaf that said it tasted like a giant meatball and was topped with marinara and italian cheeses. Greg thought it sounded good and said he'd give it a try. He ended up loving it and I'm excited that I now have a meatloaf recipe I can use.

 

Parmesan Meatloaf

1 lb ground turkey
1 lb ground beef
2 eggs
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1-2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 small onion, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup marinara pasta sauce
1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
minced parsley for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a loaf pan with cooking spray, set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey and beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Try not over handle the mixture otherwise it will get tough. Place the mixture in the greased loaf pan and form into a loaf. Top the meatloaf with pasta sauce.

Place filled loaf pan on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes - 1 hour. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and sprinkle the top with the remaining shredded cheese. Place the meatloaf back in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted.
Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving/slicing. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Rosemary Olive Oil Bread
INGREDIENTS
1 cup warm water
1 Tbsp.  sugar
2 tsp. active dry yeast
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped (or 2 tsp. dried)
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning (or pinch of each ground garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil)
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup bread flour + extra for kneading
1 egg, whisked + 1 Tbsp. water, for egg wash
dried rosemary, for sprinkling

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 10 minutes to proof.

2. Stir in the salt, rosemary, seasonings, olive oil, and whole wheat flour. Add the bread flour and stir until the dough forms a ball. Knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, adding more flour as necessary to prevent sticking, until smooth. (I just used my kitchen aid mixer)

3. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl; cover; and let rise until doubled in size, about1 hour.

4. Punch down the dough and form it into a round loaf. Place it on a cornmeal dusted pizza peel or parchment paper; cover; and let rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, preheat oven (and pizza stone) to 400 F. Once the dough has risen, gently brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle with dried rosemary.

6. Bake on preheated stone for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Makes 1 round loaf.

Park, Bounce & Play, and Erin Condren

Sunday morning, Greg and I took the boys to the park. It was a little chilly, but the boys had a blast. They love to walk around the entire park and explore. And they love walking through crunchy leaves.

After the boys ran around the whole park, they played on the playground equipment.

The boys were worn out when we got home. They just wanted to relax and watch some cartoons.

Monday, we took the boys to Bounce and Play. Greg was off and it's really one of those places that we need two adults. Evan has absolutely no fear and will go on every single thing that is there (and he does really, really good) Carter will go on the bouncy slides if Greg or I go with him, but he's happy playing in the toddler area with all the fun things in there.

The boys played on this basketball bounce thing forever! They love basketball.

After the boys nap on Monday, Greg took them to the gym so I could get dinner ready and get a few things done around the house. I made Rosemary Olive Oil bread and a Parmesan meatloaf. It was the first meatloaf I've ever made and Greg really liked it. (and he's always claimed to HATE meatloaf) I'll post the recipes later this week.



I also got out our Christmas tree. We're always traveling the weekend of Thanksgiving which is when I'd normally put it up. I don't want to have to worry about getting back from out of town, unpacking and then decorating. I'd like to do it before we leave and have it done. Some people think its too early, others have had their trees up since November 1st--to each their own.

 

As you know, the minivan was not my first choice when it came to getting a new vehicle. So, Greg was very sweet to suggest that I order a little something to make me feel better. I had given him my Christmas list a few weeks earlier so he suggested that I order a phone cover and planner--that they'd look good in the new minivan. I've been waiting on this for a couple of weeks. I've been so excited and it finally came today. Look how pretty this box is!!! (and it did have my address, but I edited that out)

How could somebody not be excited to get a package this pretty?

I got a matching personalized phone case and planner. I had an Erin Condren planner last year and it ran out this month, so this was perfect timing. I'm so excited about my planner, I will probably stay up late filling out the calendar with upcoming events. ;) And the phone case is so pretty, I had one from when I bought my phone but the rubber started coming apart and I wanted something hard, just like this. I'm so happy with it.

 

I hope everybody had a great weekend. Pretty much any 3 day weekend is a great weekend to me. The rest of this week will be spent getting ready for Thanksgiving and seeing family. I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is almost here, I feel like this month has flown by.