Half of our park is red and yellow and brown- while the other half is still amazingly green! There are a few spots (like this one) where you'd swear it was April or May by the colors.

Zeb is getting to the point where he begs to get out and run parts of my runs with me. I finally relented a little today and let him cross the bridge on foot. I've got to find something to keep him entertained longer. Right now he just pokes Ike or makes believe that monsters and bats (there are bat houses in the park) are chasing us and that we've got to run "faster and faster mama! monsters are coming!". Yesterday he actually screamed that the bats were going to get in our hair and ears?! We do not watch scary movies or read scary books so I'm not sure where that information came from.

oh, and here's another fall recipe.

Apple Cake

I finally used the last of my apples from our apple picking adventure way back when. A friend made this delectable cake for a church activity a few weeks ago and it was divine. I got the recipe and decided to give it a try. It is so good and beyond easy. I wish you could all taste it. It is so addicting I actually gave it away to my seminary students this morning so that I wouldn't eat it in its entirety today in my boredom.

It darkens a lot - but don't worry- it isn't burnt.

9×13x2 pan – sprayed with Pam

Bake at 350° – 32 minutes

Mix and let stand:
3 cups chopped apples
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar (or regular)

Mix together:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together and then add to the dry stuff:
2 eggs – slightly beaten
1/2 cup canola oil
2 tsp. vanilla

Add:The apples and sugar
1 cup chopped nuts (Optional)

Top with caramel or whipped topping or ice cream

I documented every move Zeb made from the first day of his birth. I've sorely neglected Ike. I don't think that anyone in Utah has seen him truly crawl. He mastered the wiggle scoot about two months ago- but in september he learned the real deal. He crawls. here's the proof. Sorry it's two months late.

so not a good picture- but such good soup.

Double Potato Soup

This is such a fall soup. And it's so so scrumptious. and pretty darn healthy too.

1 large onion diced
olive oil
2-2.5 cups chicken broth
2 sweet potatoes
2 regular potatoes
any seasonal veggie you'd like to add (we added corn and carrots)
thyme- to taste
garlic -to taste
salt pepper- to taste
1 cup milk (it actually called for 2 cups half and half! waaaaay too much fatty fat)

dice the onions and saute in olive oil until translucent in large deep frying pan. Add all cubed potatoes and veggies and chicken broth and garlic and thyme. Boil with lid on until the potatoes are nice and soft. Reduce to NOT boiling- add milk and salt and pepper to taste. The recipe said to mash it with a potato masher. I semi squished it with a spatula. We prefer slightly chunky soups. Serve with broiled whole wheat parmesan and butter toast.

This stuff was so good- but I do love sweet potatoes. 8 out of ten.

such a great weekend (documented).

Friday at five Kent was finished for ALL of conference weekend!! It was heavenly. We went running as a family that night and then ordered Donatos Pizza- my absolute favorite toledo pizza place- for dinner.

Saturday morning we went to the mall and kent surprised me with a REAL massage. I have NEVER gotten one before and it was so nice. I've always wanted one- but the price is RIDICULOUS (I guess the place was having a crazy good 60 minutes massage deal) and I'd just never done it. Kent had made me do push ups and situps and a bunch of lunges with him after our run the night before just to get me sore! I guess I told him that if I ever got a real massage I would want to be sore so that it would feel better. It definitely worked and it didn't even clue me in as to what he was doing.

Conference was great. Saturday morning was my favorite for sure. Zeb sat out on the deck and played in his dirt for almost an entire session!Ike wanted so badly to go out and play with him but couldn't figure out how to get through the sliding doors. Zeb kept yelling at him through the door "no, Ike. Don't touch it. Don't touch my dirt". Zeb has gotten pretty good at telling Ike what to and what not to do.
One of my favorite things about having Kent home is that he cooks! He made us caramelized brown sugar and garlic chicken with olive oil and salt baked potatoes saturday night and amazing feijoada on sunday. I LOVE when he makes feijoada. It has got to be one of my favorite foods. It's a Brazilian specialty made of black beans- farina- and a plethora of meats and spare offals (organs and parts from animals). He told me he's going to post the recipe sometime soon. It's far too complex for me to attempt. I will post the caramelized chicken, though.

We went for a walk at the park on sunday between sessions and Zeb enjoyed every second of it. I know this picture is really bad- but I'm posting it so that I can prove just how badly I need a new camera. My camera is almost two years old and has been to hell and back (aka my purse). I really really want a new camera- and we are going to be on the lookout during the day after Thanksgiving sales. This is a whole new post for a new time- but I'm looking for some pro advice. Cousins Rachael- tanner- which cameras do you have?
And finally- just a picture of my rugrat Zeb. Right now my favorite thing he does is this:
When he prays he tries so fervently to keep his eyes closed but just can't seem to get them to stay shut. I'll have to get it on video. They flutter and flicker and peek open constantly throughout the prayer. It's so dang cute.

purchased. with free shipping and a discount (semi long story as to how I got the discount)!! I can't wait. thanks for the help everyone! sometimes all I need is a little persuading :)

We are going to be enjoying this thing for YEARS to come. happy Christmas.

I know, I know.

I am fully aware that it is only October and I've just posted a picture of a christmas tree. It's usually one of my greatest pet peeves- Christmas things before mid November- but desperate times call for desperate measures. This is an advent calendar- the pottery barn kids advent calendar- and I'm totally in love.

So, here's the question. Should I buy it? I LOVE advent calendars and I'm always on the lookout for the advent calendar, but this one is a little pricey. This week I did a little nannying job and earned enough money to cover the price (it's under 100 but more than fifty) and I actually spotted the tree in a catalogue at the family's house who I was nannying for. Doesn't that kind of seem like it's fate? I am meant to buy this tree, right?

Really I want some advice on the purchase because Kent isn't of much help. He tells me to get it. I think it's because I told him he wouldn't have to eat all of the nasty chocolate out of those paper cheap ones we get every year. but, is it worth it? Is it a good one? I am uncomfortable making purchases that exceed twenty- thirty dollars (which is why I can't pay our bills or look at the total when I check out of the grocery store) so I'm really nervous. I think I just need a little bit of reassurance about big purchases like this. Am I making the right choice? It's like buying jeans. I always need someone (other than kent!) there to tell me they look good and are worth the price.

Laney said it sounds like I could make this one- but that is NOT an option. The time and stress it would require are far above my patience threshold.

So, I would really appreciate some words of advice- any suggestions- etc. Be quick. Usually these things sell out fast and right now there's free shipping!

have I mentioned that I am a picture snapping fiend??

Some friends found out about this fabulous open gymnastics time for babies/toddlers at one of the YMCAs here and we finally made it over today. I've never seen Zeb so happy and energetic and excited. It was little kid heaven. Pure fun. I even enjoyed myself quite a bit.




Both kiddos loved the foam pit. Ike kept trying to dive headfirst into it- and Zeb did quite a few times. I got in once and nearly got sucked under. I think it's a lot easier to move around in the pit when you weigh less than thirty pounds.

I changed Zeb into his striped pj pants for easier play- and he ended up matching everything. The kids loved pushing each other around in this contraption.
I was surprised at just how much Ike loved everything. The kid was all smiles the entire two hours we were there- even though it was his naptime. I don't think he's ever had that much soft flooring to crawl around on- or that many fun squishy toys to crawl all over. They even offer actual classes for babies six to 18 months!
We will definitely be going back. Kent gets a 'Y' max membership for free through the school so it didn't cost us anything to get in! I think both kids would also love to be enrolled in classes so we'll have to look into it.