Pumpkin Crumb Cake

I made the most delicious pumpkin crumb cake the other night. It is a yummy layered cake that is so simple to make. My sister Cindy called me the next day and said, "Oh my gosh. I have to give you this recipe for an awesome pumpkin crumb cake I made last night." What? You made pumpkin crumb cake too? After talking about it we realized it was the exact same recipe! Neither one of us had ever heard of or made the cake before (other than my old roommate Katie's pumpkin crunch- it's kind of similar) and we were just baffled about how we both randomly stumbled onto the recipe. Yes, we're sisters. Well, the recipe was so good I thought I'd share it with you. I found it on allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
* 1 egg, beaten
* 1/2 cup butter, melted
* 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 3 tablespoons butter, softened
* 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)


DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray or grease one 9x13 inch pan.
2. Reserve 1 cup cake mix. In a large bowl, combine the remaining dry cake mix with 1 egg and 1/2 cup melted butter. Mix well, and then pat into prepared pan.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, 3 eggs, 1/2 cup white sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour over crust.
4. In a small bowl, combine reserved 1 cup cake mix, 1/2 cup sugar, and 3 tablespoons softened butter. Crumble over pumpkin filling. Sprinkle nuts evenly over the top, if desired.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.

Update

Further evidence of previous post...



Tyler LOVES his grandpa (almost as much as Grandpa loves him!). Isn't this picture great? I think it just captures what a jolly guy my dad is.


Yesterday Ty went on several walks with his grandpa and each time brought me back "flowers". He's only 9 1/2 months and already he's a sweet momma's boy!


Well, Tyler is finally crawling! He is getting into all sorts of fun things and exploring all the cupboards and baskets in our house. To be honest I have loved watching him get into things. I'm sure that will wear off fast, but I'm just so glad he's finally moving around. He is so much happier now that he can move on his own. This isn't the greatest picture, but he was trying to pull all the Ensigns out of the basket under our coffee table


And this is my handsome Jake-o. He volunteers at the public works department in Fountain Hills. Last week he got to ride around town with the town engineer and learn some cool engineery stuff. This is his "Hi, I'm a friendly business man" pose. I love Jake's cheesiness. Seriously though, isn't he a total hottie in his work clothes? Don't answer that... only I can say that.

Our Ty Guy

Tyler loves his daddy. He has been REALLY sick this past week. He woke up Tuesday night with a temperature of 103.4- a mother's nightmare! He had the hardest time sleeping and I was just beside myself with how to get him to sleep. Jake on the other hand had the magic touch. How does he do it?






Tyler's first experience watching conference. He especially liked the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. That boy loves his music!



Tyler is doing much better now. I am so thankful for Tylenol, Motrin, temporal thermometers, and a husband who holds the priesthood to help our little guy get back to being himself!

Little Notes and Eye Liner

When we were first married I liked to leave notes every once in awhile for Jake on the bathroom mirror with dry erase markers. The other day I came home from work to find this sweet note.


It says:
Meg, Just wanted to say you are the best, can't wait to come home to be with you. Love, your secret boyfriend

Aww. What a sweetie. I actually didn't discover it until Jake got home (who has time to go to the bathroom when you're taking care of a 9 month old!). So as soon as I saw it I came rushing out to kiss him on the cheek and tell him thanks. Then Jake says, "I hope I didn't ruin your eye liner." Huh? You used eye liner? Oh how I love this guy. He knows how to use his resources!

Note to self- eye liner comes off easier without windex.

Cory Jenkins

A dear friend of mine was killed on Tuesday in Afghanistan. Cory Jenkins was such a wonderful friend. Not only was he my first boyfriend, but he was such good friend with all of my family as well. I drove down his parent's street today and was so touched by all the flags that lined the sidewalks. What a great tribute to such a great man. Memories began flooding my mind. I always admired how he could get along and truly be a friend to anyone, no matter their age- he could chat with my parents so easily, and then turn around and hang out with my little bro and take him on paintballing trips.
Cory left behind a wife and little 2 month old baby girl. My heart aches for them and for the rest of Cory's family. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that, with time, the atonement can heal our hearts. Cory was such an incredible man and I know that he was living the way he should. I am certain he will be blessed accordingly. What a blessing it is to know that he and his family will be reunited someday.
We will miss you Cory.

Happy First Day Jake-o!

Today is Jake's first day back at ASU. He has an awesome, but very busy schedule. He works all day Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Has classes from 7:30-5:45 on Tuesday and Thursday. Then Monday after work he volunteers/interns out in Fountain Hills for 4 hours. Then on Wednesday after work he has a long lab from 4:30-7:30. Can I just brag a little bit about my husband? This man is great! He works so hard at the things he does. Doesn't matter what it is- school, work, church callings. He's such a go getter. I know if I did all the things he does I would come home so pooped. But not Jake. He comes home so excited to see me and Ty and so ready to take him so I can have a breather. Then he most often sets the table and gets to work picking up things and doing cleaning that I somehow didn't get to that day. For real? I never thought I'd have someone that great. But I do! I love you Jake!

Nannying

I start a nannying job today for a family out in Queen Creek. I'm excited/nervous! They have 2 girls- 5yrs. and 2 1/2 yrs. old. Hopefully I can take some pointers from Nanny Deb and Nanny Stella. Wish me luck!