Knives and Flames

We take pumpkin carving very seriously around here.

Everyone gets there hands dirty (well not me, Ty, Austin or Brodie)

Lucky for Tanner who was DYING to try pumpkin seeds my mom came over to help work on that

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww..... gross. But he loves it!

Leave it to Eric to find the joy that night in lighting the candle. "It sounds like a blow torch" was exactly what he said.

Everyone gather round.

This part is very intense.

Success! Two smiling pumpkins for four excited boys.

Pumpkin carving is not my favorite thing, but I am grateful for my husband and my mom who are willing to get there hands dirty and get it done, as are my kids. 

PPPP-Pumpkins

October is FULL of family traditions and places to go. So back in the car we go to head up to Bishop's Pumpkin farm, to see the goats, I mean get a pumpkin. But also to see the goats. Did you know my kids like goats? We should just rename October the month to go see the goats.

Here we have Tanner, with the goats.

Tyler, hanging out with a baby goat. Notice the little one in the back. The human, not the goat.

Brodie, not so much into the goats yet, but I give it a year until he is converted.

Oh there he is, the child, not the goat. Check out Austin brushing the goat. At least he is making himself useful.

Thumbs up is right. Okay, we can go home now. Oh wait, we are here for the pumpkins, I forgot.

First, a ride on the train.

Again, sooo, sooo happy.

Then onto the wagon to go out to the fields. Ty had this weird thing going on with his smile... but capture who they are right and don't try to change them. That is so flipping hard for me as a photographer, but I am letting go... trying to.

The bummer was all the pumpkins were yucky. I am guessing it is because of the random weather we had this year. I heard a lot of crops didn't work out because of it. So as long as we were all the way out in the field waiting for the tractor to come back and get us I had some fun with my camera.

The sun was setting and I love love sunsets and the light then.

The boys had fun running in the fields

Brodie was a little overwhelmed at the size of some of the plants.

Austin continued to point out his favorite... over and over (always changing)

And while we didn't get a pumpkin the trip was still just as fun. The goats, the train, the hay ride, the fields, the goats, oh wait I already said that. It was just great. We topped the night off with a bite at Costa-Vita, one of Eric's new favs. So fun, love our October traditions.

Austin's Pumpkin Day

Austin has gone with his older brother's to the pumpkin farm with their preschool class for a few years now, but this year, it was his turn! He was just a little excited. I was actually afraid he was going to hurt his face he was smiling so big.

We always start out the trip with an exciting ride on the tractor around the farm. He was feeling cool.

And guess what came next.... wait for it..... goats. Big surprise that this kid loves goats too. It must be a Lawrence thing.

CORN!! I personally hate this particular corn maze. There is nothing exciting about it. It is literally straight rows one after another and it is about 8 rows to long. But he loved it.

Oh yeah, Brodie was along for the ride too. He loved the giant hay stack. I love how happy my kids are.

Just a few more years for Brodie's turn to do it with his own class. But for now, he is happy to tag along.

Such a fun morning with my two little ones.  Such fun to see their smiling faces.  Let the holiday seasons begin!

Apple Hill Baby

Apple Hill is an annual tradition that is LOVED by all in our family.  I think it is for most people here in this area, but never the less it is special for us for sure.  Each year is different yet the same but always full of amazing memories.

 

  

Feeding the goats is a must.  Each boy always seems to find a goat they like the best and they make sure that goat gets plenty to eat.

 

Even Brodie got in on the action!

 Cows?!? Sure why not. 

 Pure happiness!

 Who's kids are those?

 Oh no, there's more!! Run!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is up with the sideways photo?  Anyway, he stayed on this plane for about 20 minutes.  Couldn't get the little pilot to get off :)

 Finally the boys joined him and the whole crew was off.

 Change of pace....

 Turn your neck again.... ohhh, how cute.  We always end the day at the fish pond.  A huge highlight.

 Brodie enjoyed the pond while sharing Eric's chocolate apple.  That kid can't get enough sweets. 

 Cheese!

 All the boys feeding the fish. 

 What a good looking bunch... even from the side.

 Pose...

 Sky high.  Can you tell he is having a good time?

What a perfect day!  Until next year apple hill.... we will be thinking of you.  Thanks for another year full of fun.

Lemon Blossoms and Is It Really Better Than Sex? Cake

I was laughing as I saw my last few posts today. A little hypocritical don't cha think? HA
It goes fitness/working out, desserts, fitness/working out, desserts, anyone else see the problem with the pattern? But that is my life right now, so why break the trend?

Last weekend I made TWO desserts because my mom needed one for a get together the following week and I didn't want to give her a dessert I hadn't tried before, so we used Sunday night as our taster night. I highly preferred one over the other, but again, I am not a great one to rate desserts, I just like to make them. Gosh- I am sounding weirder and weirder the more I write. Well on to the good stuff.


First up, Lemon Blossoms from my girl Paula Deen. Paula just knows how to make a good, not even a little bit healthy for you food of any kind. We share a love for butter. Butter makes everything better. Since these are chocolate free I can honestly say I really did enjoy them. I considered making full size cupcakes, but in the end went for the minis and I am so glad I did. Bite size is good because I don't feel ask guilty popping 6 into my mouth when I can do it in one bite. I think it would be a bit more socially awkward to be eating the same amount in full size. That's like what... 3 cupcakes regular size. Yup, something about 6 minis just seems more doable. Correction, 6 minis are do-able, I can confirm that from experience.


Just to keep in line with the fresh summer theme I grabbed another one of Ms. Deen's desserts. I went full cake on this one, no bite size fun for me. The name cracks me up because I can just see her saying it on her TV show in her long southern drawl that she does so perfectly. Is it really better than sex? cake was super simple to make and looked pretty too. We renamed it 'Is it really better than other cakes? cake, but still had all the same good stuff in it. The family really liked this one too. Personally it wasn't my favorite flavor combo, but I liked how light it was.

By the end of the night everyone was full and happy. But the dessert picked for my parents event the next night was the lemon blossoms. Either way, they both were great summer night desserts. Two thumbs up for Paula Deen!

Lemon Blossoms

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients

• 18 1/2-ounce package yellow cake mix
• 3 1/2-ounce package instant lemon pudding mix
• 4 large eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil

Glaze:

• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 lemon, zested
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray miniature muffin tins with vegetable oil cooking spray. Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs and oil and blend well with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour a small amount of batter, filling each muffin tin half way. Bake for 12 minutes. Turn out onto a tea towel

To make the glaze, sift the sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, zest, oil, and 3 tablespoons water. Mix with a spoon until smooth.

With fingers, dip the cupcakes into the glaze while they're still warm, covering as much of the cake as possible, or spoon the glaze over the warm cupcakes, turning them to completely coat. Place on wire racks with waxed paper underneath to catch any drips. Let the glaze set thoroughly, about 1 hour, before storing in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Is It Really Better Than Sex? Cake

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare
• 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 1 (3.4-ounce) box French vanilla pudding, plus ingredients to prepare
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup flaked, sweetened toasted coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Prepare yellow cake mix as directed using a greased 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. While cake is baking, combine the pineapple and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Remove cake from oven and using a fork, pierce holes into cake. Pour pineapple mixture over hot cake and set aside.

Prepare pudding according to package directions. Spread pudding over cake and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Whip heavy cream and remaining sugar until stiff. Cover top of cake with whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.