elliott meets Santa- Part II

This was Elliott's take on Santa last year..... meh.

Elliott's take on Santa this year... hey, you're reading to me so you must not be that bad!


Look how big he has become in just one year!!

O- Christmas Tree

This year we decided to get a real Christmas tree instead of putting up the fake one... and we love it! Elliott loves to point at the tree and says "lights!, Santa and Snowman!"

THANKSGIVING AT THE WILSURES

We had a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving with Mark and Shauna. Elliott was sick, but he wanted to be held and the grandparents were happy to oblidge! We had a great thanksgiving feast... I though we got pictures of it, but apparently not!!! However, I of course got pics of my homemade pumpkin pie!
I had so much fun shopping with Shauna all weekend and and I got a whole new kitchen for christmas... well it seems like it!! Personally, it was more fun then opening presents!
Elliott was so sad when I had to drop off his Nanna and Papa and he cried when we drove off.
Luckily we will be is SLC soon enough!

Elliott and his Big Boy Bed

Due to Elliott being a crazy bed rocker we decided to try out the half crib. We will see what happens this weekend! He is confused about how to sleep, but he is enjoying the easy access in and out of bed. Also he can get to his toys instead of sleeping!







I love this boy!

Wisdom Leads to Living Well

I love the Dalai Lamas Instruction for Life:

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three Rs:

   1. Respect for self

   2. Respect for others

   3. Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
    

The Face of Fall

Halloween

Halloween was a blast this year. We hosted a Halloween brunch with friends in the morning (which lasted all day). We served pumpkin pancakes, which were delicious, fruit, and veggie sausage. For desert we had pumpkin pie :) YUM! It was really fun to have something during the day to celebrate the holiday... minus the hornets that also liked our meal.









We then took Elliott trick-or-treating with our neighbors. It was very busy and the streets were full of kiddos. Elliott tried his best to say "trick r treat" but could only get the fluctuation. He was the cutest little veggie-burger around.
Sorry no pictures of us dressed up this year. We dressed up for two parties on the 29th and forgot our camera!!! RATS!

Pumpkin Patch

Here we are at the pumpkin patch with Taylor, Elliott, Gordon and Patrick.

Two old bitties

Elliott kept saying "bapple?"

My three dads

So many pumpkins to choose from

Elliott liked this pumpkin

Then Elliott took a spill

Me and Elliott picking out pumpkins


Look mom I'm a clown!!

Elliott loves Chickens

So many cute goats

Elliott riding in my Radio Flyer (oh how I wanted one when I was a child!)

Bragger

Now you know I am not one to post about cooking cause really who the crap cares? Plus I suck at it, but I just had to brag about the soup I made just to say I cooked and you didn't (or at least that is what I like to tell myself.) Also I think my mom would be so proud...

Butternut Squash Soup




yyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmm gooooooddd!

Even Elliott enjoyed it with some broccoli and cauliflower (glad he takes after his mom as a non-picky eater! Just in case you want to try it or pretend you will try it:
	6 cup(s) reduced-sodium non-chicken broth
	3 pound(s) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
	1 medium leek(s), cleaned and sliced (white and light green parts only)
	1 medium parsnip(s), peeled and cut into 1⁄2-inch slices
	1 medium apple(s), Granny Smith variety, peeled, cored, and chopped
	1/4 cup(s) fat-free half-and-half
	1 1/2 tsp curry powder
	1/2 tsp table salt
	2 Tbsp chives, fresh, chopped

Instructions

• Bring the broth to a boil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Add the squash, leek, parsnip, and apple; return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the squash is soft enough to mash easily, about 25 minutes.
  
  
• Remove the pan from the heat; let the mixture cool for a few minutes. Transfer the mixture in batches to a food processor or blender and puree. Return the soup to the pan. Stir in the half-and-half, curry powder, and salt; return to a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the chives. Yields 1 1/3 cups per serving.