FALL?!

I sure am glad that mother nature does not know it is not quite FALL yet!!!!

One of my most favorite seasons is fall (the other spring). I do not know if it is because the kids go back to school, the yummy goodies, all the trees changing, cooler weather...I just don't know...I think if I had to chose just two it would have to be

BACK TO SCHOOL (only 10 more days!) AND YUMMY GOODIES (I love to bake)

So since it has felt a little like fall the last couple of days I decided to make today my baking day

First thing this morning I decided to make my Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce. I know that is not baking that is cooking but we can't very well eat baked goods for dinner, even though I know I would not hear any complaining from the rest of the family! Someone has to be the adult!

Derick helped me make this it is so easy and yummy!

2 lb Hamburger Cooked (I use 1 package frozen Italian turkey Meat balls)

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms or (6 oz) of mushrooms drained

2 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, drained (if you like it soupier do not drain)

1 can (29 oz) tomato sauce*

1 can (12 oz) tomato paste*

2 tablespoon dried basil leaves

1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I only put 1/4 tsp)

Instructions

Put meat mixture into cooker. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours.

Additional notes

*You can use 64 oz of spaghetti sauce if using omit sugar and salt

After we started the Spaghetti Sauce the kids made chocolate chip cookies (sorry I did not get pictures of them doing it but I needed to help)

By the time those were done it was lunchtime so I took a small break and then dove into Banana Bread! Malea helped me with that! (again no pictures, I think I need to get a child taking pictures if I am too busy)

Now here's the thing I made the Banana Bread and cookies for Nick, he requested it and I just did not feel like that so I decided to make ME Pumpkin Bread...YUM, YUM!!!!!

I just made that myself.

And now we reap the reward!!!

Some like it HOT some like it COLD!

Lately it has been so hot, we decided to journey to somewhere cool!

We drove to a river and then started to walk...

And walk...

And stop to take cool pictures...

Then we finally we found the perfect spot to dip our feet and hang out!!

(When taking this picture the kids kept complaining how cold the water was, you just can't please them)

 I think we found the best place with a ledge 

WOW we really needed to relax!

Ohhh! We need to go home, I am positive we will be coming back! But next time we will bring swimming suits and inner tubes!!

Now we have to walk back to the truck!

All that walking and driving was soooo... worth it!!!

When the boys are out of the house the girls PARTY!!!

I remember when I was younger and my parents took us camping. There happened to be a few dirt bikes that my brothers and a few other boys were riding. They made it look so easy so I thought what the hay...my dad told me what to do and where the gas was and everything. I jumped on and rode down the street pretty fast and confident  I got to a turning point and headed back thinking that it was so easy and that I looked so cool! Just when that thought got out I ran into a tree...well I mistakened the gas for the brake and well rode UP the tree and fell off the bike. I got up kicked the bike and stomped my way back to camp, without the bike. I believe that was the last time I drove a bike.

So the boys, Derick and Gavin were gone and dad thought that it would be fun to see his daughter ride Derick's bike.

Look at my little...well big girl I am so proud of her!

The only thing that Libby could not do is pull start it, good thing one boy was there to help her.

I'am proud to announce that her first motorcycle riding experience was a lot better than mine.

 

Homedale, Idaho

We recently took a trip to Homedale, Idaho the last time we went to Idaho was when Derick was 4, Libby was 2, Malea was 11 months old and Gavin...well he was not even thought of!

Now look at these kids, they sure do grow...

We of course could not go to Idaho without Great Grandma's famous hot cakes!

We learned and explored new things, after all we are all city folk (well the kids and I are) 

Like How Ice Sticks To Your Lips

We then sat back and played with Grandma and Grandpa Kent

Yes that is Nick playing with Barbies

When we tuckered Grandma and Grandpa out we decided to bother the other family down the road

Aunt Kristie and Uncle Gary

 

Nick seems to think that he needs one of these for “snow plowing"

Derick and Gavin seem to think they need one of these for....well they don’t know but they need one (like father like sons)

We had a wonderful trip and we cannot wait till we can go back again!