Apple Spice Cake!

What to do oh what to do with all of these apples we have.....?!

This has been my dilemma over the past few weeks since our trees have produced tons of fruit.

Then I saw this Apple Spice Cake being made on the Martha Stewart Show and I had my answer!!



My Little Chef Paden!




























Warning: Do Not Try This At Home!

I once watched this person use parchment paper to pour all of their dry ingredients on and then pour into mixer. So I thought I would give it a try, anything to cut down on the amount of dishes I have to wash.


Hmm, maybe not such a good idea. Most of the flour ended up on the floor, stool, and all over Chef Paden.






Paden LOVES to bake. I think what he loves about it so much is being able to turn on the mixer all by himself!
Here he is putting the cut up apples and walnuts into the batter.









Enjoying all of his hard work.
Don't worry that spatula didn't go back into the bowl!












After we had the batter for the cake in the oven we started on the topping...caramel sauce!












And here's the finished product: Apple Spice Cake with Caramel Sauce. DELICIOUS!!

I highly recommend this recipe to anyone. The aroma and taste of this cake was incredible it reminded me of the fall season.
Yum Yum!

Two words that should NEVER go together.....

"You're Huge!"

I have already said this before but here we go again. What goes through someone else's mind to make them think that it is EVER okay to say that to another person. ????

Last Sunday I was minding my own business getting some things from the library when this woman came up to me and said those exact words followed by "are you sure there's only one baby in there?!"

Wow, what do I say to that? Thank you very much psychopath?!

Here's a funny quote that I totally agree with.

"The more pregnant I get, the more often strangers smile at me. Why?"

"Cause, you're fatter than they are!"

Monday Night...Game Night!

You probably thought that I was going to say Monday Night...Family Night but no not at our house! For the last few weeks Monday night has turned into April beating everybody at cards!
At 7pm after we put Evan to bed we have had our family come over to play all sorts of different card games including Spades, B.S. and Twenty One!


My Mom and sister in law Shanna were the best liars of the evening they beat us all at B.S. however I think I have a gift for "counting cards" because I was the champ at Twenty One!

Robby's not happy with me in this picture!






Sore Loser!












Spades is my favorite game of all!
A few weeks ago my Dad and I killed my Mom and Robby at it. I love that there is something I am better at than Robby, and of course I have to rub it in his face!!




Paden was a lucky boy he got to stay up past his bed time and play with his favorite person in the world, his Grandma!

See you all again for another night of April Domination!

Nesting!!!

Nesting-the uncontrollable urge to clean your house and generally go crazy doing all sorts of things that will prepare the 'nest' for the new member of the family.






I have just entered this glorious stage of pregnancy! When I was pregnant with Paden the nesting stage didn't begin until just right before the birth and with Evan about a month before. With this guy, I guess I am going to have eight weeks of crazy cleaning and organizing!
Yesterday I cleaned the entire kitchen from top to bottom including windows, floors (on my hands and knees) cupboards and drawers. I even took the microwave out to the garage because it was taking up space on the counter and looked too cluttery for me! When Robby went out to the garage and saw the microwave sitting there he was a little confused and asked if it was broken when I told him no that it just needed to be thrown out because I didn't want ANYTHING on the counter...he laughed and gave me a crazy look. Later on we took a load of stuff over to the Goodwill unfortunately Robby wouldn't let the microwave go so I think that may be coming back inside!!

Blackberries!

This silly boy loves blackberries and tries to pick them whenever we go outside in our yard to play. Sadly it always ends in tears because of the prickly bushes. I try and make it easier and pick a bunch for him but he is way too independent for that. Luckily Evan and Paden are enjoying them since I am not a big fan of blackberries they are more like obnoxious weeds to me.

Temple Trip!

Yeah! Robby and I finally set a date and we headed off to the temple yesterday morning! It was such a perfect day to go. There was absolutely no traffic, the weather was glorious and being able to spend some quiet alone time with Robby was MUCH needed.
Embarrassingly enough I can't remember the last time we went to the temple because of either money, kids, schedules, or some other reason. I have really missed it and I soaked up every little bit of the Spirit that I felt. Thank you to my mom and to Kelsey for watching our boys while we were gone, there is no better way to spend a day with your spouse.

Happy Birthday to Mom!!

