Hayride

We have been meaning to go for a hayride at the big red barn in Santaquin all week. Today is our last full day in Utah so we decided we had better go. We climbed onto the trailer and the "Big Green Tractor" pulled us through the orchards.

It was supposed to be warmer today than it has been, but it wasn't. It was FRIGID! We were soooo cold! I had baby Zac inside his snowsuit and inside my jacket. I looked like I was fully pregnant again.

You know it's cold outside if Ty is bundled up. He never wears a coat!

Here I am hoping we survive the elements and make it back to the barn for some hot chocolate!

The tractor took us to the pumpkin patch and because today is the day before Halloween all of the pumpkins were free! We quickly picked out some potential jack-o-lanterns and got back onto the trailer and under our blankets! We made it back to the barn and asked Max and Mia if they wanted a warm drink. They didn't. They both wanted ice cream!
After our hayride adventure we came home and ate lunch in front of the fireplace. Ty picked up some Taco Time for us. How we miss Taco Time and their deep fried bean burritos in Tennessee!

3 Amigos

(Jose, Ty, and Dustin)
Ty served his mission in Lima, Peru. He met wonderful people and ate lots of delicious food. Last night we went to a Peruvian restaurant with some of Ty's mission companions. (Dustin brought his amazing wife, Caren, so I was not the only lady)
We had a great time and Ty got to catch up with everyone. I had some seriously delish Pollo a la Brasa. Can't wait until we can do it again!

A Cold Date with Ty!

Today Ty and I were able to leave the kids with the grandparents for a few hours. We took the horses out for a nice ride through the cherry orchards. It was freezing! Besides the cold we had a great time. I was a little nervous about the whole thing because it has been years since I have been on a horse, but my Father in law put me on his oldest horse (116 human years old!) and I had no problems!

(I know it looks like this horse is missing it's head, but every time we stopped it would bend it's head down and start to eat the grass.)

Dinosaurs!

We were pretty excited for our day out in Provo. We met up with Ty's parents at the BYU Creamery on Ninth for lunch. We had cheeseburgers and fries. I hold a special place in my heart for the creamery because I worked there while I went to college at BYU and it is still my most favorite job ever. I told Max that I had worked there and I think he was very confused.
After lunch we went to the Paleontology Museum on campus.

Max is a HUGE dinosaur fan so he was really looking forward to this stop. We got to see all sorts of bones and fossils. Max's favorite was the brontosaurus.

Mia has no fear and tested the sharpness level of the T-Rex's teeth, even though the signs said not to touch. Nothing fell off or broke, so I guess it was okay!
After the museum we visited some friends and shopped at our favorite Provo stores.
When the kids were tired of Provo we came home and ate homeade caramels and toffee until we were sick.
We are very much enjoying our little Utah vacation!

Zac is 5...

weeks old today! Such a little lump of love.

Hogle Zoo!

We got to spend the day at Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City with both sets of grandparents. Having 6 adults to 3 kids makes for one happy day!

It was a perfect day to visit the zoo. It was cold enough that we needed to be pretty bundled, but not so cold that we couldn't stand to be outside. The zoo was not too crowded and it was great to take our time at each exhibit.

Right from the start Max was asking to see the tigers. We finally made it to see this big guy. He kept growling and it was totally creeping me out. I was sure he was going to get out and we were going to have to run for our lives. He stayed put though. We made it home safely :)

We are in Cougar Country so it was only appropriate to see a cougar. Go BYU! (even though you lost really badly on Saturday night we still love you!)

Max and Mia took a ride on the carousel. Max chose a gorilla and Mia picked out a zebra.

Max and Mia with Grandma Newman

Babies were in abundance at the zoo today. Animals and humans alike, we are in Utah after all! This baby Elephant was the cutest! I had never seen an elephant so small. Elephants are pregnant for 22 months and their babies are between 200 and 250 pounds at birth!

Max, Mia, and Grandpa Sheffer get a good look at the little elephant

Mama and baby

The Giraffes are always a favorite

A Baby Giraffe made it all the more fun

It was great to be outside in the sunshine all day. Zac was so good! He stayed bundled up and warm and happy. After the zoo we had a late lunch at the Paradise Bakery and Cafe in Sugarhouse. It was very delicious and I ate a ton because I was starving after walking all day at the zoo!
I am so glad we got to take the kids to see all of the animals! It was a great day!

