Moments ago

.... James was singing around the house and Finn tells him to stop.
This is normal for Finn, just today in church he was covering his ears and telling me to stop. Granted he probably has reason to tell me but James has a great voice so when Finn tells him to stop it's just to boss him around I think. LOL
Lately we have been telling him that he can't say that.. blah blah blah (I am sure this is what he hears)
So when James told him "No, I'll sing all I want, cause this is my house"
pause....
Finn "No it's mom's house"

Heeeheee isn't he just the cutest?

Turkey Day

This year, James will not be here on Thanksgiving so we decided to have our own little celebration on Veterans day. It turned out quite nice too. I picked up a 9 lb turkey, and let me tell you I loved cooking that thing. My oven is small and doesn't fit a large turkey very well. I stuffed it with Pepperidge farm's cubed herb seasoned stuffing (red bag), which is by far the best stuffing ever! It has great seasoning already and the cubes keep it from getting too soggy. Other items on the menu were mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, apple pie & pumpkin pie (of course).

After talking with Jen, I am including the recipe I use for my Turkey. I originally got it from Martha Stewart, but don't follow it exactly.

Turkey:

• Rinse and pat dry
• stuff slices of garlic and pats of butter under skin
• slather butter all over turkey skin
• sprinkle with salt and pepper
• tie legs together if not already done
• stuff with stuffing

Basting the turkey:

• 2 layers of cheese cloth cut to cover breast and legs (can be found in the fabric department at walmart if not in the cooking area)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 bottle white wine (if you don't want to use wine, chicken broth can be used instead)

In a pan melt butter and add wine. Soak cheese cloth and then place over the turkey.

Put turkey in preheated oven of 350. Every 30 min use baster to wet cheese cloth. Once you use all the butter and wine mixture, baste turkey with juices from the pan. My 9 lb turkey took 3 hours to cook stuffed. Here is a great site with cooking times for your Turkey.

When the turkey is done, use juices to loosen the cheese cloth. Move turkey to your serving dish and let sit while you prepare gravy and other items.

Gravy:

The wine mixture with turkey juices make a wonderful gravy. Very flavorful. I have a measuring cup that separates the fat from the juices, if you don't have one I suggest getting one ;)

In a pan pour in turkey juices and bring to a boil. Mix 2 tablespoons of flour with 2-3 tablespoons of water. Make sure it's not clumpy. With a whisk pour in mixture till it starts to thicken, you may need to make more if you want it thicker.

Well that's pretty much it. Let me know if you try this recipe :)

Enjoy!

Halloween

This year I told the boys that they had to find stuff here at the house for costumes. Aiden used his old baseball uniform and went as an undead ball player. He had way too much fun! Brennon went as Darth Vader. Conor used Aiden's old army uniform and went as a soldier. Finn went as a fireman.

We started out at the YMCA, but with so many people there we went to one of the neighborhoods by our house and had a great time. Aiden and Conor were running from door to door faster than Finn and Brennon. Brennon stayed behind most of the time to help Finn knock on the door. Finn had such a great time. Just the way he said "Trick or Treat" would score him extra candy.

Hair Cut

Toph had a special day at the groomers. I have tried to trim her myself but with a wiggly puppy, it has never turned out like this. I'm not sure she liked it too much. We got there as they were pulling hair out of her ears... ouch!! But now the hair is out of her eyes and she smells so nice.

I just love how Toph looks after her hair is all done ;)

Flight School Graduation

October 30, 2008 is the day James graduated from flight school.

Here I am pinning on James' wings.

James is now an Army Aviator.

I'll get somemore pictures up of this day a bit later...