OCTOBER 1st – 7th

This week has been pretty average, but while I was making our weekly video, I realized that it’s the small moments that mean the most. These are the little things that I don’t want to forget. So I’m introducing you to my newest project.

Project – Remember this! In hopes of remembering the top 10 moments of each week, I will be creating a weekly video and journal log {ahem – vlog, but honestly I hate the stigma that goes around with that word ha ha ha.

The motive behind this is to remember the little things that I know I will forget. I would give anything to look back at “a day in the life of…” my Grandma or Mom. I want my kids to be able to have that.

Project – REMEMBER THIS:

• The Cinnamon Rolls overflowing — note to self, put them in a bigger bowl to rise.
• Camden imitating his Angry Bird underwear – After an AWFUL potty regression the previous week, I took Camden shopping for new underwear & potty treats {he chose Angry Birds and gummy snakes}. I want to always remember his face of copying the red bird.
• Tylee & Camden’s backyard “shows” – I’m not sure how long our Little Tikes table is going to last through them jumping and dancing on it, but hey, as long as we don’t end up in the E.R.
• Little Arts & Crafts – this week they painted witches/vampires.

• Bribing the kids to behave at Costco – promising ice cream at the end.
• Camden counting – he always starts out with a little high-pitched, “uuuuuuuuuuuhh-one, two, three, four, five, six, even, eight, four…”
• Making Dinner in a Pumpkin – Our new tradition that I am loving!
• New Library Bags – SarahandJacob made Tylee & Camden THE cutest little bags for the library – just wait till you see their Halloween ones!

• Apple Cider Floats – these are sooo yummy!
• HelloFresh – I partnered up with HelloFresh and I loved it. Life was easy for meals this week! Now to decide if it’s worth the money every week…. I’m tempted.

Cinnamon Rolls: On Sunday I made the best cinnamon rolls for General Conference {a yearly tradition! – and seriously they were so good}.

 Dinner in a Pumpkin:

One of my newest favorite traditions that we recently started {three years ago!} was Dinner in a Pumpkin – and it’s basically that. You cook your dinner in a pumpkin. It’s pretty simple & a fun way to start off October.

I’m sure there are many different ways to do this and many different dishes, but ours was super easy & if you like casserole-type dishes, then you’ll love it. I used a recipe from Pinterest, but we did our own spin to it. I’ll share it below.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 2 Pounds of Ground Beef {cooked!}
• 1 4 oz. can of Mushrooms
• 1 Onion
• 1 Medium Pumpkin
• 2 10.5 oz. can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 8 oz. can of Water Chestnuts
• 2 T. Soy Sauce
• 2 T. Brown Sugar
• 1 1/2 c. Cooked Rice
• 2 T. Vegetable Oil

HOW TO MAKE DINNER IN A PUMPKIN:

1. First cut the top off your pumpkin & clean out the “guts” as we like to call them. Scrape it as clean as you can get it.
2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
3. While cutting your pumpkin you’re going to want to brown your meat in a skillet & drain & cook your rice – we use a rice cooker – but you can cook it however you prefer.
4. Sauté your Onion in the vegetable oil.
5. Combine the meat and Onion with Soy Sauce, Mushrooms, Brown Sugar, & Soup.
6. Simmer Mixture for about 10 minutes. Add the cooked rice and water chestnuts.
7. When done simmering, spoon your mixture into your clean pumpkin – place the top back on the pumpkin with filling.
8. Bake the pumpkin {on a cookie sheet} for 1 hour or until the inside of the pumpkin meat is tender.
9. Remove lid & serve.
10. Feel free to scrape into that pumpkin to get your vegetable – it tastes yummy.
11. We thought it needed a little extra “something” so we made sure to add salt and pepper to taste.

Super easy! Super Yummy {like a homemade Hamburger Helper}! Super Festive!

Apple Cider Floats:

Okay these are WORTH IT!!!! So easy, and yummy!

All you need is:

• Apple Cider {get some fresh & local}
• Sparkling Apple Cider
• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Whipped Cream/Cool Whip {we used the spray kind, but you can make some homemade}
• Carmel drizzle {optional}
• Cinnamon Stick {optional
• Apple Slices {optional}

Mix equal parts of Apple Cider & Sparkling Apple Cider then add your ice cream and toppings! See, so easy and so good!

Hope you guys enjoyed your week! If you try any of our ideas be sure to share it with us!

XOXO