Books I've Read In 2007

Books I've Read In 2007

Peach Cobbler Murder
Crocodile on the Sandbank
Eclipse
Evidence
New Moon
Sugar Cookie Murder
A Dance to Remember
Shattered
Hearts of the Children, Vol. 2: Troubled Waters
Grave Secrets
Austenland
Angels and Demons
Widow's Revenge
Dancing in the Light
Twilight
The Bishop's Bride
Chaos
Dead On Arrival
Harry Potter, Vol. 7, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows
A Time to Dance
A Mormon in the White House?: Ten Things Every American Should Know about Mitt Romney
The Great and Terrible, V4: Fury and Light
The Great and Terrible, Vol. 3: The Second Sun
House of Secrets
Double Cross
Fudge Cupcake Murder
Saboteur: A Novel of Love and War
Shattered
Ravenspell, #1: Of Mice and Magic
Serpent Tide
Children of the Promise, Vol. 5: As Long As I Have You
A Voice in the Night
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter, Vol. 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Weekly Menu

Weekly Menu

Monday: Homemade Pizza

Tuesday: Bean and Home Soup, Homemade Rolls

Wednesday: Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread

Thursday: Mac & Cheese, Carrots & Dip

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Turkey Cornbread Pot Pie

Sunday: Swee & Sour Pork Roast, Rice, Veggies

Sunday

We ended up going ice skating yesterday with Tiff's family. The kids had fun although Sarah feel flat on her face out of the house and had a huge red mark in the center of her forehead. Poor thing, she wasn't feeling so great and had a headache. We had dinner at Firehouse Pizza and came home and I worked on my YW lesson.

R had to work this morning so the kids and I went to church. I left before SM because A was just feeling crummy. The poor thing has been sick with a cold for two weeks now. Her cough is awful and she has so much snot everywhere, her eyes are even all gooped up now. I decided I had better take her to Kids Care to make sure she doesn't have an infection. Since R was home in the evening I made a 7:30pm appointment and sure enough A has an ear infection. I filled her perscription and brought her home to bed. I hope she starts feeling better soon.

We didn't have family night though so it may be the kids and I having a quick one tomorrow night. I think most of my Christmas stuff is down although I just took it downstairs and I still need to get it all put away, why can't I just blink and have it done?

Saturday Stuff

It's been a busy week and the kids time off school is going so fast. I wish they didn't have to go back on Wednesday and they had a longer amount of time off.

Thursday afternoon I met Allen in Brigham City and gave him Z and S so they could go to Logan and stay with Sammi and Danni. I thought I might run to the mall in Ogden to check out Quilted Bear since I only had the baby but I got lost in Ogden and never found the mall. I always get lost in Ogden, I have the worst luck finding things there. I did manage to take the Christmas tree down since the kids weren't around. I still have to take down the other Christams decorations, but the worst part is down. Yesterday I spent my morning and work and then drove up to Brigham City again to meet up with Allen again and this time I brought all the kids home to my house to stay overnight. They had fun playing downstairs all night. We will meet up with Tiffany and Allen today so they can take Sammi and Danni home. The kids will be sad to be seperated, they always have so much fun together.

I hope to work on laundry and take down the remainder of our Christmas decorations. I was thinking of taking the kids to the Treehouse Museum or a movie some time today. I also need to work on my Young Women's lesson for tomorrow.

The day after Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas! Christmas Eve we drove up to Logan to visit my sister Tiffany and luckily we missed the incoming snow storm. We made lots of food to snack on and then dinner so we ate way to much and there was so much yummy food. The kids had fun playing with their cousins and when it was time to come home S begged to stay up there over night. Even after explaining the Santa was coming that night to our house she still wanted to stay in Logan. Since the kids are out of school for the week we promised we would let them get together and stay overnight hopefully Thursday night. The kids opened their Christmas jammies before we left and we snuggled them in the car for the drive home. We followed 3 snowplows through Sardine Canyon so there were no problems and then we hit snow at about Layton and it snowed most of the night. It was so pretty and I think it's our first white Christmas for a few years.

