The Hallow's Eve

Jack, the Red Hot Chili Pepper

Lachlan, a "bock, bock" (also known as a chicken).

Post Script

I wish I knew how to get this to post at the actual end of this post....

Erica, I got your message from Indianapolis...I warned you about the books. I'm so proud that you are still one of us. You can read them twice (you will anyway), but stay away from the chat rooms and message boards. No good can possibly come from that :) ha.ha.ha.

AND, this picture of Jack and Ernie trying to get the tub to work reminded me that the cats had their annual physical this week. All are doing well, Ernie weighed in at 13 pounds; Fritz @ 12 pounds; and Bruce a whopping 16 pounds. Dr. H remined me again of Bruce's severe weight problem (uuggh. It is very hard to stop a cat from eating everything in sight). I tried to explain that I didn't think it was a weight problem--that he was just big boned. Dr. H just gave me the eyebrow lift and recommended that all of the cats should have their teeth cleaned in February. I scheduled the appointment as a medical compromise. Besides, it is way better to pay to have someone else clean their teeth once a year, rather than trying to do it on your own. Even crazy people have to draw the line somewhere.

Oh, Sugar, you are my friend

My first batch...carmel, dark chocolate with toasted walnuts and toasted coconut. I had to put them on the back porch to cool them quickly because my chocolate was so smooth it didn't want to stick to the carmel (especially with the weight of the nuts and coconut).

I only used a few Rome apples. They were a little too tart for the carmel, white chocolate and cinnamon sugar. The Crispins were the overall favorite (and incidentally, also recommended by the food network). The best part is that we were able to get ours directly from the local Paradise orchard. The kids had a ball seeing the farm!

The white chocolate is very easy to work with because it is so thick and easily sticks to the carmel. Also, very, very, very tasty.

The dark chocolate creations were the favorites for all adults. Kids tended to like the super sweet chocolate laced with sugar. I loved the white chocolate apples, but I actually licked the stick of one of the dark chocolate vareties.

Just for the record, tomorrow I will be wearing my black stretch pants...and I won't even care.

Jack Gets A Tooth...

Jack proudly displays his new tooth.

Jack gets a tooth....and Mom gets tired, depressed and then very hungry for something sweet...and thus, begins the cycle of up five pounds, down five pounds, up five pounds, down five pounds.

In all seriousness, I was totally off of sugar last month. I cut out all hydrogenated oils, white flour, sugar (anything over 4 grams)--I even started training for my 10K next spring,(feeling so great!) BUT last week I took a huge nose dive when Jack started cutting these teeth (top, front two). He is normally such a wonderfully smiley, happy-go-lucky baby. And I have KNOWN that this is the one thing that is keeping me a sane individual--and I discovered that I was MORE than right. He screamed, and screamed, and wouldn't take his naps, or even sleep more than two hours in the night...and screamed the rest of the night for FOUR days.

It was so hard. People tell you that teething is rough. I absolutely had NO IDEA that it was going to be one of the definingly difficult things of my life. The worst is that there really isn't anything you can do for them. You just hold them and rock them and pray that they will go to sleep...and then you threaten to destroy (with fire) anyone who even breathes in their direction. I even tried to get him to sleep with us in our bed and he just was ballistic--aauuggh. It was a bad deal.

The other thing that I learned about myself is that when I get tired and overly frustrated I am so easily prone to get depressed. I think that it is mostly because these are things that I cannot control. And I LOVE to be in control (or at least think that I am). I couldn't even make myself get on the treadmill. I just wanted to sit around and be sad with Jack. The next thing I know, I'm having white bread toast with cinnamon sugar with a side of Trix (thank heavens, I hadn't opened up the bag of Cocoa Puffs!)

At any rate, Jack finally sprouted himself a beautiful tooth. I couldn't be more proud. He also returned to his normal, albeit fantastic disposition. I, however, took a bit longer to call off the pity party. I chowed my way through a variety of soda drinks, more white bread and pasta and real bacon while visiting Grandma Carver this weekend. I also learned (thank you to Aunt Pat) how to make these outstanding candy/carmel apples. (See posting above) I've always wanted to learn and I was just hungry enough for sweets to take on the challenge. They weren't difficult (to make or eat)- and 5 or 6 apples later I feel like I'm ready to get back on the wagon (tomorrow, of course). Not to mention, they look like I SLAVED away for hours in the kitchen--I gave many of them away to neighbors and friends and they were completely in awe.

Is this lame?

Okay, other blogger friends who have been "tagging" me...this is for you. As much as I enjoy reading your tags, I am a-feared that this is a wee bit lame.

And once you read this you will see that I am the lame-o.
Four things you never knew--and perhaps, never will...

What I was doing 5 years ago

• Finishing my master's degree at Utah State University
• Traveled through the Puget Sound, Northwestern Washington and Seattle with Jeff
• Moved twice in the same year
• Fritz and Ernst came to live with us
• Learned to Telemark/Alpine Ski--Jeff is a fabulous teacher! Goodbye snowboard forever.

