RISE // Fall Bucket List

FIVE THOUSAND Jack-o-lanterns. FIVE THOUSAND!

When I discovered there would be an epic display of Jack-o-lanterns near us with 5,000 Jack-o-lanterns it was impossible to pass up on the opportunity to see such a sight.

After the less than thrilling pumpkin patch experience I was a little concerned how this event would shake out, considering it didn't start until after normal bed-time for a certain 2-year old. Lucky for me, the Jack-o-lanterns did not disappoint. I had one very captivated little boy on my hands. Not to mention, Scott and I were pretty impressed as well.

Because there were literally 5,000 Jack-o-lanterns, I'll let the pictures do most of the describing…

The event lasts all month long, and nothing is done to preserve the pumpkins. So, the rotted pumpkins have to be replaced with fresh ones each week!
While most of the pumpkins are real, some of the carvings are done with Funkins. However, all Jack-o-lanterns are hand carved.
Some pumpkins take a few minutes to carve while others can take up to 20 hours!

Many of the jack-o-lanterns were what you would typically find on any front porch this time of year.

Marcus thought the colored lights in the pumpkins were just about the coolest things ever.

However, many of the displays were done by true artists.

Blooming flowers.

Extraterrestrial life and the planets.

This tree almost looked like a Christmas tree with the garland of pumpkins.

An homage to horror movies.

Some of the most famous movies and characters to ever grace the big screen.

A stroll down Hollywood Boulevard.
Of the thousands of pumpkins carved can you guess which one was Marcus' favorite? I'll give a hint, it's the one with the mouse.

My personal favorite.
There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.

A little dino action.

Day of the Dead.

What's your Chinese zodiac? Apparently I'm a Pig.
To find out your sign click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Obligatory family photo.

Oh my gosh, I'm still pining over these pictures, and my pictures didn't even capture a FRACTION of all that was carved into those pumpkins. There was an entire display of video game characters, a whole row of In Memoriam carvings from Hollywood actors who have passed away this year, a Humpty Dumpy display, and a few thousand others that I just couldn't get - because I was too busy trying to pick my jaw up off the floor, all the while take pictures, and keep up with Scott, Marcus, and our friend Barb who joined in the fun.

P.S. Did I mention this event also sells wine? We are so totally doing this again next year.

One more item checked off our Fall Bucket List.

What's been keeping your fall festive? Link up below with Stephanie, Elizabeth, and me, and let us know what bucket list items have been keeping you busy.

Desirée // Macke Monologues    Stephanie // Wife Mommy Me    Elizabeth // Chasin' Mason

Happy Marcus Monday!

Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping babe? 

A week's worth of sleeping Marcus pics (not weird, right?), and all the things he insists go to bed with him.

I think not.

Happy Monday!

We Can Be Royal

There has been so much AMAZING happening in the last week, I can barely handle all of it. Let's just get to it, because I'm beside myself with excitement.

This week's highlights:

1. In an *EIGHT GAME SWEEP* the Royals clenched the ALCS title - we're headed to the World Series, baby!

It's been so awesome watching the boys in blue this post season.
Check out this most fantastic parody of Lorde's Royals - all my KC Royals loving peeps will appreciate it immensely.

2. Wait. What?! Is this real life?!!

As we watched the Giants punch their ticket to the World Series Scott and I knew this was a once in a life time thing. So, we did what any sane couple with a child, and no easily accessible overnight/weekend child care would do (also known as, no family within 1500 miles), we secured tickets to Game 4 of the Series.

3. Not to be overshadowed by baseball, Scott and I are headed to San Diego this weekend to watch the Chiefs play the Chargers.

2011 - a tiny little Marcus is hiding snugly underneath my Chiefs shirt. :)

Last time we saw the Chiefs just so happened to be at Qualcomm in 2011, Chargers won 20-17. Let's hope this go-around the Chiefs have a more favorable outcome!

4. In non-Kansas City sports related news… This little fella has become my new best friend, and most recent obsession.

The Jawbone: a bracelet like device that tracks number of steps taken and sleep patterns.

Number of steps taken. Sleep pattern. Quick break down. Checking in consistently.

 I love checking out my stats multiple times a day. I'm such a nerd.

