Pumpkin Carving 2011

We Carved Pumpkins tonight. Kyle carved a TMNT guy, and I carved christmas trees and the Grinches name with a heart. I'm just really excited for christmas and all things involved. Kyle has a hidden talent for pumpkin carving. I'm not sure why this is, but he is legitimately good at it. I just hack away and hope I finish with ten fingers. Happy Pumpkin Carving! love, us

It's officially starting to get pretty here. Too bad it won't last long. I'm not ready to welcome the snow. 

Haunted Palouse

typical. as you all know. 

not okay with this. not okay.

about to enter the haunted woods. 

We finally got to have an adventure. Much needed. We went to the Haunted Palouse this weekend. This little tiny town (Ferndale size for my Bellingham loves) goes all out every year. They all dress up and play the role. There is two haunted houses and a haunted hay ride...into the woods. I watch too much criminal minds, so this creeped me out. All I could think was someday I will say I was there...the place of the haunted Palouse massacre. We went with Steven and Alanna and Kim and John, and Kim's sister. Alanna and I had dibs on each other. People were walking around scaring everyone. This one lady was absolutely terrifying. Until we saw her on break texting! We were walking down the street and this lady came out from behind a stand and Alanna and I screamed and jumped, then quickly realized she was not part of the Haunted Palouse...definitely just a normal person. Sorry!!! In the Haunted house Alanna and I walked in the middle ( maybe holding hands) with Kyle and Steven on each end. Kyle was leading the way and I promise this is the truth-he jumped and yelled more then once. He magically doesn't remember this, and denies it up and down, but trust me, he did. I thought the house was over. Then I found out we were only half way through and going back in. Not okay. I don't even know how to explain this house. Think of the scariest situation possible that also happens to be safe and fake. I was in it. I almost peed my pants at the end. There was something in a cage and I could see the outside so I was thinking, "cool I made it, now RUN." I wasn't focused on the thing. Until he jumped at me and I realized his cage ended. Awful. The next house was not bad at all. In fact we laughed at several points because the acting was so stinkin' bad. It was a good break from this tough semester for us, and even though I HATE scary things it was a lot of fun.

I am doing my best to be daring in the kitchen. Kyle and I love cooking for and with each other, which has been a blessing. I use to hate cooking, and I'm not sure I would always use the word love even now, but I am getting skilled at certain recipes. Not to toot my own horn, but I make a very delicious lasagna. The one thing I cannot do that Kyle I'm sure misses, is bake. Who has two thumbs and destroys chocolate chip cookies every time she tries to bake them...THIS GIRL. I can make you the best from scratch cupcake you've ever had, but when it comes to baking cookies I fail every time. Then there is my mother-in-law. Her cookies are phenomenal. Really though, if I could bake cookies like her I would be a sumo wrestling champ! Since I am not up to par on my cookie making skills I search for other fun baking projects. Below are some caramel baked apples that I took a whack at. They turned out amazing, and I was pretty proud of myself. If I had a stop watch I'm sure Kyle ate his in under one minute...as he does any food he enjoys!!    

before the oven

finished! Cute fall dessert for any occasion

All things Fall

Well aren't we cute

chandler bing

Elissa's visit!

discovery of peppermint schnapps in hot cocoa!

              

kyle & Taylor's first "hunt"

So Far this year our fall has been a blur of homework and studying. We have gotten to enjoy games, friends, and Kyle has gotten into hunting. The thought of a poor deer being cut up and hung for several days just does not make my stomach hungry. That is definitely what happens by the way. I am a big fan of meat (thats what she said) but not when I hear about it being hunted down and chillin in meat sacks. Anyway, in just two short weeks we finally get to head home for a weekend. I'm really excited to get my fill of family and people I love.