Lazy Sunday

Kent and Brooke enjoying a Sunday snooze...

Early November view of our front yard. I love the color of our tree!

We laugh every time we take Brooke out of her car seat. She seems to hold that position until she gets all stretched out... funny little girl!

What's for Dinner? Part 2

Kind of a strange combo... pizza and squash... but when you've got craving for pizza and there are some some fresh acorn squash on your counter top, you'd better eat it!

Quick and Easy Pizza Crust: I love this recipe. It is so easy and has always turned out tasty. Today I'm doubling the recipe so that Kent can have some left-overs for lunch tomorrow. And I just realized I forgot to add Canadian bacon to his shopping list... woops! I guess it's vegetarian pizza tonight! :)

For a great veggie pizza we like to use mushrooms, tomato, olives, red onion and green pepper. It's wonderful!

Acorn Squash: Simple recipe, but there's nothing better! It's a classic for a cold November evening. Enjoy!

Fun with Grandparents

Grandpa Bing and Grandma Britta had a great visit this weekend. On Friday we had a fun chocolate filled Halloween evening at Caitlin's house on Cottage Ave. in Cashmere. We stayed close to the front door with the 600+ trick-or-treaters knocking on her festively decorated door. There were all ages and costumes but the majority were Spiderman, skeletons and princesses. We had three memorable moments during the evening. The first was when a little boy refused to go any further, "I've got to pee!" His dad tried to get him to go down the street to the fire department, but he wasn't going to move! We let him and his dad use Caitlin's bathroom. The second was when a little boy looked up at me (I had no costume on at this point) and said, "You scare me!" He was really trying to say, "Do I scare you?" But it came out pretty funny. The last memorable moment was when a little boy knocked and pushed open the door all on his own almost trying to get in the house. Lots of laughs, good dinner and great company made it a great time.

On Saturday, Kent drove us up to Rainy Pass and the Iron Goat Trail on Steven's Pass. We stopped to take a snapshot of us at our favorite big tree! :)




Brooke loves the smiling faces of her grandparents! She was especially enthralled with Britta's great commentary! For the short time she was awake in the back seat of the truck she was smiling and chatting with Britta.

When looking at Grandpa Bing she smiles her bashful smiles that turn away into whoever she is holding. She sure is good at being the center of attention. Bing noted that she sure isn't afraid of telling you when she needs something!

We look forward to seeing them again at Thanksgiving.

Happy Halloween!

I wanted Brooke to be a chicken for Halloween this year... only to find out she was going to be a little grumpy today and HATE feathers. Well, at least she doesn't hate the hat I made her!

Daddy time! Brooke loves to listen to stories. We try and read to her every day.

Oh Maisy! Part 4

Hmmm.... I wonder who found the lasagna dish? (Where there's a bone, there has been Maisy)

On the Record: Kent Chalmers

Click here to read an article from the Cashmere Valley Record, our local newspaper. Everything you've always wanted to know... and more about Kent! :)

Our Little Munchkin!

A big thank you goes out to Bob, Emily and Etta Wicks! We just had to try on that yellow outfit! Thanks for sharing!

Also, hugs and kisses to Great-Grandma Koke who sent Brooke this sweet little bear! It's the perfect size for her little fingers to grasp on to and so cute!

Woops! There it goes!

University of Idaho Homecoming

This weekend we made the four hour drive over to Moscow, Idaho for homecoming celebrations at the University of Idaho. Even though our time there is so short it is so much fun to visit friends, former students, and the campus during this gorgeous time of year.

Friday night included a rehearsal with the alumni band and as Brooke and I enjoyed a quiet evening at the hotel, Kent was off to see the bonfire and fireworks up at the Kibbie Dome. Saturday morning we had a great breakfast at the university followed by a parade down Moscow's main street. This is one of my favorite parades because it is so low-key with small bands, college students' attempts at floats, livestock and buckets of candy thrown out at the crowd.

Idaho is trying everything to get some Obama votes!!! Ever heard of an Obama Llama?!?

The cheer leading/gymnastics float was quite scary to watch... there's nothing like young girls twirling their bodies in the air on a moving vehicle. I'm sure it was "safe" but I'm not sure I'd be letting Brooke do this in 8 years!

The Idaho Marching Band entertaining the crowds as the march down the street.

From left to right: Ryan Coles, Bob Wicks (and 6 month old Etta!), Kent Chalmers and Chris Beery. Seeing all our trumpet playing friends really brought back memories!

Brooke's first college football game!






Elementary through high school students from the area joined the Vandal Marching Band for the pregame entertainment.




The trumpet and mellophone section playing a soli during the halftime show.



Kent and I left after halftime, which was good because Brooke decided she didn't want to be in the car seat. We probably stopped 5 times, which didn't include our frappachino fix at Starbucks in Moses Lake! Finally near Quincy she fell asleep and stayed asleep until we got home. It must have been all the loud noise and busy day, she slept the longest night ever, drum roll please... 8 1/2 hours! The longest ever was 6 1/2 hours, so I'm really not complaining.

Around my Garden in October