No Bake Applesauce!

Try this:

(Courtesy of Tosca Reno: The Eat Clean Diet Cookbook)

6 medium apples--unpeeled, washed, cored and quartered (we picked ours off the tree, but any apples will do)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

2 Tbs fresh lemon juice

Place all the ingredients in a large Ziplock bag. Toss well to distribute evenly. Place in a the freezer for at least 4 hours (we did ours overnight). Remove from freezer and let them thaw for one hour or more. Gently rub skin from the frozen apples and place the apple pulp into serving bowl. Mash the apple pulp with a fork or potato masher. Serve cold.

If you need to add sweetness: Add a 1/4 c. of sucanat or organic brown sugar (try it first, you may not need to add anything depending on your taste!)

So good and no cooking involved! I am making bunches (the Bayfield Apple Festival is in two weeks!) and keeping them frozen until I need to "make" the applesauce.

Thought I would pass this on to anyone who likes applesauce, but also values their time! :)

Happy Birthday Auntie Bean!

Happy Birthday Auntie Bean! We love you! Thanks for being such a big part of our lives. You are a very special person and deserve the best and ONLY the best!

We went to the Fall Festival yesterday and had a blast. The weather was perfect. Kennedy, Maggie and Brooks rode ponies, but I was unable to capture a good picture of Brooks on the horse. I got good ones of Maggie and Kennedy, but for some reason my fingers froze when Brooks would come by and I missed getting a good shot of him. Afterwards, we celebrated Auntie Bean's birthday at a local pizza place. Brooks was busy counting his crayons. He can now count to six. You wouldn't know it unless you were his mommy or daddy. Some of the numbers are very clear and others are his own version of numbers. He does pretty well though.

After church today, Daddy made Brooks this awesome mask out of the chicken packaging. Brooks thought it was very cool. I can just imagine when he is four years old, wearing a cape and a mask around the house waving a sword at us! Ahhhhh!

This afternoon we have some chores to get done and plan on an early night of relaxing and being a family. I should mention though, Greg got 10th place in his half marathon yesterday. He got a PR and the entire race was on trails with extreme hills! He beat his times from "regular" half marathons that are held on the road with no hills. He is so awesome! Way to go, Daddy!

More Brooks Lovin'

Brooks is doing so good in his big bed. He is so obedient. He does not get out of his bed no matter what, even if he isn't sleeping. Recently, he has been having a hard time taking a nap. He still stays in his bed (today for almost an hour!) and sings, talks to himself, stands up on his bed and plays with his blankets. Not once has he tried to get out of bed. He drops things (his book or his pacifier) and he doesn't get out of bed to get them. He just sits there and cries for his lost items until we go in his room and get them for him. It is so funny. We don't think he realizes that is isn't his crib and he can get out anytime he wants to. Maybe it was the stern voice that Greg used the very first night, but he is doing awesome. I just can't stand seeing him grow up so fast, though.

Good morning, Buddy! Good job staying in your "big boy bed"! We are so proud of you.

"Yep! I love my new bed! Good Morning to everyone!"

We played outside and enjoyed the wonderful weather on Wednesday. It got so hot playing that we took out the hose and ran through it. I should clarify though, Brooks was scared of the hose and the powerful water coming out of it. He just stood and watched his cousin Kennedy run through it. He also cried a little bit until his Auntie turned the pressure down a little bit. Then he was willing to take a sip of water.