Today was my Mom's birthday! To celebrate our family including Amber, David, Jonathon, Shanna, baby Jackson, my parents, and Robby and I and our boys met up for lunch at "El Gitano's"!






















Mmm, yum, yum!
Sometimes there is nothing better than good old Mexican food. Unfortunately they didn't serve cake and ice cream so we'll have to do that on Sunday.



















Paden + Grandma = Heaven

At least that's what Paden seems to think!










Sorry to say but Mom couldn't escape the big embarrassing sombrero and having the Happy Birthday song sung to her in front of a crowd of strangers!
That's what she gets for choosing a Mexican Restaurant!

As you can see the sombrero was a big hit with everyone!






















Happy Birthday Mom we love you...even, no especially when you look like this!!

Silly face!

Earlier today we went over to my mom's house (and dad's house) to play! Evan LOVES the swing and spent forever outside swinging with his little tongue sticking out! This is how he looked the entire time!
The funniest thing of all was that my mom's dog was laying down next to him with the exact same look on his face too!!

Check out THESE curves!

Okay so I have reached my 30 pound weight gain limit! Yahoo!!

What do you think, will I be able to maintain this weight for the next nine weeks?!?

I am ready for one of these!

Today I met up with an old friend of mine (Parker Reid) and his wife and their brand new 6 pound baby girl! This tiny little girl was so adorable I held her the entire time and did not want to let her go!

There is something very therapeutic about holding a newborn, it got me all excited for our baby boy and helped me forget about being sick everyday.
If only I didn't have to wait another 9 weeks.

Silly boys play at the lake!

We've been having some really warm weather the last few days (in the 80's) so we decided to head back to the lake to cool off!
The water was a little cold for Paden he started shivering all over so Robby showed him how to move his body to keep warm!!!
These pictures are funny but it was much funnier to watch!
























Only a daddy would/could do this.















Paden is still moving his one arm to keep warm!














Dumping out the sand from their water shoes.

Apples...Apples...Apples...

We have about seven apple trees on our property and unfortunately most of the apples are wasted because we have too many to use. Luckily Amber has been making tons of apple sauce and Paden and Evan have been eating them up too.
If you want some apples for eating, canning, or freezing come on over.




Evan trying to reach them...















Mmmm good!














Paden and I sat and watched Evan working hard all morning long.














He decided it would be easier to pick the apples if he was up higher so he got creative and pushed his tractor over for a better reach!












Yeah! Good job!














Paden decided to help!









And then be a good big brother and give him a ride!!

Northwest Washington Fair

CHECKLIST
boys dressed in cute matching outfits.....check
hair done.....check
water bottles.....check
Evan's blankee.....check
double stroller.....check
diapers and wipes.....check
camera..........

I should have known when I realized I had forgotten my camera that this family outing was turning into a disaster. I have been excited about going to the Lynden Fair for months now and as soon as I started seeing signs it has been on my schedule! Unfortunately someone in my family was not so excited and sensitive to how important going to the fair was for me.
I LOVE the fair. I love the smells, the tastes, the sounds, I love it all. While planning I was imagining this outing to be tons of fun...eating yummy elephant ears, ice cream, BBQ, playing games, winning prizes, going on rides, and everything else you think of when you think about the fair. But none of that happened. What did happen was complaining and melt down after melt down.
What I found myself doing was trying to please the person who didn't really want to be there. I was asking what they wanted to do and eat, and where they wanted to go to instead of me being asked what I wanted to do.
So what I have decided is this. I will be at the fair next year with or without my family and will enjoy the fair the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

Loveland Olympics!

The racers are all lined up.
Ready...Set...Go...











It looks like a close race with Paden taking the lead!!









And the gold goes to Paden Loveland!!!
Stay tuned for more of the Loveland Olympics!

Petting Zoo

Yesterday we went to one of my favorite places in the area called McPhail's Berry Farm, they have the greatest little petting zoo with all types of farm animals.
Here's a picture of Paden and Evan feeding the sheeps and goats.






They thought it was so fun to have the animals eat out of their hands....wet and slimy!
In this picture they are holding bags of food that they sell for a quater.











This little guy that Robby is feeding was the favorite!

























Evan loved feeding this guy!























Trying to get a good family photo.












Still trying.

Words from a loving husband...

That would be me on the right!

Earlier today I was walking away from Robby and could feel his eyes staring at my rear, so I turned around and looked at him and he had this HUGE grin on his face and said, "I don't know why men would ever cheat on their wives. All they have to do is get them pregnant and it's like having a whole new woman!!"

