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Mother's Day 2012

"I hope that my dear sisters throughout the world - grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and friends - never underestimate the power of their influence for good."  - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (attached to the See's chocolate they passed out to all the Relief Society women at church)

After getting to sleep in and shower, uninterrupted, this is what I walked downstairs to, along with a sparkling clean family room and kitchen thanks to Lauren:

After church photo session.  The three littles had drawn pictures of me in Primary and when they sang in Sacrament meeting they held them up at the end.  It was very sweet to see all the Primary kids beaming and waving at their moms.

After a great day at church, we enjoyed salmon, corn on the cob, green salad and cool whip-cottage cheese-jello salad for dinner.  Emily and Lauren did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen (my favorite part!), and we walked up to the water tower to see the goats that have been brought in to eat the vegetation for fire-proofing purposes.  (It doesn't take much to entertain us around here:)  Scripture study, prayer, and Daddy put the kids to bed.  It was a great day!

Annual Easter Photos

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Oreo Truffles

Nana and Papa are in town, and Nana always loves to make treats with the kids.  These easy "truffles" were a hit with the kids and so pretty for our Valentine celebration.

Recipe for Oreo Truffles:

one package of regular Oreos, well smashed

one 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

Mix these two ingredients in a large bowl, using your (clean!) hands to thoroughly combine into a dough-like consistency.  Form the "dough" into small balls and set on a plate.

Melt a bag of Wilton chocolate of your choice (from Michael's) in the microwave, according  to the package directions.  Drop a ball into the melted chocolate and with two forks, gently turn the ball in the chocolate to coat, lift out, allow excess chocolate to run off, then place ball on a wax-paper-lined cookie sheet.  Melt a different color chocolate for the drizzle and use a fork to make squiggles on top the chocolate coated balls.  Once the chocolate is dry, place the truffles in paper cups.  Keep in the refrigerator. 

 

Christmas Day

Ashley gave Lauren the curling rod she wanted.

A new iTouch case for Nathan from Emily.

It was a Barbie Princess Charm School Christmas for Maren.  She got the princess and prince dolls, the horse and carriage, and this Royal Bed and Bath set.  

Ashley cruisin' the house on her new scooter.

Ashley's gift to Dad and Mom.

Maren in the hat made by Auntie Laura.

I couldn't resist buying this $4.99 special at the Scout store.  Let's see if we can get Craig to wear it.

What a beautiful Christmas Day!  We took some family pictures in the church parking lot before services began.  That is Catalina Island behind us.

Elders Collier and Clark from our ward, John Kline, a temporary member of our ward whom we'd not met, but the elders asked to include, and Grammy and Grandpa all joined us for Christmas dinner.  We had ham and bean soup and bread, with spinach dip, hot artichoke dip, and crackers for appetizers.  Chocolate bundt cake and ice cream made up dessert.

It was a fantastic Christmas season.  I'm sad to see it end.  But that's the best way to end it... wanting more!  

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at Grammy and Grandpa's house with Uncle Mark and Cole.  We had a turkey dinner with all the fixings.

Nathan got a new pro scooter and Maren got a pink Hello Kitty Razor.

Ashley got the much hoped for Bedazzler!

We gave Cole new goggles and ear buds for moto riding.  And Lauren got an iHome for her iPhone.

Emily got a gift card to Macy's.

We brought up the new Christmas jammies from Nana and Papa for the kids to unwrap and wear to bed.

Daddy and his girls.  And then Nate gets in the pic.

Daddy and his favorite girl :)

Still laughing after 19 years!

Christmas Countdown: Complete!

Christmas Countdown: Day 24

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitide, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

- Revelation 19:6

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

- Revelation 11:15

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

-Revelation 19:16

 

 

Christmas Countdown: Day 22

We have a tradition of reading this story every Christmas season.

 It is a family favorite.

 

 

It is the true story of a poor family in Canada in 1927, who will have no Christmas without help from family members in the states.  By Christmas Eve, no packages had yet arrived.  But through a Christmas miracle, Christmas does come.   My favorite line comes from the letter included with the gifts sent to the family:

"We hope you have a Merry Christmas, and thank you so much for making our Christmas the best one we've ever had!"  

 

I always ask my kids why it is that it would be the best Christmas for those sending the gifts.  It is a wonderful reminder of what Christmas is all about.

Christmas Countdown: Day 21

"The celebration of Christmas helps us keep our promise to always remember Him and His gifts to us. And that remembrance creates a desire in us to give gifts to Him.

He has told us what we could give Him to bring Him joy. First, we can, out of faith in Him, give a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We can repent and make sacred covenants with Him. Within the sound of my voice are some who have felt His invitation to the peace His gospel brings but have not yet accepted it. You would give Him joy if you would act now to come unto Him while you can.

Second, you can give Him the gift of doing for others what He would do for them. Many of you have already done that and felt His appreciation. It may have been visiting a lonely widower. It may have been joining with others in a project to help those in need.

There is a long list of possibilities in the book of Matthew. There we read words from our Redeemer, which we all hope to hear and to speak when we see Him after this life:

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

In those words the Lord makes clear what gifts we might give Him out of our gratitude. Each act of kindness to anyone becomes a kindness to Him because He loves all of Heavenly Father’s children. And because that brings joy to Him, it also brings joy to His Father, to whom we owe thanks beyond measure.

Many of you will in the Christmas season find ways to give food to people who are hungry. As you do, you bring joy to the Lord. Yet He taught us that there is a way to give an even more priceless and lasting gift. He said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” With all the kindnesses we give for Him, the greatest we can offer is to point those we love and serve toward Him, the only source of eternal life."

-Henry B. Eyring