Happy Halloween

Can I freeze them like this forever?

We went to funny little pumpkin patch last week with some friends. It was great company. I couldn't help but feel like we were missing something when we noticed that the "patch" was a bunch of boxes full of pumpkins to choose from (much like the boxes of pumpkins in front of Walmart). We felt a little nostalgic for Iowa and the Solan pumpkin patch and Wilson's pumpkin patch where you can actually pluck your pumpkin from a vine. To make up for our nostalga we went to dinner at Culvers, our favorite Iowa hamburger place, and got Austin his first ever ice cream with crunch bar topping. It was on e of those perfect afternoons.

Practicing for those first steps - we're waiting patienly; he's getting close
Austin and his buddy Josh

Landon and his buddy Dallin


The giant straw slide

ummm?... who's having more fun?!

Soccer

Well, it's the end of an era. Not really, but I feel like it. We've been in soccer for the past 2 1/2 months and seriously, it's time for a break from sports. Can't complain too much - the kids loved it. I'm just happy to not have to be eating dinner at 7:30 four nights a week (the worst part, actually, is cleaning it all up after the kids are in bed)

Landon's already talking about football, hockey, and baseball. Austin wants to do T-ball and soccer again in the spring. I'm saying pick one a season and call it good. Boys need sports, though. The kids really have developed a little more confidence and even Landon's school teacher mentioned that she thought soccer was good for him. So you'll see us out on the field again soon, I'm sure...

Ahhh.... Milk

We are all enjoying a little more variety in our diet around here. Austin, especially. The news that he had outgrown hi milk allergy couldn't have come at a better time. This week we've had two pizza parties for soccer and we have another one tomorrow for primary.

We wanted to start him on milk slowly, but how can you argue with a kid that says, "the doctor told me I could have milk." So after the first pizza party and four pieces of cheese pizza we watched Austin closely for some sign of lactose intolerance. When there were no stomach-aches we let him dig in. Now I can cook all those things I've been wanting to but couldn't (Zac is doing fine with milk now too!!). Like this:

Butternut Squash Soup

2 TBS butter

1 small onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 medium carrot, chopped

2 medium potatoes, cubed

1 medium butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cubed (hint: microwave for 2 minutes to make cutting easier)

1 qt. chicken stock

1 pt. heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste

Kendra's addition: 1 TBS Italian seasoning and 5 shots Tabassco (gives it the tiniest kick) and two bay leaves

Melt the butter in a large pot, and cook the onion, celery, carrot, potatoes, and squash 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Pour in chicken stock and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 40 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.

Remove bay leaves. Transfer the soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. Return to pot, and mix in cream to attain desired consistency. Season with more salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread or salty crackers.

Hip Hip HOORAY

The official results are in - Austin has outgrown his allergies to eggs and milk!

I wish I could have videod his reaction when the doctor told us he wasn't allergic to them anymore. His face LITERALLY lit up and his expression was so joyful. He immidately wanted to go home for "scrambled eggs and Cheetos" and then he said, "umm, I hope I like them" Austin has been through so much in his short little life. Finally, we can cross two worries off the list. We still have to be careful with milk for a while to make sure he hasn't developed a lactose intollerance. We can curb that, though if we move slowly. So far, no stomach-aches after a few Dorritos and a bite of cheese and crackers (he doesn't like cheese - imagine that!)

He is still allergic to nuts and we found out he is VERY reactive to ragweed. Luckily, we wont have to worry about ragweed, though, until next August when the pollen is high again. Austin doesn't care about that, he's just happy he can have snacks at school and Cheetos.

Good for What Ailes Ya

This weekend was an adventure to say the least... We had SO MUCH FUN! All the peeps out there who thought I was crazy for taking my three kiddos on an eight and a half hour (10 with stops) car ride to Grandma and Grandpas house should have had more faith. The kids were totally amazing. Not one problem (aside from the guy who flashed me*) happened on the car ride there or back. My kids are world class travelors.

Seeing Grandmas and Grandpas definitely cures all the ailes of the world - at least until you get home!

