Bed Time Ritual

There are some nights when the thought of starting our "Bed Time Ritual" just makes me tired! It starts with family scriptures, prayer, our "Jack Pack Cheer" GO JACK PACK! :) Story time, lights out and ONE song. It is quite the process, and although it can drag out a bit, I realize how important it is to keep at it. There will come a day when I will miss being able to tuck the girls in like this.

Raspberry Almond Muffins

This is my favorite breakfast right here. You can be so creative with this recipe. Change up the filling and toppings. Apple with a brown sugar crumble, Apricot Jam with Chopped walnuts...whatever! Options are endless with this one. The secret to a great muffin is to not over-mix the batter. Just stir until the flour is mixed in.

Filled Muffins

2 C. Flour
2/3 C. Sugar
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 C. Milk
1 Egg Slightly beaten
1/2 C. Melted butter
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Almond extract (If you want)

Mix all dry ingred. together. Mix in Wet ingred. Stir until moist. Cover bottom of lined muffin tin with batter, than add spoonful of filling (jam, cream, etc...) cover filling with more batter. Top with nuts, crumble, sugar, or whatever and bake at 400 until toothpick comes out clean (about 15 min.)

Balloon Festival

We went to bluff for the Balloon Festival this year. We went at night when they light all of the balloons up. The Girls were cold, but loved it. Tyler has had this crazy idea to buy a balloon and become a pilot. We do live in an ideal place for it, but I'm a little hesitant...something about flying around at heights I would rather not think about...in a balloon...over canyons...I don't want to talk about it any more. Let's hope he realizes it's not a good idea and moves on.

Danish Delish

I found an awesome recipe for wonderful, flaky pastry dough that will turn out better than any bakery treat you can buy! I filled these Danishs' with Sweet cream cheese. Check out the web site for the original recipe.

Winter Hike

We went on a winter hike to natural Bridges. It was SOOO beautiful...and I kept taking pictures of the girls *sigh* Of all God's creations...I think I like the three he gave me the best:)

Merry Christmas

Feliz Navidad!

All of the partying through December sure is fun, but I love a simple Christmas spent at home. The girl's are so fun, because they don't get greedy, they just ask for simple things and are so grateful when they get them. Allie wanted a "Doodle Bear", Bria wanted a "Strawberry Shortcake House", and Cloe wanted "candy canes". Jake mentioned a few things he "wouldn't mind" getting, but they were things he already needed. Tyler made him this bat rack to display the personalized Louisville Sluggers my Dad had given him for Christmas. It turned out amazing!! Jake was so surprised. It even has pegs for his mitts/hats and spots on top for baseballs. We had a great dinner with great friends to top off our Christmas day. We went to Idaho Falls after Christmas to spend a week with the folks...unfortunately I didn't get any pictures while we were there...I was having too much fun. It has been an awesome year despite some of the challenges and changes we have encountered. Christmas is a good time to take a step back and recognize how blessed we are. I'm so grateful for my Savior and for his sacrifice. His life was spent in humble perfection. I'm so grateful for his example of love, and pray that I can live a life in accordance with that example. Merry Christmas!