The kids were so tired that they hardly woke up when we got home. It was about 9:30pm so they just come in and climbed in bed. They didn't even leave cookies out for Santa so I helped them out and left a plate of cookies out. Of course I hadn't wrapped hardly any gifts so I was up until 1:00am wrapping all our Christmas gifts.

Z was up about 6am and checked out the tree and what Santa brought him and he made sure Santa ate the cookies. I woke up about 6:45am and started getting the family up, I couldn't believe we had slept in so late. The kids were happy with all their gifts. They each got what they wanted from Santa; Z wanted a Wii game Mario Super Galaxy and a DS game Pokemon Pearl, S wanted Baby Alive and A got an activity play area. Dad gave the two older kids Heelys that they have been begging for and they got lots of other toys and games. We didn't get very much for A and she was happy with the few toys give was given. R gave me my requested laptop and he surprised with a Sony Reader which I am still trying to figure out how to use. I haven't had very time to figure it out but I am excited to learn more about it. R is always so good at giving me gifts I love.

We just hung around and enjoyed our Christmas gifts the rest of the day. R did go into work for a few hours in the evening to help out.

Check out my Slide Show!

Sunday

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve Eve. My kids are so excited for Christmas and can hardly wait for Tuesday. I still have all my wrapping to do so I wish I had a few more days.

I skipped out on SM at church today since A needed a nap and R was at work. I just knew I couldn't handle all three kids by myself when one of them was a tired baby. Young Women's was combined and several people shared Christmas stories or thoughts and I was so touching. One sister told of the book Christmas Shoes and I've heard the song tons of times but I didn't know there was a book that went into more detail of the sweet story. After telling about the story she played the song and that song always makes me tear up. Another sister shared the story about the book Christmas Jars and I've seen this book at the bookstore but never thought about reading it. Now I would like to read it, maybe I'll go buy it tomorrow and read it while we drive to Logan. The story talks about selfless giving and how it blesses our lives and those around us. I'm so glad I was able to listen to these Christmas stories.

I've been working on laundry and knitting. I also want to bake another batch of cookies to take to work tomorrw and some banana bread since R loves it. Maybe after the kids go to bed I can work on the Christmas wrapping. We've also been watching the Christmas movies on the ABC Family Channel.

Yesterday I was able to work on some laundry and we finally put our Gingerbread House together. I also watched Elf and laughed and cried. Marie brought it over (which was so nice) and I was surprised that I enjoyed it (I'm not a Will Ferrell fan). The movie was funny and in the end I the kids and I were singing Here Comes Santa Claus with them and I was tearing up (thanks Marie). I also braved the grocery store last night for what I hope was the last night for a few days at least.

Our Saturday

I slept in until 8:00am this morning which is unheard of and I honestly can't remember the last time I slept in this late. We don't have anything planned for today and anywhere to be so I took advantage of it. I could have slept longer but S woke up and told me her ear was hurting her (she started complaining of an earache yesterday) so I got her some Motrin.

R is at work he will probably be there all day today. He has worked so much this past week and it going on 3-4 hours of sleep every night. I appreciate how hard he works for our family and the kids really miss him when he's not around as much. At work we are still busy through Monday and then I'm hoping it slows down a bit until after the New Year so we can do a few fun family things while the kids are out of school.

Yesterday we didn't put together our gingerbread house so we'll try today. I baked up a storm. I made more Strawberry Banana Bread, Buckeye Candy, a two kids of cookies. I also didn't do any wrapping so maybe the kids will let me today. I would like to clean up the house and not have to worry so much about it Monday and Tuesday and I may have to run to the grocery store for a few last minute things. I would be nice not to have to worry about going to the store on Monday. Oh, I wanted to make Marshmallow Balls with the kids and maybe carmel popcorn. If S's ear is still bugging her I'll run her to Kid's Care to have them take a look at it.

A Christmas Meme

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? At Christmas time wrapping paper

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial

3. When do you put up the tree? Some years it has only been a week or so before Christmas, but I prefer to have it up withing a week of Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? I always want the tree down the day after Christmas but it's generally closer to the New Year.