5. I'm running my miles Red.

Nike+ has teamed up with Bank of America. For each mile run forty cents is donated to the global fund to fight AIDS. Just another reason to love running. My miles are doing good for more than just me. If you use the Nike+ app I strongly encourage you to take the pledge. It costs nothing, and simply requires you to log into your account, and the miles are tracked automatically. To make your pledge, and start making your miles count for more, head HERE!

Phew - so much awesome all rolled into one!
Hope you have a great weekend!!

Some Fall Swag

Before Fall really got under way a few ladies and myself teamed up to co-host a bloggers swag swap. If there's anything I love as much as the season itself, it's getting to know other blogging ladies, and a box of goodies sent to and from each other.

I've participated in a few swaps like this before, and each swap has been a great. This experience was a fabulous as each prior experience.

D was my partner, and she and I really hit if off via email correspondence. We have no less than 14 emails back and forth. I've also enjoyed following along on her blog and fitness journey. To check our her story head over to a different d.

Moving along to the awesome goodies D sent…

The wrapping right at the get go was awesome. One of my favorite things about gift giving is presentation. It was fun to see D enjoys gift presentation as much as me.

Each of the items was individually wrapped with a cute little note attached to each.

As I opened each I got little goosebumps. It was like D has known me for years and picked out the perfect things to send my way.

A closer look at D's favorite fall things, which just so happen to be some of my favorite things, too!

A pumpkin grow kit for Marcus and me to try out! I'm no green thumb, but if I can pull this off I think I'll become a saint in Marcus' eyes (he's developed quiet the little love affair with pumpkins lately).

THIS delicious smelling candle. Oh my gosh, it's heavenly. I opened it and immediately the room was full of this sweet aroma. It's my new favorite scent.

I'm sort of slightly obsessed with notebooks, note pads, what have you. This is easily the cutest notebook in my collection. And, I love how D pointed out the pink, and to support breast cancer, especially during the month of October.

Outkast! They're from the ATL (which is where D is from - showing some hometown pride), and though D may not know it, they are one of my favorites! I have so many great memories from college that had Outkast blasting in the background.

Football, representing! So long as the Falcons aren't playing the Chiefs I'll be cheering the Falcons on!

D, I can't thank you enough for the sweet and thoughtful gifts that you picked out. Everything is just perfect.

To the ladies who helped co-host this, thank you! It's was such a successful swap, I hope we can do it again next season!

Candra - Camo and Lipstick
Desirée - Macke Monologues 
Shelli - Beauty and the Baseball Coach
Erin - Homemade Happenings

To all the ladies who participated in the swap this year, thank you, too! I hope your experience was as fabulous as the season of fall itself!

If you participated in the swag swap be sure to link up with us (linky below)!

Apple Cinnamon Banana Nut Mini Muffins

I don't want to jinx it, but I think Fall is slowly, slowly, slowly making it's way into our area. The temperatures are finally dipping below 80º. Once the thermostat drops that low I take the opportunity to jump right into the kitchen and get my bake on.

When I was going through my inventory of baking items I noticed an abundance of stockpiled frozen bananas (when bananas start to turn brown I freeze them if I know I'm not immediately going to bake with them). I also saw a collection of apples that needed to be used up.

While piecing together what I had, I also wanted to keep in mind Marcus, his insanely picky palate, and how he'll eat almost anything if you tell him it's a muffin or cupcake.

With all of the aforementioned things combined these mini muffins were born. Because of the use of yogurt and banana they have a bit of a spongy texture, and the apple and banana flavors are complimented really well with the spices.

These didn't last long in our house. After the first bite Marcus was hooked, and each morning Marcus insisted on his muffins for breakfast.

Apple Cinnamon Banana Nut Mini Muffins
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Total: 35 minutes
Yields approximately 20 mini muffins

Muffins:
1/2 cup packed coarsely grated apple (pick your favorite baking apple, I used Braeburn), leave skin on
1/2 cup super-ripe banana (equals out to about one medium banana)
2 Tbsp honey
1 tsp coconut oil (or your favorite healthy oil)
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup vanilla and honey Greek yogurt (plain Greek yogurt or milk would also work well)

