Cinnamon Rolls

Earlier this afternoon, Katy made her first batch of homemade cinnamon rolls. I had gotten a new recipe from Grandma C. (Allison used this recipe for rolls this year and they were great!!). This is the best roll recipe I've ever had. They are so good they have now officially replaced Mrs. Worley's Rolls that we've been using for the past 20 years or so.  When Becky got home, she didn't believe that Katy had made them, she accused her of using Pilsbury. 

Chef Katy (Doesn't she look cute in her apron?)

The rolls rising

Tyler and Emily anxiously waiting.

So I took the before pictures, but silly me didn't get any of the after pictures. Trust me, they were delicious and quickly disappeared.

The Snowman Tree

We spent the  evening putting up the Snowman Christmas tree. Katy, Becky, Kyle and Tyler helped. Now you would expect Brayden or Cade to brake something, but no . . . it was Katy who managed that tonight, lol. 

When she was younger, she was in a hurry out the door and slammed it so hard that it knocked off a ceramic camel that belonged to my nativity. She desperately glued it back together and placed it back in its proper spot. It wasn't until a few days later that I noticed the cracks in my camel. I still have that camel cracks and all, but even better is the memory now that comes with those cracks.

Brayden was trying to hold Cade, but Cade wasn't to keen on the idea.

I think it was overload for Brayden.

A Day of Thanks

Like most of you, I spent Thanksgiving with my family enjoying an abundance of turkey, stuffing, homemade rolls and too many desserts to count. I also, like most of you, said what I was thankful for. As the "thanks" went around the table, there were thanks for things like family, school, indoor plumbing, pie, and football. My thanksgiving was as typical as anyone could expect, but for me, it is the everyday common events that I am most thankful for. After having many "extremes" in my life, I am thankful that God has blessed me with the most pleasant, peaceful, uneventful days surrounded by people I love and who love me in spite of myself. God is truly mindful of me and my family. My wish for this Christmas season is that we all keep with us the spirit of gratitude we feel on Thanksgiving each and every day.

Letter from Chad

I try to keep everyone posted on how Chad is doing on his mission. I have seen some wonderful blogs dedicated to an Elder and his mission. (My nephew just got his call and his family is doing a blog for him. BTW, it looks great!!)
However, I'm just not that organized. So I do my best by sharing bits about Chad as his mission, as well as the rest of my family. This week's letter from Chad had a few interesting things that I wanted to share.
The first one being what Chad saw last week and the second some advice he gave to Kyle. Kyle has a talk in church on Sunday about having a brother who is a full time missionary and the meaning of missionary work.

Chad's Story:

"Oh I forgot to mention, we saw a guy get hit by a car about a week or two ago. He was crossing the street and a car was slamming on its brakes. Well it hit the guy and lucky enough he did not die, but we think his leg was broke. His beer flew about ten feet. There was not much we could do so we left."

Tips for Kyle's talk:

"Now pay attention here, Kyle, this might help you prepare for that talk. Today I had the privilege of listening to President Pieper teach us. When you read in 2nd Nephi 2:14. It talks about there are two different kinds of people, those who act and those who are acted upon. Like a stone we can just sit there and do nothing, and anything that happens, we just go with. Or we can act. In this case meaning that we need to take action with the things that are given to us. We can ask questions and get others to find them or we can search for them ourselves. Father gave us the scriptures, and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Remember that God gives us blessings if we seek and ask for them. Also many blessings come only after the trail of our faith. Another thing we talked about was D&C 20:37, which talks about the requirements of baptism. These also work for the less active coming back or anyone within the church. Take some time and read and study this verse, and ask yourself, do you, on this next Sunday, meet these requirements???? The sacrament is the time to renew our baptismal covenants.  Also members should not be afraid to talk to their friends and neighbors about the Gospel. They are not forcing it upon anybody. It is only an invite. These are just a few of the things we talked about."

It all sounds like good advice to me. Thanks Chad for all you do for us here at home.

Chad's Newest Friend

I never know what to expect from Chad. I got my weekly letter and he's doing great. He sent some wonderful insights to Kyle this week. Kyle has a talk this Sunday on having a missionary brother and to give a missionary moment. I don't think the Bishopric realize he just barely gave a talk in sacrament, but Kyle can always use the blessings, so can we. Anyway, I'll make sure to share what Chad sent to Kyle a little later. For right now I thought I'd share his newest pictures. Thank you for all your prayers for Chad. I know he is being blessed as are we.

