Happy Halloween

Yesterday was our ward chili cook-off/Trunk or Treat and it was a fantastic evening. We had my niece with us so she could have some fun while her mom was working and it gave me a taste of what next year will be like! The chili part of the evening was so much fun, I think we got to sample 17 different chili dishes from burn your mouth off to meatless and bean less. We did not win, but I did have a nice case of heartburn later in the evening to remind me of my samples!

We ended the evening with the trunk or treat, which was huge since the other ward was invited as well. I think the entire parking lot was almost full of cars. For Peter's first real Halloween he scored in the candy department, not that he will actually get to eat any! He was a little green dragon and so adorable I thought. The costume even had a built in roaring element. He had so much fun running around with all the other kids in their costumes totally oblivious to what was actually going on.

Alan was brave and took both kiddos around to get candy while I manned the trunk. I think he spent most of the evening trying to keep them from stealing each other's candy. (And yes, those are Wal-Mart bags you see. I remembered to bring everything we needed, expect his trick or treating bag! )I really enjoyed seeing all the little kids in their cute costumes.

Me and my little Dragon-who kept trying to steal my hat because it was apparently hilarious that I was wearing it.

And here he is with his dragonskin shed trying to calm down after such a fun evening. He was on cloud nine. You would have thought we actually let him eat some of his candy he was so wired.

Egg Noodle Recipe

After a few requests I have decided to put some of my favorite recipes on here as I try them out.

I wanted to make chicken noodle soup the other day and I decided I would try it from scratch. I know, tons of work, but I had the time so I thought why not. I have made chicken soup before but I used rice instead of noodles and I was craving real homemade noodles. I realized then that I did not have Grandma Kissling's recipe that I remember so much from growing up and amazingly my Joy of Cooking did not have one! A quick phone call to my mom and with recipe in hand I went for it. The recipe was super easy-really, the easiest recipe I think I have ever tried. It was totally nostalgic for me to roll the noodles and break them apart since that was our job as children. And I think they turned out pretty well although I think they were a little bland so I would suggest adding some salt, which I have added to the recipe.

If you have any questions about this recipe just ask. I know I have a few of Grandma's recipes that everyone might like so I will try to post them as I use them or remember! Enjoy!

Learning Stories

Here are some funny little stories that I don't want to forget but I don't have pictures for them.

It is amazing to me what things our little man picks up, for instance. I have been teaching him to sign (which by the way is the most fabulous thing, it cuts the tantrums down by like 75%) and he has done really well with single signs. But a few weeks ago he started putting signs together. For instance we were at the coffee shop around the corner playing with some friends and I was holding him because we were getting ready to go. He signed that he wanted down and I told him no, we were getting ready to go. He then grabs my face and pulls me in for a kiss and then signs "down." Very adorable and a nice try at trying to get his way!

Another one; we were sitting at the dinner table finishing dinner and lets a big fart rip. He looks at me and then Alan and laughs a big man laugh. Were he learned that I do not know, must be a boy thing. Needless to say Alan and I about fell out of our chairs laughing so hard, which I am sure only encouraged him more.

Alan takes Peter to nursery even though he is not old enough because he is such an active little one that sitting through Sunday School and Priesthood is torture for him and dad. He has learned a few things...like to steal other people's toys and if someone tries to take his toy that if he yells at them they leave him alone. So the other night he was playing with this big truck that he got for his birthday and Alan tried to start playing with him. And was promptly yelled at. Apparently not even dad is immune.

Peter also still loves bath time, so we have to be very careful as to when we say that word because if he hears it he will run straight to the bathroom door and start pounding on it and pulling at his clothes. Many tears are shed if it really is not time for his bath.

The Hungry Caterpillar

As many of you know, Peter is an eater. For instance a typical breakfast for him could include a waffle, and egg, a banana and a cup of milk...where he puts it all I do not know, but I guess that is his mom in him. I am usually pretty ravenous in the morning as well. Anyway, I guess it is only fitting that he has recently discovered the Hungry Caterpillar book that has been on his shelf. This is the first non cardboard book that he has really been interested in and surprisingly he has been pretty gentle with it.
Until of course after I took these photos, and he ripped one whole half of the butterfly off! To his credit he was not being mean, just trying to turn the page. Oh well, I guess that is what tape is for! I am sure this will not be the last of the pages that I have to tape up after my little bookworm goes through them!