{Say "Cheese" Cheeseburger!}

What a great night!  We got to hang with "Nanny" and "Paran"(Luke's Godparents) for Luke's 1st Halloween.  As you can see, he was the cutest little burger you'd ever want to eat... and I did want to munch on him. Mom and Dad were the "grill masters" in our tide pride houndstooth aprons. We had a great time hanging out at Nanny and Paran's neighborhood BBQ and then handing out candy to all the adorable trick-or-treaters. Luke's first Halloween = success. 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! ~2010

¡buen provecho

Anyone who knows me knows I am a big fan of California Pizza Kitchen.  I haven't tried everything on the menu yet, but I dare them to make something I wouldn't like- that's just how I feel.  I remembered when I tried this and thought to myself-

 "Self, you can make this!"

Well, it has been months since I ate the little goodness on a plate and haven't even attempted to whip it up for myself.  But Hooray for us! Mexican Night made it to the the Hoffman Household!  Fajitas, bell peppers, and......  Yummy yummy yummy in my tummy Guacamole!!!

  CPK version 

Melissa's version- mmm mmm good Guacamole!  

I didn't follow a recipe I just threw everything in a bowl.  When your dealing with ingredients that make up the Guac- you can't go wrong. Try my version if you like... and you will :).

1 large chopped avocado

1/2 of a tomato- chopped

Chop in half a green pepper and use 3/4 of the half  (you follow?)

A couple sprigs cilantro- finely chopped

2/3 cup corn 

2/3 cup black beans

Sea salt- to taste

Garlic Powder- to taste

Onion Powder- to taste ( I prefer this to chopped onions personally, but to each his own)

A couple splashes of Key Lime Juice- I'd like to think it gave it a little somethin' extra.  (it's all I had in the fridge, I'm sure lime juice would be the normal ingredient)

Ramekin or other cute dish for shaping   

¡buen provecho :)

Calling all Dolly Parton Fans!

How can you not love that fun-loving full-chested woman? I mean her character Truvy in Steel Magnolias makes all of us northern-born-folk realize- you don't have a true friend until one of them says to you, "Honey, time marches on and eventually you realize

 it is marchin' across your face" 

 I am highlighting Miss Dolly today because my sister-in-law told me about her program called the Imagination Library.   It's an awesome program that will send you 1 free book a month until your child reaches the age of 5.  Go to the website and find 

out if your community participates. 

Now get to the couch, pop in Steel Magnolias, and do as

 Miss Truvy says...

"Smile!  It increases your face value." 

My ears!

As heard on what was supposed to be a short car ride turned very long car ride.

Mommy week #1

I just spent a fabulous week with my older sister Jen.  She flew down from Michigan with sweet baby Emily and I drove up from T-town with Luke.  We met in Nashville at our parents house (who so graciously let us hang there) for a week of mommy time.  
Can i just say-
SO.
MUCH.
FUN.
and long over due!  So much awesomeness happened that week!  We ate, played, shopped, cooked, talked, walked, witness a stray hot air balloon nearly miss my car on the landing,

went to an amazing art exhibit only to be totally unprepared, ate some more (worth it), and barely slept. Nothing changed in the sleep department, but at least this time it was due to late night chats and not a screaming babies- well maybe a little of both :).  


Luke and Emily got along great!  We were some-what relieved to see how sweet they were to each other b/c this happened last time they were together. You can see how cute they are in this pic- holding hands and everything.... awwwww! :)  

This will be a yearly event (just so you know Jen) I plan to make happen.  Maybe next year we'll spend our "Mommy week" in Holland... and maybe we'll add another sister by then??? (hint hint) :). 

Jen- you teach me so much about being a mom.  You are a selfless, fun, confident, creative, incredible mommy that I always learn so much from.   Thanks for being a wonderful sister to me and best friend.  I can't wait to see you again for Thanksgiving!

Dear Luke, 4 months

Dear Luke,

This last month has been what I like to call "the magic month".  I call it that because your little personality has just magically appeared, as if almost overnight  You are a non-stop-smiling-machine.  It doesn't even take any ridiculous effort on the part of your dad or I anymore.  Although, unfortunately- we are still ridiculous.... hmmm?  You are just undeniably happy.  We love to show you off.  Strangers and friends alike can share in your contagious smile.  The other night you woke up at 4am.  You weren't crying, but I could hear a lot of rustling going on from the monitor so I got up to check on you.  I found you on your back holding your feet, playing and cooing.  When you saw that I was looking down at you, you gave me this silly grin.  It made me laugh out loud, even at 4 in the morning!  Unfortunately, that laugh I let slip out made you think it was time to be awake and play, thus ensuing another 2 hours of happy awake time.

