In August, Matt and I took a getaway to Virginia Beach. This is us with King Neptune.  Lynn and Evelyn came to hang-out with the kids.

We had a great time, eating out, sleeping in, riding bikes on the boardwalk, napping on the beach, eating gourmet popcorn, and sunburning:/. There was also a surfing competition going on too, so the crowds were fun. It was so great to have that time together- we really needed it!! We are hoping to do it more often. Thanks Lynn and Evelyn!

Too cute?

For the last few weeks Charlotte has wanted every. single. small stuffed animal arranged on her bed.  First, she must layer the bed with random, old comforters and other blankets. So that it's soft for her pals.  She really does enjoy situating her dolls- then taking their pictures:)  Haha.  Then at bedtime- all the dolls and THEIR beds must come off the bed- thing is... she still wants them close.  All along the sides of the bed.ugh!  There is basically NO ROOM to get around her bed (on the other side of her bed is the closets. Olivia reminds me of this every morning : l )   I am really sort of hoping this is a short lived phase.

Grant turns 8!

A few nights ago we celebrated our sweet Grant's 8th birthday.  WOW! Time really does fly.  It really does seem like just a few days ago when we welcomed a 10 pound roly-poly baby boy into our family. What a sweet boy he is! Though he is one of the most thoughtful little boys I've ever known, he is the first to call our attention to any injustice or unkindness that he witnesses.  Grant is in 2nd grade and loves his teacher Mrs. Leake.   I was able to go on a field trip with his class a few weeks ago, and was able to see him really interact with his classmates as well as the people running the tours on the field trip.  How shocked was I to see him raise his hand to answer EVERY question.... most of them correctly:) proud moment:)  Especially since his momma would have NEVER-EVER had the guts to answer any question in class or anywhere else-EVER.  What a great boy.  We are so lucky!

halloween!

Happy Halloween!  This year we had a Construction worker, Witch, Vampire/thief ;) & a zombie (yes I know it's gross- that's the point)    We also had way too much candy- bellyaches abounded

Eggrolls

Last Saturday & Sunday was General Conference.  Knowing this, I went on the look out for some snack ideas...(usually I just stop by Sam's and get  ton's some pre-made frozen snacks. But then saw a eggroll recipe on a favorite food blog.  Simple.  I LOVE eggrolls. My girls really do.  But I really don't enjoy the frying. It stinks up the whole house.  So a  few times a year I break out the fryer and give it a try. I've done a few different versions in the past. They are always pretty good. But never great.  Not really worth the effort or stinky house and mess.  These really were the best ones so far.  I had helper during the prep and rolling. We were snacking on the filling all the while- note to self-YUM!  I've never seen kids  inhale eat cabbage like this. Ever.  It really would be delish over rice or not- just in a bowl. So healthy!  So here is the recipe:

Eggrolls

1 bag of coleslaw mix
Cooked, chopped chicken- I think I used a few tenderloins
Soy Sauce, garlic powder and ginger.  I didn't measure anything just kind of threw it in.  Saute until wilted.
Eggroll wrappers




Place about a 1/4 cup filling on the diagonal wrapper. It really depends on how thick you want them.  Place bottom corner on fillings. Tuck under. Fold over side corners to just about meet in the center. Then roll up. Dip finger in water and seal it closed.  Heat oil in fryer to 350 degrees. Fry a few at a time. Do not crowd them. They will not like it.  Maybe 3 minutes each. Cool on paper towels.  Serve with duck sauce and or sweet chili sauce.

Birthday Girl

Charlotte had her birthday recently- she is 6 years old!  I really can't believe our velvety haired baby girl is 6! I pick her up and her feet reach past my knees!!!  Charlotte is such a sweet-funny-clever little gal!  She is always cracking us up. Anyway, she had been planning her birthday festivities for quite. When I say festivities I mean food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were to be her choice. And it was also a school day- bummer. For breakfast she chose my homemade biscuits, eggs and sausage, and juice. Charlotte didn't vary to much for lunch- she really is just crackers and fruit kind of girl. With cupcakes for her class. She had all kinds of idea's for din-din- and changed her mind everyday. multiple times.- pizza? Chinese? subway? (yes subway is in it's own category) or go out?  In the end she chose pizza, so Dad picked some up on his way home from work- Thank you Dad!:)  Her cake was also her brain-child. A few days before her day- she saw that I had picked up a few cake mixes. And she BURST into tears because it wasn't what she had want for HER cake. Why do kids get sooo demanding around b-day's?  So it ended up being chocolate cake- plain- no icing- mint chocolate chip ice cream on the side- a glob of real whipped cream on top- with a peppermint patty stuck into it. WHOA mint! Belly-aches abounded that night:(  She had a great day- thanks Grandma & Nana! Next in line is Mr. Grant! The big 8!

Apple picking!

When it starts to get cool outside we get the itch to go apple picking.  This year we had to minus one kid.  Since the earthquake, Dean has school every other Saturday.  It did seem strange to do something like this without him... but it really was the perfect day to go. I was really needing to get out of the house, and the weather was perfect for it.  So we made the drive out to Charlottesville (right near Monticello) to Carters Mountain Orchard.  It is a really pretty spot over looking Charlottesville.  Usually when we make the trip we stop over at Michie Tavern- a delightful spot for some of the best fried chicken around,and really any kind of simple comfort food you could want.  Everyone there is in colonial garb and the food. is. so. good.   Afterwards we normally waddle over to the country store/gift shop. (were were we buy candy for the ride home:)  This time however we limited ourselves to apple picking.  In years past, there have been enormous crowds, but thank goodness we came early enough in the year to miss the mobs.  We got a couple of bags to carry our load and made our way to the Jonagold section.  We did need to go a ways down the rows to get to the fruit, but once we did we hit the mother load.  The kids really could've picked all day. At first I wished we had gotten more bags, but by the time we got back to the register, we had 30lbs!  I really hadn't thought we had got that much (Matt was carrying to bags)  We really do enjoy this little tradition, but I will admit the high light of Carter's Mountain is the warm apple donuts they make. When its really chilly we get warm apple cider to go along with it. It is all so yummy the kids start asking out the apple donuts as soon as we get out of the car. All and all it was a delightful afternoon- with the promise of MANY apple treats on the way:)