Pies

MMmmmm.... Yesterday most Arizonans woke up to an overcast, rainy, cool fall day. Jeff and I had put up our Christmas tree the night before and with the lights on, the windows open, the smell of cool rain in the air and with 3 empty pie plates on the counter, it was the perfect morning to bake our Thanksgiving pies. This was our only food "assignment" for dinner at my mom's this year, although our own Turkey is thawing in the fridge to be cooked this weekend. (We have to have our own "leftovers.") So, here are the colors and smells of fall, yummy!
Applie Pie:

Pecan Pie:

Pumpkin Pie:

Fabulous fall colors:

What is that red cake, you ask? Well, have you ever heard of Bakerella? She's amazing... my baking inspiration. I am attempting to make Turkey Cake Pops... mmmm....that you'll want to gobble right up too!

Randoms...

You know, sometimes life just has no "title" and it truly is random. That has been our life the past few weeks. As we gear up for the Holidays and all its festivities I have certainly been enjoying the sweetness and simplicity I've been blessed with in being a mommy. Especially this little face, that is quickly changing and is nearly 6 months old:

I find that I can't hold my little Q without snuggling and smelling and kissing and all-but-consuming him completely. There is just something about the smell and the sweetness of your baby that is so yummy! All my mommy-friends out there know exactly what I'm talking about right? MMmmmm! I love those cheeks and than grin...

...and those eyes.

Needless to say we have been spending a lot of time laying around looking at each other and cuddling, Quinton and I. He is almost sitting, tolerates more tummy time and is trying to push his knees up, tries grabbing anything and everything in my hands, and is sleeping much better. His tummy-troubles have gotten a little better, we hope he is beginning to grow out of it now that he is beginning solids.

Speaking of solid food, here is a clip from last night when Q tried SWEET POTATOES for the first time in his rice cereal. He couldn't get enough, but is still a little unsure how to "eat" rather than just suck.
[Not working....we'll try again later.]
In other "news," Corbin has been busy entertaining us with his "cheesy" 2-year old antics. He has developed quite the personality lately and he has his parents reacting on both ends of the emotional spectrum: raging mad or hysterically laughing....but that is a 2-year old's job right? Here he trying on a cornucopia for size at my mom's house. What's a cornucopia mommy?

We have also been trying our hand at tricks to get this child to eat "real" food for breakfast. He used to eat oatmeal or cereal, but lately he has only wanted vitamins and chocolate milk (or yogurt), nice combo eh? So, I got the creative bug one morning and whipped up some green, cinnamon and vanilla, Mickey Mouse pancakes. He refused to eat them with butter or syrup but likes to carry them around and eat them plain and cold. Oh well, at least he's eating.

LOVE

I have to admit, when I first saw the cast chosen for Twilight and saw some of the trailers I was VERY SKEPTICAL about the movie and was certain I'd be disappointed. Although that is usually the case with a book- turned movie, right? The book is ALWAYS better and the visions in your own head of the characters and the plot are far beyond the Hollywood interpretations?
Well, maybe it's because I was deliriously tired (going to a midnight showing) and got caught up in all the hype last night that the twitterpation bug found me and I was not as disappointed as I thought I would be about this flick. I was pleasantly surprised about the character portrayal! Time seemed to stand still as I watched and I was shocked when it was suddenly over. (Just like when I read the books.) I realized as I was watching that I'm not necessarily in love with Edward (although he is VERY good-looking- and that jaw-line, mm mm...), but I am in love with being in love.... a hopeless romantic. The story line hooks me because I take on the essence and feelings of Bella... falling HARD for something that may inevitably HURT her. It made me want to go home and crawl into bed with Jeff and reminisce about falling in love all over again with him. Unfortunately, when I got home there was a 2 year old Corbin in my spot in the bed.... but I did have good dreams about first love... awe, I'm pathetic, I know. At least I admit it. Now.... to get my hands on that soundtrack...

I Declare...

...that Thursday, November 20, 2008 (and Friday, November 21st) is National "Girl's Night Out" OR "National Male Babysitting Day" in order to see this flick:

Anyone else want to join my petition? Do you have your tickets?

