Halloween Happenings

Happy Halloween!!!

 

Can you believe it's already here?! October was such a quick month! Bear is sleeping and soon I'll be waking him up to get ready and head out to our big playgroup party. Can't wait to see all the little ones in costume!

We've had such a busy, fun, festive month and I'm sad to see it come to a close. Although November just means one month closer to Christmas :).

 

 

We visited the pumpkin patch with friends last week.

 

Stacking pumpkins is a little harder than stacking blocks..

 

And we went to Zoo Boo with Daddy on Sunday.

 

And we've been making lots of spooky treats!

One of our favorite neighborhood traditions is "boo'ing" each other. We have so much fun with this every year.

 

Bear has quite mastered the art of selfies.

 

 

I've struggled with uploading pictures (why this blog has been inactive!) but hopefully the problem has been resolved. Lots of posts to catch up on!

Hope you have a fun, safe Halloween. Remember, it's just a bunch of hocus pocus!

Elissa & Jose's Wedding

One of my very best friends, Elissa, got married on Sunday and it was an absolute fairytale wedding. Every last detail was stunning and I was so honored to stand by Elissa's side as her Matron of Honor. She and Jose have been dating for nine years, so it was amazing to see this dream day come to life for the both of them.

 

 

The bridesmaids got ready in the beautiful presidential suite at The Woodlands Resort. Hair and make-up team were awesome!

 

Limo ride with the gorgeous bride

 

I don't have any pictures from the ceremony, and all of these are iPhone pictures. They don't begin to do justice to the beauty that was this reception. Just breath-taking.

Bear had fun with the flower girls! #ladiesman

Our beautiful Brittney Granger was supposed to be Elissa's maid of honor, so there were lots of special touches throughout the day in memory of our Beanie. Loved that Elissa carried Brittney with her in her bouquet.

Flip book favors were pretty much the coolest thing ever.

 

To Elissa and Jose,

Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness. I've never known two people any more in love than the two of you. God clearly made you for each other, and we are so very blessed to have you as our dear friends and what we consider family. Love you, Carmonas! Have a blast in Cali!

Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake

I've only mentioned it about 87 times on this blog (probably more), but I'm a sucker for all things pumpkin. It's kind of my thing. I blame my mom because she makes the absolute best pumpkin bread; it's quickly become one of Bear's favorite treats, too!

 

When I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I knew it had to be made ASAP. So easy (don't even need a mixer!), yet tastes like it took hours to prepare. Planning on whipping this yummy dessert up again for Thanksgiving.

 

Ingredients:
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

3 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 box Spice Cake Mix

1 cup butter, melted

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

3. In a medium bowl, combine pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, & cinnamon until combined. It will be very liquidy.

4. Pour mixture into the baking dish.

5. Pour cake mix on top of mixture.

6. Take melted butter and drizzle on top of cake mix.

7. Bake for 55-60 minutes. Might still be gooey in center; let set for 30 minutes before serving.

 

Notes:

*refrigerate leftovers, will stay good 5-6 days

 *we found that the cake tasted best on day 2, after the flavors had time to mix together

 

I've been MIA this month; the past three weeks have been a whirlwind of weddings and traveling. So looking forward to relaxing and having lots of festive fun the next couple weeks!

 

Hope your fall is off to a special start!