Birthday Happenings . . . . .

Weeks before Benjamin's birthday, he wrote a wish list of things he wouldn't mind getting for his birthday. While I thought it was a bit presumptuous on his part, I have to applaud his ingenuity! Among the things he asked for: breakfast in bed, Lego millenium falcon, and probably a video game of some kind or another. In principle, we don't believe in giving our children everything they want, that would just not build enough character now would it. But, I have to admit, it was fun to see the look on his face when we brought him breakfast in bed, and he even got the Lego toy he wanted.

Our sweet boy, is not so little anymore. He was pretty gracious about his day though, and even liked the less-exciting clothing gifts.

The day after his birthday, he got home from school, went in his room and was very quiet and focused for an hour or two. When he came out, this is what he brought. Thanks for helping with it Nanna and Grandy, can you tell he's a fan?

Halloween-ee festivities . . . .

Lily's dance classes had dress-up practice complete with fun Halloween dances. She went as a cute witch to this one. . .

For the ward Trunk-or-Treat Lily went as a Diva with a bit of make-up, and one of my neclaces (which made her look fifteen to me, not ready for that yet!) and Grace as a "poople princess." They were pretty sweet. As you may have noticed, Benjamin is kind of into Star Wars these days? Well, unfortunately I didn't get a picture of him in the costume he put together: a dark t-shirt worn inside-out and backwards, (darker that way), dark cape, and lite saber--Luke Skywalker.

Halloween night, the girls wore the same costumes, and Benjamin went as Mr. Bones. Herman even got in on the action in his Pirate costume, did you see his sword at his side? We took Herman with us to one house, and then he watched the house while we went out.

We went to a fun neighborhood and joined friends for Trick-or Treating, tasty food, excellent caramel apple cider, and great company. Thanks, and Happy Halloween!

Apples and pumpkins.

Okay, so I know this bread might not look that spectacular, but trust me it's good stuff! We've been thinking of creative ways of using our apples up to prevent them from wasting. This apple cranberry bread is one of the favorites we've enjoyed. Trust me, you'd like it. Very moist, with a deliciously sugary-chewy crust. Okay, enough about the bread already.

We also tried caramel apples. First time making them on our own, but definitely worth the time required to open the caramels (which Benjamin and Lily were very good at helping with by the way). Don't they look slightly wicked? Like maybe a witch was trying to offer you one? Mu ha ha ha ha ;)

We also finally got around to letting everyone choose a pumpkin to carve, and trying higher-skilled-carving methods. Lily was very eager to get in there and remove the seeds and slime, her favorite part! She even helped out in other pumpkins than her own, just because she loved the adventure. Oh, we learned that pumpkin openings should be significantly larger than the circumference of your hand! I don't know what I was thinking, other than PAINFUL! Good thing Lily was so helpful. :)

Goose chose a more traditional lantern . . .

Lily's was a bit of a Lizard . . .

And Benjamin's was a cyclops, just like in the Riardan books. Let's just say we have a Percy Jackson fan on our hands, and his pumpkin was really thick and difficult to maneuver! Jeff put a lot of elbow grease into helping with this one. Five pumpkins later . . .

We finally enjoyed the rest of the caramel apples that were made a few days prior to carving. From Left to Right: a witch (mine), clown (Jeff's), Grace's, Lil's and Bud's. Not too bad eh?

A day at the farm.

Grace and I have been part of a co-op preschool with other moms and kids in our area. Recently, we went to a farm in the area to learn about the animals, and the farming way of life. I have to chuckle to myself that people pay to go to farms and experience things that were everyday life growing up, but I really enjoyed it myself, so I'm not sure why I should be surprised.


We saw chickens (learned that green feed, like grass and collards, makes egg yolks more orange), a milk cow named pretty girl (learned places in the area where one might find a dairy or beef cow for sale to bring home), a pig named bacon (learned why their ears get little notches in them, basically for identification), some goats (learned that there are "meat" goats and "dairy" goats), and chose pumpkins from several laid out on a cut field. I think we all had fun, and I enjoyed seeing how Grace interacted with her peers.
Grace loved choosing her pumpkin, and playing with her friends. Isn't that what everyone needs? Good friends and a perfect pumpkin? ;)

State Fair 09

We decided to go to the state fair again this year. The weather was perfect, and the day was just right to go and see animals and consume foods that are not normally eaten, or thought to be very healthy. Isn't that the point? Anyway, we tried the "pig lickers" this year. What are those you might add? Well, go buy some of the bacon that can sit on the shelf in your pantry, melt some chocolate, and almost completely cover the bacon in said chocolate. There you have it! Normally, I'm pretty excited about trying new things. I think the pig lickers were definitely a one time deal!




We did enjoy other delights though: corn on the cob, cooked in the husk, fried dough with bavarian cream, hush puppies, the traditional over sized turkey leg, and even a decent fried snickers. Before you start worrying too much about our health, please remember the amount of walking that is entaled with a visit to the fair. We were moving non-stop for five hours or so; it might have just evened out, maybe . . .

The kiddos had fun thrill seaking on the rides.