5. Do you like eggnog? I like a glass of half eggnog and half milk otherwise it is to sweet for me

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A new purple bike

7. Do you have a nativity scene? R bought me a Willowtree nativity scene for my birthday last year.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Randy

9. Easiest person to buy for? My kids

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? We generally send out a family picture with a family letter written by R.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can't think of anything specific.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I can't think of a specific present but I know I have.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudge

15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear.

16. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night

17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Definitely stay home!

18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes.

19. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.

20. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The stress of waiting for the last minute to buy gifts and the bad weather.

21. Favorite ornament theme or color? It would be great to have a themed tree, most of our decorations are silver and red. The kids are starting to add more and more of their homemade decorations.

22. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Sprial cut ham

23. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing big, just little things like books, jammies.

24. Who's most likely to continue this meme? I don't know

25. Who's least likely to continue this meme? I don't know, if I can do it anyone can.

Family Christmas Letter

Christmas 2007

Dear Family & Friends,

Happy Holidays from the Curtis family. We hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. Here’s our yearly update:

Zachary turned 8 years old on November 15th. He is in the second grade and has been in the chess club. Over the summer he kept busy with swimming lessons, baseball and soccer. Zachary received an early Christmas when his dad told him he would get a WII if he jumped off the roof into the pool. We didn’t think he would really do it, but quickly learned how much we under estimated his courage (or desire for a WII). Within a minute, he was on the roof, had his shoes off and was in the deep end of the pool. Zachary has started cub scouts. Both him and his dad enjoyed building and racing their first pinewood derby car. Zachary’s car won the award for the best looking driver. His highlight of the year though was being baptized and confirmed by his dad on December 1st.

Sarah turned 5 years old on August 17th. She is going to half-day kindergarten in the mornings. She also kept busy through the summer with swim lessons, soccer and gymnastics. She enjoys learning her letters and sounds, and meeting new friends at school. This is especially important since we do not have many kids her age in our neighborhood. Sarah also learned to ride her bike without training wheels. You should see her show off her tricks, “Look! One hand! Look! One foot!!!” And she rides a little too fast for mom and dad. She is definitely a little speed demon.

Audrey turned one year old on November 6th. At just a little over 13 months old now, she is taking her first steps. No words yet though. She’s obviously holding back until she can enunciate the perfect DAADDDDYYYY. She has about 8 teeth in now, and the same number of hairs on her head. It just won’t grow fast enough. Audrey loves to maul Binks, our miniature schnauzer, and thankfully he allows her do whatever she wants and puts up with it, even the occasional finger in his nose.

Becky enjoys her iPod, reading and blogging. You can check out her blog at
http://becky-kindredspirits.blogspot.com/. You are also welcome to visit the Curtis / Wilstead family website on myfamily.com. Just email Becky at blwilstead@aol.com and she will send you the information you will need to log on. Becky also has a new church calling. She is an advisor to the Mia Maids and enjoys the girls in the ward. Becky also finally made the big leap to a mini-van. As much as she loved her Volvo wagon, she decided with Audrey’s arrival that she wanted not only more seats for all the kids, but space for the stroller, lawn chairs, diaper bag, etc. Her 8COWIFE plate is now on a gray Honda Odyssey, the un-official soccer mom car.

Randy is still plugging along on the house and yard re-model. This year gave us a new roof, including a new section over the rear patio, connecting the house with the pool shed. The white vinyl fencing is now completed on all sides of the yard, and the sewer line was ran under the rv pad on the north side of the house to the pool shed in anticipation of making it into a bath house for the pool. No more wet footprints going through the house to the bathroom. He just hasn’t seemed to have found as much time this year for home projects. But to his credit, he has been spending a lot more time at work taking on the responsibilities of General Manager at Express Shuttle.

