Halloween

This is such a fun time of year!  I was looking back at pictures from last Halloween, and I'm so glad we're not in a hospital this year.  Aaron's parents actually went with me to our church's fall festival (since Aaron had to go to the World Series game).  Here are some of the pictures from tonight!

Please Vote

Vote for the Rader Twins (Thing 1 and Thing 2)

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/ps/y2010/halloween_gallery.jsp?transactionId=157921693

12 Months Old

Bethany now weighs 20 pounds!  She's 29 inches long and her head circumference is 18 1/2 inches. 

Zachary weighs 20 pounds, 12 ounces.  He's 29 3/4 inches long (the first time he's been longer than her) and his head circumference is 18 1/4 inches.

They each got 4 shots today...including the Flu shot!  I'm so glad Aaron was with me to calm them down.

Party Pictures

Our birthday weekend is over!  We celebrated at my parents' house AND Aaron's parents' house, so we're partied out.  We're going to the doctor's office tomorrow afternoon, so then we'll know how much they weigh and of-course get shots.

Here's Zachary and Bethany dressed as a cowboy and cowgirl for their party.

They seemed to enjoy their first sweet treats!

The party was actually supposed to be at our neighborhood park, but the weather didn't cooperate.  I've got more pictures posted on my Flickr account.

1st Birthday

From our first family picture...

...to their first birthday party!

Happy birthday to my baby girl and boy (more pictures to come)!

Park Time

What a beautiful day to play at the park!  We met some friends from church to swing and enjoy the wonderful weather.  It won't be long before Bethany and Zachary are climbing around the playground too.

I love Bethany's face!

Picture of the Day

Zachary is now pulling up on everything just like his sister.  The countdown is on to see who walks first!

Meatballs

I love having meatballs with noodles and brown gravy or spaghetti.  You can always double the recipe too!  Here's what you need:

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 egg

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/8 tsp. pepper

1 T. Worchestershire

In a large bowl, mix everything together and make into balls.  Place meatballs on pan leaving about an inch between (use a broiler pan that allows the grease to drip through if you have one).  Put in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes...turn them over after about 15 minutes so they cook more evenly.  This should make 12 meatballs.

Baseball Night

Last night my parents babysat so we could go to the Rangers game with Aaron's dad and brother.  It started off as one of the best games I had ever been to, but the Rangers lost it in the 8th inning.  What a bummer!

The jets were loud!

Thing Twins

Remember Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss?  Aaron's mom went to Orlando a couple of weeks ago, and she brought back some fun outfits for the kids.  Now we just need some blue hair :)

Yesterday I took Bethany and Zachary with me to Kroger for the 1st time!  I got talked to more than I ever have before at the grocery store.  Anyway, I put him in the cart and held her as I went quickly through the store.  Next time I go shopping, I think I'll either go by myself or just bring 1 kid!

Hominy

Hominy Casserole:

2 cans hominy (1 yellow, 1 with green & red peppers)

small onion (or onion seasoning)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 stick margarine

1 jar jalepeno cheese whiz or Mexican Velveta

garlic powder

Mix all ingredients together and top with crushed Fritos.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes.  My husband never ate hominy before meeting me.  I think it's really good, and this casserole makes it even better!

Pumpkins

We took Bethany and Zachary to their first pumpkin patch on Friday afternoon.  It's called Hall's Pumpkin Farm in Grapevine.  I wanted to at least go to get some pictures (even though it was really sunny) and buy a couple of pumpkins.  It will be more fun next year when they can run around and play.  As you can see, Zach likes to be serious at first.  These are some of my favorite pictures.

 The Boys

The Girls

Our Family

Friday Photos

Just a couple of pictures of my crazy kids.  As you can see, the play yard gate is wrapped around the tv.  Our living room turns into an obstacle course every day, and Zachary especially loves to crawl under whatever he can.  If one of them happens to escape...they crawl away as fast as they can! 

This one is for my ACU friends.  I think Bethany's trying to hold up the Wildcat sign!

Fall Fun

We went to the Grapevine Homecoming parade last week.  Bethany wasn't too interested, and Aaron was having more fun making Zach look like he was being frisked by the police! 

Bethany and Zachary enjoy being outside and LOVE to swing.

They also like to explore and get into weird spots!

Round Steak

I REALLY need some new recipes, so please share any of your favorite meals!  Here's one from a lady my mom works with, DaiAnn.

1 round steak cut into pieces

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1 package onion soup mix

In 13x9 dish, cover steak with cream of mushroom soups.  Sprinkle onion soup mix over top.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  This would be good with any vegetables, especially the classic green bean casserole.