Toys for Tots

The last two years for Thanksgiving weekend Rachel has decorated the Toys for Tots box at QT. Each store   decorates this size box and then it is voted on by the district manager, the winner gets $100.00. It has been fun watching and helping her and we would like to make it a tradition. Last year she won and then used some of the money to buy toys for the box. She didn't win this year but her boxes were cute and we had fun doing it.

 An Elf trying to carry a large present.

Last years winner.

Rachel helped Kyle with his stores box, a snowball fort with the QT characters from the Booger Juice bottle

More pictures

Here are some pictures of us having fun at Autumn's party.

 My sister Tracy and niece Courtney.

 Me, Karen and Jonny.

 Rachel.

 Jack and Kyle jumped too.

Autumn's 4th Birthday

I can't believe I let Autumn's Birthday come and go without a Happy Birthday post and post of the pictures. I made her cake and of course I had a hard time finding the figurine but now when I go into stores I see something all the time.

Last year she wouldn't let us have a party and this year she couldn't wait to have one. She had a Rapunzel (Tangled) party. But the Princess bounce house wasn't available so we had a Dora which was just as fun, even the grown ups joined in. I will have to post pics later, our computer stopped reading the drive.

Halloween 2012

At the pumpkin patch and corn maze, we have gone the past 3years.

This was a fun bounce house.

Karen as Sally from a Nightmare Before Christmas.

Courtney as The Corpse Bride.

Little Butterfly.

I didn't get a picture of Rachel. Her and Jonnie were Jessie and Woody from Toy story.

One Witch On A Hill.

I guess this book had been read to Autumn so much she memorized it. If you watch or fast forward to the end you'll see what happened, I turned off the video before she got upset and thought the lady will be really mad at her. We haven't decided what to do yet...I guess it would be the book she would want to buy.

Amazing Jake's and a Parade

This past Friday was QT's annual employee party and it was at Amazing Jake's. All the family took the day off work and school to go. It was fun, we spent the day eating,bowling, laser tag, video games and rides. After the party we had a DBack game and Autumn had earned the prize of the Parade around the warning track for attending her 20th game. Her and Jack walked around prior to the game. We had a full day that day!

First day of Autumn 2012

Chili Jack grew

Finally the first day of Autumn has come, now just waiting for the weather to cool down. I try and bring some fall feel to the heat with some cooking. I made some Dill Beans with some Cayenne that Jack grew. I ground it up to add some kick to the beans. We made a Apple Walnut Craisin Tart with some Apple Pie filling Marili canned. The jars are too pretty to open and use but we did. The girls and I have been on a quest to make an Italian Cream Soda that the syrup doesn't cause the cream to curdle and finally we solved our dilemma. We make our own syrup with fresh fruit, my favorite is raspberry.

Dill Green Beans

Raspberry Syrup