This was not the year of vacations. We decided to trade our camp trailer for a toy-hauler. Randy sold the camp trailer in the spring, much faster than expected, and it wasn’t until October that the new one was bought from the auto auction in So. California. We were able to make a family vacation out of the trip to pick it up; visiting Fred and Valerie in San Diego, going to Disneyland and then Becky received a surprise birthday night at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood to see the Broadway play Wicked.

We wish all of you the joy of the holiday season, and the best the coming year has to offer. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Curtis family!

Randy, Becky, Zachary, Sarah & Audrey

Strawberry Banana Bread

Strawberry Banana Bread

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups ripe bananas (about 6 medium sized, mashed)
4 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 cups flour
1 1/2 pounds frozen sliced strawberries thawed

1. Grease two 9x5 loaf pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Incorporate the bananas and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each one. Set aside.

2. In another bowl, mix together the salt, baking soda, and flour. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir until fully incorporated. Add the strawberries. Pour into prepared pans and bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a rack before inverting onto a plate. Makes 2 loaves.

This recipe was shared with my by Daniele from a message group I am on. She gave it to me a few years ago and I love it and it's been a big hit with friends and family.

Thursday Stuff

After work and after Z's speech therapy the kids and I ran a few errands. When we went into the grocery store the dark clouds were north and I thought for sure we would beat the storm home. 30 minutes later when we came out of the store there was a blizzard. Well, not really a blizzard but it was snowing and the wind was blowing and it was yucky. Z was so helpful and helped me with all the groceries.

I was ambious and thought I could take care of my family, make dinner, bake cookies and banana bread, make candy and knit a scarf tonight all after 5:00pm. It's 11:00pm and I did all but bake the bread and knit a scarf. The last batch of cookies are coming out of the oven and the kitchen is semi clean. I'm trying to put together a few gift bags for a few of the supervisors at work that I really appreciate.

I bought a gingerbread house kit (I wish I was ambious enough to make it all) and I'm hoping the kids and I will put it together tomorrow night. I also wanted to rent Elf and watch it (I've never seen this from start to finish, just bits and pieces of it) but I've been unable to find it at the video store. Tomorrow one of my goals is to start wrapping our gifts so I don't have to stay up late Monday night to wrap.

Santa's Favortie Candy Cane & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Santa's Favortie Candy Cane & Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

2 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup chopped candy canes

Cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, add vanilla and peppermint extracts. Combine the dry ingredients and stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips and candy cane.

Drop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Tuesday Thoughts

I have been running nonstop today and feel like I haven't accomplished very much. I did finish most of my shopping and I went to the Dollar Store for stocking stuffers. I have a little more to finish up, just a few odds and ends.

I spent a lot of time today working on my Employee Schedule for the holidays. It's so challenging to make everyone happy but we have to staff for Christmas and New Years and no one wants to work. The schedule should be done for as much time as I spent on it today but it's not.

I just feel like everything today is partially done, not 100% finished; the Christmas shopping, work stuff, my kitchen and my laundry. I should look at it differently and maybe I can at least see the things I did do today and focus on that:

Shopped for stocking stuffers
Finished shopping for the kids
Folds 2 loads of laundry
Made Pecan Clusters
Dishes
Picked up after A 47 times throughout the day
Made dinner
Read a book with Z and S
Played several games with S
Did homework with the kids

Our ward posted that maybe we should put neighbor gifts towards a Sub for Santa and I was excited for the idea. I stress about neighbor gifts and try to come up with creative things but I don't alwasy. I used to bake but that just got to be to much so I try to find something small but I also don't want to spend a lot of money (or time). I thought the Sub for Santa was a great idea but I've had some neighbors on our street give us gifts so now I'm not sure what to do. Maybe I come up with a neighbor gift and still contribute to Sub for Santa.

I really enjoy holiday baking (even though it takes a lot of time and I make huge messes). Last year with a new baby I didn't bake very much. The past couple of days I've baked and made a few things and they are yummy. I've taken some stuff into work for them to eat that way I don't eat it all.

