Spooktacular Skeleton Cards

     With Halloween, one of my absolute favorite holidays, right around the corner....you know what that means?  Time to get crafty on some Halloween cards to make our family and friends!  This year we made some Spooktacular Skeleton Cards!

Here's what you need:

Black card stock paper

Paper cutter

White paint (I used Tulip's Matte White paint in a bottle, the tip made it easier to write with)

Pencil

White crayons or colored pencils

Halloween decorative stickers 

Envelopes (to mail your cards in)

How to make them:

Measure your card stock to that when folded it will fit into the envelopes.

Then use the paper cutter to the paper to size.

Fold it in half to determine the middle.

Using the pencil write the child's name using the middle crease as your line guide to write on.

Using the white paint, trace over the letters you wrote with the pencil.

Then carefully fold the paper in half, gently press the paint.

When you open it you should see the name mirrored on the bottom half of the crease.

(That becomes the body of the skeleton)

Let them dry completely before drawing the rest of the skeleton.

Here's what they should look like..

I did a couple for Liam and Kinley

When the paint was dried, Liam drew a skull, some arms, and the legs of the skeleton.

We wrote Happy Halloween, then signed it.

Then he decorated the front of the card with some Halloween scrapbook embellishments.

Here's the one I did!

Everyone will love your personalized Skeleton cards!

Have a Spooktacular Halloween Everyone!

Friday Foodie Favorites: Giada De Laurentiis' Pork Chop Milanese & Lemon Thyme Risotto Meal Starter Kit

     So this week, I wanted to cook up some pork chops, but was kinda in a time crunch.  I didn't want to make the same ole pork chops I usually make and I didn't feel like searching for a new recipe just so I could go out and buy all the ingredients I didn't have to make it.  So, while picking out a birthday present at Target I decided to check out Giada De Laurentiis' boxed meal starter kits to see if anything sparked my interest.  Well, I was in luck, I found this one to make Pork Chop Milanese with Lemon Thyme Risotto.  I thought PERFECT! I already had the pork chops defrosted, I just needed to pick up a couple of lemons, the rest of the ingredients were included in the starter kit or I already had at home!

All you need are some pork chops ( I used ones without the bone),

EVOO, Veggie oil, eggs, butter, lemon, and the starter kit.

I started on the Risotto first...

toasted it in some EVOO, then added water and seasoning pack.

Brought to a boil, added the rest of the water, and let simmer

for 20 minutes or so.

Next started on the pork chops.

Heated the veggie oil on medium heat.

Whisked the eggs in a bowl, poured the bread crumbs in another bowl.

Seasoned the pork chops with salt and pepper, 

then dipped (one at a time) into the bread crumbs,

then egg wash (let extra egg drip off), 

then back into the bread crumbs.

Placed them in the pan, let cook 4-6 minutes on each side

(depending on how thick or thin the pork chops are).

I sliced up some lemons to squeeze over the chops.

Served it with a nice green salad and there ya go!

ENJOY!

A Weekend of FUN

     This past weekend our friends, and the kiddo's Godparents, came to visit with us!  It was great having them!  They got in on Thursday, after the kiddos had gone to bed.  So it was nice to just chill, enjoy an adult beverage and catch up with them.  The next morning, was Friday, so they got to see our daily morning routine...getting Liam up and ready for school.  Liam was a lucky boy to have his daddy and Will take him to school that day.  I stayed home with little miss and Erica, since my parents were stopping by to pick up some baby items to take back to Texas for my sister.  They stayed for about 3 hours, then continued on their way home.  So, we kinda got a late start to the day, even though we were up early.  We finally made it out the door around 12-ish, since we needed to wait till after Kinley's nap to go or do anything.  Cranky, sleepy, teething, hungry baby + going out and about = a terrible outing!  We took our friends to La Posta Restaurant in Mesilla for some AWESOME Margaritas and some tasty Mexican food!  Kinley loved it too!  

Will had the Chile 'Rita and Erica enjoyed the Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita!

The hubby and I stuck with the traditional lime ones!

After our delicious lunch, it was time to go pick Liam up from school.

When we got home, Will and Erica helped Liam with his homework.

They had to decorate The Luther Seal with non-convential items,

it turned out great!

     The next morning was Saturday and we planned on visiting the Mesilla Valley Maze Family Fun Farm for some fun and pumpkin picking, after Kinley's morning nap of course.  I made some Pumpkin Spice French Toast for breakfast get us in the mood for pumpkin picking that day.  While little miss napped, the boys played some Angry Birds.

After she woke up and everyone had lunch, we loaded up the car and headed to the farm!

If you go, make sure to print out some coupons or show your military ID for a discount!

Look at those silly pumpkins!

 Conquering the Tire Mountain!

The boys walking through a little maze

Kinley, Erica, and I watched the boys come down the slide...

She really wanted to go next!

Here comes Will & Liam

So daddy took her down...

then I went down with her.

She LOVED it!

Silly daddy!

Liam driving around the dune buggies too!

Next, it was time to go through the corn maze!

Oh, they look so cute!

Finally, a decent family picture...

taked right before they both had a fit!

After the maze, we decided to go get our pumpkins...

We rode in a covered wagon pulled by a tractor into the pumpkin patch

Looking for The Great Pumpkin...

My little Punkin' sitting on a Pumpkin!

This one looks like it should be on Martha Stewart.

Time to ride back with our perfectly plump pumpkins!

Perfect time for a photo!

Of course, Liam didn't want anything to do with it!

Time to go home!

After we got home, we all had had a LONG day!

We started on dinner and had these special Chocolate Tacos,

Liam picked out, for dessert!

I think he enjoyed his Choco Taco!

     The next day was Sunday, time for our friends to head back home to Texas.  So, it was a pretty chill morning. Breakfast, some coffee, showers, some packing, a little playing with the kiddos, then the hubby and Liam drove them to the airport while Kinley and I stayed home so she could nap.  It was so nice having our friends here!  I can't wait to see them again for the holidays...December can't come fast enough.  Haha, yes they can! I know I say that now, but it will be here before I know it!

Perfect Picnic and Playtime at the Park

     The other day, Liam had a half day at school, so Kinley and I picked up some lunch then mr. man and headed to the park for a picnic and some play time at the park.

Kinley liked picking the flowers and smelling them

This was a great park with lots of shade to play.

There she goes...

and there he goes!

Little lady having fun walking on the bridge.

They both had a great time! 

We will have to visit this park again sometime!