the.amanda.sewell

I can't remember the last time Halloween was on a Saturday! We spent the day making chili, carving pumpkins and spending time together as a family. It was a good day. Busy, but good. Here are some carving pumpkin photos: Mic expertly scooping out the tallest pumpkin J scooping pumpkin guts out after I carved Mickey's face And the finished pumpkins this year: Shrek and Mickey Mouse Homer Simpson (DOH!) We did a quick photo shoot outside the house before we left to get some pictures of the kids in their costumes to put in our Costume Memory book that we made last year, and then we headed off to the ward Trunk or Treat. We got there thirty minutes late, and therefore we had to set up chairs to be able to hand out candy. It was chaotic and frustrating at first, but eventually, my awesome hubby made it all work out and we had a relaxing time hanging out with the Wright family and eating chili and handing out treats. Mic chilling out eating some chili and my mom holding baby skeleto...

I altered this recipe a bit to make it my own/and simplify it. I used McCormick chili seasoning packets (yep, I cheated), and two green peppers rather than one green, one yellow. I just cooked the meat, then stuck it all in the crock pot and let it simmer all afternoon. Original Recipe click here . 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pound ground turkey 2 cans kidney beans 3 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes 2 cups pumpkin puree 2 packets McCormick Chili Seasoning 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional) 1/2 cup sour cream (optional) DIRECTIONS: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and garlic until tender. Stir in the turkey, and cook until evenly brown. Drain, and mix in tomatoes and pumpkin. Season with chili powder, pepper, and salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Serve topped with Ched...

My mom and I had so much fun at E and J's class halloween parties and trick or treating. The kids were all so well behaved and happy. E is Aurora this year, and J is Spiderman. They were so stoked to wear their costumes. They got SO much junk . . . not sure how we will ever go through it all. EEK!!! (*warning: Picture overload*) From E's Classroom: E and her popcorn hand and with her teacher Miss Merritt E and her desk buddy Lily E getting wrapped as a mummy and Aubrey wrapping Emi Aubrey, Emi and E as mummies From J's Classroom: Wyatt, J and Sierra being good little students J's bat with the red glittery eyes J & classmates making pumpkin faces cut and paste -- and Christian and J in their costumes Trick or Treating Around the School: J Trick or Treating and a cute picture of E & J's friend Ally as a cat E trick or treating . . . so pretty! E trick or treating from Mickey (Principal Cardine) and J with his class trick or treating Hey funny face! J bei...

We figured out that the last time we went to Schnepf Farms was 5 years ago. CRAZY! J was only 7 months old or so. We had such a blast this year. We did EVERYTHING (or at least it felt like it). We roasted marshmallows, played mini golf (where J left his mark on a bush because he *really* had to go suddenly and it was far away to the bathrooms *embarassing*), went on a hayride, rode tons of rides, saw pigs race, went in a petting zoo, wandered through the pumpkin patch, and more. We seriously had such a good time. I would TOTALLY go again. I think it had to do with the fact that we went on a Thursday. It was SO not crowded at all. Last time we went there were lineups, but this time, it was smooth sailing to go on everything. My kids went on some stuff more than once. FABULOUS!!! Here are some of our favorite pictures from the ones we got before my camera decided to die on me. On the Carousel Little's First Carousel Ride E's Pumpkin Face Painting J doing the Jr. Road Rally Tricy...

Yet another ultrasound, yet another day of NOT finding out what we are having. ARGH!!! Seriously!!! The baby was in a weird position and they still could not get a clear shot of the face or of the umbellical cord attachment, so they have decided after two in office attempts to send me to a high risk ultrasound specialist. The Dr. is confident we will be able to see what we need to because they have better equiptment. *crossing my fingers* Why do I get the feeling this child will be an uncooperative one? *scared* First picture is of the top of the baby's head and the second is of his/her spine.

I decided that since my kids had a half day, and my mom was in town, I would take the kids and try to get some cute pictures for Christmas cards. Last year I totally neglected to send out any at all, so this year I am working on it early. It was also nice because then my mom did not have to wait to get her pictures in the mail, but could take them home with her when she goes. The one at the top is the one I got for cards. Then the individual of the baby and the other one are just for my wall at home. The pictures turned out really awesome and the photographer was great as well as the girl who showed me the pictures afterward. She kept my kids busy with coloring, and let me play on the computer to look at them over and over again to decide. It was great! I would totally recommend the Kiddie Kandids in Babies R Us at Ray Rd. Plus, while you wait for your pictures to print, you can shop, which is nice. Anyway, let me know what you think? The scans were a bit dark when I scanned . . . but ...