Little Buckaroos

We are having a fabulous time in Utah with Ty's family. This evening Ty's dad took the kids for a horse ride and they loved it! Max has been before when he was very small and when we were still living in Utah, but Mia had never been for a ride.

Max was first on the little brown horse. Her name is Belle and in human years she is 116 years old! A very gentle horse for my little riders.

Max had a blast. He took the reins like a real cowboy and shouted to Grandpa to make the horse go faster. Check out those gorgeous views! Utah is beautiful this time of year!

Mia got her turn for a ride. She loved it. She had a great big grin on her face the whole time. I am glad she is such a little cowgirl.

Baby Zack decided to wait until he can hold his head up before he takes up horse back riding.

Friday!

How did you spend the day? Mia spent the day as a butterfly, Max spent the day as Superman, Zackary spent the day as a baby, and I spent the day doing a little bit of everything.

I was able to get all of the packing and cleaning done. We should be able to wake up tomorrow and leave right away! I hope everyone has a great week. I leave you with one more pumpkin recipe before Halloween.

Pumpkin Bread
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil + 1/4 cup butter
1 cup pumpkin
1 2/3 cup flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. salt

Chocolate Chips and Nuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine butter and oil with the sugars and mix well. Add the eggs and the pumpkin.
3. Blend the dry ingredients together and add to the wet ingredients.
4. At this point you can add chocolate chips or nuts.
5. Pour batter into greased pans (we topped ours with some sprinkles and I think it really made them fabulous.
Bake for 30-40 minutes (depending on loaf size)

Wednesday!

It was a really beautiful day in Lawrenceburg. The kids and I found a really great playground and park where we could spend the morning.

It was great to be outside in the sunshine. Mia picked out her usual favorite place to be...the swings! Zackary stayed cozied up in his favorite place to be...in a blanket in my arms. How is it that babies totally know whether they are being held or not?

The fabulous playground

We stayed as long as we could until Max and Mia were way grumpy and in need of food. After lunch we headed out of town into Amish country and hit up some of the markets. It was a great day. We are headed back home tomorrow and will be getting ready for our trip to Utah this Saturday!

4 Weeks

Zackary is 4 weeks old today and weighing in at 10 pounds! I can't believe how quickly the month has gone and how many of his little newborn outfits no longer fit!
Zack loves music and singing. He has had a difficult time with colic and we have all been a bit frustrated, but singing to him always helps. Max and Mia are very willing to sing primary songs to him. It is a great help!

Looking Forward To:

A soccer game
Some pizza
A new episode of Gossip Girl
Hot chocolate
and some sleep :)

Magazines

Today I got the November issue of Food Network magazine. I was super excited to start looking at all of the great Thanksgiving recipes and planning my menu. Before too long Max and Mia joined me on the floor with issues of the Friend magazine. It was so cute!

Mia happens to be reading her magazine upside down, but that didn't seem to discourage her.

New Shoes!

Today I bought myself a new pair of jogging shoes! They have been on my wish list for a while. I found these on sale for 1/2 off and they rang up for an additional 15% off the sale price. I only paid $25! I am so excited to break them in on my treadmill. I went to the doctors today and I am down to the last 5 pounds of baby weight. I am hoping a little jogging will be just the thing. (That and finding the willpower not to eat the entire pan of pumpkin swirl brownies I just made!)

Quick Questionaire

1. Your cell phone? I am actually a land-line only girl. I like not being available all of the time.
   
2. Your hair? Long-ish and brownish
3. Your mother? One of my best friends
4. Your father? Would do anything for his family
5. Your favorite food? Fresh baked bread with butter and honey!
   
6. Your dream last night? I dreamed I got up 3 times with a cute little baby boy, oh wait....that was real!
   
7. Your favorite drink? Hot chocolate :)
   
8. Your dream/goal? To run a marathon
   
9. What room are you in? Living Room
   
10. Your hobby? Blogging, cooking, finding fun stuff for Ty & I to do with the kids
    
11. Your fear? Bugs
    
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? In our own house with a fabulous kitchen for fabulous parties and my own workspace for blogging!
    
