Pumpkin Picking

I've got a lot of catching up to do so lets get started.

Earlier in the month we went with our play group to the pumpkin patch.  The funny thing is there was so much to do we didn't even pick any pumpkins.  We went to Kingsway Pumpkin Farm and if you live in the area I would highly recommend it for young children.  It's a little pricey but if you make a whole morning/day of it it's totally worth it.

Sawyer checking out the pumpkin selection.  He got to pick one out all by himself.

the kids had fun at each activity this was a little kiddie corral with driving toys. I love that they chose to ride together

the petting zoo, this is as close as Sawyer would get

a train ride

playing in the corn pit

Nora was so cute playing, it was so deep she couldn't walk and she was so disoriented but she loved it!

Game #8

This weekend was homecoming, the new president's inauguration, senior day and the final home game of the season.  Lots of big events but the rainy, cold weather kept most people away.  Thankfully we got to stay warm and dry in the press box.

The team took on Notre Dame.  The Pioneers came out strong leading through the 1st half but things went downhill in the second half. The final score was 19-36 in Notre Dame's favor.  It was a tough loss for the players and coaches.

Sorry I have no pictures. The kids went to a sitter's house since the game was during nap time and our computer is still down.

Because of the computer issue I haven't been posting as frequently but I'll do a quick recap of the past week.

I worked Monday - Thursday so Sawyer and Nora spent a lot of time with Aunt Candace, Gracie and Nolan.  It was a beautiful week with temperatures in the 70's so they spent a lot of time outside.

Friday I was home so I took the kids to a Halloween party.  More to come on that when I can download the pictures.  Then Friday evening we had some football players over for dinner.  And on Friday night I went to a women's event at church while the kids entertained the players.

On my workdays I usually leave around 6:00 am and sometimes I don't get home until 8:00 pm so I've had very little time to resolve the computer issue.  This week is a little slower so hopefully I can get the computer situation figured out so I can get back to regular posts of the children.  I know the grandparents are dying in anticipation.

Game #7

This weekend the Pioneers took on #6 Ashland.  A friend graciously watched Sawyer and Nora during the game so I actually got to watch the entire game.  It was a night game and it was a little chilly so the wives sat in the press box snacking and chatting.  I forgot how fun it was to actually watch a game.  Ashland was a very good team, but the Pioneers played tough.  There were many moments of success but in the end Ashland wore us down and won the game 31-7.

Sorry no pictures.  I took advantage of having no kids...meaning I didn't lug the stroller, camera, blankets, bags, toys, etc. Just me and my snacks and no one really wants to see pictures of that anyway.

And in other news I think our computer crashed.  So this blog may grind to a screeching halt.  I'm writing this on Kyle's laptop but I can't download pictures on it...no pictures=no blogging.  Hopefully we're back up and running soon.  Anyone know a good Apple technician?

Tuckered Out

Someone had a little too much fun at dinner. She wore herself out trying to get that messy spaghetti in her mouth.

Healthy Eating

I've admitted my fabric addiction to you, but I have another addiction that is far worse and I decided it was time to fix the problem.  I am addicted to sugar!  I was too the point that I needed some form of sweet after every meal (including breakfast) and right before bed.  So I decided it was time to end the addiction with a sugar detox (including all forms of sugar even artificial sweeteners).  It was a three week program that I read about online.  There is a book, but I didn't purchase it.  I just read labels and and ate mostly non-processed foods.  I'm not going to lie it was HARD! There were a few times I broke down after a hard morning with the kids (think a big glass of chocolate milk) but I would hop right back on the wagon and keep pushing myself.  In the end I learned several things:

1) I do not have to have sweet snacks multiple times a day
2) I eat sweets when I'm bored or to make me "feel" better (which doesn't really work)
3) vegetables can be sweet (I learned I really like mini sweet peppers)
4) real food is much  more satisfying than sweets
5) I always thought fruits and veggies just took more time to prepare but that's not true in reality, it's just about your priorities

I'm sure I will always have a sweet tooth, but this lesson has taught me to keep it in moderation.  I also used several new-to-me recipes.  Some were great successes and others were epic fails.

Kale Chips (smitten kitchen)
bunch of Kale (cut out stem and middle), toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil, lay flat on baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Bake 300 degrees for 20 minutes.  These were super tasty (I was very skeptical)! My first batch was overly salty.  I salted them like a potato chip but these chips are much thinner so just use a little salt.

Sugar Free PB cookies...these were horrible.  Tasted like you were eating a shoe.

Chicken Fried Rice (Better Homes and Gardens) I added lots of peas and carrots to this recipe as well to get in our veggy intake

Chicken Rice Bake (Tasty Kitchen)

Great Northern White Bean Chili (Meatless Monday)

None of these recipes are new or earth shattering but I found them delicious (and the kids ate them which is another requirement to enter menu rotation) and they are mostly healthy!

fall fashion

I love little girl clothes and it's always fun when the seasons change because that means I get to look through her closet for different/"new" clothes.  And as the weather cools I have been enjoying dressing my cutie pie in these cooler weather clothes!

jeggings on little ones kill me every time!

a look into the future...a teenage girl out and about with her phone by her side

Like Father Like Daughter

Someone likes carrying around Mt. Dew just as much as Daddy

Thankfully she has not yet tasted the "nectar of the gods"

poor thing never had a chance...I know she would guzzle it with a smile...someday baby, just ask your daddy really nice and I'm sure he'll give in to that cute face

Game #6

Today we made the trip to attend our 1st road trip of the season (actually the 1st road trip in 2 seasons). Malone took on Lake Erie.  The game was back and forth they started strong, we came back and took the lead and then Lake Erie took control and won the game 24-35.  The kids spent the game getting dirty and eating snacks.

Sawyer got an extra special treat, he rode home on the bus with daddy! And because he went home with daddy I got to stop at Trader Joe's.  A win-win situation for everyone.

look at that mohawk

Sawyer trying to tackle a kid twice his size...he is very determined

1st of many bus rides

Apple Picking

We recently had our 1st apple picking experience.  Our play group visited a local orchard.  Sawyer had a great time picking apples and putting them in the bag. Nora enjoyed picking up the rotten apples off the ground and taking a bite. Check out the fun!

We didn't pick a ton because well that would just be overwhelming to me.  We ate a bunch but we also used about 20 to make crockpot applesauce.  It is delicious and super easy (even I can do it).

Fall Mantel

Truth be told I did not wait for the official fall date to decorate my house with a plethora of golds, oranges, greens, and reds.  It's been this way since the beginning of September and I still love it.

On the chalkboard I hung up my argyle burlap wreath with a mini burlap bunting that says "fall" I kept some of the things that are always up there like the candlesticks, but I interspersed some fall fun with a green leaf plate, embroidery hoop with orange fabric, an "S" adorned with a fall paisley print and some shiny pumpkins (found on clearance after last fall)

And on the door is this fun little number I whipped up the other day.

Game #5

The game was ugly and it was cold.  The final score was 34-7 in favor of Walsh not Malone.  Not much else to say except it was brutal to watch and the kids were fussy. This was Nora's first time wearing a heavy coat and she had trouble adjusting to the extra weight. On a positive note Sawyer loved his mittens.

This is how she looked 1/2 the game because the hat was a little too big

snacking

Even though it was a tough game Daddy couldn't resist Sawyer's request to play football on the field