Star Struck

When one of my best friends, Stephanie, married another good friend, Dan, I knew that she had found a winner. Dan is cool, funny, talented and an all around great guy (even if he is from Fresno!)...

.... so, I can't say that I was too surprised when he became famous....
Congratulations Dan!

We are SO proud of you!

And so excited that we officially know someone famous.

But please don't let all of the fame go to your head. Keep it real.

A few things

1. did you know that brussels sprouts grow on stalks like this? God sure is creative!

2. this tree is reminiscent of our trip to the east coast when emma was a baby. we planted it in our front yard a year or so ago and now get to appreciate it in all of it's autumn glory!

happy thanksgiving!!!!

DMG Engineering: Present and Future

{update: we finally have a website! check it out at www.dmgbayarea.com}

Dylan had a survey out on Lucas Valley Road today (no, I don't expect that name to mean anything to you) and he thought that we should tag along.

The last time I went surveying with him, Emma was about 3 or so months old and I was carrying her in the Baby Bjorn and she kept grabbing the pole and messing everything up. So when Dylan suggested that we come with him, I was a bit nervous what it was going to be like with two toddlers and an infant in tow. But, since Grady happens to have an official survey outfit, I figured it was worth a shot and we'd at least get some good pics!

Thankfully, when we got to the survey location, Dylan was able to use the ol' GPS and we didn't have to help at all- but, shhh, don't tell that to the kids- they think they really were surveying!

Enjoy this glimpse into the future of DMG Engineering, Inc.!

(appropriate surveying attire: levi's, orange t-shirt, and a flannel)

(sleeping on the job)

(the future of our company)

(Emma got to use the data collector and press buttons)

(nice scab, huh! it's not from the survey but it was too impressive to not highlight!)

My Favorite Things: Chewy Ginger Cookies

I'm a chocolate girl. I love all things chocolate: candy, hot cocoa, cake, pie, mochas, cookies. I even made a chocolate sauce for pasta once and it was amazing. You name it, if it has chocolate I will love it.

So, I feel a bit unfaithful because I have a new favorite cookie. And it doesn't have any chocolate in it. And I could eat like a dozen of them in a row because they are that good. Seriously amazing. Oh, and they're super easy and fast to make!

Chewy Ginger Cookies
recipe courtesy of Kirstie Morphy who got it from someone else....

3/4 c. softened butter
1 c. sugar (+more for rolling)
1 egg
1/4 c. molasses
2 1/2 c. flour
2 t. soda
1/4 t. salt
1 T. cinnamon
1 t. ginger
1/2 t. cloves

Preheat oven to 325.

Mix butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

Add egg and molasses. Mix until combined.

Sift together dry ingredients and add to the butter mixture. Mix together until combined.

Scoop out about a tablespoon or so of dough and roll into a ball. Then roll the ball in extra sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 min- just until edges are firm. DO NOT OVER BAKE. Leave on cookie sheet for a few minutes until the cookies set and then place on cooling rack to cool all the way.

Yield about 24 of the most amazing, chewy cookies ever.

Okay, so now you have the recipe. You should go make a batch right now and find out what the best cookie EVER tastes like. Really, even if you don't think you like ginger cookies, you should make these. Because you'll find that you really do like ginger cookies and you'll end up eating the whole batch. And then make another batch the next day because, yes, they are THAT good.

Some questions you might have and their answers

What's faster than a speeding bullet?
Dylan pushing the "new" Bumbleride Indie Twin. Thank you Craigslist and the girls who showered me with the funds to buy it!

How is life with 3 kids?
Not too bad so far since Landon sleeps like 20 hours a day!

What did Emma wear to school last Friday?
Oh, you know, a red shirt, a pink skort, pink striped leg warmers and purple striped socks.

What color are Landon's eyes going to be?
Well, so far, it looks like he's gonna have baby blues just like his sister. There's also a dimple hiding in those cheeks somewhere.

What costume did you buy for Grady to wear for Halloween?

This AWESOME 3-eyed monster costume.

What did Grady really wear for Halloween since he refused to put the 3-eyed monster costume on?
He wore his Home Depot apron and a tool belt of course!

Who wore the 3-eyed monster costume instead?
Our cousin Arielle. It was awesome!

What did Emma wear for Halloween?
A flower fairy costume (shown here with her Power Ranger cousin Elijah)

And what about Landon?
Well, he wore the token pumpkin hat.