We spent one morning picking out Halloween costumes and slathering the kids with tattoos at the shop my mom is managing this season. FUN! The kids loved it. You can see how much they liked their tattoos. Landon wanted to make sure his were in the picture. Shout out to Mom: You've done an awesome job with the store and we all LOVE our costumes. Thanks

We woke up to eight inches of snow on Sunday morning. Who would've thought October 12 - the first snow of the season and a big one. The kids bundled in their JACKETS (no coats - did I think it would snow? of course not) and put socks on their hands and went sledding in my parents back yard. Austin, especially, would not rest until he got to go sledding. No pictures, where was I?! Oh yeah taking a break...

yes, even I got a break so THANK YOU Sasha and Alina, for playing with the boys constently; we're having withdrawls right now. (by the way I even got to get my hair cut which I've needed since we moved to Colorado so Mom, Dad and girls - THANK YOU for taking care of the rascals)

We spent time with this macho stud that I love. My bro. Jay-ed (that's how Austin pronounces his name: Jared). He is such a cutie and Stephanie is really awesome too. Thanks for coming back on Sunday to spend some time with us. It's just not the same without you guys.

Celebrating Alinskas birthday was fun too. Happy Birthday 11 year old. We love ya! A good excuse to see everyone. Grandma Meier (MY grandma, I can't wait until November when you and Grandpa will be here!), Kim (my favorite aunt - at least that's what she tells me I always say yes! You know I love them all, Kim!!), and the rest of the family, along with Cameron's parents. Good food, good conversation, fun games, memories

Grandma and Grandpa Perigo even got to come to dinner on Sunday. They played ball after dinner and then we all played a HILLARIOUS game - the Dictionary Game; if you haven't heard of it google it - it's perfect for a crowd and oh so funny...

I love being back home. I think Landon put it best when he told me Friday morning, "I love it here. I can do whatever I want. I feel so... FREE..." Yeah, Landon me too.

*I pulled over to let Austin go "potty" on the side of the road and after he was buckled up I started to make a u-turn to get back on the freeway. I hadn't noticed another car full of grungy men had pulled over as well, obviously for the same reason. As I did my 4-point turn to turn around I had to watch one of the guys peeing right in front of me. Not that I wanted to watch; he was standing right in my line of vision. Gross!

{insert Happy Anniversary song here}

Where we started: Prom 1997 - our first "real" date

8: number of years we've been married (Oct. 4, 2008)

7 1/2: number of years spent in school

7: number of vehicles we've owned (including the Bronco Cam sold to buy my wedding ring and the motorcycle he bought and sold as an "investment")

6: number of homes we've lived in (3 apts. 2 houses, 1 condo)

5: number of times Cameron made the trip from Iowa to Utah or Utah to Iowa without us (8 is the number of times we've done it as a family)

4: number of times Cameron has had to leave for an extended period of time (Air Force Officer training, study abroad program in Germany, 2 weeks in Iowa while I stayed in Utah to have a baby, dental school externship - all in all estimated WEEKS spent apart (including trips back home to Utah without Cameron - 20 weeks)

3: number of beautiful boys we have and the number of states we've lived in

2: number of years until we've been married TEN years

1: number of "slogans" we've adopted: "theese are harrrrd times" (original, eh? ha ha) When we say this to each other we mean, "things will get better" And they have. It just gets better and better all the time.

Last night we celebrated our Anniversary at the MELTING POT - which is worth every penny. Awesome, quiet atmosphere, yummy food, and a chance to be just the two of us. Today we spent the day at the Air Force vs. Navy football game and came home to home-made Cafe Rio pork salads with friends. I couldn't ask for a better husband. I'm so glad we've been together for EIGHT years! Can't wait to see what the next 8 will bring...

I heart Fall

One of the reasons I love fall is because seeing pumpkins around reminds me that this is the beginning of the holiday season.

I'm happy that school is in full swing. I volunteer at Landon's school twice a month and it is so fun to see him in his element. He's like a little man. {Landon was most happy on Field Day that his class got to wear blue shirts and not purple or orange like the other classes!}

Hats! I love when it's not cold enough for coats but perfect for a hat to take that little chill off.

I love this time of year because the food is so yummy. We love pumpkin EVERYTHING! We also love all the soups. Something warm in the oven just makes the house feel cozy.

This is the perfect time of year to spend weekends with the family. The leaves are changing and the crowds have died down. We love hiking, driving through the mountains, just playing outside.

Apple picking is a tradition for us. This year the "local" orchard had a late freeze an lost all their apples. So we opted for berry picking instead. One great thing about Happy Apple Orchard is there apple-smoked bbq brisket sandwiches - YUMMM! (I know, again with the food but this is the only time of year we get so...)

This is the view of Royal Gorge. When we got there and found out we had to pay 20.00 a person to DRIVE over the bridge we decided to spend the money on a train ride over instead. We haven't had the time to do it yet but we will. This is the perfect time of year because the mountains really are beautiful right now. The kids can't wait to drive over the "big big bridge" on a train.