Baby Monster

Doesn't it cheer you up to see some kid dressed up in a costume at the store? It does me, so whenever my kids want to wear something ridiculous I let them- cause maybe it will make someones day!  This day was no exception- Gabe put on quite a show.  He was talking up a store to everyone when they would ask him if he was a dinosaur he would say, "yea, I'm killin all da Zombies!"  Thanks Darren for teaching him that.

As I was checking out Gabe starting hopping up and down in the cart saying, "I gotta go pee! I gotta go pee!"  So I hurried and swiped my card and grabbed the receipt and turned around to find Gabe had taken off his dragon costume and was standing in the cart in only his underwear! There was quite a crowd watching him undress as I paid. Everyone got a good laugh out of it.  I quickly grabbed him and hurried in the bathroom where he went pee.  Then I needed to go- just as I started going he crawled under the stall-and ran away- still in only his underwear. I yelled at him to come back and finished as quickly as possible.  I frantically ran out of the bathroom while still buttoning my pants, and he was nowhere in sight.  Thank goodness there were 2 people standing there laughing- they took one look at me and pointed to the men's room.  Sure enough I could hear Gabe in there, and yelled for him to come out- but he refused.  He is seriously the craziest little baby you will ever meet.   So I asked the man to go in and get him for me.  Which he did.  When Gabe came out I got him dressed back into his dinosaur outfit. Or maybe a monster outfit would be more fitting, since he acted like a little monster the whole time. Actually, no, he acted like a little, curious, cute, energy filled 2 year old that I adore and can't ever really get mad at. 

In the 3 min. drive home he was asleep.  I think we all know why. I love you Gabe.  Thanks for being my sweet baby.

Taco Bell

A few weeks ago we took the kids to taco bell for their first time ever.  We went for a Friday night family date.  They were really comfused about why we were going to eat at a place that only had tacos.  Even though we told them a hundred times they have more than just tacos.  Anyways, we got a smorgasbord of food and the kids loved it.  And it was cheap.  We may be eating at Taco Bell more often.

A Great Day For Kyle

I think the pictures speak for themselves.  This was Oct. 13th.

Apple Cider

A few weeks ago we got together we some members of our ward to go pick apples and make fresh apple cider.  It was DELICIOUS. Seriously it's so good you feel like you are committing a sin when you drink it.  Like partaking of the forbidden fruit or something.  It was a big production at a local family's apple farm.  They have the apple farm for fun. Yea, like a hobby or something.  They just have it for the community I guess.  It was awesome.  Everyone who helped got a bunch of juice- I think we ended up with close to 15 gallons! Yea. You heard me right.  Fifteen gallons of pure liquid candy. Yum.  We drank it that night till we were all sick.  the next day we gave some away, and put a bunch in the fridge and the freezer. If you come visit us we will pull some out of the freezer for you:)

 

Have I mentioned that I love the fall?

Happy Fall Ya'll

In the beginning of Oct. we went pumpkin picking. Darren was on call so it was just the kids and me.  I love the fall.  We haven't been through a fall in almost 4 years so I am loving it. 

Look at all those pumpkins!! Amazing!

We went on a fun little hay ride around the pumpkin patch.

I love my kids.  I love being a mom.  These are good times.

Boise

A couple of weekends ago we headed to Boise to hang out with Mark and Malinda and go to the BYU Boise game.  Which ended up being not so fun and we left early. booo

So DArren thought this was hilarious, everyone was out in the car, waiting to drive to Boise.  And you know how it is when your leaving for a trip- complete chaos?! Right, so I was quickly making myself a protein shake to take in the car and this happened.  I went out to the car and told Darren it would be a minute...or two.  So he came in to take my picture and embarrass me.

This is my boys first time to a big sports event. Paul made the fun sign. They were excited.

The beautiful Malinda, Paul, Makayla (gorgeous!) and Mark

Football game selfies

Darren looked so handsome I kept taking pictures of him. hahaha

Saturday was busy! We got up and got ready for Derek's birthday party.  Malinda worked so hard all day getting ready for it.  Derek loves volcano's so Malinda and I made him this awesome birthday cake.  It was fun.

 

Malinda put dry ice in the cup in the middle and put water in it so It was "flowing" for the kids.  And the candles "sparkled".  They loved it!

Then we went to their ward Halloween party.  It was great.

Darren doesn't like parties or crowds- so he stayed at home and watched football from the hot tub by himself.  I'm sure he was so lonely.

So after a crazy day of parties, Malinda and I took the girls out to the mall.  Then we went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.  It was the nicest restaraunt Ellie has ever been to- and she loved it.  These two love each other!

Thanks Mark and Malinda for the great time!  It was fun and you were great hosts-like always.  It is so nice to be out West and closer to family!

Raz's Curry Modified by Ernsts

I've had a couple of people ask for this curry recipe- Our friend, Raz, from Cambodia made it for us in Tennessee. It was delicious, but I needed to make it feed more people, so I added to it, and this is the recipe we ended up with.  It's pretty much the best curry ever.  Cook up a bunch of rice and it's a great meal to feed a lot of people.

Curry:

1 TBL garlic, minced

1-2 lbs chicken, cut up whole chicken, removing skin and fat.

2 TBL Indian curry powder (or to taste)

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp salt

2 cans coconut milk

Kaffir lime leaves (4) Or substitute zest and juice from 1 lime

2 cubes S & B Golden Curry Sauce mix. (this can be found at Walmart in  the Asian food section)

1 cup water or coconut water.  Add more if needed to desired consistency.  It will thicken as it cooks.

Mixed vegetables:
4 carrots, 2 onions, 1 lb string beans,

OR 4 carrions, 1 1/2 onions, 2 potatoes

OR 1 eggplant, 1 onion

mix and match as you want for personal taste

Directions:

1. Brown garlic in oil.
2. Add chicken and rest of spices, stir to mis.
3. Add coconut milk, stir to mix.
4. Add vegetables and leaves, cover and cook for at least 1-2 hours on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
5. Season with additional salt and sugar, (about 1 tsp.) to taste.