We're all about free stuff

Saturday was free day at Tautphaus Park so we had to go. There were a lot of other free things going on around the park as well. You'll never guess who we ran into. ..

Mil letting the goats lick her fingers

Riding the Tiger with Daddy

She loved looking and pointing at the Tigers.

Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers were at the park. (And me without my lightsaber!)

(Camille is not a fan of the Dark Side.)

Play Dates and Pumpkin Bread

It's been awhile since I've posted one of my favorite things. Today I thought I'd post about some of my favorite things that start with P.

Play dates:
Camille and I love when we get to hang out with our friend Cooper. He and Camille usually have a pretty good time together plus that means Kacie and I get to hang out so it's a win-win. (OR maybe it's a win-win-win.) We'll miss you when you move Coops!

For some reason they thought it was a blast to play in the playpen.

Pumpkin Bread: Can I just say YUMMM! I love pumpkin bread. Kacie was kind enough to introduce me to it and provide me with her delicious recipe. Last time she came she brought some. I cut into it before she had even pulled out of the driveway. (I did restrain myself enough that there was some left when Brad got home from work.) This is a delicious treat and just tastes like what Fall should be.

PUMPKIN BREAD

Makes 2 loaves (32 servings)
Prep: 20 minutes Bake: 55 minutes

Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1 cup cooking oil
4 eggs
3-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2/3 cup water
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
Directions
1. Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of two 9x5x3-inch, three 8x4x2-inch, or four 7-1/2x3 1/2-x2-inch loaf pans; set aside. In a very large mixing bowl beat sugar and oil with an electric mixer on medium speed. Add eggs and beat well; set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add flour mixture and water alternately to sugar mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Beat in pumpkin. Spoon batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 55 to 65 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks. Wrap and store overnight before slicing. Makes 2 loaves (32 servings).
Raisin-Nut Pumpkin Bread: Prepare bread as above, except fold 3/4 cup raisins and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts into batter after pumpkin has been added. Nutrition Facts per serving: 220 cal., 10 g total fat (1 g sat. fat), 27 mg chol., 197 mg sodium, 32 g carbo., 1 g dietary fiber, 8 g pro.Daily Values: 59% vit A, 2% vit. C, 2% calcium, 6% ironExchanges: .5 Starch, 1 .5 Other Carbo., 2 Fat

The Fun Ship

I suppose it's time for cruise details and pictures. We left on Saturday the 13th and heading to Utah where we dropped Mildew off with my sister, Lisa's family and Bret and Audrey left Alli with cousin Jennifer. We headed to Mapleton and stay the night at my brother Gus's house. It was a blast. My niece Rebekkah put on a harp recital for us (very impressive) then Brad, Gus, Bret, and Audrey went to play handball while the rest of us watched the movie Chocolat and ate fudge.

Sunday after some of church we headed for California. We, of course, had to stop in Vegas for a buffet and to drive down the strip (Bret had never seen Vegas so we thought what a great Sunday activity). It took about 10 hours to get from Utah to San Diego. We were all ready for that car ride to end!

Monday we stopped to see the San Diego Temple before boarding the boat. It's awesome. Unfortunately it was Monday so the grounds were closed.
Let the cruise began:
Monday- We left San Diego at 4:00 pm headed for Mexico

Our boat - Elation

Tuesday - We had a full day at sea. Which of course involved lots eating. :)

Our dinner group and waiters

Wednesday - We spent the day Cabo San Lucas. We went snorkeling, had authentic Mexican food, and shopped.

Arch at Cabo

Getting ready to snokel

Thursday-Another full day at sea. Okay we didn't just eat there was mini golf, volleyball, shows, trivia games, slot machines, and much more. Every night your bed was turned down, there were chocolates, and a new towel animal.

Friday - We were in Ensenada. We took a real Mexican taxi to La Bufadora, the blowhole. Then of course more shopping. I'll tell you those Mexicans are great sales people. They'd have an item bagged and ready for you before you even knew you wanted it!

La Bufadora


Ensenada

Saturday - Debarkation and then the drive back to Utah.And so the trip ends

Apparently, Camille needed a vacation from us too. She didn't seem to care that we left and had a blast with her cousins, who taught her how to fold her arms. Yeah for good influences! Yeah for my awesome family for being willing to watch her for a week!

This is the life...

Here I sit in front of the computer, still in my pjs, blogging when there is a whole house full of stuff that needs to be done! I guess when you're so spoiled with vacations it's hard to get back into reality.
June: Brad, Mil, and I spent a week up in Liberty Lake, WA garage sale-ing (sp), playing with family, and biking the Hiawatha.
July: Brad, Mil, and I spent a week in Cooke City, MT. camping, playing with nieces and nephews, hiking, getting "attacked" by wild animals..err...horses.
August: Brad, Mil, and I spent a week in Nauvoo, IL. visiting church sites, historical sites, waterparks, and driving around in a 15 passenger van.
Sept: Brad and I ditched Camille and went on a 5 day cruise with Bret and Audrey.

I don't know what we're going to do in October...at least November and December already have built in holidays!
I am a little out of practice on this whole house keeping thing so please call before you come over so I can at least make sure I'm dressed :)

Work it...

Brad and I have been working very hard lately to get in shape for the cruise we will be taking. I think it's starting to pay off!

The Goat Whisperer

For Labor Day we headed to Blackfoot to go to the Eastern Idaho State Fair. It was a lot of fun. The best part of the day (Besides the delicious ice cream cones. Mmmmm) was the petting zoo. Mil loved it. She loved being with the animals, touching, petting, feeding. She especially liked the goats. She frolicked among them as though she was one. Perhaps, we should get some goats to save on gasoline for the lawn mower.