Pecan Clusters

Pecan Clusters
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

7-ounce jar marshmallow cream
3/4 pound chocolate kisses (recommended: Hershey's)
2 1/2 cups sugar
6-ounce can evaporated milk
1/2 stick butter
2 cups pecan halves

Place marshmallow cream and kisses into a large bowl. Set aside. Combine sugar, milk, and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 minutes. Pour over marshmallow and chocolate, stirring until well blended. Stir in pecans. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Sunday Something

Friday night S had her gymnastics program. Basically the kids get to show off what they have been learning all year. S just loves gymnastics and has so much fun. She has been working on learning to do a cart wheel for quick some time now but she still doesn't have it totally down. She'll get it soon.

After the program I went to the church to decorate and R took the kids to try on Heelys and get some dinner. Z has wanted Heelys for over a year but his feet were to small but now he fits into them. R ordered Heelys online for Z and S so they will be plesantly surprised Christmas morning. I don't think they can wear them to school so it seems like a silly purchase to me, but that's why he's the cool dad and I'm the practical mom.

I am hoping to bake today and work on our family Christmas letter. Generally I get it started and do an outline and R writes it. He's a much better writter than I am. The card itself it ready to go, I need to print out labels and he needs to write the letter. Also on Tuesday I bought Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix so I am hoping to watch it today sometime maybe while I'm folding my 37 piles of laundry.

I only have a little Christmas shopping left. My goal is Tuesday morning when I'm off work and the two kids are in school to finish up my shopping. I just need a few things and some stocking stuffers. I want to be done so I can wrap and enjoy the rest of the week. I don't think R has shopped for me and he keeps asking if I've bought myself anything. I know some people do that and I have no problem with it, it's just difficult to buy myself stuff besides R is a great gift giver. I may help him out if he is really stuck.

This past week I had a menu plan and everything but we didn't eat home one this week. With dad at the VA Hospital and so much going on we went out every night. That is bad for the kids and bad for our checkbook. I hope this week will be a more "normal" week and we can enjoy our evenings at home more.

Thought from Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest anyway. What you spend years building someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best your've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

~Mother Teresa

Mimo's Famous Carmels

I found the carmel recipe at Lorie To-Do and thought I would try it tonight. It was my first attempt at making carmels and it turned out pretty good (a little soft but I think homemade carmels are softer than store-bought).

Mimo's Famous Carmels

2 Cups Sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 Cup Karo Syrup
1 Can evaporated Vitamin D milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together and bring to boil 1st 3 ingredients. Add milk slowly and keeping it at a boil until firm ball stage.Firm Ball Stage: Have a couple of small cups of cold water handy. When the carmel starts thickening up and the boiling changes to instead of looking watery it looks thicker and more like bubbling lava, take a spoonful of carmel and drop it into one of the cups of cold water. Put your fingers in and play with the carmel. If it falls apart, it's not at the firm ball stage. You want to be able to make a ball with it, that is firm, but not hard. Hard ball stage, you've cooked it too long. DON'T over cook!Take off heat, add vanilla and pour into greased 8x8 pan and cool before serving.

Busy Saturday

I helped decorate the church last night for our Christmas Breakfast this morning. The sausage is cooking and I need to get the kids up and ready so I can head over to the church to help with the other food preparations. R can bring the kids over a litter later and he'll have to help them because I'm going to be stuck in the kitchen for a while.

Today is Sammi's 5th year Liver Transplant Anniversary. We are going to see Alvin and the Chipmunks and do a fun dinner somewhere to celebrate. I can't believe it's been five years ago that she was in the hospital. She is doing so good now. My sister from Emery County is coming up so it will be fun to see the family.

I have to give the lesson in Young Women's tomorrow so I hope to work on that at some point today and if I get a chance I need to clean my house.

Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments

Applesauce Cinnamon Ornaments

3 cups applesauce

3 cups ground cinnamon

Mix applesauce and cinnamon together until it is thick enough to hold a form when cut into cookie cutter shapes. Flatten the mixture on a flat surface and cut into cookie cutter shapes.