Some things that are new with Brooks:
1.) He loves cottage cheese, applesauce and yogurt. He now feeds himself with a "poon" like a big boy. He makes a mess! (see pic)
2.) Brooks says "Veggie Tails" when he wants to watch Veggie Tails on TiVo.
3.) Brooks went to the dentist for the second time yesterday. His teeth look great and he didn't even cry this time! Yeah!
4.) We tried to take Brooks' pacifier away two nights ago. It was a very sad situation. He cried and I mean sobbed. It broke my heart and we gave in. This is bad, but if you would have seen Brooks you would have too. We will try again soon or maybe he'll be the only 4th grader with a pacifier! Who knows...
5.) Brooks needs a haircut. This kids hair grows so fast. I think he's had like 4 or 5 cuts so far in his short little life.
6.) Brooks is putting mini sentences together. For instance yesterday he said "I want soose (pacifier)". Not exactly the sentence we want him to say, but pretty impressive.
7.) We finally found shoes to fit Brooks and he loves them! His feet are very chubby so it was a huge struggle to find shoes that fit. Finally, Oma bought him some Robeeze that look like real shoes and they work wonderfully. I would highly recommend them. (They are expensive, but that's what Oma's are for. Right?)
8.) One of the only things Brooks holds still for is to put his shoes or socks on. For some reason this is one time he enjoys holding still. This is basically the only time he holds still.
9.) Brooks fell asleep on his babysitters lap on Thursday at 6:45pm. He has never done this for us. He must have been worn out.
10.) Brooks continues to be the joy of our lives. He is so much fun.

Tomorrow Greg has a half marathon and we are heading to a local fall festival to enjoy the crisp air. It should be fun.

Love to all!

A very BIG day for a very BIG boy!

Tonight was a big night at our house. Brooks transitioned into a "big boy" bed tonight! He no longer has a crib! Yeah Brooks! We have been wanting to transition Brooks into a big bed for a while now because he keeps getting his chubby little legs stuck in the sides of the crib. We also heard a horrible story about a 12 month old in Duluth who just fell out of her crib (figured out how to get out of it on her own) and passed away from head injuries. We knew that Brooks was on the verge of getting out of his crib on his own, so we decided to child proof his room and take the next step.

Brooks did amazing! It took two "swats" in order to get him to stay in bed. I am amazed. We were given a night vision TV set from Steph and Keven, so Greg and I are able to sit outside his room and tell him to "get back in bed" as soon as his little feet start to hit the floor. Putting Brooks to bed tonight only took around 5 minutes and he did great. He is now sleeping (I can see him, thanks to the camera) and I am still having a hard time believing that he is in a big boy bed. Wow. It seems like yesterday that he couldn't even roll over in his crib. I am thankful he did so well tonight and hope this is a preview of what the next few nights will be like. Brooks is such an amazing kid.


I think Brooks is really spoiled. He now has his own computer thanks to his cousins Maggie and Kennedy. I get a kick out of looking back at Brooks in the car and seeing him play on his computer. He doesn't understand any of it yet, but in this picture he looks like he is deep in thought searching the Internet for a new toy!

Greg took Brooks to the aquarium on Thursday. Brooks had a really good time looking at the "sips".

They also made a stop at McDonald's for an ice cream cone on Thursday. I wonder if Brooks is his daddy's child? Greg loves ice cream. Do you think that Brooks does? I can't tell by his face!

We have a pretty "normal" week ahead of us. We have three birthday's to celebrate (Grandpa Gordy, Grandma Elsie and Auntie Bean!) and will hopefully get to enjoy some crisp fall air! We love the fall and are excited that the leaves are starting to change. I am sure we will have some more cute pictures of Brooks in his big boy bed in the near future.

Love to all!

More pictures...

The recap is in the post below but here are some more cute pictures of the Bud.

10 Hour Tri!

This past weekend we did the Burrito Union 10 hour triathlon. I did it on a team of 3 (me, Steph and Laura), my parents and our pastor also did a three person team. Greg did it on a 2 person team with Keven. The three person teams had to split the triathlon (swim, bike, run) between each member. By the end of the day, our team (Team DOJO) did 6 full triathlons and my parents team (Team Run with Endurance) did 4 full triathlons. Keven and Greg's team had to rotate every other triathlon. For example, Greg would do a WHOLE tri and then Keven would do a WHOLE tri. This went on for 10 hours! These guys are amazing. Greg did 4 full tris (all faster than I could even dream of doing ONE tri) and Keven completed 3 full tris! These guys didn't even hurt the next day. I don't get it, but am amazed at their abilities.

