Its an extremely busy time of year and there is lots to get done. In this weeks episode Brooke and Brittany talk about how their holiday prep is going, what they have completed and what still needs to be done.

As our kids get older their friends and peers tend to have a bigger influence on their lives than they did when our kids were little. This week Brooke and Brittany continue their conversation on the changing parenting challenges they are facing and how they are handling it.

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As children start growing up the challenges they experience start changing and getting bigger just like they are. On this weeks episode Brooke and Brittany talk about parenting their children through the new challenges they are facing and how they no longer are as simple as kissing a boo boo or giving an extra cuddle.

Becoming a mother is life changing and you can find yourself either finding and/or losing parts of yourself. This week Brooke and Brittany discuss how becoming mothers changed their lives. They talk about the joy and meaning they have found as well as the struggles they face.

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With seven different parenting styles, which do you think best fits how you parent? Brooke and Brittany chat about whether they fit into one type of parenting style or feel like they are a combination of a few. They also talk about which styles they would like to emulate the most.

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Finding activities that fill both your cup and your kids can be a challenge. This week Brooke and Brittany chat about their favorite ways to spend quality time with their kids. Discussing which activities they enjoy the most and which they find challenging. Also how they provide individual time for each of their kids.

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Busy days and even busier evenings make finding time to fit in all the extra activites a challenge. This week Brooke and Brittany chat about finding the balance between feeling as though their families are doing too much or possibly not enough. While also discussing all the extracurricular activites their kids are currently enjoying.

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Fall is in the air and its Halloween month. This week Brooke and Brittany discuss fall activities they enjoy doing with their families as well as prep for this Halloween. They also discuss favorite costumes from Halloweens past.

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Apple Pie Twist Bread

Bread Dough:

• 2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 2 1/4 teaspoon dry active yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/3 cup milk
• 4 Tbs butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs

Apple filling:

• 2-3 Large apples (I use macintosh, but you use your favorite baking apple)
• 3-4 Tbs white granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• splash of water

Instructions

1. Heat the milk and butter either on the stove over low heat until the butter is just melted or in the microwave for approximately 45 seconds until butter is melted. Once butter is melted add the 1/4 cup water. Once the milk mixture has cooled to about 105 F add the active yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. (If the mixture does not foam you need new yeast) After it has foamed add the vanilla
2. In a large bowl or a bowl with a stand mixer stir together 2 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar and salt.
3. Add the milk mixture to the flour, using a rubber spatula or paddle attachment mix until the dry ingredients are evenly moistened. With mixer on low speed add the eggs one at a time until just incorporated. Stop the mixer and add the remaining 1/2 cup flour
4. If using a stand mixer remove the paddle attachment and place on kneading hook. Resume mixing on low adding flour as needed to make a smooth moist and just slightly sticky dough. If kneading by hand add as little flour as needed until dough is smooth
5. Place dough in a large greased cowl covered and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45-60 minutes
6. Make the Apple Filling: Peel and dice the apples into bite size pieces. Place apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and a splash of water in to a saute pan. Cook the apples over medium to medium low heat (depending on your stove) until apples have started to soften and cooked down some.
7. Assemble the Bread: Preheat oven to 350 F. Punch down the risen dough. Roll out dough on a floured surface into a rectangle (I roll mine out as large as I can make it, approximately 15x24 inches).
8. Sprinkle the apple pie filling evenly over the dough. Roll the dough up long ways (as if going to make cinnamon rolls). Then twist the roll of dough several times. Then create a figure eight out of the rolled and twisted dough. Place twisted bread on a greased baking sheet or round 9 inch cake pan (this is what I back my bread in.).
9. Cover the pan and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size 30-60 minutes.
10. Bake the loaf of bread until golden brown and sounds hollow. It can take 35-45 minutes depending on your oven, the internal temp of the bread should be about 190-195 F. If the top of your bread is browning too quickly and is at risk of over browning or burning loosely cover with a piece of aluminum foil.
11. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes.

Right now Brooke and Brittany are in the midst of their families birthday seasons! With ten birthdays from August to November it is a busy time with lots of fun and traditons. This week Brooke and Brittany discuss the birthday traditions from their childhoods and the tradtions they've established for their own families now.

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Get to know Brittany in The Mama Bear Hangouts first bonus episode! Brooke asks Brittany some fun questions so the listeners can get to know her a little bit better

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