THE TOY SNOB

I have this great cousin, Nicole Bradley. She is so fun and creative. She just started this new blog that I know will a favorite for all mothers! Nicole is a little snobish when it comes to toys, she calls herself the "toy snob". She loves to share her thoughts and opinions on toys with everyone, so she started a new blog:
http://thetoysnob.blogspot.com

At this location, she will review a variety of toys and all things related to child development and play. All you have to do, is e-mail thetoysnob@gmail.com and ask her what toy(s) you are wondering about. Within no time she will have a post on her blog that compares multiple brands of whatever you e-mailed her. I think it is a great idea! And of course with Christmas creeping up on us we are all looking at what to buy our kids!

Check it out! Leave her a comment and let her know what you think.

Congratulations Candice!!!

I am so excited for my sister, Candice! She just announced to our family that she is expecting her first baby! YEAHHHHHH!!!! And of course she announced it the cutest way EVER. We had our family Sunday dinner, and she put these drinks at everyones plates. So when I went and sat down, I saw this fun drink with a picture of her "pregnant" (she stuffed her belly)! She had pink and blue drinks. The pink ones were flavored "Girly Berry", and the blue ones were flavored "Berry Boy Lemonade". She is so creative.
I am so thrilled for her and Adam. They are going to the BEST parents. I can't wait for little Jacks to have a another baby cousin. When my dad blessed the food, he said something relating to their baby being a boy... maybe Heavenly Father was inspiring him???? ha ha.... whatever it is, we can't wait! Love you both, congrats!

BYU cougars - roarrrr!

I can't believe fall is almost over and we have only been able to go to one BYU football game. The games are always one of our favorite fall activities. Scott loves to take Jackson and dress him up in his BYU jersey. He also taught him how to do a courgar roar! It is sooooo cute! It didn't take him long to catch on to the clapping, singing, dancing, and "first down signs". He loved sitting in his own chair, eating way too much cotton candy, and of course... learning all about the love of the game from his papa and daddy!
GO COUGARS!

tRicK-oR-tREaT

Happy Halloween! We have had so much fun celebrating Halloween this year. Its been so fun to watch Jack slowly grasp the basic idea of this holiday. Jack was a pirate this year (thanks Laura!) and was the MOST ADORABLE pirate I have ever seen! Friday we went to our ward party. They had 4 different rooms that each had a different activity for the kids to do - and then as they walked out they would get candy in their bags. We decorated cookies, made a pumpkin mask, played pumpkin bowling, and a bean bag toss through skull face.Halloween night was fun too. We went over to Brad and Jaime's. We ate Taco Bell (one of my favorite fast foods!), passed out candy, and watched Jackson learn to trick-or-treat (the cutest thing ever!). Later that night Scott and I watched Halloween Resurrection. Whats Halloween without a scary movie? But, the movie was pretty lame... I guess most of the scary ones are, right? I think this Halloween was by far one of my favorites. Having a kid that can participate in the fun of it all makes all difference!

The Best Fall Cupcakes EVER

TOASTED ALMOND CUPCAKES
with caramel frosting

Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1 box white cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp almond extract
3 eggs

Caramel Frosting
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar

1. Heat in oven to 350 (325 for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular size muffin cups. In shallow pan, bake almonds 6 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Reserve 1 cup almonds for garnish. In food processor, process remaining almonds until finely ground.

2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, almond extract and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. (Batter will be lumpy.) Fold in ground almonds. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.

3. Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick insterted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

4. In 2-quart sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; boil and stire 2 minutes. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling. Remove from heat. Cool to lukewarm, about 30 minutes.

5. Gradually stir powdered sugar into brown sugar mixture. Place saucepan of frosting in bowl of cold water. Beat with spoon until smooth and spreadable. If frosting becomes too stiff, stir in additional milk, 1 tsp at a time. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle reserved almonds lighlty into frosting.

*so delicious! give them a try and let me know what you think!

Spin Spin Spin

So, my very dear friend, Melis inspired me to try a new class at the gym... spinning! I have wanted to do this class forever, but have been way too nervous. I guess when it comes to trying a new class, it usually takes me a while to build up the courage to go. I am so affriad of looking like the biggest idiot. And especially when it comes to cardio beacuse, my endurance level is pretty much "next to nothing". But I did it, and it was awesome!
First of all, the class instructor was way too cool! He was an older man, with a gut and all. We listened to alot of oldie music, yes, this included alot of Elvis. He also pulled out a few interesting songs: The Mocerana (sp?), that a few people actually started dancing to and a U2 song he called the goosbumps song, because he actually gets the goosebumps when he listens to it. Wait, this gets better, at the very end... he played a song that we spun along with the beat. It started out really slow, and then got extra fast at the end (this was a major killer)... and as we got faster and faster, he would blow a train whistle! Yes, a train whistle!

It was hilarious. He really kept me entertained through out the workout. I loved this class and have already scheduled daycare time during it next week so that I can continue to attend. Thanks Melis for the courage and inspiration!

Anyone who has not yet tried it out... get out and do it, It was so fun and gives a great variety to the everyday workout.

10 Things I Love About October

I love the month of October. If anyone feels differently than me, read my list - hopefully I will bring a few smiles to your face and you will see the happiness in this time of year!

1. Beautiful fall leaves. The mountains are incredible. I love driving to Heber to visit my parents. Provo Canyon is breath taking!

2. My wedding anniversary... October 18, 2003 !!! Congratulations to me. 4 years - and many more to come.

3. Fall scented candles. What would fall be with out the scent of candles in my home?

4. The crisp air. Getting out for a walk, a run, and yes rollerblading (i know it is so 90's but i still do it) feels so so so good. Its not too hot but not too cold, you still pick up a sweat but it actually feels good when the cold air hits it.

5. The unpredictable Utah weather. I love being able to wear t-shirts one day and big coats the next. Weird?

6. Halloween Candy. This is a love / hate relationship. I am a candy addict. Just ask anyone who has been to my house this month... It is everywhere! I can't help but buy it at the store, but I hate myslef everytime I take that 5th handful for the day!

7. The fact that Christmas is right around the corner! Christmas is by far my most favorite time of year. Everyone is so happy, and therefore I am always happy.

8. General Conference. This month was incredible. I love the spirit I feel, and the lessons that I am left with. We are so blessed to have living prophets, I love their wisdom and knowledge.

9. Baking delicious cookies! It is so much more fun to bake something new when it is cold outside. I love trying new recipies... even when my husband says its "not his favorite", meaning... that was pretty nasty! ha ha

10. The first snow fall. Usually the first snow fall comes sometime in the month of October. I love it! I love the beginning of winter: drinking hot chocolate, dressing warm, staying home all day in cozy sweats and watching movies... its all so comforting to me!