It was great to have Grandma Johnson watch Brooks for part of the day on Saturday. The report is that Brooks was lots of fun. I think he is always best in his own environment because it is so "Brooks friendly". Thanks Grandma for watching him!

Here is the entire team. Keven, Steph, Pastor Rolf, me, Mom, Dad, Laura and Greg! Go Wookiees!

On Sunday I was doing something in the bedroom and Brooks comes walking in with this beautiful new hat that his daddy made for him. I couldn't get a picture straight on, but you get the idea. Brooks thought is was funny, but Daddy might have thought it was even funnier! :) Just another example of how much fun we have!

We were able to hit the park on Sunday after church. I think this is just about the best picture I have of Greg and Brooks. The temperatures were perfect and the day was super relaxed. I love fall and can't wait until the leaves turn. Greg and I plan to go to Lutsen for a day with Brooks to get some good pictures and enjoy the fall. Last time we were there I was pregnant with Brooks and we did some really fun running and hiking on the trails up there. I wasn't able to mountain bike but while Greg did that, I got a massage! Nothing feels better when you are prego!

Anyhow, today Brooks seems a little bit sick. He has some "green boogers" as we like to call them. It seems like every time he goes in our church nursery he is sick by Wednesday. I guess that's what happens when he plays with toys that have germs and kids that are infected! It's good for him though and he needs the socialization. I just hate dealing with the sickness that comes with it. We do praise God for how healthy Brooks has been. We know we are blessed with such a healthy little boy--I have to remember that and be thankful for that every day.

Greg = Amazing.

Here is to our husband and daddy, Greg. I just feel this overwhelming urge to write about the kind of man that Greg is. He is an amazing husband in so many ways. He puts our family first--all the time. He protects us, takes care of us and is our very own quarter-master (if you don't know, that is a Boy Scout term for the person who in in charge of keeping everyone else organized and who is in charge of all the gear). Greg leads our household and reminds us to pray when we forget to. Greg kisses and hugs me every day too many times to count. Greg respects me and my wishes and lets me dream. He supports my crazy ideas and doesn't make fun of me. Greg is a kind, loving husband and friend. I really don't know another husband who is as wonderful as he is.

Greg is the best daddy ever. He plays with Brooks everyday and always has lots of time for our little buddy. Greg hides in the closet and jumps out at Brooks, gets inside the tunnel in the living room and giggles with Brooks, and reads tons and tons of books to Brooks. Greg doesn't get overwhelmed or frustrated when Brooks doesn't obey, instead he disciplines Brooks in a stern yet loving manner. When I leave for work, I never worry if Brooks will be taken care of correctly. Greg adores Brooks, prays for and with Brooks, and puts Brooks' needs before his own. Brooks loves his daddy and his whole body smiles with delight when Greg enters the room. It is too cool.

I love you, Greg. You are amazing and wonderful and I am glad I can tell (or remind) the whole world. You are the best. Thank you for putting our sweet little family first and for loving us unconditionally.

We love you.

A beautiful day and the Farmer's Market

Today we hit the "rocky" beach. It was a perfect day. The temps were in the low 60's and the feeling of Fall is in the air. Brooks loves being outside and really enjoyed a change of scenery. He insisted that the stick in the picture below was meant to pick people's noses. First he "picked" his nose with it and then he tried to "pick" my nose with it. Funny.

This isn't the best picture of us, but we NEVER get them together since I always have the camera. We loved walking the Lakewalk and looking at the beautiful lake that surrounds us. Sometimes I forget how beautiful our city is. A trip to the Lakewalk is a great reminder. It was a perfect day.

