Fall is for Apple Cake!

This morning was yet another gloomy, cloudy, rainy day, so against my better judgment I decided to skip the gym and make an apple cake instead. See how seamlessly one bad decision can lead to another? I love baking in the fall. There's just something about the crisp coolness in the air, looking out your window to see beautiful red leaves falling and the smell of cinnamon and apples coming from your oven. This weekend we had a Halloween/birthday shin-dig at the house and we played some kid's relay games with baskets of apples. I had been looking for the perfect recipe to put some of those leftover apples to good use. Of course, me being the huge Pioneer Woman fan that I am, it was straight to her website to find a recipe. (Can't wait to get my hands on her new cookbook, by the way! It's on my Christmas list, hint, hint.) Here's a warning: the following cake should not be consumed by anyone remotely interested in their health as it's loaded, swimming in, smothered, drowning, in tons of butter. My advice is to pair it with some broiled fish, brown rice and broccoli for dinner just to offset the adverse health implications. Enjoy!

New respect for photographers

A few weeks ago, we took the kids to a fall festival held by a local nursery. The set up was adorable with old fashioned wagons and carts, handmade scarecrows, and pumpkins and gourds galore! Since we went on the fly after church when the kids were still semi-clean, I though I could get some nice fall pictures. In the back of my mind, I even entertained the thought of accomplishing the holy grail of pictures: the all 3 children looking at you and smiling shot. Here are a few samples of what was accomplished:

This was one of my favorites. Love the shirt, love the pumpkins, love the little spaced out teeth. Makes my heart beat faster.


This girl was in quite the foul mood and really didn't want to participate in any photo taking activities. So, what I got was a smirky, half smile that said, "I know what you are looking for and I have ability to give you a great picture, but I don't care and this is what I'm giving you. Work with it." I love it anyway, silly girl.


My oldest is usually the kiddo that could care less about posing for pictures. However, she was in quite the model mood, so she kept proposing ideas to keep my attention on her and away from the other two who were trying to determine the best way to de-arm a scarecrow. I love these pictures of her, but I can't stop wondering who turned on the time machine to produce this grown-up looking girl. Everyone knows that she's 6, right? What? She's 9? Sigh, I wish someone would help me keep up with these things.


Another favorite of the little man. I love the serious look and those chubby little cheeks. I dread the day when he is 9. Somehow, I don't think he's going to let me kiss those cheeks all the time when he is 9.


Anyone ever hear horror stories about the mood swings of a toddler? These 2 pics were taken one frame apart. Total frustration to total delight in the matter of .2 seconds. Life with a toddler, caught in action.

And now attempting the elusive 3 happy kids shot:

Can you feel the attitude radiating from the kiddo on the right?


Sure, nothing says "great picture" like a pair of bunny ears.


I guess I'm not the only one who didn't like the ears.


And, if your brother didn't like the ears the first time, it means you are forced to do it again.


Dad gets the bright idea to get their attention by clapping. Great idea. Moving hands are always welcomed in photos.


More attitude from the girl in the back. She gets this from her father.


This was the best of about 200 pics. Managed to get everyone looking the same general area. It helps if you squint when you look at the baby. Professional photographers around the world, my hat goes off to you. You earn your money, that's all I'm sayin'.

Earlier this year, I posted about a birthday banner my mom made for me to hang on our mantle to celebrate our birthdays. Well, check out this awesome Halloween banner a girl made out of scrapbook paper. It's really too cute. And of course, she's giving one away, so here's hoping I win so I don't have to make my own!

Anatomy of a 9 year old's desk

For her birthday last month, all Mackenzie requested was a desk for her room where she could sit and do her homework. Since we have a limited amount of space in her room for a desk, I was thrilled to find one at Target that fits perfectly! A month later, it is already a perfect reflection of Mackenzie's personality.


Let's take a little closer look...
Exhibit A


This note is hanging on her bulletin board (along with her honor roll ribbon and her Awana verses to memorize). If you can't read it completely it says, "don't forget Michael Jackson ruff draft and editing." Hilarious! The note is what inspired me for this post. She loves Michael Jackson and is currently working on a report about him (not for school, just for her own personal enjoyment) by researching his life on the internet. But I didn't even know she knew about rough drafts and editing! :) So proud of my girl who says she wants to be a publisher or editor when she grows up because all she wants to do is read every day. She is well on her way!
Exhibit B


Her new grown up lamp that she got to pick out all by herself. The little plant thingy in the corner? No real idea what it is, but my dad brought it back for her from a trip to China and apparently kids over there love it. When the light is on, the little plant bobs up and down. Strange.

Exhibit C


Bottlecap necklaces. She got 7 of these for her birthday and I think they were her favorite gifts. If you don't know what a bottlecap necklace is, then I'm guessing you don't have any girls in the 5-12 age group. They are all the rage around here. They are basically a stretchy necklace and magnet and then you can buy different bottlecaps that you can change out every day.

Exhibit D


"Play piano at music class" She was so excited that her music teacher at school asked her to play "This Land is Your Land" while her class sang along. She practiced those 8 measures for a month. Since their musical program is not until February, I'm guessing I'm going to hear them for a long time yet!

Exhibit E


A picture of her best friend from the summer. A painted jar she made at art camp. Her new idog that she LOVES. Her Bible. Freshly sharpened pencils waiting to write that MJ report.

It's kind of scary how accurately reflects things that are important to her. Makes me want to go and clean off my own desk in case someone decided to dissect it and find out what makes me tick. Because they might just think I'm all about the latest Boden catalog. Not that there's anything wrong with that!