Yes, that's a hedgehog. They found it near the branch. My question was why did he pick it up??

Zone Conference

Our Newest Tenant

Katy and Cade are staying with us while Corey goes through a 6 week training. He should be back in time for Christmas. Then while he is deployed Katy and Cade will stay with us again. Our house if full with children and grandchildren these days. We are happy to have them all, especially when they smile at us like this. As I've mentioned before, our family is something of a mix. Some days good, some days better, but always full of love.

Luuucy, I'm Home

Tyler and his friend, Emily, dressed up for Halloween. Emily made a cute Lucy and Tyler just looked cute. I think he was that prince from Enchanted. 

Cupcake Heaven

Don't you remember those days when you really enjoyed a cupcake. Well, those days are still here and now at our house. Brayden loved his cupcake. I was surprised he ate the cake as well as the frosting. The greatest joys come from the simplest things.

Then, like all the other kids, he had to show what the cupcake looked liked inside his mouth. What is it about kids? LOL Now when's the last time you enjoyed a cupcake like that?

Chad's Newest Picture

 

I wish I knew what this was, but I certainly know who that is. Chad is still doing great. I have really started a countdown. I met someone today who just got his mission call to the same place Chad is. He won't be getting there until the middle of April, by that time Chad will only have 3 1/2 months left.  

He's looking good and he's looking older. He's not the teenager I sent out.

These are the last, I promise

San Diego has a maritime museum with several different ships. This one is a former Russian submarine. Before you board, there is sample of the size of hole you must be able to go through. I'm guessing it's there so you check your size before you get on the submarine and get stuck. 

This was the ship that was used in the movie Master and Commander with Russell Crowe. I never saw the movie, but I knew which one it was.

We also took a harbor cruise while we were there. It was a beautiful day, but a little cool out on the water. Katy decided to wear Cade's hat. I told her her head was too big, but she wouldn't believe me, lol.

Sam had his hands full with Brayden. He was constantly on the move. It was a good thing Brayden wasn't tall enough to lean over the rail by himself, we may have lost him.  Sam and Brayden saw every corner of that boat while the rest of us took it easy on the top.

This was part of a memorial to the soldiers who served on one of the ships. It listed every man and showed a the route the ship had taken while commissioned. I only wish I could remember which ship it was.

Quit that Kyle. Can you tell how large this statue is? Kyle is standing at the bottom of it. This is standing just next to the USS Midway.

Will they ever end??

I know you're asking if our trip pictures will ever end. Well, I'm asking that too. I never realize how many pictures I take until I start deciding what to do with them all.  I think we are so lucky to have digital cameras. It's so much better than that old roll of 36. Now I can snap hundreds without even thinking about it. 

These pictures are of us at the pool in Indio. Considering the cold and snow we have now, these look especially good and WARM.

Katy and Kyle look so tan.

Cade's little hat wasn't meant to be a sailor hat, but Grandpa had to help with that.

Brayden always looked so white. We worried that the California sun would toast him a little too much. We really soaked him him sun screen.

Chad got his transfer

Chad is so excited. He was transfered last week to Yevpatoriia. It is a port city on the Black Sea. His new companion is from California, but I can't remember his name right now. I'll add that later. Chad says he feels small in comparison. His companion is 6'4" 215 lbs. and Chad is only 6' 176 lbs. In case you've lost track, Chad only has 9 months left. The time really has gone by very quickly. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We have all been blessed through Chad's mission.

Halloween

This year at school my entire class dressed up as the faculty at our school. It was hilarious. I was the principal and one of the little girls was me. Here's a picture. Isn't she cute being me?? By the way, the gray hair is fake. It was part of my costume. Really!!!

Palm Springs Tram

I finally got more pictures from our California trip. This is the Aerial Tram in Palm Springs. The tram you ride up rotates providing everyone a 360 degree view. The desert was so hot, but up top was about 30-35 degrees cooler. A jacket would have been nice especially for Katy whose blood has really thinned living in 29 Palms. I absolutely loved it. It felt like home, mountains, trees, cool weather.

Brayden needed several time outs along the way. If you watch, you'll see him sitting down. It's only funny now, it didn't seem too funny then. By the time we got back to our condo, we were all needing some time out