Lots Of Apples...

It's apple season again.  My local farmer offered a huge box of apples (25lbs worth) for $15.  These are the bruised and damaged ones they can't sell.  I snatched it up real quick.  I have apple butter, apple pie filling, apple strudel, apple cobbler, and apple cake/muffins on the brain to name a few.  The big difference is this year, I need to use no refined sugars, cornstarch, grains, and gluten.  Wish me luck.  I decided my 24 hour crock pot apple butter recipe can be tweaked to meet my new requirements.  It looks and smells good so far!

Gymnastics Fun...

Just a little monkeying around to tire these two monkeys out!

Painting Fun...

Tonight, my local MOMS Club had our monthly MNO (moms night out).  This month's outing was at a local art studio.  Obviously we painted a tree!  It was so much fun.  We could bring our own drinks and food.  Paint, talk, relax, and enjoy each other's company for 2 1/2 hours while we painted these...

Below is a picture of mine (on left) and the instructors (on the right).  I'm definitely no artist but you can at least tell what I was going for!

New Braid That's So Easy To Do...

1/4 Cow Has Arrived...

Trying to stay on this healthy clean eating kick includes eating meats free of chemicals and other junk fed or put in the meat before and after processing.  Now to be fair, I have pretty much agreed to only buy meat from Sprouts or Wholes Foods and some cuts from Costco over the last 4 years.  All three stores offer chemical additive free meats.  It can get pricey and I'm at the mercy of what they claim.

Wickenburg has a farm family that caters to those wanting all natural, grass fed beef, pork, lamb, and chickens.  We took the plunge and ordered a 1/4 of a cow to try them out.  The reviews go on for pages, all positive of course.  So we felt like we couldn't lose.  The pricing isn't bad considering the quality meat you get but it still is a chunk of money up front because of the quantity.  It works out to be $5.90/lb which is cheaper than the grocery store for most cuts of beef.  We plan to make burgers with Papa and Grandma tomorrow to give it the true taste test.  I'm sure we will notice the difference and enjoy it that much more knowing where it came from and that nothing bad was fed or put in the meat!

Typical Pantless Maia...

The Many Faces Of Maia

Visiting Great Grandma...

Great Grandma Simpson had a bad fall last month.  She's doing well but healing is a slow process.  This week she was staying with Aunt Donna while Aunt Jeneen and family went away.  We took a day and went to visit with her.  The girls had so much fun.  They shared their snacks with her, played toys and games with her, and we all helped her count as she did her exercises.  I loved this quality time spent with her.

Baby Gift Fun...

It's baby season.  Although we are done having children, it seems as though all my friends are all busy welcoming new babies into their families.  I'm loving it.  I get to bust out my crafts and and make all sorts of cute gifts.  Here are some of the latest.

Garrison's Artwork...

Um that's one way of attaching his tail!  😃

Dancing Again...

Ava desperately wanted to take dance classes again.  We loved our old dance studio but we are a bit too far from it in the new house.  Luckily, there is a great studio right around the corner. Ava's interest sparked one in Liliana.  So both girls are now at the studio 1 night a week.  Ava is enjoying a Jr Pom class which is a combination of jazz and Pom poms.  While Liliana is getting her thug on taking a hip hop class which she also is enjoying.  Ava insisted she needed a dance bag so here is what I came up with.

Naps With Daddy Are Sometimes Needed...

Future Musician...

This boy is so excited about his new percussion set.  His siblings were just as excited to hear him play.  Let the loud noise continue!

Liliana's First Date...

A couple days ago, Liliana informed us she was dating a boy named Colin.  Yesterday, she wanted confirmation that she could go on a movie date with this new boyfriend.  Today, he was riding the bus home to our house, hanging out with Liliana for a few hours, eating dinner with us, and then going to the movies.  Given her young age, Marc and I agreed one of us needed to be present at the movie.  We wouldn't sit near them but be in the same theater.  We also agreed they would have to pay their own way and for the food they wanted to enjoy.  The evening went well.  He is a very sweet boy.  They both seem to enjoy each other's company so it'll be interesting to see how long they "date" for!  I managed to sneak a couple pictures without them noticing!!

Awkward Sleeping Position...

I'm not sure why my children always fall asleep in such awkward positions but it never looks cozy?!

First Day Of Preschool...

Very excited, Rosalia grabbed her clothes and got ready for school this morning.  She wanted 4 braids, her new shirt and shoes, and her new princess backpack.  She was so excited for school that she walked right into class and didn't even hug or kiss us good bye.  Papa and Grandma surprised her when we picked her up.  We all went over to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch.  I was shocked Rosalia didn't crash hard when we finally made it home but she did fuss at dinner time saying repeatedly "I'm so tired mommy I'm ready for bed."  She can't wait to go back for her second day of preschool.

Meet The Teacher

With the older kids settled at their new schools it was finally time for Rosalia to meet her teacher at her new preschool.  She was so smiley and so excited for what the morning would include.  She was even excited to have homework to return on the first day of school.  She was a little shy towards her teacher but still smiled nice and big for a picture and good bye hug.  By days end, she had a bit of a meltdown but that was expected.