Sharing with others is fun to do

I'm singing that primary song in my head right now! So there is this recipe that must be shared. It would be selfish of me to not pass along this goodness. It is called Apple Cake. I assure you this is the best of both the cake and pie world. You might be thinking, "that sounds good." But it gets better...much better. I have two words to say. Caramel. Sauce. Yes, that's right you pour warm liquid gold over the cake. I may or may not be guilty of drinking the sauce plain. I like to eat healthy and keep my body in shape, but it all goes out the window with this in the house. So without further ado, here is the recipe:

Blend:
4 cups peeled, thinly sliced apples (about 4 or 5 medium-sized apples, Fuji or Braeburn are good)
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts, but pecans would be great too)
2 eggs beaten
2 tsp vanilla

Fold in:
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

Pour into 9x13 baking pan and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. (I spray the pan with a little non-stick spray)

Caramel Sauce:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp vanilla

Stir and heat just to a boil. Server over warm cake.



Stop licking the screen and make it for yourself! You're welcome.

What a difference

A week before Hannah was born we went on a family hike to see a waterfall in Pleasant Grove. You'll remember this post and perhaps this picture.

It was a rough hike for me then. Well, just nine months later we went hiking as a family to see the waterfall. What a difference those months have made. It was the easiest hike I've been on. It sure felt great to feel like I could run up the mountain and breath deeply. I loved being pregnant with Hannah, but I love not being pregnant even more! The waterfall was beautiful and Tyler did awesome on the hike. He trekked right along side me while Steve carried Hannah. Tyler must have thrown at least 30 rocks at some point on the hike. Silly boy! It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning.

Hannah has now been outside of me longer than she was inside. Happy nine months sweet girl! She is crawling, a wiggle worm, and gets into everything. Hannah can wave, clap, and knows five or so baby signs. She jabbers constantly and is content as ever. Hannah weighs 18 lbs. 11 oz (48%) and is 29 inches long (92 %). This girl just brings a smile to my face.

Off she goes!

Well as of last night about 7 o'clock, Hannah officially started crawling. She has seriously been so close for over a month. I simply took off my shoes and Hannah crawled, rather wobbly, over to get them. If I had known all she needed was my shoes to motivate her, I'd have done it weeks ago. I guess that it is proof that all girls like shoes (although the ones in the video are Steve's.)

Fun Filled Fourth!

Our long holiday weekend was definitely a busy and happy one. My sister and her family came up for a week and we wasted no time in getting to the fun. On Thursday we went to Seven Peaks water park for the whole day. And when I say whole day I mean eight hours. It was awesome! We had a canopy (thanks Grandma Thurgood) so we could sit in shade in between the wave pool and water slides. Tyler had no fear going down some of the slides! Thursday was a great day.

The next day we met up with one of my mom's friends for a pony cart ride. It was fun because Tyler was almost as tall as Clyde, the horse! Tyler and Hayden were both a little hesitant to feed the horse, but warmed up to him.

Saturday was my hometown's parade and fireworks. Thanks again to the canopy we could watch the parade in comfort. Tyler was totally loving the candy. What kid doesn't? After the official parade, there is a water fight down main street. I moved out of the way, but Steve and Tyler got on the outskirts to get just a little wet. After dinner, we of course lit our own fireworks and sparklers. Tyler covered his ears with each one, whether or not they were loud. Hannah was mesmerized by the sights and sounds. We walked up to my high school and stretched out on blankets to watch Kaysville's fireworks. There's something about a whole city gathered together watching fireworks that makes me smile. Only in America! After a long day, we were happy to sleep in our own beds!

Sunday was a family dinner before Jay and Kristin left for Phoenix. We were sad to see them go! Since Steve had Monday off of work, we decided to hike to the Timpanogos Caves. Grandma Thurgood came with us to help with the kids. We drove up the canyon only to find a four hour wait. What do to? We went down to Thanksgiving Point and walked around. We ate our picnic lunch, played hide and seek, saw the farm animals and ate yummy ice cream.

It was finally our turn to hike the mile and a half up to the caves. After only one small hill, Tyler said he was tired. We instigated Plan B. I carried Hannah in our baby carrier and Steve carried Tyler in our child hiking backpack. Grandma got to carry the backpacks. They gave us an hour and a half to climb over 1,000 feet in elevation. It was rough and hot! When we finally reached the top we only had about fifteen minutes before our tour. The caves were nice and cool, thankfully! It is fascinating to see the formations that nature makes. Tyler wanted to touch things (again thank you Grandma for occupying him) and Hannah was content to snuggle. The hike down went much faster. Hannah was so tuckered she fell asleep despite my bouncing down the mountain.

It was a packed long weekend, but a fantastic one at that! When all is said and done, spending time with family is the best way to spend time.

A trip of firsts!

This past week we were able to go to a family reunion for Steve's immediate and extended family. When they said it was in Newport Beach, California you didn't have to ask me twice! The drive went well both ways and the time there went by too fast. We didn't really do much. After two years of law school, Steve working in Salt Lake every day and bishopric stuff, we were thrilled to not have a schedule or any commitments. We were all content to shop (okay, Steve wasn't too content with this), walk around Balboa island with a Balboa bar in hand, and relax with family. Despite us taking it easy for the week, there were several "firsts" on our vacation.

Hannah turned eight months old while we were there. She celebrated by being able to go from her tummy to a seated position all by herself. She is starting to realize she can use her voice to get what she wants. She is as sweet as ever, but definitely louder! I think Hannah's favorite part of the trip was getting stuck under our bed.

We also took Tyler to his first movie at the theater, Toy Story 3. Great, great show. A little intense for Tyler, who at one point climbed on my lap and told me he was scared. Hannah actually did better at the movie than Tyler! Don't mind crazy Aunt Suzie in the background!

Steve and I went to the Newport Beach Temple for the first time. It was so beautiful inside and out. There was the most exquisite tile work on the entry floor. Just beautiful!

Next was Hannah's first time at the beach and Tyler's first time body boarding. Hannah HATED the beach. She honestly cried for 30 minutes straight. Poor girl. Tyler was brave and with Steve's help successfully rode a wave back to the shore. Once was enough for Tyler and he was happy just to play in the sand the rest of the time.

Another first for our family was renting a small boat and going around the islands. It was relaxing and fun to see the amazingly beautiful beach houses. There was a sea lion just about ten feet from our boat in the water. This was Tyler's first time seeing one up close. The sea lion is just next to Tyler's head on the back of the boat. It was awesome!

Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Pulley for a wonderful family reunion!