Vegas

My grandpa (who just lost his wife) turned 81 over the weekend, so his 4 children decided to make it an extra big deal and throw a party in VEGAS! Perfect for an 81-year-old LDS guy, right? Well, my uncle lives there along with most of his 9 children and it was something fun for Papa to look forward to for the past 2 months. So, Jeff and I didn't want to miss out on the fun, even though it was a quick trip. We packed the kids in my mom's van along with some of their cousins, my mom, and sister and caravanned to Vegas late Friday night. The boys did great in the car (which is good to know since this was half the length of the car trip coming up at Christmas).
Corbin was entertained by his cousins and plenty of snacks...

... and Quinton had an unlimited amount of toys staring him in the face, although he slept most of the time.

The next morning we tried sleeping in but the boys had other plans....luckily the hotel had a yummy, complimentary, hot breakfast, fun elevators and stairs to play on, and lots of cartoons to keep them entertained until the party. There were about 40 or 50 of us that gathered at the church for a yummy Panda Express lunch, games, crafts, presents, movies, dessert, mingling, and a birthday tribute (roast) for Papa. It was a blast to see everyone and watch Papa enjoy his day. 81 is a lot of candles to blow out...

After the party, we headed toward Las Vegas Boulevard (aka- the "strip"), after all what is a trip to Las Vegas without seeing all the Casinos right? The Bellagio gardens our one of our favorites this time of year and a more appropriate sight for the boys.

Corbin got a kick out of the talking apple trees...

... but his favorite were the Bellagio fountains. Right as we walked up to the fountains the bell tower rang 8:00 and the fountain show started so Corbin thought the bell signaled the beginning of the show... now when we ask him what the fountains did he says, "They dinged". As for me... I don't think I could ever get sick of watching the fountains, there is something so mesmerizing about choreographed water, dancing to music.

Our main purpose for visiting the strip was to meet up with our good friends the States who are back on the "mainland" from Hawaii. Unfortunately Alicia and the boys are still in Utah so we got Cam all to ourselves. It was fun to catch up with him and introduce him to a Chipolte burrito (they actually have one of those in Vegas!)

Corbin was excited to see the pirate ship we'd told him about, unfortunately Treasure Island's show is not so much a family gig anymore... so he saw a lot of dancing girls in fishnet tights cracking whips and thankfully he didn't understand the lyrics to the songs.

He did like the fire works and the explosives and the pirate diver though. After the show I asked him if he liked it and he said, "I like those dancing girls mommy." Oops...

At least the nude statues at Caesars Palace are "classic" replicas of historical masterpieces, right?

It was a great trip, despite the short stay and the lack of sleep. We had fun seeing family, friends, and the sights of Vegas. Including the new suspension bridge at Lake Mead Dam.

Although, the water is still really low....lower than I've ever seen it. So, after leaving "sin city" I felt even more prompting to be prepared in more ways than one. Prepared to live to 81 like my grandpa, prepared to safeguard my little boys from obscenity, and prepared to have a years supply of food, water, and money for a day when life as we know it just might change.

Preschool

I stumbled upon the Gilbert Recreation catalog a few weeks ago and found a Mom/Tot Preschool class at out local library and thought it would be perfect for Corbin. We signed him up thinking it would be the perfect thing to for him to get some one-on-one time with mom for an hour every Friday for the next 10 weeks. He was so excited that he wanted to put his backpack on everyday and go to preschool, so we had to make a chain to count down the days since he really has no concept of time yet. Well, Friday was his first day and as soon as he took the last link off the wall he was asking me where his backpack was.

I think he was more excited to wear his backpack than to actually meet his teacher, sit in his chair, and play with the other kids.

Of course I completely spaced taking any pictures during the preschool class. Turns out he is the only boy among 7 girls! He didn't even notice. This week the theme was frogs so he learned about the letter F, the color green, the number 5, and the shape of a heart (a lily pad). He actually brought the frog he made home and laid it on his pillow so he could sleep with it during naptime.... so cute.

And so it begins.... the adventures of preschooling.

I did it!

Yes... I graduated with my Master's Degree on Saturday, finally! We trekked all the way to Glendale for commencement in the University of Phoenix (aka- Cardinals) stadium.



When I started my program, Corbin was only 10 months old. Needless to say it has been a long haul with many changes for the the past 17 months.

I owe Jeff a million more of these (kisses) for all his help, support, reassurance, and belief in me to seize this dream of mine. Every Thursday night for a year he watched Corbin so I could attend class... and then once Quinton arrived and I changed my schedule he was victorious in keeping the kids busy so I could sit at the computer and finish 2 online and 2 directed study courses... including my thesis!

