Family Pictures 2011

Click the link below to see some photos from our family session. The barn where we took the pics is so close to our house. That's why I picked the spot. ;)

http://kellystewartphotography.blogspot.com/2011/11/b-family-idaho-falls-family.html

Christmas traditions

We are starting to get excited and ready for Christmas around here! We have a few Christmas traditions, but would like to start more. I would love for you to leave a comment letting me know what your family does each Christmas that makes it memorable.

My Heart Skipped a Beat

I was walking through the store, when I came across these, Cadbury Christmas Mini-balls. They are red, green and white. My heart skipped a beat...oh, how I love them so much!! Usually March is the happy time with the Cadbury Mini-Eggs. I am so glad Cadbury puts them out at Christmas time too! I won't tell you how many bags I bought. I had to stock up...these things go fast!!! ;)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies with Icing

I made these cookies today. And let me tell you...they were well worth it for two reasons. Reason #1 - They taste soooo good! Reason #2 - After Cannon and Carter had one they both came up to me and said, "Thanks mom, for making these pumpkin cookies! You are the best mom ever!" Then gave me a hug. Okay, so Cannon said it, and Carter copied right after.  Here's the recipe:

1 cup canned pumpkin (15 oz.)
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. milk
1 TBS. vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips (These are optional. I made a dozen without choc. chips and 2 dozen with.)

Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil, and egg. Mix well. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Dissolve baking soda with milk and stir in. Add vanilla and chocolate chips. Mix well.
Drop by spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet and bake @ 350 degrees for about 10 mins. Makes about 3 dozen.

Frosting:
1/2 pkg. cream cheese softened
1/2 cup butter softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

These cookies are DELISH with or without frosting! Enjoy! Happy Fall Y'all! :)

Count Your Blessings

I have a calendar. A large, dry-erase calendar. On the last day of each month, I erase the month that just ended, and fill in the calendar for the new month. There is extra space on the side where I write (with input from the three boys) words that pertain to the month...so Cannon and Carter will look at it and learn to read the words. For the month of November I asked them what they are grateful for. Here is the list:

-family
-books
-penguins (Carter came up with that one out of no where)
-music
-sun
-preschool
-Bobbin (our cat)
-seasons
-hoses (nice one, Cannon)
-Jesus
-gospel
-bed
-horses
-home
-food
-Mickey Mouse
-technology
-scriptures

What do you count as a blessing in your life???

Happy 2011 Halloween from The Browning's!

Cannon wanted Carter to be Buzz...but we couldn't find a costume. Carter got to choose from what we had at home: hamburger, tiger, or pirate. He chose what Cannon was last year. Carter always gets the leftovers. ;)

Boo at the Zoo



Excited for treats!



Happy Haunting!

Reaching Those in Need

"Reach out in love to those who need our strength. There are many among us who lie alone in pain. Medicine helps, but kind words can bring to pass miracles. There are many who walk in frightening circumstances, fearful, and unable to cope. There are good bishops and Relief Society officers who are available to help, but these cannot do it all. Each of us can and must be anxiously engaged."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

Happy, Happy SECOND Birthday to CARTER today!

Cute Chubby-Cheeked Carter

Loved playing in the water this summer

Sometimes gives dirty looks and scowls like no other

Happy Birthday to our now 2 year-old!
Two things about "Carter Boy":

*He likes to bounce, hop, skip, run, and jump. Pretty active little guy!

*He has a cute, raspy voice along with a lisp...and a cute smile! Enjoys playing with cars, trains, things with wheels.

Happy Birthday, Carter!!! We sure love having you in our family!!! You bring lots of smiles to our faces!!! :)

Happy, Happy, Happy THIRD Birthday to CANNON today!

Celebrating Cannon's birthday at preschool with Ms. Deana, his teacher!

Cannon got the neighbor cat, Scrappy to sit in the stroller. Cannon even talked me into stopping what  I was doing to take them for a walk. He's smooth like that - or I'm a pushover. ;)

Cheezin it at Reed's Dairy.

THREE tidbits about the Birthday Boy:

*He is a sponge! He remembers everything - especially the little details! He loves to read and be read to. He is constantly having me spell words.

*He is a sensitive, little guy. He likes to give hugs and kisses to me, his dad, and brother. Sometimes when he is crying he will say in a sad voice, "I'm crying!" :(

*He is independent, curious, energetic, and has his own agenda. Enough said. ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Were glad you are a part of our team (family) :)!!! You are turning into a little boy right before our eyes!!! We are excited to see what the future has in store for you!!!

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I have made MANY, MANY chocolate chip cookies in my day. I have tried various recipes too. My ULTIMATE, FAVORITE chocolate chip cookie recipe is below:

1 cup of butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 bag of chocolate chips (not just any chips, but the BIG milk chocolate chips made by Guittard (in a silver bag)...only to be found at WinCo. I ALWAYS use milk chocolate).

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes (depends on your oven...for ours it is 10 minutes, and I let them sit on the baking sheet for a while after I take them out of the oven). Makes about 3 dozen.

I make these cookies a lot on Sundays, and make them for new neighbors who move into our neighborhood.

Betcha can't eat just one! ;)

The Stars of the Show...

Here is Cannon as Woody! He sure loves this costume...and would wear it all day every.single.day. if I would let him.

My boys sure have a thing for Toy Story 1, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3 - they pretty much have all three movies memorized. They are constantly "roping" Curtis into playing Bullseye. Curtis gets a workout taking those two around the house all the time. I think Cannon is saying in this pic, "Yeehaw, cowboy!" The boys have everyone's Halloween costumes all figured out...they want me to be Jessi, Curtis to be Bullseye (of course), Cannon to be Woody, and they still haven't decided if Carter should be Buzz or Stinky Pete. ;) Stay tuned...