Oh, Happy Day!

Even though Benjamin is 3 months old, I am still wearing maternity pants or "stretchy pants." Today I decided to just try a pair of jeans . . .and they fit! Good bye panel front, hello Levis!

Princess Party

I have thrown Star Wars parties, super hero parties, train parties, camping parties, bug parties, and lego parties, but never a princess party . . .until today.

Motivation.

Today I cooked and pureed 8 pumpkins. It took MUCH longer than I expected (I will never do that many again without a food processor). As the hours ticked on, I kept reminding myself of the FHE treat we would soon be nibbling. It didn't come out of the oven until 9:30pm, but it was worth it! Here is the recipe if you're interested.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Topping:
1 C yellow cake mix
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 Tbs margarine

Mix first 3 ingredients then cut in margerine. Should be crumbly.

Bottom Crust:
remaining cake mix
1 egg
1/2 C melted butter

Cream all together until thick. Spread on the bottom of a 9x13 pan

Middle layer:
1 large can pumpkin (29oz)
4 eggs slightly beaten
1 1/2 C sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
2 12oz cans evaporated milk

Mix together and pour over crust. Cook at 350 for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and sprinkle topping over. Bake an additional 60 minutes. Done when knife comes out clean. Best served chilled with whip cream.

( If using fresh pumpkin, measure out 29oz of pumpkin and use only 1 can of evaporated milk)

The End of a Season

This weekend was the last BYU home game and the last of Caleb's football season. (No, Caleb can't play. He has had to miss more than half the season because of his back. But he still has gone to practices and dressed for games). One the other hand, it was Aaron's first trip to Lavell Stadium.

Home Away From Home

This is a picture of our home away from home. In the last two months we have made 15 trips to Primary Children's Hospital or the adjacent Moran Eye Center, 5 trips to the local hospital, and had numerous doctor appointments. Why? . .

Caleb fractured his back, Isaac's Guttate Psoriasis came back, Aaron hurt his eye, Benjamin's birth and the newest injury . . . Ruby decided to set a trap for Caleb and whacked him in the head with a polo mallet. Caleb received 7 stitches in his forehead.

After Aaron was born, a doctor said to us, "You have 3 boys?! Your going to spend your life in the ER." I guess he was right.

Let it Snow!

Today we had our first big snow storm. The first snow is always a treat for kids. But for me it was momentous. When I left very early this morning to take the kids to Spanish class, I didn't have to warm up my car or scrape my windows. Why? . . Because my car was parked in a garage . . . for the first time since I was 17 years old! Let it Snow!!!!

Happy Birthday Adam!!!

Today Adam turned ??! These are ten of my favorite things about Adam:
1. His testimony
2. His selflessness
3. His innate good judgment
4. He's a great dad
5. His natural way with people
6. He's a great conversationalist
7. His imagination and creativity
8. His continuous desire for self improvement
9. His sense of humor
10. He can fix ANYTHING!!

Adam walked in while I was writing this post. He was embarrassed by my list and said he could come up with ten much better things. I refused to take my list off, but I will add his.

1. I have no hobbies to detract from the family.
2. I don't have b.o.
3. I 'm tall so I can reach things for you.
4. I let you be the boss.
5. I save us ten bucks a month because I cut my own hair.
6. I have famous cookies (no-bake's. The kids call them "Dad's famous cookies.").
7. I like Mexican food.
8. I haven't committed any felonies.
9. I don't leave the toilet seat up.
10. I look good in teal.

So there you have it, TWENTY great things about Adam. Happy Birthday to my all time favorite Guy!

First Halloween

Bewitched

During the month of October, Gardner Village is decked out with "a hilarious display of plump, green-faced witches dressed to the nines in their most wacky and witchy attire: with mismatched colors, floppy hats and frumpy bloomers." It was a fun and benign way to celebrate this spooky holiday.

I don't know Jack . . .

. . . but my kids do.

Trick-or-Treat at the Zoo

The Zoo is right. I'm not sure who was more wild, the animals or the THOUSANDS of children running around. I think half of Salt Lake was there. But as you can see from the center picture, we did get to see Charles. I don't know why he didn't wear a costume.

An Eyefull

A huge thanks to everyone for all the cards, e-mails, phone calls and visits. As you can see in the picture above, Aaron's little face is healing quite well. Sadly, he still has a tear in his retina and his eyesight isn't very good; but we are optimistic everything will eventually be well. THANK YOU!!