Now I am officially a "Master" in Education, receiving my MAED with an emphasis in Adult Education and Training. Hopefully, I'll soon land a job teaching classes online or in the evenings at a local community college or university.

These are several of my classmates who helped keep the "ride" worthwhile. When I had Quinton in June I stopped attending class with all of them and it was so fun to meet up with so many of them and walk together, although I'm surprised they recognized me without my pregnant belly, blonde hair and with my graduate garb on. :)

Thanks to my family for coming to watch me walk and cheer me on.


I couldn't have done it without all of you! You have no idea how good it feels to no longer have homework and deadlines hanging over my head that I have to hurry and finish during nap times. In 2 weeks I will have my last paper handed in and hopefully, that means more time for blogging!

Blog Award!

Wow! I was nominated for a "Blog Award" by my good friend Alica States whom I respect and admire for many reasons.

Here's the way the "Blog Awards" work:
1. Whomever I nominate gets to put this same picture on their blog.
2. Link back to me on your post (it's all about getting visits to your own blog and to others).
3. Nominate 5 other blogs.
4. Link up to them.
5. Leave a message (comment) on those blogs to let them know they were nominated.

The Thomas'- One of my best friends since Junior High who just moved out of state this last summer. I love her blog because it is so representative of her... creative, passionate, subtle, and stylish... and because I love keeping up with her (and getting glimpses of Ryan's, her husband's, humor along the way.)

The Ligairis- Jeff's good high school friends from Utah. I love reading Rachel's thoughts, opinions, and insights about her new motherhood adventure, teaching at BYU, Josh's film career, and their political persuasions of which I do not always agree but completely respect! It certainly helps that she is an eloquent writer and a thorough researcher.

The Permanns- Natlalie was one of my first college roommates whose life has seemed to parallel mine ever since in several ways. I love how her blog is her literal journal and since she has 2 little boys close in age to mine I find that we're often on the same roller coaster... I love to relate to her feelings-- good and bad.

The Bryants- Tiffany is another of my first college roommates who has 2 girls the same ages (almost to the day) as my 2 boys. Jeff and I love "peaking" into their lives because they are literally world travelers and always have a travel-log of sorts among their descriptions of normal, mundane life (like mine). She also shares a few yummy recipes now and then.

The Heals- My older sister and Jeff's cousin (weird, I know). They just moved away to Seattle earlier this year and Kimball and Corbin were buddies (and cousins) so we love to "peak" in on them to get the update. She is also so creative and they have gotten around Seattle over the summer to share another travel log of sorts about their new hometown. Makes me miss them, but helps me feel connected.

Corbin

So, I saw these fun look-a-like meters on a friend's blog and decided to try them since people ask us all the time who we think our kids look like.... According to myheritage.com, here are the results. (and a fun celebrity morph of Jeff). Sorry, I got carried away, but now you know.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family reunion - Geneology

Quinton

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Jeff

I always knew I married a hottie!

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity

VOTE!

This sticker should actually say, "We voted EARLY!" Jeff and I did the mail-in ballot this year and we drop it off at the polling place to watch it actually going in the box. There is something so satisfying about knowing that you voted and did your small part as a citizen. Although, during this historical and hyped election year my vote doesn't feel so small. Hope you all did your part and got to the polls. This is a great link to visit to keep up to date on election results! Hope there's a massive party in AZ tonight!

ps- Just heard that due to long lines all Obama supporters have been asked to vote on Wednesday.... :)

Applie pie in the sky

My mom gave me a few Washington apples from the huge box she ordered last week. Instead of putting them in my cripser for afternoon snacks I decided to make pies out of them. I used THE Pioneer Woman's recipe from here, and it truly is scrumptious... and not too hard to make! First you make your super easy pie crusts. Then you wash your apples.

Then peel, core, and slice them.

(...and eat a few peels as you go... and share a few with your naked fire chief whose sitting on the counter in his brother's bumbo, trying to "help")

Next you put your apple mixture in your pie crust.

Then add the crumb topping.

Then bake it, and let your house be filled with some yummy fall aromas!

Finally, you can cut it...

... and top it with ice cream while it's still warm, and DEVOUR IT! mmmmmmmmmmmm!