Movies I can watch over and over

• Field of Dreams
• The Bourne Identity, Supremacy & Ultimatum
• In Her Shoes
• The Holiday
• The Lord of the Rings Series

Things I Will Never Wear Again

• Units...If you don't remember you can thank the sweet Lord.
• Neon colors
• Braces, Headgear & Retainers
• A size 6 and/or a B-cup. Okay, so it was the 8th grade when I wore this size...but still
• Gigantic hairbows made of lace, ribbons, balloons and/or pom-poms

Guilty Pleasures

• Dark Chocolate. Anything under 60% isn't worth my time. Oh, and throw a few espresso beans in there while you're at it.
• A whole tub of popcorn at the movie theater
• Grey's Anatomy with the girls on Thursday nights (I love you Carrie)
• Hiding in the bathroom with the door locked and the fan on (to fake out Jeff), while I finish the last few chapters of Eclipse...sooo, worth it.
• A two hour nap on a Sunday afternoon

Shows I Enjoy

• The Closer
• The Office
• The Biggest Loser
• Iron Chef/Diner, Drive-Ins & Dives/Ace of Cakes/Paula Deen
• Animal Planet/The Dog Whisperer

Secretly I Wish I Could

• Play the guitar
• Sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or backup for Dolly Parton/Reba McEntire
• Hit a massively powerful tennis serve
• Run a full-service equestrian center...the arenas, stables, oh, it would be so fun...
• Read other people's thoughts

Favorite Foods

• Sushi...spicy tuna rolls. Anything with avocado, shrimp, crab, tuna and/or salmon
• Lemongrass chicken with noodles and Vietnamese spring rolls
• Korean BBQ (when Jeff makes it)
• Spinach stuffed ravioli with spicy marinara
• Good bread. Artisan stuff with Kalamata olives and/or sun-dried tomato tapenade.

Bad Habits

• Wicked temper
• Nail picker...they are jewels not tools.
• Swearing
• Impatient
• Grind my teeth (hum, can't you just get a fabulous visual of the mean old broad who is swearing, tapping her toe and grinding her teeth)

Songs I Know the Lyrics to

• 9-to-5 & Islands in the Stream: Dolly Parton
• Montana Skies: John Denver
• Fly Me to the Moon: Frank Sinatra
• Since you Been Gone: Kelly Clarkson
• American Pie: Don Henley

Random Trival Items You May Not Know

• I've been driving since I was 10 years old
• I really like big dogs. I would love to have a Great Dane someday. Of course, it will have to be after Jeff dies...I still get the SLC Rescue newsletter anyway, just in case.
• I would like to see John Edwards get the Democratic nomination, but I think that it is going to Hillary...and I'm going to vote for her. I'm praying that she will take Edwards as her Vice. I would rather DIE than vote for Mitt Romney.
• Every once in a while I just HAVE to have a McDonalds cheeseburger.
• I can't stand R&B music. I've tried...it just isn't in me.

Only Eat the White Snow

Yeah, this is Jack having his first taste of snow. This is near the top of Swan Flats. There was only about 6 inches of snow, but it was exciting to get a feel for the upcoming season.

A family shot...but not quite Christmas card material. :)

Some comfort from dad.

My new favorite picture. She does have pants on...but I'm surprised how well the camouflage really works! She was so proud of carrying that stick. When she walked by herself she looked a lot like Yoda. She even has the little wobble/hobble walk down perfectly.

Overlooking Beaver Mountain Ski Resort.

This remarkable contrast was breathtaking!

A dirt road in Card Canyon. I've only ever been cross-country skiing in this canyon. I had never seen it in the fall. I took some family pictures of the Miners...they are so neat, but I promised Susie that I wouldn't reveal them on the blog. Sorry.

Uh, Oh

Jack has a deep voice. It's very sexy for a baby. He says "uh, oh" when he drops something. It sounds like a 30-year-old man...ha.ha.ha. I took these pictures when he was being particularly quiet. I think that you could call it sneaky. And yes, this chair is attached to the bar...about 4 feet off the ground. I don't forget to buckle him in anymore...

Her first love...

Lachlan has an obsession...I know you wouldn't think that such a small person could have eyes for only ONE thing. Especially, for Shrek. Oh, my aching heart. I can't stand Shrek and what kills me is that I started the obsession...it all began with a happy meal (another thing I swore that my children would never have to be exposed to).

A Shrek doll was what was in her very first happy meal. Oh, and he was a spectacular figure--he said things like, "I'm an Ogre", "Oh, Boy"...and my favorite, "*Belch*" This plastic treasure became her first friend. Right up until the time I couldn't listen to his ogre voice anymore and I threw him away (secretly, of course). Those of you who know me well will understand that toys sometimes have to go on "a Grandpa Judd mission". Many times (well, all the time) they are never to return. Grandpa Judd used to say, "that dog (insert any animal or item you wish) had to go on a mission"--which meant that it had been convienently disposed of...now that I am older I find that I prefer it to my father's method of disposal "lead poisioning". I want you to know that I was a senior in high school before I really understood that we didn't have a lethal source of lead in our water or food source.

At any rate, despite the fact that Shrek is gone she has a remarkable ability to notice ANY other Shreks that may be throughout the world. Case in point: two nights ago she stumbled upon an open pantry door and went CRAZY-pointing and shouting at the cereal boxes. I told her that I we just ate dinner and she said, "No! GA, GA, GAAAHH" Jeff and I burst into laughter when we realized that she had yet again, discovered a beautiful portrait of Shrek on the Frosted Mini Wheats box.

The Second Snow

The Second Snow of the season...because I wasn't quick enough with the camera last weekend. I love this time of year because the weather is so fickle, but never too hot. Jeff and I took the kids and drove around the valley to capture these photos. They slept through the experience which actually made for a fantastic morning for us.
If you were to zoom in on this photo you would see Susie and Miner's house up against the mountain. I love taking the kids out there--the drive is so peaceful.

Sardine Canyon, looking down at the dry lake beds. One of the most beautiful places on earth.