Streusel topping:
1/4 heaping cup of finely chopped/minced pecans (or walnuts)
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp cold butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp coconut oil (or your favorite oil)
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350º
1. Allow cold ingredients (yogurt/milk, eggs) to reach room temperature.
2. Coarsely grate apple (a cheese grate works well), and mash banana.
3. Add both fruits to a skillet, along with coconut oil, honey, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Stir and sauté on medium heat until tender. Your house will smell divine.
4. Remove fruits and spices mix from stove and allow to cool to room temp.
5. Meanwhile, mince pecans until super fine, and combine nuts with the rest of the streusel ingredients.
6. Mix with a fork or your fingers, and taste as you go to ensure the mixture tastes to your liking.
7. Streusel should be crumbly and buttery.
8. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl; stir well to incorporate.
9. In a large bowl whisk together eggs, yogurt, and vanilla. Add the cooled sautéed fruit and spices mixture.
10. Using a sifter (I just used a slotted spoon), slowly sift flour into wet mixture, and combine the two. Stir until just combined.
11. Spoon batter heartily into greased mini muffin tins.
12. Top with desired amount of streusel.
13. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Test with a toothpick in the center of muffins around the 10 minute mark. If toothpick comes out clean, remove muffins from oven; otherwise, test again every few minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
14. Allow to cool and enjoy!

Recipe Inspiration: Peas and Crayons

The Pumpkin Patch // Fall Bucket List

With a convenient three-day weekend built right in to this past weekend I figured we would take full advantage of our free Monday and head to the only legit pumpkin patch in the area. I thought the place would be pretty quiet, considering Columbus Day isn't the most widely celebrated holiday. Totally wrong. We were dodging different school groups all morning. So that was fun…

Our first must-do was a wagon ride around the farm. Marcus, in his stoic little ways, sat perfectly still, refused to crack a smile, but when asked if he was having fun would reply, "Uh-huh." 

Our wagon ride dropped us off at a small petting zoo, where I refused to pay to touch goats and sheep. I'm from Iowa. We don't pay to touch animals. Where I'm from, if you don't live on a farm, but want the experience, you go to a friend's farm and they'll let you touch all the animals you want. They'll probably even ask you to do chores if you stick around long enough. Plus, Marcus had no idea that he could actually get inside the pen, so it was a win-win for everyone.

Next up was the corn maze, otherwise known as a walking path to the coveted red flag, which means you've completed said maze. 

Marcus' favorite part of the maze was trying to run away from us (refer to far left photo above), giving me the "stop taking photos" pose (see center photo above), and breaking the leaves off the stalks and dragging them in the dirt (see far right photo above).

Conqueror of the maze!

Then it was time for the grand event: picking out our pumpkins!

Marcus thought EVERY pumpkin was the perfect pumpkin. He picked up no fewer than 20 pumpkins, and wanted to keep them all. Naturally. 

Marcus climbed a mountain of pumpkins, and was very proud of this accomplishment.

We captured a few Daddy/Marcus, Mommy/Marcus photos.

And, some poor soul was even willing to take my "good" camera and snap a family photo for us.

We managed to capture some decent smiles from Marcus. But don't let that fool you. It was hot, Marcus wanted nothing to do with the camera, and we were battling throngs school aged children whom I'm certain were all hopped up on sugar, and all acting like crazed monkeys.

As much as I want to LOVE pumpkin patches, because the idea of them is awesome, I have to be totally honest… It's not my favorite fall activity. We'll repeat the experience until Marcus tells us he's not in to it, because who am I to deny him the chance to pick his very own perfect pumpkin? But, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be content with just grabbing our pumpkins from the local grocery store and calling it a day. Sorry to all my pumpkin patch loving peeps, don't hate me, unfriend me, unfollow me for my confessions!

Even though Marcus didn't want to listen to a single thing we instructed, I'm pretty sure my little man had a good time, and we were able to successfully check another item off our Fall Bucket List.

Just for fun, here's our obligatory pumpkin patch photo comparison from the past three falls.

Apparently wearing yellow is my thing for pumpkin patches…

Now tell me, am I the only one in the world who isn't over-the-moon in love with pumpkin patches?

While we're in the sharing mood, what have you been checking off your Fall Bucket List? Be sure to link up below and let my co-hosts and me know what fun you've been having!

     Desirée // Macke Monologues     Stephanie // Wife Mommy Me      Elizabeth // Chasin' Mason

Happy Marcus Monday!

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue…

Six hundred and some odd years later, this little boy who is just over two…

Loves this country, the sand and the ocean, through and through. 

Happy Columbus Day!