This Is It

This is the only picture I have from our trip to Phoenix! I can't believe that I didn't take more pictures. The kids had so much fun playing and we had so much fun hanging out. We were so busy the entire time that I really didn't think about pulling out the camera much. I wish I had because I already miss everybody so much!!!!

The Model

I entered Suki into the Parenting modeling contest today since I think she's the most beautiful girl I assume everyone else would think that too ;). I haven't entered one of these in a long time (I entered her into more contests the first years of her life than I can remember) and I know that the chances are slim but I thought I'd share anyway. If you have a spare minute you can click on this link and vote for her :)

Vote for me in this contest!

Contest details

Halloween

We went up to my brother's house in Appleton, Wisconsin for Halloween this year and the kids had so much fun. Suki was so excited to dress up and she really go into the trick-or-treating. She thought it was so cool that you just knock on someone's door and they give you candy! By the end she was literally screaming TRICK OR TREAT at them because she was so excited. She got lots of candy, a box of cereal, a toy bug and some fake tattoos. Max hated the headpiece to his costume so he only wore it for a short time...maybe next year. Sydney was sick so she didn't get to dress up or go out with the kids (poor thing!) and Paige was such a good sport collecting candy for her. It was a good weekend!

Apple Butter

Last week my mom came in town for Max's first birthday and we did all sorts of fun things. We celebrated Max's birthday at Lou Malnati's with deep dish pizza and ice cream. I think that's a pretty good way to spend a birthday! Than the next day, my mom and I took the kids to an apple orchard to pick apples and have some fun on the farm. I had no idea what to expect and since we drove all the way to Indiana I was hoping it would be good...well, I was NOT dissappointed. This was by far one of the coolest things we've done all year! Suki had so much fun feeding the goats and picking apples. We picked tons (fuji's, golden delicious, and suncrisps) so when I got home I looked up some apple recipes and decided to make apple butter. It was delicious and made my whole house smell so yummy(pictures and recipe follow)! My mom was also so nice to watch the kids one night for us while me and Carlos went out for some much needed adult time. We have not had a sitter since we moved so we were pretty excited! Thanks again mom!

Apple Butter Recipe

Apples (enough to completely fill crock pot)

1/2 cup vinegar

2 cups white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

dash of nutmeg

1. Peel, core and slice apples to fill a crock pot so full that the lid just barely sits on top

2. Add vinegar and cook on low for 12 hours (I did this overnight)

3. Add remaining ingredients

4. Blend together using hand held or conventional blender

5. Cook on low for another 3 hours

6. Seal in jars (I had 2 1/2 pints when finished).

Enjoy!