Matthiessen State Park & Starved Rock State Park

The biggest difference between Utah and Illinois (besides not having mountains) is that in Illinois, there are forests. I mean large, dense forests everywhere you turn! In every neighborhood you can find a forest to walk into, and quite possibly get lost. Matt's parents live in Ottawa, and within 20 mins there are these amazing dells and hiking trails. We visited Matthiessen State park, and Starved Rock. You can learn more about Starved Rock here. To Find out more about Matthiessen State Park, go here. I have never seen anything like it! You walk into a shade of trees and all you can hear are the crickets, birds, and the wind blowing through the trees. If you are ever near the area, please check it out! Matt and I both agreed that we would hike much more often if we had trails similar to Illinois here in Utah. You instantly get out of the heat, and you are welcomed by the cool breeze and shaded by the trees. Here are the pictures we took, amazing!!

Matthiessen State Park

The Fam at Matthiessen Park

The view of the lower dells from the bridge

Patti on the bridge, we were down below

One of the smaller dells

Inside one of the many mini caves carved out by erosion

The rocks look tough, but they are just limestone! They break easily and can be carved into

Inside another cave

Took this one to give you an idea of how big this place is! Look at the people by the cave, this place is huge!

 Starved Rock State Park

The ground is all limestone sand from rocks that have eroded, it was so cool!

One of the waterfalls, it wasn't very big since it was September. In the spring it's a lot bigger

Us!

I know it's dark, but this is another eroded cave in the park

Brad found a mushroom, but I forgot the name already. Go me :)

Happy girl! She loved going on hikes and sang the whole way!

Me and my sweet girl by one of the giant bridges

The leaves started to change, it was so beautiful!!

Brookfield Zoo

 Our first day in Illinois we went to the Brookfield Zoo with Matt's parents, his sister Beth and her son Jakobi. It is such a big zoo!! The exhibits were great, and looked as if the animals were in their own habitat. Emma had fun watching the dolphin show and looking at the polar bear play under the water. It wasn't crowded at all, so it was really nice to walk through the zoo without a lot of people there. It was a good first day! We wore Emma out, and she passed out on the way home. We took a lot of pictures and recorded some videos, enjoy!

Jakobi

Grandma was so happy to see Emma!

Grandpa Entwistle

Waiting for the dolphin show to start

She may not look thrilled, but she loved being in this carrier

The Tigers were so cute!

Huge Lions!

Beginning of Fall

There's always a bit of excitement that I get when fall is here, maybe it's the nostalgia of childhood, but it always makes me smile when I walk outside to the crisp chill of the air. The temperature has dropped from the 90's to a cool mid 80's during the day, and around 60 degrees at night. It's time for caramel apples, Halloween, and the State Fair! The only thing I dread about Fall is that Winter comes soon after. 

 We are lucky to live in a beautiful neighborhood, and the field across from where we live is still empty, believe it or not! The wild sunflowers just started to bloom, and so now the field is full of yellow flowers. Matt, Emma, and I took a walk yesterday through the field and then went to the school nearby to play on the playground. So much fun! The simple things in life are the best! Welcome Fall!!

Countdown has started!

10 more days until this family is off to Chicago!

Matt started his countdown, oh, about the same day the tickets were purchased, but now it's becoming real for me. I am looking forward to seeing Illinois in the fall, Matt says it's his favorite time of year there. We will see lots of family, and get some much needed relaxing time! We also plan to visit the Brookfield Zoo, which I've heard is amazing and large! It's going to be a fabulous time. 10 days to go until we get to spend 10 days in Illinois! Brad, hope you have enough ingredients to make 10 days worth of Death By Chocolate cake for your favorite Daughter-in-law!!! 

See you all soon!! XOXO

My new obsession

Is all about Rolo-pretzels! About a year ago, a girl that Matt worked with brought some in, and offered that I try one. I had a bad run in with Rolos when I was little, and all I remember is puking out of our family van after eating one. So when she offered one to me, I politely said "No Thanks". Well recently, Matt made a batch for himself and some people at work, and he offered that I try one, stating how delicious they were. I again, said "No Thanks". 

The next morning, I looked in the fridge and saw all these little Rolo-pretzels just eying me. So I tried one... and then another one... and well, let's just say I made Matt make me my own batch :) I am hooked, and make a batch once a week if I can. Unfortunately they cost you your first born child to buy, BUT it's worth it when you eat one. Trust me. 

Here is the recipe:
1 bag of square shaped pretzels
1 bag of Rolos candy (I've heard the Hershey's with caramel inside work too)


Heat oven to 350 degrees, place unwrapped Rolo on pretzels and bake 3 minutes. Take out and top with another pretzel and let cool.


Easy right?! I like them cold, so I put them in the fridge for them to chill. They are also very delicious right out of the oven, because the caramel is so gooey. Love them! 


Try it out, and then tell me how addicted you are, you can't eat just one!

 

Walkin' to the Store video

Ever since Emma was little, Matt has played "walkin' to the store" with her. When she was a couple months old they would play, "Run to the store" where he would move her legs really fast and then stop. She got such a kick out of it! Well this is Matt's new rendition of it, and Emma seems to love it! Sorry that it's sideways, I couldn't figure out how to rotate it. :( Enjoy!