A visit from Julie & Zaidee

Julie and Zaidee were able to come for a short visit this past week.  It was so much fun having them both!  On Wednesday we walked around Old Market and went antiquing.  I never go shopping by myself (hence my wardrobe : D ) so it was nice to get out and look around.  The next day we went to Vala's Pumpkin Patch, we fed the animals, walked in a corn maze, watched pig races, ate delicious kettle corn, and of course picked out pumpkins (: I LOVE FALL! On Friday we went to breakfast with the girls at Farmhouse Cafe.  Afterwards we went to the mall, then the zoo, and that evening we made caramel apples and pumpkin hot chocolate, yum!!!

Antiquing.

Shopping in Old Market.

Wedding cake from Wheatfields. It is divine!

See that cute clip in Ellie's hair. It's actually a vintage clip-on earring that we bought from the antique shop and clipped in her hair.  I loved it!  Of course, Ellie took it out and lost it within 10 minutes.

I'm not gonna lie...I was afraid the camel would spit on me.

Watching the pig races.

Yes... that is kettle corn stuck in my teeth.

I love this face! So funny and cute!

Ellie is making a Matt face :-D

My pumpkin!

My other pumpkin!

Holding hands at the zoo.

Caramel Apples / Caramel

(do not double)

1 C. butter

2 1/4 C. brown sugar

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 C. corn syrup

1 tsp. vanilla

1 C. chopped walnuts (optional)

In 3 qt. heavy saucepan melt butter over low heat.  Add brown sugar, condensed milk, and corn syrup.  Mix well, cook and stir over medium high heat until mixture boils.  Clip candy thermometer to pan.  Reduce heat to medium.  Continue boiling at a moderately steady rate, stirring frequently until firm ball stage (248 F).  Turn off heat and add vanilla.

*For caramel apples cook to around 234 F (about 10 to 15 minutes)

While caramel is cooking (remember to stir frequently) wash apples with hot water and a little vinegar to remove wax.  Dry apples and put in stick.  Place dipped apples on wax or parchment paper that has been buttered or sprayed with Pam.  Makes 10-12 apples.

For regular caramels line 8x8 pan with tin foil, extending over the edges.  Butter the foil.  Sprinkle walnuts over the bottom of the pan and pour caramel over.

My favorite is caramel, white chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and sliced almonds. YUM!

Happy Birthday Eleanor!

I can't believe that Ellie is a year old!  They seriously grow up SO FAST!  Thankfully I am feeling a whole lot better then I did this time last year (:  For Ellie's birthday we had an early party with the McCoy's in Utah about a month ago.  We had a BBQ out on the deck and the older kids swam in the kiddie pool.  The guests included: Great Grandma & Grandpa McCoy, Papa Lynn & Nanna Patty, John & Melissa, Mike, Jim & Lisa Nicole, Paul & Ashley, and Adam & Julie.  Ellie didn't care much for the cake but loved the candle.  The cake she did get, she fed to the dog (:

For Ellie's actual birthday we invited a few friends over and ate soup and appetizers out on our little patio.  We had clam chowder, broccoli cheese, and taco soup with rolls.  It was a blast!  Ellie was much more interested in her cake this time (she had a practice round) and ate a good portion of it!  I wish I would have taken more pictures of her, but it's hard to take pictures when your having a fun time chatting with friends.  The guests included: Nate & Misty Call, Chris & Tani Stevenson, Chad & Mandi Peterson, Dave & Dahlia Wright, Sam & Shauna Delahunty, Brad & Marissa Schenck, Jesse & Karen Hansen and Brad & Catherine Grandy.

Her banner had a picture from each month.

I'm not sure why, but she loves stuffed animals!

Her party in Omaha

Addie feeding Ellie guacamole.

Eyeing the cake.

Matching Dresses

When Patty and Lynn were in Mexico they bought Macie and Ellie these cute matching dresses.  The last day I was in Utah we had a little photo shoot at Patty's request.  Taking pictures of kids is so hard!  At first Macie was sad and upset and then as soon as she was feeling better Ellie started having a melt down.  With taking pictures of kids I've learned you just have to take a million and hopefully a couple will turn out (:

A weekend in Kansas

This past Labor Day weekend we drove down to Kansas to visit John and Leslie, and to see Zach and Lauren in their new place.  It was a blast, as always!  John and Leslie are the best hosts!  We went to bbq at Jack Stack, shakes at Sonic, a Jazz concert in the park, and the World War I museum.  I learned so much at the museum and I've come to find that I really like history.  It was so fun spending time together!

Sorry Laura Bell I didn't get any pics with you guys ):