Food, Food, and more Food

I am convinced there aren't many people on this planet who like food as much as I do (although statistics in the U.S. for obesity being what they are, I am probably easily proven wrong). Tom would probably agree, seeing as the topic of conversation in my family a majority of the time is food related. What are we eating or having for dinner is frequently discussed in letters, e-mails, and phone conversations. Consequently, Thanksgiving was a great holiday for us this year. We made way too much food for the 4 adults and 2 children that surrounded our table. My parents came to visit for 10 days on their way home from a mission to Nauvoo, IL. We had a great time getting ready for Thanksgiving and it was wonderful to have my Mom here to help me stuff the turkey and make food. I baked two pies (pumpkin and apple) and we bought one that we usually like, Marie Calendars Razzleberry, but it turned out to be a flop this year. We also had all the other normal stuff that people eat on Thanksgiving: Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, fruit salad, spinach salad, and home made rolls. Here are some pictures of our festivities. We actually remembered to take pictures with the food before it was eaten this year.

Having my parents here was great. They always help me get things done that otherwise either would take me so long to get done or would never get done. My mom finished some curtains for Wesley's room that I started a few months ago. Dad, as always, did tons of fix it jobs around the house. What would I do without them? We also spent time together playing games, playing with the kids, and getting the normal stuff done that moms do. They probably are so bored when they come to visit me, but they act like they enjoy being around. They left today and I miss them so much. Maybe someday I will get to live closer to them.

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween week. Monday night for family night we carved the girls pumpkins. Neither of them were too excited about getting their hands dirty digging out the seeds. I really had to convince Amberly to get her hands in there at all.

In addition to Reili losing her first tooth, another first happened Monday evening when we gave Wesley his first taste of solid food. He took a few bites of the rice cereal but wasn't too impressed I dare say. I couldn't get the two girls to eat much of the cereals, but they seemed to enjoy food more once I introduced fruit and veggies. We will see how it goes with Wesley. He also got a new toy this week...an exersaucer. I never had one for the girls, but I found this one for cheap in the classifieds on-line for our area. I had to drive out into the country to get it, but he loves it. What a great investment! The girls insisted on taking a picture and got this one of him in it.

Reili was Sleeping Beauty and Amberly was Super Girl for Halloween. I took a picture of Reili's hair because it looked so pretty all curly (and I spent an hour doing it). Just like a princess! Our ward had a chili cook off and trunk-or-treat activity that we went to that night. I made a recipe from a friend in Alabama for Chicken Chili Stew and tied for 1st place (thanks Katie! I always think of your party this time of year). It was fun to see the kids have so much fun. I have to admit that Halloween is my least favorite holiday. It always seems like such a hassle to me to get the kids costumes and get them dressed up...and I never dress up. Then there is the matter of spending money on a costume...it seems like such a waste. I suppose if I were more creative and could come up with cool costumes like some people seem to be able to do, it would be more fun.

A Momentous Occasion

Just to keep you up to the minute... an hour ago Reili lost her first tooth. She was brave enough to have her Dad pull it out for her. She doesn't get that bravery from me. I was cringing in the corner with my ears plugged waiting for the first wail, but she said it didn't even hurt. I am glad that part of my life is over (the losing teeth part, that is). So now we officially have one child losing teeth, another who still has no teeth,....and one in the middle with one chipped tooth (who we hope will yet keep all her teeth for some time). Aren't you glad you checked our blog? What would you do without this type of news? Who knew there was such a story behind a mouthful of teeth?

Birthday Cake

Eat your heart out chocaholics! My birthday cake this year, made (from scratch) by my friend Rachel, was true chocolate lovers heaven. See for yourself. The middle was a light, fluffy chocolate mousse, surrounded by a moist layer of luscious cake, and all encased in a creamy, dark chocolate ganosche (o.k., so I can't spell). You know something is heavenly when you can eat 3 pieces of it and forget your plans for losing any baby weight for the week (especially since I haven't been able to run since last week), and still think it was worth it. I had to wait until the cake was gone so I wouldn't have to worry about anyone beating down my door to get a piece. YUM! Thanks, Rachel. Here is another view of it for you all. Don't drool too much.

A visit from Gamma and PopPop

Tom's Mom and Dad just finished their mission to Nauvoo and came down to visit us for the better part of a week. The kids loved having them here and Amberly was constantly asking,"Where's PopPop?". While they were here we visited the park and a Pumpkin patch at a nearby farm (the girls loved feeding the goats), ate lots of yummy (but not so nutritious) food, had a birthday celebration for Mommy (aka. Jane), and Mom and Gamma stayed up late playing a card game called 5 Crowns.

We also went to the Fort to get my foot X-rayed. I was so upset the other day when I stubbed my toe (well maybe jammed it would be a better word). I have been training for a half marathon and have had to lay low this week and not run because my toe was swollen to twice its size and black and blue. I could barely even get it in the running shoe. Lucky for me it's not broken and hopefully I will be back to the workout regimen in a few more days. I'm including a picture of it today...but know it looked even worse just 2 days ago.