Halloween finally came!

All month long my kids asked, "How many more days till Halloween?" So finally it arrived and boy were were they excited!
The cutest Peter Pan I've ever seen, Wendy, and a race car driver. (I tried to get McKay to dress up as Captain Hook, but he did not want to do it. Sniff, sniff.)
Preschoolers on parade
Singing a Halloween song to the proud parents
Madison wanted to wear her lady bug fairy costume that she wore to a summer fairy party to preschool. Of course mom's feelings were hurt that Madison didn't want to wear the Wendy costume that mom made, but mom was not in the mood for a battle. Pick your battles right?

Fall Fun

Here is a fun idea for you to do with your kids: Go on a walk and gather some fall leaves. Place the leaves on some wax paper. Take an old candle and grate it with a cheese grater on top and all around the leaves. Place another piece of wax paper on top. Set you iron on the lowest setting and iron away. The wax melts and looks juicy as you are ironing. Set aside to cool. Cut around the leaves, punch a hole, add some ribbon or string through the hole. Now it is ready to hang in a window or on a doorknob to be displayed! Madison's art before cutting around the leaves
Our Trenton turned 2! We really enjoy celebrating family birthdays! He is always such a happy boy!Madison and McKay are so funny. They gather a few old toys from around the house and wrap them to give as a gift. Trent was happy to open them with their encouragement. He also received a new sweater and a remote control car from mom and dad!
This was the pumpkin we carved as a couple at a Halloween party.A special Halloween thank you I made for a friend. I bought the mold at Target for 4.99! It's about 15 inches in diameter and you can make it into a rice crispy treat, cake or jello mold. I wanted her to have something fun she can use over and over again for the Halloween holiday! It's the gift that keeps on giving!

Lost tooth

McKay and Madison were playing with Trent's blanket and out it came!( The blanket was in McKays' mouth) What an exciting event for the family, we all have been waiting for the little, loose guy to come out. McKay immediately made a few phone calls to his best pals, and grandparents to share the news. Before going to bed McKay tried to open the window for her to enter through. Hilarious! Chris also helped McKay to write a letter to the tooth fairy:

Dear tooth fairy,

Will you please double the payment for the tooth because of the bad economy?

Thank you, McKay



The tooth fairy(Chris) wrote a very nice note back:

McKay,

Congratulations on losing your first baby tooth. I will save it in the Tooth-Fairy Treasury forever.

You are now officially becoming a big boy with grown-up teeth. Remember that I only like teeth that are clean, brushed, and polished. The more nice things you say the more polished your teeth become and the more valuable they are to me in the Tooth Fairy Land. I will see you soon my darling... and your sister. Spend the money wisely.

Love, The Tooth Fairy

McKay received $1.50 for the tooth ( I guess she, I mean he understood the bad economy thing, and was very generous!)

Flag Football

We were so thrilled this year to find McKay's niche, flag football! He really enjoyed this game, and even made two touchdowns during the season. We enjoyed watching and cheering him on! Can't wait for Bingham Football next year!
Getting ready to hike the ball.

In love with my witch!

Our ward Super Saturday was today and this is what I planned on making. Unfortunately sick children kept me from attending my favorite fall function. My sweet visiting teacher finished it for me and did a great job. I love it, isn't it the cutest!

Chillin'

I just had to share this picture of Trenton chilling on the couch watching some toons.(I promise this was not staged, I was running around like a mad woman trying to get McKay out the door for school, then discovered Trent in this position. So cute!)

A visit with some witches

To kick off the month of October we went to Gardner Village. For those of you who have never been, the whole village is decorated to celebrate Halloween. They have charming life size witches all through out the village as well. There were many fun crafts for kids to do, a costume parade, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and a stage for kids to dance on to fun Halloween music.



A witch being friendly with Madison, she tried to get her to dance with her, but Madison wouldn't budge.

This cracks me up, a witch riding a bike in the air. They also had a witch on the roof on her cell with a sign saying "Can you hear me now?"
Real witches that were walking and visiting with children through out the village. My kids wouldn't take a picture with them, so I had to get one of them with some other kids.
Their costumes are pretty cool.As you can see, Trent was a little scared of the witch.
Making a craft witch broom.
Show me your brooms!

Mmmmm

I've mentioned in the past how much I love Ina Garten's recipes. I made this and it was scrumptious! It's a definite must bake!

I tried to take a fancy picture and it just doesn't look to great. No laughing Mindy!


Lemon Yogurt Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1 1/3 cups sugar, divided
3 extra-large eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
For the glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it's all incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.

When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice and pour over the cake.