Halloween Spider Cookies and "Pumpkin" Cake!

Oh, the fun of having a birthday in October!
Up until now, my oldest daughter who is now 4, always had a princess party, or something very pink. This year, she's all about the Halloween stuff, which is more fun if you ask me!


I had so much fun with her making these for her preschool class!
We just made sugar cookies, frosted them, and used a toothpick to make it look web-like. The spider is a spider ring...minus the ring. (I cut them off with scissors.)

When I asked my little girl what she wanted for her birthday, she would always say, "A cake!" So we got online, and after looking at many cakes, she decided she wanted a pumpkin cake. So here it is. It even had spiders on it. She just loves 'googly' spiders this year!

And now, the girl with the inspiration! Happy birthday, cutie.

Phantom Halloween Ghost....snickerdoodle balls

I was so excited when we got HAUNTED! The game is that when you are 'haunted' you must 'haunt' three other families with a treat within 3 days. For our family night, we went and doorbell ditched (with the ghost) 3 families. My 3 year old had huge eyeballs the whole time, and kept losing her shoes! Both of our hearts were pounding with excitement! And my hubby did a great job keeping the car looking inconspicuous. I only hope the neighbors we haunted won't read this post and find out it was us!!!

I decided to make these snicker doodle balls. It's just sugar cookies, only you roll them up in a ball and roll them in sugar/cinnamon before baking. They look like this when they're done.

I put them in an orange cup and wrapped it with plastic wrap (didn't have celephane on hand), then secured with a tie.

Then I added some black ribbon.

And attached the ghost!

Here's what the ghost says:

You've been haunted by the Halloween Phantom Ghost! You have 3 days to haunt 3 families (that haven't been haunted.) Place this copy on your door or in a window. Make 5 copies of this ghost. Place it with a goodie, and Happy Haunting! Happy Halloween!

We delivered these for family home evening. Kaylee LOVED it!

Happy Birthday Nate!

The love of my life turned 29 on Saturday.

I have to brag and say that I bought him a love sack...and it WAS my own original idea (even though he's been hinting he wants one pretty much our entire marriage), and with the help of my beloved and ever faithful sister Allison, and a loaned truck from my inlaws, we transported the thing OURSELVES. Yeah, it was seriously pathetic and a very long story. If you want to hear it, let me know.

But anyways, on his birthday, the kiddos were coughing still, since we've all had a bit of a cold all week. I figured, well, they aren't contagious anymore. I am SO still throwing him his birthday party! Kaylee and I made him breakfast in bed, and the rest of the day I was like gearing up for this great party. I'm like, "Nate, what do you want to do! Go to a movie? Invite over a bunch of people? Go bowling?" But really, all he wanted to do was hang out with us at home, and watch movies...chill on the love sac! He didn't even want me to bake him a birthday treat! Well, that's not exactly MY idea of a birthday party. On my birthday, I want fireworks and stuff!

But what a sweetheart! To be so easy going! And he didn't want to invite people over because the girls were coughing. He's always looking out for others at the expense of his own happiness, and in this case, his birthday party.

We did decide, however, to go to Rumbi Grill to eat...and we sat in the very back so the kids wouldn't cough on anyone. As you can see from the pictures, they really felt fine, just the occasional cough.

Here's another picture of Kaylee and Nate...best buds.

Brenna was just happy to be eating.

Me and the buggar.

I love these pictures. Kaylee and Brenna shared a rice bowl. Nate and I did have a few bites as well. Brenna had quite a small portion.

The rest was eaten by Kaylee. Can you believe how much these kids can eat????

Ha! Anyway, happy birthday Nate. We love you so much and are so glad you were born.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ok, these were delicious!!!! And kids LOVED them!


First I let some vanilla ice cream soften and put it in a bowl. I crushed some fresh blackberries (any berry will do). Then I mixed them into the ice cream. Then, put the ice cream back in the freezer.


Here's what you need for the cookies. (Makes enough for about 14-16 sandwiches)

2 cup flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease baking sheets.

Cream together the brown sugar and butter with an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.


Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.


Add the dry ingredients to the creamy mixture.

Roll balls of the cookie doe and smash flat with spatula on a cookie sheet. Bake until set, about 10 minutes. Let stand on baking sheet for 2 minutes before removing with a spatula.

Make sure the cookies cool completely. Use a wire rack.

Allow the ice cream to sit out a while so it's soft. Put a scoop in the center of one cookie.

Put the other cookie on top and gently press down. Put in the freezer immediately so they don't melt all over. (Trust me, they will.)

Once they are frozen, serve them!!!

They are best eaten the day they are made. Let them sit out a few minutes before eating them so the ice cream is soft. YUMMO!