Hee Haw's Pumpkin Patch

Do you go to a pumpkin patch in the fall? We like to go to a local farm turned destination pumpkin patch. I like it because it still feels like an old farm, a little dirty, a few old junky pieces of machinery around (a perfect "Mater") and lots of stuff just thrown around.

We rode the animal train.



We rode the trick-or-treat hay ride.

We picked a few sweet pumpkins for our Annual Pumpkin Carving Party. (Check out last year's here.)
We played on the grain sack slide.

And a few of us tried the corn maze, well, we all started, and a few of us (the ones prone to fits of tears, which may or may not include me) went back to the van to eat our spoils.

Cascade Springs

One beautiful mountains just a hop, skip and a jump away, we always have to go for a few beautiful fall drives. This year we made it clear to Cascade Springs. I think we got there a week or two early though.



Which is not to say it wasn't beautiful, or that we didn't have fun, or that it wasn't an adventure.

The kids insisted on bringing their hiking backpacks.

They had fun; so did we.



We ended with a little adventure, wherein Daddy saved the day!

Christmas Scenes Around our House

Come on in.

Our new tree decorations I've been collecting at after Christmas sales for a few years.


I finally finished Andrew's stocking. Now where is Charity's?

Our second tree (first time with two trees!) with all the good old standby ornaments that are a tradition.

Pumpkin Muffins

It's time for the pumpkin recipes to start flowing. Here's my first one of the season. Very easy and tasty!

Pumpkin Muffins
Adapted from the American club, in Kohler, Wisconsin via Gourmet Magazine

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin (from a 15 ounce can)
1/3 cup vegetable oil*
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1 1/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar**
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Put oven in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Put liners in muffin cups.

Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined.

Stir together cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in another bowl.

Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about three-fourths full), then sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Bake until puffed and golden brown and wooden pick or skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Cool in pan on a rack five minutes, then transfer muffins from pan to rack and cool to warm or room temperature.

From Smitten Kitchen

MaLM - Dear Fall

In our family when someone is feeling down or grumpy or maybe even when they are happy, you'll occasionally hear the refrain of "let's all say something we like about _____." We all take turns and usually the person is beaming by the end.

Yesterday we went for a ride through American Fork Canyon to look at the fall leaves and we all took turns saying what we liked about fall. Here is how it went.

Dear Fall,

We love you so much. In fact, some of us like you best of all the seasons! We love (in no particular order) your
1. beautiful leaves
2. apple cider
3. pumpkin bread
4. our annual pumpkin carving party
5. Halloween!!!
6. Thanksgiving!!!
7. cool weather
8. walking along under the trees, wrapped in a warm jacket and crunching leaves
9. starting school
10. soccer
11. fall leaf drives
12. our annual Arches camping trip
13. any pumpkin food
14. BYU football
15. back yard fires complete with smores

Oh, we do love you fall. But would you be offended if one of the things we most loved about you is that we get to look forward to Christmas all through your sweet, crisp days? Because we do. Sorry.

Love, us

Spring Snow

Snow cones that is. I know spring is here when the snow cone machine comes out and the sign goes up.

P.S. This picture is obviously not from today; it's 2 weeks old. Today it really was all spring snowy, at least 4 inches!

Throwing Rocks

Andrew loves to throw rocks. It's in his blood. His dad taught him everything he knows. Our first visit to Thanksgiving Point this spring supplied ample opportunity.



He was a happy boy!

Dreaming of Spring

I'm daydreaming of spring today, flowers, pergolas, playing outside, warm feet. Oh, spring, please come soon!

My Job at Arches

Last weekend we joined Matt's parents and brother's family at Arches for the yearly tribute to sandstone. We camped at Arches in the Devil's Garden Campground. During one hike, we stopped to eat lunch. We found a fairly level area that was big enough for all 14 of us to sit down, and the kids to walk around and get out the hiking blahs. It was a relatively safe area, i.e. there were no cliffs within 15 feet or so.

As we ate, I repeatedly would say to Matt (who was sitting close to the edge) "Andrew's coming over there" or "watch Andrew" or "could you hold onto him?". Matt repeatedly would oblige, but would say "It really isn't that scary" or "it isn't that steep".
Mike and Shell at our lunch site

In a moment of exasperation, I firmly told Matt "It is my job to keep the kids from falling off a cliff and dying." He laughed and agreed, more or less.

The kids all came home safe (with a few new scabs and bruises, mostly obtained in our own campground). They all had a lovely time. Dawn even voiced the opinion that she wished we could live in Arches.

My nerves also came home intact. I've accepted my job as safety monitor. It's natural, and I like it. And Matt can focus on his job, to make sure the kids have a wonderful time, learn to love hiking (especially among sandstone fins) and to ruin their clothes.

Balance in marriage is a wonderful thing.






The Pajama Snot Gang



Read Matt's take on our hiking here.

It's the most wonderful season of all

For me, the most wonderful season of all is always the coming one. That means autumn. Fall is so warm and inviting. It is beautiful and fleeting beauty.
It's plenty.
It's spiced cider.
It's jackets and socks.
It's fires and smores.
It's thankful times and family comfort.
I love it!