So we're ready. Bags packed and ready to roll. We'll likely update this blog fairly regularly once the labor ball gets rolling... Due date is one week from today, so it could be anytime. Heather's feeling pretty well. Ready to meet this beautiful little person. This picture is a bit dated, taken on oct. 23. Heather went out for a 1.5 mile stroll around the park today, and then a beautiful drive out to the river trail. This fall in Montana has been absolutely incredible. Warm and sunny. Our high temperatures have been in the 70s. crazy. last year at this time we had already had substantial snow and subzero temps. This has been exquisite. The perfect season for a baby to enter the world. Can't wait.

Apple Lentil Salad

So we have recently been loving this apple lentil salad we found in our Mennonite cookbook and thought we'd pass on the recipe:

1 Cup Lentils

Soak 15 minutes in hot water

2 Tbsps curry powder

1 tsp salt

In large saucepan heat 1/4 cup olive oil. Add salt and curry powder and heat until bubbly. Drain lentils, add to saucepan, and fry briefly.

2 Cups water

Add and cook until absorbed (adding more water if needed to cook lentils until tender), about 20 minutes. Drain any excess water. cool.

2 tart apples (cored and diced)

1/4 Cup lemon juice or cider vinegar

combine to prevent browning. Mix with cooled lentils.

2 potatoes (cooked[boiled], cooled, peeled, and chopped)

1/2-1 small onions (thinly sliced)

handful of fresh or frozen parsley(chopped-optional-we didn't use this tonight)

Mix in with salt to taste. Serve warm or at room temp. (we also have loved it chilled)

we remarked continually when eating this today how great it was and how much we loved it. not sure if anyone is interested in trying it, but if so, be sure to let us know what you thought!

still no baby-- we're getting more and more ready!

First Picture of our Baby!

isn't she cute!?!

So last weekend we celebrated our 4th anniversary with a lovely trip to Fort Benton, MT. We ate at the historic Grand Union Hotel. It was absolutely fantastic. Heather had the Huckleberry roasted chicken. I had some sort of fish and a locally raised beef tenderloin. Plus the incredible fall salad with wilted spinach, duck, and local spaghetti squash. All in all it was a great way to celebrate four beautiful years together. The night before, we went to a six-man football game in Highwood, MT. Small town excitement turned us into football fans for the evening. Getting ready for the baby is in full swing. More and more excited to meet her! And to introduce her to our families! This weekend our anniversary celebration continues with a trip to Glacier National Park and a night in a Bed and Breakfast (won from a raffle at a film festival last spring!)

Heather is more beautiful than ever and the baby is working out for an active and successful career as a gymnast or acrobat. She's moving constantly; it's pretty incredible and beautiful. I am addicted to feeling her move. We went to a baseball game and Heather insisted on having her picture taken with the mascot. (the great falls voyagers--yes, it's an alien with a baseball head). Heather's addicted to these mexican wedding cookies and chai from a bakery here, so that's been exciting for me as well. I prefer the pumpkin bars.

Heather made an amazing mushroom sauce that we loved and ate over pasta and then on a homemade cast iron pizza the next night. It was absolutely incredible. Fall is fast approaching here in montana; Bowhunting season opened last weekend, our radiators are popping and hissing like they'll soon explode, weather reports begin to mention the chance of snow in higher elevations. we've got a trip to Glacier planned for next weekend. Looking forward to the last few trips we'll take up there before parenthood. School has started and I have been quite busy. I have a good group of kids this year, along with some pretty huge challenges. I can't believe how quick the summer went by.

more excited every day for the changes that will be happening soon soon soon!!!

Todd and I had our child-birth preparation class at the hospital today! Six hours of so much learning...it all made us very excited. Todd was incredible, practicing breathing/massage with me and he finally got to see the room where I'll have the baby girl. The teacher was really good!