Butternut Squash Soup

My next-door neighbor was nice enough to share some of the squash from her garden with us. (Thanks, Melissa!) I made this delicious butternut squash soup for dinner tonight. I was skeptical, and didn't think the kids would try it, but they did and it was a hit! It is a Betty Crocker recipe.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 butternut squash (2 lb), peeled, cubed
2 cups water
1/2 tsp dried marjoram leaves
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne)
4 chicken bullion cubes
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed

In 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. In a 3- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix onion, and remaining ingredients except cream cheese. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

In a blender or food processor, blend 1/3 to 1/2 of the mixture at a time, until smooth. Return blended mixture to slow cooker. Add cream cheese. Cover and cook on Low for another 30 minutes until cheese is melted. Stir with a wire whisk until smooth.

Enjoy!

Halloween

Mario and Luigi trick-or-treating

Kade decided to be a convict.

At the very last moment, Erik decided to pull out Ben's Santa suit that he uses at Christmas and go trick-or-treating as jolly old St. Nick.

Maren went as a cat.

There is a house in our neighborhood who decorates like crazy for Halloween. The themes are usually different each year. This year they had a pirate theme, complete with music from Pirates of the Caribbean, mist, and lots of pirates.

I fit right in.

This year, Ben's friend Randy had a costume party at Classic Skating. This place always reminds me of elementary school when we would go skating for field trips, etc. Even though this one is in Layton, and the one of my youth was in Orem...they are nearly exactly the same.

Ben skated, but I could not find my rollerblades. Last time I rented skates, it was so much work just trying to keep them going in the same direction, I decided to pass.

Fall Colors

Utah is full of beautiful colors this time of year. This is my favorite season of the year.

Ward Halloween party

Our annual Halloween trunk-or-treat party for the ward was last night. We had a great time. Ben decided he wanted to be Captain Jack Sparrow this Halloween. I was able to come up with a costume for him (even after swearing to not make Halloween costumes ever again a couple years ago). I made myself a pirate costume, as well, since I found a cute pattern at the fabric store. L and D went as Mario and Luigi. K didn't tell us in time what he wanted to dress as, so he went as a 6th grader. M and E had an orchestra concert, so they were missing in action.

Luigi (Liam) attempts a golf putt.

Marion (Dallin) gives it a shot.

Captain Jack Sparrow (minus the goatee which wouldn't stay on)

Pirate wench

Erik's follow up appointment

This morning Erik had another MRI and a follow-up with the surgeon. There was a little line that showed on the picture but the doctor is confident it is just the healing process and scaring. He wants another MRI in three months, so we have that sheduled for the 19th. We may as well get as many medical procedures in before the end of the year, since we have met our out-of-pocket maximum for insurance. Erik also needs his wisdom teeth taken out, so that will be something else we need to work in. I can't believe he is getting wisdom teeth at 14 years old. He was an early teether, but this is crazy!

Erik played a piano solo in sacrament meeting last Sunday. He did a great job. Maren is still doing soccer and improving all the time. Kaden has decided to play the cello in orchestra. He is very excited about this. And Liam and Dallin are starting to read like crazy. They are good hard workers in school when I visit their class to volunteer. Overall we are doing very well. We have been so blessed. We still feel a deep appreciation for all the prayers that have been offered in our behalf. We truly have been blessed with wonderful family and friends!!

Sharing my passion...

http://www.birthpower.us/WhatisEmoweredBirth.html

Another school year begins...

I can't believe that school is starting again. It seems like summer just started and already it is time to go back to school. We had a bit of a rough start to the summer and didn't get to do even half the things we had originally planned (before the surgery and recovery). Speaking of which, Erik is doing very well. He is back to his adolescent self....teasing siblings and being moody with his parents. He goes in for another scan in September and will meet with the doctor again.

L and D are starting first grade this year. They are very excited to be in full day school. I am excited, too, and a little sad. Hopefully I will be able to get everything organized in my basement with all the free time. The first grades at their school were so large that they created a new class which we put L and D in. Their teacher is Mr. Beck and most recently comes from a deaf/blind school. Sounds like he. Will bea very interesting teacher for them. Maybe they'll learn to sign a little.

Erik and Maren are going to be in 9 th grade this year. They're getting old!! This means seminary, as well, which I think they will enjoy. Kaden will be the big fish in the pond as a 6th grader. He has a teacher that Maren had for 3rd grade, named Mr. Wiggil. He does a fun Harry Potter day for the kids, which Kaden couldn't be more excited for.

Anyway, that's what is going on with us lately. Hope everyone has a great back-to-school!!!