1. We got a dog! Meet Maizie, she's a german shorthair pointer mix. She is fully trained and completely loveable! She loves to snuggle and loves to play. A few weeks ago, we went into the Boise Humane Society to look around, weren't planning on getting a dog or anything. I told Justin I wanted a baby for christmas and he said uhhhhhhh... How about a puppy instead? Haha, so a puppy it was! :) I walked into the shelter and saw her shaking, so scared, and begging me to bring her home. So, of course i broke down in tears and brought her home. Wouldn't trade a day without her!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2.  I got to go through the temple and be endowed! It was one of the best experiences of my life. So spiritual and real. I absolutely loved it. So many people came to support me from home and from Rexburg.
3. We were able to go home, twice! We were able to watch our good friends Lauren and Doug be sealed. That was really cool to be a part of and see before our sealing. I just love our families. They are so great to us! Thanksgiving was a blast. We had the opportunity to go to 3 feasts. Justin's parents, Aunt Becky's, and Grandma Kathy's. We got to share all that we were thankful for and appreciate all that our heavenly father has blessed us with. We are so grateful for the families that we have been given.  

Papa John and Gwendolyn

Doug and Lauren's wedding!

1.  JUSTIN AND I WERE SEALED!!!! I am so grateful to be able to marry my husband for ETERNITY. The rest of forever. For all of time. I love every moment spent with him. He is my heart and soul and makes me so much better. He is THE best example of a man I could ever ask for. Our kids sure are going to be lucky. All of our close family and friends were able to be there and we are so thankful for their support. Such an amazing experience!

Sweet baby brother and sister

1. Wash and dry the apples, stick popsicle sticks in the core and set on a baking sheet in fridge. Prepare your toppings in bowls.
   
   
2. To prepare caramel: combine first 8 ingredients in nonstick saucepan (about 3-4 inches deep). Stir with wooden spoon over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves (no crystals are felt when caramel is rubbed between fingers) This should take about 15 minutes.
3.  Attach a clip-on candy thermometer to side of pan. Increase heat to medium-high; cook caramel to a boil until thermometer registers 248°F, stirring constantly with spatula and occasionally scraping down sides of pan. Boil at 248°F for 12 minutes. 
   
4.  Pour caramel into a bowl.  Make sure its shallow and not too wide, so it's easier to get a lot of caramel on the apple. Submerge thermometer bulb in caramel.  Cool for about 20 minutes or until it cools to 200°F.  If it cools too much just heat it up a little.
   
5. While the caramel cools, line baking sheets with buttered foil or wax paper. 
6.  Holding stick, dip 1 apple into 200°F caramel, submerging all but very top of apple. Lift apple out, allowing excess caramel to drip back into bowl. Turn apple caramel side up and hold for several seconds to help set caramel around apple.  If needed, gently scrape the bottom of the apple to remove excess caramel.
   
   Place coated apple on prepared baking sheet.   
7. Repeat with remaining apples and caramel, spacing apples apart (caramel will pool a bit on foil). If caramel is too thick to dip into, heat in microwave for a few seconds, or add 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream and whisk caramel in bowl over low heat to thin. By the time you have dipped all the apples, the first ones should be ready partially set enough to add toppings.  If not, chill in fridge for a few minutes.  Lift 1 apple from foil. Using hand, press pooled caramel around apple.  Then firmly press decorations into the caramel and return to baking sheet.
   If desired dip caramel-coated apples into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off, then roll in nuts or candy. Or drizzle melted chocolate over caramel-coated apples and sprinkle with decorations. Chill until decorations are set, about 1 hour. Cover; chill up to 1 week or wrap in cellophane bags for gift giving.

Decorated apples :)

Happy Fall Y'all!

I wrapped my decorated apples in cellophane bags and ribbon, added a little gift tag on them and gave them away to couples in our apartment complex. It was so much fun!

1. Wire wreath ring
2. Package of 25 pipe cleaners
3. 8 rolls of 6" thick burlap rolls (usually 12-15' long. I used 2 18" wide burlap rolls 15' long because it was cheaper.
4. Accent ribbon or burlap. I used sparkly chevron wired ribbon.
5. Scissors

Ta-Daaaaaaaaa!!!

 Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate: