simply FOuR us

Family Tradition: Zoo Lights!!!

Every year we go to the Zoo Lights with Grandpa and Grandma. Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins join in if they are in town too! Usually we bundle up and ride through the freezing cold zoo in our wagon that is decked out in Christmas lights. This year, we decided to visit the zoo, last minute so there was no wagon with lights but we did rent a zoo wagon! It was also 60 degree's so all of the layers that we started the kids off in were peeled away and they ended up in sweatshirts instead of their coats and hats and gloves and scarves and.....yes if Momma is cold so are the troops :)

Grandpa got his nativity up!

We have to dance in front of the big musical light show!

Our favorite tree!

What a fun night! Can't wait until next year!

Cooking with Kids: Pumpkin Pies

I try to let the kids help me cook whenever possible and when I am not going to loose my sanity! They love to help pour, dump, stir, crack eggs, and taste things when it is safe. They know the kitchen rules that are wash hands, wash hands, wash hands. I have to have clean hands, hair puled back and tasting only after the food is made. I am grossed out when I think about food and germs. I guess that is a good thing though! We made a bunch of pies for Thanksgiving. This was the first recipe that Big Sis helped me make when she was 2 years old (now 7) and it has been a family tradition since!

We use the following recipe. Enjoy the pics to follow!

Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie

You can find the original recipe HERE!

Ingredients

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
Whipped cream (optional)

Directions

MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

POUR into pie shell.

BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Yes, Momma did get all of the egg shells out!

Cute cutouts to embellish the tops of my pies! I got the little cutters on Clearance many years ago at William Sonoma. They usually carry them in the Fall and clearance them out beginning of December.

We chopped up a mixture of pecans, shortbread cookies and dried cherries to sprinkle around the top. YUM!

We always top with Whipped Cream!

Thanksgiving Project: Hands That I am Thankful for!

This Project was one of my favorites this year. It was inspired by the plates that we saw on the Thanksgiving special of Good Luck Charlie. We woke up on Thanksgiving morning and and had a fun time painting before going to Grammy and Gramp's house! The pictures should be self explanatory. Please let me know if you have any questions! These were made with washable tempera paint.

Painting the plates was not enough! Everyone got to keep painting until they ran out of energy! We had papers drying on the floor, counter, table, and the other counter!