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Showing posts from January, 2011

Berry Cream Cheese Muffins

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We are still trying to eat more food made from scratch.  Haven't been perfect (that's for sure)...but still trying and I think I'm addicted to baking now.  Here is one of my favorite recipes...so easy...and the cream cheese makes these so yum!  Raspberry (or blueberry...I was in a blueberry mood the day I took this pic!) - Cream Cheese Muffins. Yield: 2 dozen Ingredients 2/3 cup (5 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 large egg whites 1 large egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup milk 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries  (or blueberries) Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. 1) Combine cream cheese and butter in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at high speed until well blended. Add sugar; beat until fluffy. Add vanilla, egg whites, and egg; beat well. 2)  Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. W

Kid Party!

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We had a co-worker of Doug's over for dinner along with his fantastic family!  They have a little girl Ava's age and a little boy Kate's age - and the four of them hit it off!  They even ended the night with a dance party/gymnastics show off fest/alligator - alligator from the fireplace and ring around the rosie.  The four of them played until they couldn't play anymore!  Ava was so excited for her friends to come over that she laid out princess attire for them all (even labeled the outfits!).  Poor Brannon didn't know what he was getting himself into...outnumbered when you have a sister and come to the Fighter house!  We had a blast and already looking forward to our next get together!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

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Another favorite!  Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies I forgot to take a picture of the final product, but liked this pic of the dough with my mixer.  I know...I'm strange! Yield:48 cookies Ingredients 2 cups all purpose flour 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter ; softened 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup pure pumpkin puree 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy. 3. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract; mix well. Add flour mixture; combine until all ingredients are incorporated. 4. Drop by rounded tablespoons. 5. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until cookies are ligh

Preschool Pajama Day!

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What begins with the letter P?  Penguins, Polar Bears, Pizza...and pajamas!  Some of Ava & Kate's favorite things.  To celebrate "P" week at school...the preschool had a pajama day where everyone wore pj's and got to bring in their favorite stuffed animal (Kate brought a penguin and Ava brought a polar bear)! I had to take a pic...I think the book bag is bigger than her!  And while her sisters where away at Pre-K, Olivia worked on using a spoon...with some success in hitting her target.  We still have our work cut out for us:-) Here are the pizzas the girls made at school.  See if you can guess which girl made each pizza!

My Thinker

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Imagination.  I love it!  And what I love even more...watching my girls start to use theirs. Check out this set up Ava came up with...using her own little thinker.  Lately she has been diving into the world of dolls....dressing them up, doing their hair, creating conversations between them...putting them to bed every night right beside her own bed.  Doug calls them creepy Ariel's.  Ha!  ...she made pillows out of rolled up socks, covered them up with her blankets and put her very own pj's on them to keep them warm.  She has since moved the bed down to the floor beside her bed, complete with pillow and blankets.  She is funny to watch...every night she has to make sure they are lying perfect distance apart and perfect height on the pillow:-)  ...and my favorite...a "closet" & "hangers" out of one of mom's wine glass charm racks.  See their little clothes hanging where wine charms usually hang at get togethers...  Keep up that imagination, Bean!! 

Three Musketeers

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We have been cooped up this winter but the girls have been making themselves busy...playing princesses, dolls, coloring (LOTS of coloring), reading books, riding scooters in the basement (Ava held a scooter training class for Kate one day - I couldn't stop laughing!). They have even started to include Olivia. She runs around behind them...usually taking their stuff and pushing their buttons. But she has started to get the hang of playing with her big sisters...and when she's cooperating...Ava & Kate just eat her cuteness up! Loving this early sisterhood bonding. I keep telling Ava & Kate how lucky they are...not only are they sisters but they have their very best friends living right under the same roof with them. Permanent playmates (whether they like it or not:-)).  I absolutely love these pics of Ava & Olivia - the way Lou is looking at her big sis and visa versa!  Ava showing her the ropes on ring around the rosie.  And last but not least - our guy with Av

Popcorn Party!

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What to do, what to do... When there is 18 inches of snow on the ground and temperatures are in the single digits, we've played with all the toys we can possibly play with...and just need a break?  Sisters, Popcorn & Movies. Sound perfect to me!

Million Dollar View

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This is what I get to see outside my kitchen window. Those little munchkins make it a priceless view:-)

Ring Around the Rosie

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Ava & Kate were teaching Olivia how to play ring around the rosie.  Olivia thought it was the best thing ever! 

Happy Tuesday!

Starbucks coffee...and homemade pumpkin muffins.  Yum!! Happy Tuesday:-)

Weekend Thankfulness!

This weekend I am thankful for... my husband - my Love.  He is my best. my girls - who keep me hopping.  Tonight they were tackling each other and fighting over who got to sit on my lap.  Olivia got the best spot (she's tough!)...but I managed to fit all 3 (sort of):-) grammy - we had a great time at her house this weekend.  the girls love her dearly.  and i loved relaxing, drinking wine, sitting, chatting and listening to itunes with her and Doug last night:-).  she's pretty great. my nephew jet - he turned one yesterday...and tomorrow we get to go to his party!  He is seriously the smiliest, greatest little boy i know.  just love him to pieces!  my friends - got to catch up with a few different favorites down in Columbus from Thursday on. love my friends - they warm my heart and make life So. Much. Fun.!! 

Pre-Bedtime Photo Shoot

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These may be some of my favorite pictures of the girls.  Some of the photos are a little fuzzy (I was playing with camera settings).  But their facial expressions are priceless:-)  My favorite - Kate's eyes in the last picture.  She seemed to be saying - "enough mom"! Don't look so enthused Kate... Olivia and her sidekick Ellie.  Lately - she can't be without her trusty elephant. Olivia likes to make people kiss her elephant.  Here she is making Ava kiss Ellie.  Katelyn still looks very enthused:-) Olivia copying after her big sister Ava!  Kate is finally excited for the camera. Kate's eyes just crack me up here!