Place cookie shapes on a cookie sheet to dry for 3 to 4 days depending on the size and thickness of the cookies. If using as a hanging ornament, make hole with toothpick or drinking straw before drying. Once dry, thread hole with festive ribbon!

**This recipe is meant to be used to make ornaments on wreaths, gifts or to hang on Christmas trees. If fragrance starts to fade, drop a little cinnamon oil on ornament.

Thursday Things

This week has been crazy busy but it's almost over. Dad had surgery on his knee Monday and he is healing okay. Of course he's in a lot of pain, but he's walking more and more. The are either sending him home today or tomorrow. We've been up there every day after school to visit and get home between 7:00pm and 8:00pm do homework, read and go to bed. This week we haven't had dinner at home any night. If they let him go home today I won't be able to make it up to see him but if he's here until tomorrow I'll run after speech with the kids and it will make for another later homework night.

I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping. I need to submit my Amazon order today and I finally ordered my traditonal calendar this morning. I then have a few things left to purchase along with stocking stuffers.

Our Ward Christmas Breakfast is Saturday morning and I'm on the activities commitee and in charge of advertising. I need to hand deliver all the reminder fliers today and I'm not sure where I'll find the few hours I need so I may be out there tonight at 10:00pm hanging flier on the doors.

We have a busy weekend already planned but I really want to get some holiday baking done.

Happy 9th Anniversary to Us!!

We have been married nine years today. Happy Anniversary to us!! I want to share nine things I love about my husband.

1. I love that he took me to the temple last year to be sealed.
2. I love that he is such a wonderful dad and that the kids adore him.
3, I love that he makes our vacations and trips to much fun.
4. I love that he lets me be me when I am upset and crabby and he still loves me.
5. I love that he is so willing to help anyone who needs help.
6. I love that he so calm when I am freaking out.
7. I love that he works so hard to provide for our family and never complains about work.
8. I love that he isn't a complainer.
9. I love that he is my husband forever!

Monday Musings

My dad is having surgery at the VA Hospital today. He is having his knee rebuilt (again) and should be in the hospital until Thursday or Friday. After I pick Z up from school I'll take the kids to see him. Hopefully it will be a short visit and they will be well behaved because I'm sure Dad will be uncomfortable and in pain. I'm trying to figure out when I'll be able to get to the hospital to visit him in between school and our other activites this week. Also, I need to find my dad his Christmas present so I can send it home with him, but I have no idea what to get him.

I made Peanut Butter Fudge yesterday and I've been picking at it all day. It's so yummy but so sweet that's it's making me sick.

After our hospital visit we'll need to tackle homework and the laundry, it's just never-ending. We had family night last night. I also may sneak out to do a little Christmas shopping but R has been up since 2:30am so I'm not sure he'll let me sneak off tonight.

Weekly Menu

Weekly Menu

Monday:

Stuffed Cheese Shells

Salad

Tuesday:

Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Up

Veggies & Dip

Wednesday:

TBA (our anniversary so we may go out)

Thursday:

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Hot Bread

Friday:

Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Pasta Salad

Saturday:

Hawaiian Chicken Bake

Green Beans

Salad

Sunday:

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

Salad

Family Day

Today we had a fun family day. We drove up to Layton Hills Mall to see Santa and tell him what we wanted for Christmas. I love the Layton Hills Mall Santa, he has a real beard and he looks real to me. The kids were hungry and Z insisted on Denny's (ugg!) which I was less than happy about but it was okay. At Toys-R-Us we seperated so the kids could pick out their Christmas gifts for each other. I took Z and the other two went with their dad. The store was extremely crowded and after standing in the long check out linewe met back at the car. We start talking about the gifts picked out the A and start laughing. Without knowing it, Z and S had picked out the same exact gift for A. I went back in and stood in another long line to return one of the gifts.

R knew I wanted to see Enchanted so he thought we could give it a try with the baby. I timed out her nap to work with the show time and we got there early and R walked around with her before the movie started and she feel asleep and slept through most of the movie (I don't think it will always work out that perfect). The movie was fabulous! I'm so glad it worked out because I loved, loved , loved this movie. After the movie we braved dinner with the kids and went to Tepanyaki which we all love and of course it was so yummy (it made up for Denny's earlier). It was a fun day and nice to spend it together.

