Mia's First Field Trip

Mia had her first field trip to Old Baker's Farm this week. I went along and it was so much fun. I've always looked forward to the day I could chaperone my kid's field trips and it's hard to believe I already have one old enough to be going on one:)

Mia huddling under the umbrella with her friends. It was raining when we first got there but then it cleared up thankfully.

Waiting by the campfire for their hotdogs...

Mia and her sweet friend Julia...

Her whole class...16 kids (11 boys and 5 girls)

They had different stations set up and this one was a workshop on how pumpkins grow.

Petting zoo...

Story time in the teepee. Mia's friend Francie is holding her:) Hysterical! Mrs. Moore said they all try to mother Mia because she's smaller and laid back. It was funny to watch.


Hiking back from the Pumpkin Patch...


Picking out their pumpkins...

Painting Pumpkins

Meal Swap Recipe

My mom came up with this great idea for her, Jeanna and I to get together a couple times a month and each cook a meal and split everything up to provide 3 meals. So we did it for the first time today and it was really fun and I now have 3 prepared meals for the week which is awesome for my busy schedule these days! I made Potato and Cheddar soup and it has been a while since I made this but have prepared it a couple times for friends that have had babies. I thought I would share the recipe. It is REALLY yummy especially for this time of the year! It's great served with rolls.

Potato and Cheddar Soup

INGREDIENTS
2 cups water
2 cups peeled and cubed red potatoes
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 small onion, chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon white sugar
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup diced ham

DIRECTIONS
1.Using a medium sized stock pot bring water to a boil, add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain reserving 1 cup liquid.
2.Stir in butter, onion and flour. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually stir in potatoes, reserved liquid, milk, sugar, cheese, and ham. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently.

NOTE: I saute' the onions before I put them in so they won't be too crunchy. I also add more cheese than it calls for.

Fall Festival

Mia's school had their fall festival yesterday. I didn't get to take many pictures because I worked a booth part of the time but I snapped a few when I was done. It was chaotic but lots of fun:)


Mia looking through her candy she collected...

Averi showing off her fingernails. They had a booth where they did fingernails and makeup and the girls thought they were so big:)

Averi bowling...


Mia doing the soccer kick. She couldn't get it in because it was a little high, so she drop-kicked it through the hole...

Fishing booth. This is the one I worked at and it was actually a lot of fun...


Hayride...

The Great Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Pumpkin Patch in Hayden this week. My Mom, Jeanna and Parker went too. It was a beautiful sunny day with a little bit of cool air which made it feel like fall! It was so much fun to have my mom be able to join us this year too...

Results

My dad's test results came back on Friday. The Lyme Disease test was negative but he tested positive for an autoimmune disease. So now they have to figure out specifically which one he has. The doctor has referred him to a Rheumatologist until he can get in to Mayo Clinic in December. Your continuing prayers for him and our family would be appreciated. We have all been really worried about him and are ready for some answers (for his sake). Thanks!

Random Update

Mia got her first report card today. She did great and her teacher's comment was "Mia is a SWEET girl and is such a joy to have in my class". Always good to hear that other people are being blessed by your children as well. We are so proud of her.

My dad was not able to get an appointment at the Mayo Clinic until December 15th. Apparently it takes months to get in. His doctor here ran some general blood tests and also tested for Lyme Disease but these results have not come back yet. He is on 3 medications for pain right now. Please pray that one of these tests may show something or that the medicine will start giving him some relief until December. He is in bed about 90% of the time right now:(

Averi has continued doing well with going potty. Even on our trip she did great. I learned my lesson because one night we were at a restaurant and she said she needed to go and I had just taken her not too long before that. So I said "I'll take you on our way out" and then she had an accident (she had to do the opposite). She was so embarrassed and buried her head in my shoulder:( Poor thing! I felt so bad! But other than that she is doing great and has even gotten to the point where she will come tell me when she needs to go. She has done way better than Mia first did with using public restrooms. Mia used to be terrified to go in public restrooms. She thought they were too dirty and loud:) Averi couldn't care less! So funny!

Anyways, there's a little random update. I am still loving my job and am thankful for the many ways God has blessed us!

Wordless Wednesday

Pensacola

We went to a soccer tournament in Pensacola this weekend. It was Averi's turn to go and Mia stayed here with the grandparents. We had so much fun and Averi was SO GOOD on the trip. It's really nice that she is finally at an age where she can stay up later or past her naptime and not get fussy. I don't think there was a night that she wasn't in bed before 9:)

Anyways, we did okay in the tournament. We placed 3rd overall. We stayed an extra day to spend some time at the beach which was fun. Averi LOVED the beach this time and wasn't afraid of the sand or water like she was in the spring. She had a blast picking shells for Mia, running through the shallow part of the water, and watching the birds and the people.

Here she is all ready for her nap on the trip. Only lasted 30 minutes but oh well.

Eating on the beach...

Ready for the soccer game with all her dolls and juice...

Swimming at the hotel...

Swinging from the bar...one of her favorite things to do.




Running on the beach

Getting seashells...