After a walk on the Lakewalk we hit up the UMD farmer's market. It was great. I went grocery shopping yesterday and could not believe the prices of some of the veggies. Today, however, I was able to get ALL the veggies I passed on yesterday for less than 1/2 the price. It was great! I love to make veggies in the oven so I was overly excited about the market. Here is a peek at what we got! (I got Greg some beef jerky and some homemade zucchini bread. I couldn't pass it up. It was a bargain and it is so fun to support local farmers.)

The veggies started as this and finished as a yummy side to our salmon tonight! We followed a recipe from the Tosca Reno Eat Clean Cookbook. If you don't have this cookbook and like healthy food, I recommend it. If you don't like healthy food, you won't appreciate this cookbook at all. She just came out with her Eat Clean for Kids and Families Cookbook as well. I don't have it yet, but plan on asking for it for Christmas. Brooks doesn't have any dislikes yet, so I don't really have to "hide" nutritious food on him yet. I am sure the day is coming where I will have to serve him a "cookie" (wink, wink) out of the Tosca Reno cookbook! Until then, we all just get to enjoy fresh veggies! Brooks showed us this morning how much he even likes zucchini! Way to go, Buddy!

Tomorrow is Daddy's day with Brooks. I have to travel for work, but love knowing that Brooks is getting quality time with his daddy. We have such a great set up. Until next time, happy cooking! :)

Celebrate in STYLE!

Happy Birthday to Greg! Greg turned 36 years old on Saturday! You would never guess he is that "old" because he takes such good care of himself. We were able to get together with my side of the family on Thursday night for cake. It was fun to honor Greg in a "low key, no attention on me" setting. Greg never likes being the center of attention, so he was thankful that the "party" was actually a "non-party". Greg got a super cool Garmin GPS watch from my family. It has some pretty cutting-edge settings. The one that I think is the coolest is the setting that allows you to race against yourself. For instance, Greg can go on a trail run and program that trail run into his watch. The next time he goes on that exact trail run, he can "race" himself by looking at his watch and a little "guy" on the screen. He is able to try to beat his time on the last trail run along the same course. It does a lot of other really cool things too. I think it was the perfect gift.

Brooks got his daddy some new Crocs and a raincoat for camping and fishing. In the card, Brooks mentioned how excited he was to go camping and fishing with his daddy! It won't be that long before he can! WOW!

I made Greg wear this stylish hat for the picture. For those of you who know Greg, you realize this hat wasn't in his comfort zone. He is a no-frills type of guy. I thought it was cute, even if it was just for a picture.

I was very impressed with the Dairy Queen. I asked them to put a swimmer, a biker and a runner on Greg's cake. I fully expected to pick up the cake and see stick figures. This was better than I had expected. Greg's first comment was "Oh no, that guy has hair! They made a mistake!" Funny guy.

We went to Maplelag for a series of mountain bikes races this weekend. We left on Friday and came back last night (Sunday). We were excited to have our Auntie Linda come with and experience Maplelag. We still think everyone should experience the beauty and unique setting of Maplelag. The racing was fun (Greg reports). I didn't race. I pre-rode the course with Greg and decided that I would never come back in one piece if I tried to race the course. It was very technical and my skills are less than phenomenal right now. I was able to run the trails and do lots of relaxing. Auntie Linda took lots of walks with Brooks and relaxed on her last weekend before going back to school.

Here is Greg right before hitting a "Lakeside drop". It gave me lots of anxiety watching him go down it. I just kept praying and squinted my eyes a little bit when he descended. He did really good though and had no crashes. He told me afterwards that this race was the hardest he has worked all summer. That is saying a lot since he's done a ton of events.

Up next is the Burrito Union 10 hour tri on Saturday. It should be a blast! We have three teams put together for a day of fitness and fellowship. Our pastor is even taking part.

Brooks is doing great. He now identifies fish and calls them "sips". It is pretty cute. He is napping right now and trying to get caught up from less sleep than usual at Maplelag. He was a super good boy all weekend and I think we are headed in the right direction. He seems to get easier each day. Yeah!