November...

Obviously, I'm having a hard time finding the brief moments I need to record our JOYS.  But, I'm almost desperate to keep this record of our family life going.  On days that it feels like we only have seconds together as a family, the moments recorded here remind me that our family is much more than the jobs we do and the daycare the girls attend.

November started with a little surprise birthday celebration for me!  Delicious and fun!  Thanks for helping me ring in 29!  Woot woot!

Then we celebrated sweet Sadie's 2nd birthday.  Sarah, as usual, did an amazing job pulling the party together!  The best part about the party was it really was for the kids!

Oh yes, those are doughnut holes that look like acorns.  And yes, I believe she did actual make something from Pinterest!

 

Also this month, Lillie has been really into taking a bath in Mary Hardin's "boat."  It is hilarious.

 Last Sunday, November 13th Mary Hardin was baptized.  It was a wonderful time to celebrate her life and the joy that she is to us and to the Lord.  She is a precious gift from above.

She is so very loved!  From left to right:  Jane, Mike, William & Elizabeth.  Kevin and Kelsey.  Ann, John, Kelly, Harper, Owen.  Brad, Lillie, Mary Hardin and me.  Barbara and my mom, Susan!  

After the service we all celebrated at The Weathervane!  It was a complete delight. 

Last, but certainly not least, I made an amazing Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Banana Bread from Sugar Plum blog.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 medium ripe mashed bananas
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, divided use
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons turbinado sugar, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together banana, peanut butter, 2 tablespoons butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes; beat in eggs and vanilla extract until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in milk and flour mixture until just combined; stir in chocolate chips

Pour batter into prepared pan; bake for 50 minutes. Remove pan from oven, melt additional tablespoon butter, brush evenly over the top, and top with turbinado sugar. Continue to bake an additional 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for 20 minutes before running a knife around outside edges, removing, and transferring to a wire rack to cool an additional 30 minutes before slicing.

That's all for now!  Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!