13. Where were you last night? Lawrenceburg
    
14. Something you aren’t? A race car driver
    
15. Muffins? Mmm…I’ll take a scone instead. A pumpkin scone!
16. Wish list item? New jogging shoes and cute socks for winter
17. Where did you grow up? SoCal, baby!
18. Last thing you did? Drank some delish apple cider
19. What are you wearing? jeans and a black t-shirt
    
20. Your TV? Samsung 40 inches, thank you Ty
    
21. Your pets? None, But Mia just asked me for a blue kitty cat!
    
22. Your friends? The best!
23. Your life? Full of Love
    
24. Your mood? Happy
25. Missing someone? Not anymore!
    
26. Vehicle? Bright Yellow Nissan X-terra
    
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? Trader Joe's
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? A few minutes ago
31. Last time you cried? The day Zac was born - Happy Tears!
32. Your best friend? TY!
33. One place that you go over and over? The grocery store
    
34. One person who emails me regularly? Ty
35. Favorite place to eat? I don't eat out much, but I do love Starbucks for hot chocolate. Hurray for cooler weather!

Lawrenceburg

Ty is currently doing a clinical rotation at Crockett hospital in Lawrenceburg. Sunday after church we loaded the car full of clothes and kids and headed down to spend a few days with him. Sadly the weather has not been very cooperative. It has been rainy and cold since we got here, but we are still having fun! On Monday we got a new puzzle. Max mastered it quickly. We made binoculars out of toilet paper rolls and did some bird watching out the big front window. We made some awesome brownies, because what is any sort of vacation without chocolate? We played at the Mcdonalds playground and collected rocks.

Everyone is always glad when daddy comes home at the end of the day!

Tuesday morning we headed out for downtown Lawrenceburg to see the sites. I have to be honest there are not many of them, this is a VERY small town! We saw the Davy Crockett museum. I guess Davy Crockett lived here in Lawrenceburg for quite a while and almost everything in town in named after him! We visited the market and bought rootbeer flavored candy sticks and fresh apple cider.

There are many amish people in the area. Everywhere we went we saw their horses and buggies just going down the road with all of the cars! We will be heading back home to Nashville soon. It has been nice to leave all of the chores and business behind, but I am always ready to get back to everyday life. I know the kids are missing their toys and beds.
Zackary Update! Zac is 3 weeks old today! He has spent most of the trip cuddled up with me. At one point I tried to have him cuddle up with Max so I could have a shower. I ended up having a 2 minute shower and a screaming baby. Oh well! I will shower next year :)

Grandparents and Squishy new Babies

Our little Zackary is still a squishy little guy, but he is very loved! My parents were able to come out for a visit after Zac's arrival. Max and Mia were so spoiled and had so much fun with my mom and dad. They went to the park, they went shopping, went on walks, played in the sand, ran relay races, ate cookies, splashed in the tub, and made a few trips to Chuck E Cheese. I am so glad they had a chance to spend such a good amount of time with their grandparents. I was thrilled they were able to see Zac while he is so tiny and new!

Zac will be 3 weeks old on Tuesday. He continues to be extremely kissable and easily transportable.

I feel very blessed to have little Zackary, and to have Max and Mia as well. I am one very lucky mama.

Fall Breakfast

Once October rolls around I go a little pumpkin crazy. Ty and I always eat pumpkin pie over conference weekend in October. That seems to be the opener for pumpkin season at our house. I found this recipe for pumpkin pancakes at www.joythebaker.com. I highly recommend them!

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg

pinch of ground ginger

pinch of ground cloves

1 cup milk

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 egg

1/4 cup melted butter

Whisk together flours, salt, spices, sugar and baking powder in a medium sized bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, egg, pumpkin and melted butter.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined.

Cook in a hot skillet.

We ate our pancakes with cinnamon butter. I mixed some cinnamon sugar into softened butter and let it melt over the hot pancakes :)