Saturday Snow

It rained most of the day yesterday and finally started snowing last night and snowed throughout the night. Work radioed R about 4:20am that they needed help so he shoveled the driveway and sidewalks for me. I just love the snow when I am inside looking out the window and I don't have to go anywhere. While it's snowing, especially at night it's just so peaceful and beautiful.

The kids and I watched Polar Express on the ABC Family Channel last night. I love this movie (and I think I left it off my favorite Holiday Movies List). The story is so cute and find myself getting just as excited as the kids when the elves are singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and he appears in the doorway.

We are planning to go family Christmas shopping today so the kids can get each other gifts and then go see Santa. Last year with a new baby and everything I dropped the ball on taking the kids to see Santa and Christmas Eve Z reminded us that he had not seen Santa and he was devestated. So Sunday morning (Christmas Eve) R starts calling around to see how long Santa was at the different mall locations and at Gateway Mall he was supposed to be there until 5:00pm. R was going to take the kids to Gateway Mall instead of church but I said church is more important Christmas Eve then Santa but since church was out at 4:00pm they could leave right from church to the mall and still make it in time which is what they did. They were there by 4:30pm but Santa had already left and Z was so sad. R talked to the mall kid to at least ask for Santa's phone number but the kid didn't get what R was trying to do and said "I don't have his phone number." R was like, "You know, can I have his phone number in the North Pole?" thinking the kids would be at least a little okay if they could talk to Santa on the phone but the dense mall kid never understood what R was trying to do. R finally got a hold of a friend who agreed to be Santa on the phone and when the kids got home they called Santa and told him what they wanted and this made them happy. This year I just want to get the to Santa early enough that this won't be a problem again.

Last year we also didn't listen very well to what Z wanted for Christmas. On Friday before Christmas he drove to our house with our friend/boss Trent and all the way to our house told him how he wanted a Snowcone Machine from Santa. When Trent told me this I called R and said he spent 15 minutes telling Trent about a snowcone machine that Santa isn't bringing him. I called around and stopped by the Bountiful stores to find a snowcone machine but there were none in stock anywhere. R spent a good part of Saturday driving to speciality kitchen stores in Salt Lake to find a snowcone machine and of course he was successful but what a pain. This year I'm hoping I am listening to the kids better. It's hard because at Christmas time they want everything and I'm trying to simplify this year.

Well, I hope we have a fun family day, snow and all. I'm sure we'll eat lunch or dinner somewhere yummy and we are going to take the kids to see Enchanted.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Take time out to try this fun new idea.

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)

1/4 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 tbsp packed brown sugar

3/4 cup minature semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Graham crackers or Honey Maid Chocolate Sticks

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars. Beat just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Place cream cheese mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and shape intoa ball. Refrigerate at least 1 hour longer. Roll cheese ball in pecans. Serve with graham crackers or Honey Maid Chocolate Sticks.

My Christmas Wish List

I was tagged by Tammy to post my Christmas Wish List. To be honest I haven't thought much about this so I may come back and add more:

• Laptop
• Anything Willowtree
• Barn or Stable Creche for my Willowtree manager set
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie (although I may just buy this for myself on Tuesday when it comes out)
• Anne of Green Gable Books Set
• A utensil holder for the kitchen counter
• Coat closet finished with hooks for the kid's coats
• New Jammies
• Something to hand above my fireplace

Favortite Holiday Movies

What are your favorite holiday movies? I love holiday movies, especially the older movies. My all time favorite is White Christmas (1954) and I watch this year round. I love the music and I love Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clonney and Vera Ellen they are just wonderful together.

I also love It's a Wonderful Life (1946), I'm a huge Jimmy Stewart fan and of course this movie makes me cry everytime I watch it. The message is beautiful. I love Holiday Inn, Miracle on 34th Street (the 1947 & 1994 versions) and The Bishop's Wife (The Preacher's Wife is also okay).

