Banana Ice Cream

Looks like a bowl of baby food, doesn't it?

Well what if I told you it was amazingly delicious homemade banana ice cream made with only one ingredient and a blender?

I saw this recipe on another blog a couple of months ago and finally decided to try it. I was so surprised at how yummy it is and how easy it was to make! Here's the recipe.

Ingredients:
Ripe bananas
Peanut butter (optional)

Directions:
Peel bananas, slice into coins, and place on a plate.
Put plate in freezer for 1-2 hours.
Blend bananas in a food processor or blender until the consistency of soft serve.
Add a tablespoon or two of peanut butter, if desired.

This is such a yummy, healthy treat. You can eat it right after blending it, or put it in an air-tight container in the freezer to make it more the consistency of ice cream.

Try it. You'll love it. I promise.

My Mr. Nichols

Every morning I lay in bed, still sleepy and cozy under the blankets, and watch Mr. Nichols get ready for work. He stands in front of the mirror in the bathroom, goops up his hair, and brushes it until every piece is in place.


It seems like such a silly thing, but every morning as I watch him go through his routine I am overwhelmingly grateful for my husband. I'm thankful that he is so willing to drag himself out of bed bright and early and go to work to support his family. I love that he takes such good care of us.

My Mr. Nichols is a really amazing man, and I absolutely adore him.

Aimee's Baby Shower

At the beginning of September I drove down to Las Vegas with my mom and sister for my cousin Aimee's wedding. She is pregnant and due just a few days after me, so I was really excited to see her.

Her wedding was beautiful and she was absolutely gorgeous in her dress. My sister took this photo of the two of us at her reception. Love it!


The day after her wedding I had the opportunity to throw her a baby shower. This is the first shower I've ever organized for someone and it was really fun! I made most of the decorations at home before we left for Vegas and just had to set everything up when we got down there.

In lieu of cake or lunch I decided to do an old-fashioned candy bar and root beer floats. We played a couple of simple games and I think everyone had a great time.


I'm most proud of the decorations I made as I was on a pretty tight budget. All the glass containers I found at either Savers or the Dollar Store (even the retro Dr. Pepper straw container!) and the tablecloth I made from a sheet. (Side note: I'll be doing a post soon of Taylor's bedroom makeover and you'll see what I used this sheet for after the party).


The "It's a boy" banner I made with card stock and red bias tape. I also made the mobiles from card stock, twine, and old embroidery hoops.



I was really happy to be able to throw this party for Aimee. It was great to see her and share in our preggo ups and downs for a weekend. Miss you girl!

Alpine Loop

This is our very favorite time of year. We love when the weather cools off, the leaves start changing colors, and Halloween decorations start appearing. I really love everything about harvest time and try to take advantage of every second I have before winter hits.

We recently took a family drive up American Fork Canyon, down through the Alpine Loop, and back down Provo Canyon. I was absolutely amazed at the brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds the trees had turned, and I probably drove Sean nuts with how many pictures I snapped out the windows as we drove.





I love living here so close to the mountains. This is such a pretty place! I hope you're all enjoying this season as much as we are.

Back to School

Not many people know this about him, but Sean has been interested in the medical field for over six years now. He's talked occasionally about going back to school to be a nurse, but we've always put it off for one reason or another. After Taylor was born we both had the attitude that it was just too late for Sean to go back to school.

Well the subject came up again recently and we both decided that it's now or never, and Sean chose to take the leap and go back to school! He applied and has been accepted to Utah Valley University and will start in January.

I know that Sean working and going to school full-time will require tremendous sacrifice on both our parts, but we both feel like they are sacrifices worth making. Ultimately if this means that Sean will feel better about himself in a more rewarding career, I'm happy to support him.

I'm so proud of you, babe!

Taylor Adventures

I'm soooo behind on this blog, so I'll attempt to catch up with a couple of posts about what the Nichols family has been up to lately.

First of all, some random Taylor goings-on.

He's decided that watching TV is way more fun if he sits in the most uncomfortable positions imaginable. I'm sure he's fine sitting like this with his little flexible three-year-old body, but it seriously hurts my back and neck just watching him.


A few weeks ago my mom bought Taylor a pair of rain boots - or, as he calls them, his "welly boots." They are so cute on him and I'm excited that he can take them on and off himself. He likes them too; in fact for a few days straight he wore nothing but his underwear and boots. He thinks it makes him look like a superhero.


I have my own car during the day now (Sean got the Nissan going again so I get the Element) and Taylor and I went to Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove a few weeks ago. I forgot how much fun that park is and Tay had fun as long and other kids didn't try to play with him. We're having a bit of an anti-social problem with him lately and he's just not been very interested in playing with kids his age. I'm hoping this phase passes soon.




We have a garden area outside our living room window and we moved in too late for me to plant much of anything, so Taylor gets to dig and play with his trucks in the dirt. He's such a boy!


It's amazing to me how fast Taylor is growing. It's a little bittersweet as a mom to watch my baby get older and smarter and more independent. He's my little buddy and I love that I have the opportunity to stay home with him during the day. I get to play with him and listen to his silly stories all day long and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Watermelon

So I'm a ridiculously proud mommy tonight. Taylor was sitting at his white board and after a while said, "Mommy and Daddy, look at my watermelon!" We glanced over and sure enough, he had drawn a watermelon! I'm so impressed because he hasn't been too interested in drawing or coloring at all, and it was so cool that he actually drew something recognizable.


Amazing how excited I can get over a drawing of a fruit, eh?