Still waiting for Halloween

Every year, we carve pumpkins as a family. And every year, the family does not forget to remind me about the time I accidentally cut a huge hole in the front of my pumpkin. (I forgot to leave the ghost attached to the pumpkin...it was kind of funny!) This year, I carved a pirate flag and it turned out perfectly!

We are ready for Halloween!

In an unusual twist of fate, our piano recital just happened to be the Monday before Halloween so to shake things up a bit, our fabulous piano teacher (me) allowed us to wear our costumes! We played fun Halloween songs and duets and the recital was a success. This year, Reed is dressed as a mad professor, Rose is Cleopatra and Renee is going as Snow White. We can't wait to trick-or-treat!

Absolutely the best pumpkin cookie you'll ever eat!

My friend and neighbor, Heidi, brought me some of these cookies recently and Reed and I both agree that they are the best pumpkin cookies ever! Bake some tonight and enjoy them tomorrow, believe it or not, these actually take better the next day!

3/4 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. solid pack pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. each cloves, nutmeg and ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/2 c. flour
1 c. mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Cream butter & sugars; add egg, vanilla and pumpkin. Add spices & beat well. Combine baking soda, salt and flour; gradually add to butter mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until tops are just set. Cool on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container. Yummy!

I've been tagged...thanks Jen!

Tag...
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Fact #1- I love to "improve" things. This often means moving things from one place to another trying to find the ideal practical location...Bryan does not love this habit..."Where do the plates go this week?" is a common question in my home.

Fact #2- I tend to do all my cleaning up about 5 minutes before Bryan is due to come home just to avoid the "What did you do today?" question that is usually prompted by a less than clean home.

Fact #3- I love to shop!!!

Fact #4- I have a love/hate relationship with year round school. I love that my children get a break and that I don't have to get up in the mornings to make lunches, sign planners and drive them to school...at the same time, I hate the off-track time, usually around the 2nd week because they are tired of each others company and they pick on each other...but I dread when they go back because Autumn is devestated not to have someone home to entertain her.

Fact #5- I don't do anything when I'm reading a good book...I don't shower, clean, cook, do laundry, (although fact #2 still applies) or pay attention to my family. I don't want to be interrupted...not even by the telephone. And this behavior can go on for a week if I have more than one book that I'm trying to read! I definitely need to learn "moderation in all things" in this one area. (Okay, shopping could use moderation as well!)

Fact #6- I love to make lists! Grocery lists, things to buy the kids lists, home decorating lists, things I want to buy lists, things to do lists...I could spend all day creating lists of different things...right now I'm working on my "what to buy" everyone for Christmas list. (If you have a particular wish, now is the time to tell me!)

I don't know who to tag...Jen has tagged all of the family members with blogs, so I'll let the madness end with me!

Dad returns

The kids are thrilled to have their dad home again after a week long business trip to Cleveland, Ohio! They decorated a posterboard with "Welcome Home Dad" written on it, and naturally, Renee had to sleep right next to him to make sure he was still there! Bryan did take the opportunity to go down and see the church's historical sites in, and around Kirtland. He took some great pictures, and has some good stories. Did you know that the hymn, The Spirit of God has two additional verses that we don't sing? The tour guide asked if anyone new what they were, and Bryan could recite both of them...the tour guide said that was the first time in 40 years that anyone has been able to answer that question correctly...he was even more suprised when Bryan told him that he was a member of the LDS church. Anyway, life has returned to normal in the Halling household. Bryan is mowing the lawn this morning after having breakfast in bed, served by yours truly. Reed and Rose are playing video games, Renee is decorating the house with toys, and I'm doing laundry...more later!

The Happiest Place on Earth!

This is one of my favorite pics! The look on Reed's face is priceless. We are trying to decide if we want to go to Disneyland sooner, or Disneyworld later. Tough choice...I've never been to Florida and would love to see it; but California is definitely closer and has nice beaches too. Can you ever grow tired of Disneyland? What to do...Florida or California?

I'm one of the group!!!!!

Okay...after seeing everybody else's blogs, I decided to join in the fun as well. Presenting...my blog! You'll probably get more of a look into our lives than you could ever want!!!) More later...