I think he was trying to give me a compliment?! It could have been worse though he could have said, now I know why men cheat. Well, atleast he still finds me attractive...hopefully!!

Mmm Mmm Good!

Yesterday my brother, his wife, and baby joined our family for lunch at the Boundary Bay Restaurant and afterwards ice cream at Mallards, it was DELICIOUS!!
Paden and I shared the best meal ever called the hummus platter, he ate almost all of it. At Mallards ice cream we had the "Bomb Sundae" with four scoops of ice cream and all the toppings! I have just discovered my new favorite ice cream; coconut ice cream with chunks of chocolate and almond pieces, it tastes like an almond joy bar but much better! The only bad thing about eating at Mallards is that I wanted four more scoops, so if anyone starts getting some ice cream cravings just let me know!

Another sunny day at the lake!

Okay, so could we just have 80 degree weather for the entire summer...please!
I love the heat I could even go for it being 90 degrees but I'll take whatever heat I can get.
Paden has really been loving playing at the lake so when Robby got home from work around 2pm we headed back to Bloedel Donovan Park for another fun day in the water.



Evan was so funny he kept himself busy the entire time walking up and down the sand digging and discovering rocks and whatever else he found!














Robby got quite the workout pulling Paden around the lake even though it looks as if Paden is the one giving him a ride!



























I had fun laying out in the sun relaxing and watching my cute little family, I don't think it gets any better than that. Well...maybe NOT being big and pregnant.

Fun at the Lake!

Yesterday we spent most of the day outside in the beautiful sun.
At around 6pm when it started cooling down that's when we decided to go swimming at the lake, it wasn't the warmest part of the day but was still fun.










You can see Robby in the background giving Evan a little ride on the blow up toy.
























Robby and Lance had fun racing, but Robby needs a lot more practice before his triathlon...I don't think doing the back stroke is the best for going far!!










Evan is saying a lot more words every day, yesterday he kept saying, "dirty" and showing me his hands, it was so cute.











I decided to take a picture of these weirdos...my sister Amber and her husband Lance!!

Just kidding they look cute and I love how Lance is totally checking her out and has no idea that I am taking a picture of the two of them!!

My final Trimester has begun!

Finally! I have now entered my third and final trimester!! Today at church I was sitting next to this adorable young woman who is due the same month as me and she looked just a little bloated...oh the joys of being BIG and pregnant!!

Well, I wish that I could say that I am enjoying this pregnancy as much as I would like to but that would be a lie. I am STILL nauseous EVERYDAY, going to the bathroom three times an hour, and have had so much pain and discomfort from him not wanting to move to a more comfortable position. I have had so many ups and downs with this little guy that I feel like I've been riding a roller coaster since the very first month.
However, one good thing about getting closer to the end is being able to feel him and watch his body moving around! I LOVE this! Who knew that I would spend so much time laying down watching my belly wiggle!
I can't wait for the day that I get to meet this person and experience the joy of being a mom all over again, most likely I'll be back to being pregnant again within the year! By the way I like this picture because it's deceiving I really am much bigger!!! 12 weeks to go!

Kid's Fair at Bloedel Donovan Park!

Saturday was Bellingham's annual Kids Festival at Bloedel Donovan Park and luckily for us it was only a short walk over so we didn't have to worry about parking.
Here is a picture of Evan with some cute goats there was also an adorable baby cow only one day old that just melted my heart!




Future pro baseball player!?!









My future football players!?!













Paden decided he wanted to get his face painted and asked for a star on his cheek but as she started painting it on him the cold from the paint and paintbrush scared him and he asked for her to take it off.
Here's a picture of the woman wiping it off!









This was definitely the favorite at the park, SUPER long lines at this one!














Evan loved this and wouldn't get off, so someone had to go in after him....this didn't make those waiting in line very happy!












Future Gymnast!?!

CTR Books has officially moved!

Yesterday was the big day. We moved the entire book store over to the new location. Yeah!!
The new store won't reopen until August 11th, because they have to wait for the flooring to come in but they are still going to have the "Breaking Dawn" Party tonight at 10pm!

Why buy toys when you've got this?

Ever since Robby took the boys on a ride around the house, I haven't been able to get my laundry basket back.
It has permanently become their race car.