An Afternoon In the Kitchen

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Blueberry Muffins

Lasagna

Roasted Vegetable Soup


I sure do love a good afternoon in the kitchen!

One Year Ago Today

One year ago today we saw this:

One year later, our family is complete because of this:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Psalm 139: 13-16

State Fair 2010

Growing up, my family never went to the State Fair. I also don't remember any of my friends going to the fair with their families. Maybe it just wasn't a Cheraw thing. Then I dated and married myself a Columbia boy, and the State Fair became an essential part of my life! Every October, I get so excited about our annual trip to the fair. There's nothing I look forward to more than walking through all the buildings, playing the games, riding the rides, and of course, yummy fair food!

Isaac is freakishly good at carnival games. We all tried this game and all missed, but Isaac got all three rings with very little effort!
Camryn wanted a picture of the duck with a 'fro.

I couldn't get a good picture, but we saw more ducks go down the slide than we ever have!
Mr. B and the seriously mean rooster

Lunchtime pics!

This is what happens when sisters-in-law try to take a picture. First Alison ...

then me.

That's better!

The fellas

Burley men

Cute cousins

Tired girl

Riding the Dizzy Dragon

Watching the dog show

The fam

One of Cam's favorites

Checking out this year's sand sculpture

A little tribute to Anderson

Camryn's first ferris wheel ride

View from the top

She loved it!

Whack-a-mole!

Discussing strategy

More games

Isaac and Mr. Burley riding the Fireball

Buying the infamous Krispy Kreme burger

Cam sporting all of her stickers while we wait for Daddy's burger

Fried Milky Way ... soooo much better than the fried cookie dough last year!

Always have to have a carousel ride

About to dig in

First bite

Mission accomplished!

Some Thoughts

1. I had a second child and the laundry somehow doubled! I usually don't mind doing laundry, but now I feel like I do it all. the. time. We could never have another baby, because if we ever did, I'd have to quit my job just to keep up with the laundry!

2. SAS Cupcakes. Best discovery I've ever made. Period.

3. I applied for the Disney Mom's Panel and didn't make it. I've been referring to myself as the big ol' Disney loser lately. Seriously though, I think they get 20,000+ applicants each year, so I'm not too torn up about not getting chosen. The only thing that's really sad is I can't apply again for another 3 years, because you have to have been to Disney at least once in the past year, and our next trip won't be til 2013. Bummer.

4. Which leads me to another question ... anybody know how to potty train a 4 month old? Jason's and my rule is that we don't take anyone to Disney who's not potty trained, and since we want to go back so badly, we just thought ....

5. Let's make it clear that I am kidding.

6. But on to a more serious question. How do you mamas handle discipline when your child lies? Yep, we've had some issues with fibbing in our household lately, and although I won't point fingers at the culprit, there is only one child in the house who is verbal right now. I have punished, I have pointed out that we are disobeying God if we tell lies, I've said how much it hurts mommy's feelings and disappoints me ... yet, we still seem to have some fib-telling that creeps in on a semi-regular basis. Usually said culprit is being untruthful, because she thinks if she tells the truth we will be mad or she will get in trouble. Any suggestions?


7. I have been on a new recipe kick lately! I've gotten so tired of the same old recipes over and over again, so I've been looking on line and checking out my recipe books. So far the one new recipe I tried was a flop with Jason. Camryn and I both really liked it, though. How funny is it that my husband is a pickier eater than my 4 year old?!


8. I have missed being able to shop for all of the sweet baby clothes at Babies R Us. I finally got to go shopping again for Ella's winter wardrobe the other day and walked out without a single thing in my hand. I even had a great coupon and a gift card to use and couldn't find one darn thing. They either didn't have what I was looking for or didn't have Ella's size when I found something I wanted. I was sooooo disappointed!


9. I miss having a Publix nearby. It's hands down the best and cleanest grocery store. And, I wasn't even couponing yet when I had one in town. Ohhhhh the damage I could do there now!

10. I am so excited about tomorrow. SC State Fair, here we come!

Never Before Seen Footage!

Or in other words, just some pictures I haven't posted before!