A cozy fall mantle {autumn nesting}

This is the fourth day of rain here and today the remnants of a tropical storm are passing directly overhead, leaving much wind and more storms.  It is very cozy and very fallish.  Hot spiced cider is almost a requirement. So while the pups do alot of this...

I do alot of this...

And for those who are only interested in Mad Max, never fear.  He is scheduled to have a shoot with mommy in the very near future.  I just hope I can get a few shots without formula flying out of his mouth in them.  We are THAT cute these days.   We smell even better. 

Tootles and Happy Fall!

Max Smiles {on purpose}

REAL SMILES!  not because he has gas {this child is always popping popcorn} or because he is 'working on something'.  He is smiling just because he is happy!! 

He is also trying to talk.  I never thought about learning to make a noise being so physically hard, but he has to put his whole body into it.  He twists and turns and curls his tongue and then... 'YYYAAAKK'   He is also learning he doesn't have to cry to make noise.  Sometimes when he wants to  talk he will start to cry and end it in a squeek.  Practice makes perfect though and we will be singing songs in no time.

May we all have smiles as big as Mr. Max's today.

The beauty of white noise {and a recipe}

This is what napping in a crib looks like.  This never happens in this house.  This is a big deal.  After many nights last week almost ending in both Max and I crying on the floor {daddy was working nights}, I downloaded a cd of baby white noise.  I have yet to try it at night but it is doing a number on these naps!  ps. the blankets are not covering any air holes, he can breathe just fine.. ithankyou.

He is currently listening to a wash run in a washing machine.  Pure genious.  Happy mommy. 

Anyone looking for a salty snack here you go.  Hot Buttered O's.  My best friend growing up always made these and by the sound of the name alone, she probably made up the recipe while bored one day.  I was snacky and also bored so I whipped up a batch.  They taste just as I remembered.

Melt butter in pan. 

Pour in Cheerios. Stir around so all the O's are covered in yummy butter.

Throw in a pinch or two of salt and pepper.  Focusing more on the pepper works well for me.  They are really good pepper-y, but I am one that puts pepper on popcorn.   Continue to heat and stir until all the butter is absorbed and the O's are all crispy hot.

Pour in a bowl and, easy-peasey-japanesey, you have Hot Buttered O's.

Max goes to the beach {Labor Day Weekend 2010}

Earl came and went and left us with a absolutely beautiful Labor Day weekend!  Our family came in town safely and we all took a trip to the beach!  We forgot sunscreen so the trip was short, but long enough to get Max covered in sand and soaking wet. 

 
The water gave him Stiff Leg Syndrome so we stuck him in the sand. 

Sandy baby toes!! SO CUTE!!  He loved every minute of the beach.

Uncle Benny takes a moment to enjoy the view. 

And while it was fun and beautful and a day we will not forget, it can all be a little exhausting. 

The rest of the weekend was filled with a trip to Fort Macon, lots of fooball and too much food.  Just the way a holiday weekend should be.

Earl {7:45 am}

Here he is! So far, so good.  It really isn't supposed to make a direct hit here but we will get winds around 55 mph.  We are pretty safe in these old buildings, the walls are made of what must be concrete because they bend nails when trying to hang pictures. It is the most frustrating thing in the world and every time we are found cursing the walls because we have made ten holes in the wall and gone through twenty nails to hang one print, we ALWAYS say "well, we will be safe during a hurricane!"

I personally love these storms.  I of course don't want cities in ruin or people stranded and homeless, but the storm itself is amazing to me.  I love the wind and rain. I remember playing in hurricane Alicia way back when.  I can't wait to stick Max out in it and see how he loves it.  JUST KIIIDDDIIINGGG!!!  {maybe}

The family guests are coming in today...  I do hope they get here safely and then we can all just bunker down together.  It will all be gone by tomorrow morning, so the Labor Day festivties will go on as planned.  I have no idea what those festivities are, but we will figure something out.  Grilling will definitly be involved.

Stay safe everyone!

Death {of a paci}

Sammyboy's obsession with the pacifiers continues.  Let us all say a quick prayer of thanks that this is not a pile of green paci that I walked into this morning.  I'll give you a minute...

Amen.

ps.  I have yet to discover what the tag is from.  This should be fun.  The thrill of the unknown.  The suspense of entering another room and not knowing what I may find torn up.  Such a rush.  Let's just insert a big fat eye roll right here.

We have family coming this weekend on top of a possible hurricane with the unfortunate name of Earl, a name I cannot say without getting the Dixie Chicks stuck in my head. So off to clean I go.