The Omaha Zoo and Farmstead in Kansas City

Matt has been super busy this past month with interviewing for Orthodontic residency so when he had a free day I jumped at the chance to hang out with him and go to the zoo by our house.  I love our zoo because the exhibits are so cool and I love how close the animals are, so Ellie can really see them.  We've also been driving down to Kansas City a ton lately because the flights are so much cheaper from there. I'm talking like 100 to 200 dollars less, bizarre right?  Leslie and Jon have been so sweet in letting Ellie and I crash at there place while Matt is away.  We have really enjoyed spending more time with them!  Ellie is totally adored so that makes it fun : D  

Henry Doorly Zoo

Watching the monkey's

Watching the ???? whatever that is.

Watching the penguins. They are SO FAST, like little torpedoes!

Watching the Otters. My favorite, they are like cats but cooler cause they like the water, or am I the only one who thinks that?

The aquarium is AMAZING!

 Deanna Rose Farmstead

I love this place!  It is so fun and has the cutest atmosphere.  If you are ever in the Kansas City area with kids I highly recommend it!  And the best part is.....it's free!  (You can tell we're poor students.)  It was a rainy weekend but we were lucky and it wasn't raining while we were there.  My darling cousin Lauren just moved to KC a few months ago and was able to come with us.   

Feeding the goats is my favorite part. 

Matt has always wanted to grab a bull by it's horns... AKA: a small baby goat

I thought this pony was so pretty with it's blonde hair.

Ellie and Danny making faces at each other.

Playing at Leslie's.

Poor Hobbes.

I thought the following pics were funny because they show how Hobbes has no escape from Ellie.  She seriously loves Hobbes so much.  Her first word besides Mama and Dada was Hobbies if that tells you anything.  She loves to pull his tail and lay her head on his belly and he is so patient with her.  I think he secretly likes the attention (:

She found his hide out under the end table.

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!