Just this last week you have seemed to find your voice.  Up until now you have been a rather quiet baby- when you're not crying that is.  You are good at exercising your lungs when you're upset, but really those times are few and far between.  We can almost see the surprise on your face when you let out a big sigh or coo.   It's like you realized you made that noise.  It melts our hearts every time we hear that sweet voice of yours.

This month you've tried out all your toys.  You like your play mat, Bumbo, bouncy, jumper, swing, and exersaucer.  We were surprised at how well you did in all of them.  You are one strong kid!  You can hold your head up so well and you continue to use those chunky legs of yours to stand tall.  You are still too small for most of the things we put you in, but with a little extra padding from blankets you fit alright.  We LOVE to watch you in the jumper.  You look so tiny in there, but you are so good at spinning around and hitting the toys. 

(this picture just makes me laugh!)

This month has also brought a lot of change for our family.  Your dad has accepted a new position in Nashville TN at Fellowship Bible Church.  We are moving.  I can't believe it.  We have been in Tuscaloosa over 3 years and we thought we would be here for quite a bit longer. While there are many exciting things about this move, there are also some very difficult things to say goodbye to here.  This place is very special to your Dad and I.
It's the place where we've been married the longest and have grown as a married couple.
Where we have made wonderful friendships.
Bought and built our first home. 
Where we decided to try and have a baby.
Where we became parents!
Where you were born.
It's the place where we brought you home to the nursery we lovingly prepared for you.

We have been unbelievable blessed in Tuscaloosa.  It has been a beautiful journey with the people here and we are so grateful.  Something I have learned in my short life is that although change can be so hard- it's always good.  It's always good because it forces us to rely on God as we face the unknown.  And that is such a gift because it gives us the opurtunity to increase our faith.  And you know what Luke?  God always proves to be faithful.  Always.

I love you always,
Mom

Luke and his Octopus

Please get off my head Octopus.

Don't make me do it....

Hiii YA!

I warned you

Don't give me that look.... Can we talk about this?

Come on...   I know you're faking.

Tuesday Treats {part 3}

You would think this is a baking blog wouldn't you?  Sorry about that... but really, how can I pass up such delicious food when they tempt me with pictures like this!  My sister baked these pumpkin cream-cheese muffins earlier in the month and told me they were AWESOME so naturally... I made them.  The pumpkin pancakes have also made the rounds by everyone in my family.  I think practicing my baking/cooking skills is important.  I want Luke to be able to call me a good cook someday :).  I've got a few more posts up my sleeve coming this week that don't involve high caloric foods- in case you were wondering.  Anyway, just enjoy the goodness that these muffins are.

Tuesday Treats {Part deux}

So my Surprisingly Southern self has been cooking through lots of recipes on Annie's Eats and came across this lovely blog post.  I thought these apple pie cupcakes were adorable and so perfect for fall so I gave it a whirl.   I cannot believe mine turned out this pretty!  AND they really did taste as good as they looked!   Thank you Annie's Eats!   I still cannot believe (even with Miss Annie's help) they turned out this good.  Mind you, they are not as pretty as hers for many reasons but one of them is b/c I don't have a pastry bag.  You know what this little crafty blogger did to make do?  I slapped that butter cream in a zip lock bag and cut one of the corners off to make the swirl.  Definitely not as beautified, but I don't think anyone would have believed I made them save that.   You should definitely try them and WOW yourself too! :)  

eat'n gators

Last Saturday Eric, Luke, and I went to Johnny and Kim's tailgate to cheer on Bama against the Florida Gators.  Bama ended up demolishing Florida in what surprisingly proved to be a not-so-exciting game.  

(Johnny and Kim.. aren't they cute :)

 Bama fans and Florida fans were decked out in full-gear to support their favorite team.  We saw Gator fans dragging stuffed Elephants behind their cars and Bama fans yelling "Roll Tide" as loud as they could as Florida fans strolled by.  But I was shocked, I mean SHOCKED when I saw....... 

A GIANT real-life-Alligator being grilled for some down-home-country-eat'n on the Quad.  I apologize profusely that there is not a picture to support such a grotesque image but if you know Bama fans, I doubt you are the least bit surprised.  The tailgate we happened to visit, much to my shock and horror, was also serving Gator.  Not in full-body form thank goodness, but never the less alligator legs- just hangin' out on the table- ready to eat. 

(Eric, developing a taste for gator)

Yes, I tried an alligator leg this past Saturday and I'm proud to say it.  I got caught up in the hype what can I say?  Actually, I only took a bite because I couldn't get over the fact that it was an Alligator.   Eric on the other hand, enjoyed an entire leg.  He said it tasted just like chicken.... but chewier. (ewe.)   

(fat and happy after eat'n some gator)

(The people who always make our lives.... interesting :)

ROLL TIDE!!!!!!