The kids and I love the Disney Santa Clause movies. The second one is mine and S's favorite (again, we watch it year round), then the first one and the third one was only okay but enjoyable. S and I also like the to watch Eloise at Christmastime.

Santa's First Flight

Every year I buy us a new holiday book to enjoy. Some years they are spiritual and some years they are cute and fun. This year I bought Santa's First Flight and it is so cute.

For Santa's first flight he used 8 chubby penguins to pull his snowplow and nobody wanted him to come because they didn't know what he would do.

The the story is cute and the illistrations are fun. We loved it!

Tueday Things

I feel like on Tuesday mornings I have so many things I want to do while I just have A and the other two kids are in school but there just isn't enough time. I run out the door as soon as the kids leave for school so I can get some of my stuff done and it's just so much easier with one kid than two or three. I am hoping to work on Christmas shopping. Our family has planned a family Christmas shopping day for Saturday and we are hoping to visit Santa as well. I want to get my shopping done by the end of next week at least. I also need to figure out neighbor gifts (so much pressure). We need to get our family Christmas letter written and mailed off with our cute Christmas cards. So much to do and so little time!

After running errands I need to catch up on laundry and my house. I also have a few online photo type gifts I need to work on so they can be mailed in time. Maybe I can hire some Santa helpers.

Weekly Menu

Weekly Menu

Monday
Parmesan-Crusted Chicken with Creamy Honey-Mustard Dip
Green Beans
Cheesy Potaotes

Tuesday
Relief Society Dinner

Wednesday
Autumn Porkchops

Thursday
Leftovers

Friday
Chicken Enchiladas
Salad

Saturday
Eat out or Omlets

Sunday
Japanese Curry

Peanut Butter Fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 8 ounce marshmallow creme

Combine first four ingredients in large pot, bring to a boil stirring constantly. Reduce heat and continue at a rolling boil until soft ball stage. Remove from heat and add peanut butter and marshmallow creme. I usually double this recipe because it is not a very big batch.

Z' Baptism

Today was Z's specail day. I woke up early to start cooking lunch for after the baptism. I was stressed thinking I couldn't get it all done but my mom and sister were a huge help. Also it started snowing last night and was still snowing (R had a great time on the 4-wheeler plowing the entire neighborhood). The snow kept Dad and my sister Kris from driving up from Emery County. Finally we were all ready, extra clothes packed and the house was clean enough for an open house after the baptism.

We were early and I was able to get a few pictures of Z and R in their white clothes. This was a Stake Baptism so we all met in the Chapel for talks and introductions. Each ward was then dismissed to the Font Room for their baptism and after the baptism we moved to a seperate room for the confirmations. There was another boy from our ward who was baptized after Z and it was neat because they are such good friends.

For Z's baptism I wanted to get him a suit and since R didn't have a suit I thought they could both get one. Well it never happened, I just didn't make it suit shopping and I was bummed Saturday night but I thought it's fine he as a white shirt and pants plus I bought him new ties for his baptism.

When Z and R came into the confirmation room after the baptism they were both in dark suits and looked so handsome. I was so surprised. R had taken Z this past week suit shopping and they decide to surprise me and I was surprised, I had no idea. I just kept staring at both of them because they looked so nice and I was so shocked about the suits.

The baptism and the confirmation went smoothly and it was so special. At first I couldn't hear R very well during the confirmation and I was bummed because of the kid noise in the room but then I listened extra careful and was so touched to hear my husband use his Priesthood power. I thought this is one of those days in life that is just good and makes up for some many stressful days.

After the baptism our friends and family came to the house for lunch. I made ham, potatoes and a few salads and everything turned out fine. It was a little crowded but okay and it was just wonderful to sit and visit with everyone for a long time. No one was in a hurry to leave so we were able to enjoy each other company's for quiet a while. My dad even showed up as we were eating and even though he missed the baptism I appreicate him coming spend part of the day with Z. As everyone was leaving tonight I thought this has been a really good day.