Homemade Granola Bars

MADE THESE LAST NIGHT AND THEY ARE GREAT! They are great when you have little helpers!

Ingredients
2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut, loosely packed (I used unsweetened)
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates (I used raisins)
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries


Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 by 12-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper.
Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and coconut together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ.
Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
Place the butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for a minute, then pour over the toasted oatmeal mixture. Add the dates, apricots, and cranberries and stir well.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Wet your fingers and lightly press the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for at least 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares. Serve at room temperature.

Meeting a new friend and Pumpkin Patch Take 3!

We had a nice and mellow week. John was in LA from Sunday until Tuesday night and he took most of the day Wednesday off to spend some time with us. On Friday morning I went to meet my friend and ex-boss's baby girl. She is so sweet and I have not seen Sharon in forever! Anna thought Sierra was a "cute baby" and she is. I made Sharon a few hair clips for Sierra and they looked so cute on her! Friday afternoon we went to Sheila's to try out the new pool! They have a slide and a cave and Lilly loved pretending to be a mermaid! I would swim with her on my back and bring her to the cave - we did this over and over. Thankfully Sheila got the kids cookies because that was the only way to get her out of the pool!

Sierra and her mommy!Such a Sweet Baby!

So cute with her clippy!

Today we went to the Pinery Pumpkin Patch in Bonita with my brother Justin, his girlfriend Michelle, and her nephew Bennett. We had so much fun! The kids loved the animals, all the pumpkins, and we went on a hay ride! After we all enjoyed a late lunch at McD's!

On the Hay Ride!Justin, Michelle, and Bennett

Feeding the goats!Anna and Bennett we so cute together!Daddy and Anna in the BarnSnack Break!Anna loves getting her picture taken!

Bible Study

I have been thinking about joining a bible study for a while now. A very dear friend gave me a mom's bible for my 3oth birthday and I have picked it up a few times, but honestly felt a little intimidated. Last year it just did not work with our schedule, so this year I decided I was going to find one that worked for my schedule and my soul. I went to the one at my church and just did not get the feeling I was looking for. The following week I went to one at another church. It is every other Tuesday (perfect) and the time and location work perfectly with me needing to pick Lilly up at 10:45. I went 2 weeks ago and really liked it. It was just an intro, but I think it is going to be a good fit! Tomorrow is the first real class and I am excited!

Playgroup Pumpkin Patch 2009

Every year we go to the Pumpkin Parch with playgroup! This year was a little bitter sweer because Lilly was at school and not able to go with us. She is doing so well (and we went to bates the week before) that I didn't want to pull her out! Anna and I had a blast with all of our friends!

Jack the Conductor
Anna Loved the Riding the Horses!

Anna on the Train!

September/October 2009 - A Few Cute Anna Pics!

Bates 2009

Every year for the past 5 Octobers Jess and I have taken the kids to Bates Nut Farm. The first trip was when Lilly and Jack were 3 months old! I love traditions!

A few cute pictures from September 2009

A Surprise Visitor!

My cousin Tyler was in town for a conference and called us (my mom) up to see if we were free for dinner the night he got to town. We were so excited to see him! I really can't tell you the last time we saw eachother - I see his mom about 2 times a year and saw his brother last year, but Tyler well - not for a while! He is married and has a beautiful daughter! He brought the girls these great reversable dolls and they love them! Here are a few pictures from the evening! We hope he comes back soon and brings Lauren and Alexandra!

Tyler and Auntie Fru-fru!

Daddy's Camping Adventure!

John decided to take the girls camping and I was not allowed! The headed to Mt. Laguna and set up camp. It got windy late into the night and they ended up having to spend most of the night in the car, but they had a blast! They roasted marshmellows and made smores and roasted hotdogs for dinner!

Sadie's Birthday Party - September 2009

I have not been great about taking pictures at birthday parties, but I got a few cute one's at Sadie's party!

Lilly and Kiara enjoying the pool!

Gioia and Rhonda

Tough Life!
Daddy and Anna

Apple Picking in Julian - September 2009

This was our 2nd annual trip to the Raven Orchard to pick Apples. Last year there were a lot more apples, but despite the lack of Apples we had a blast. Jess and I packed up the kids on a Wednesday morning and headed to Julian! After picking apples were headed into town and had a picnic at the Julian Pie Company and bought a slice of pie with with ice cream! YUMMY!

Silpada

My New Adventure! Well sometimes things just happen for a reason and the timing just works out. I believe that everything happens for a reason and this is no exception! A few months ago my friend Diana invited me to a Silpada jewelry party. The night before the party she called me and asked me to think about becoming a rep for Silpada. I have a sales background and the rep who was doing her party asked Diana if she had any friends she thought might be interested. I met Amy at the party and agreed to think about it and do some research on the company. I also wanted to shadow her at another party to see how things worked. A few weeks later I decided that this would be a great business for me! So I am 1 month into it and things are going well . I am very excited about the holiday season and making some extra money while having a great time selling a great product. My web site is www.mysilpada.com/zoe.feher

The Great Swap!

For a long while now my dear friend Leslie (she has been one of my best friends for almost 20 years) and I have talked about doing a babysitting swap so that we could go to dinner with our husbands alone! Well we finally live very close to each other and all 4 kids are old enough! It doesn't hurt that our kids have grown up together and love each other (most of the time anyway). It was our turn first and we had so much fun!

Bubu (Brady) eating dinner
2 Girls in a Tree!