Happiness is...

...a new pair of shoes!

(shallow, I know...)

A conversation with Miss Lizzy...

Lizzy: "I'm angry!"
Mom: "Why are you angry?"
Lizzy: "I'm the mom!"

Once there was a snowman...

Snow here in California is, well, not anywhere near where we live. So we have to be creative to make snowmen of our own. This was what I came up with...Ice Cream Snowmen!

I used a regular sized ice cream scoop for the bottom and the small scoop that I use for cookie dough for the top. I had cute snowman muffin papers to scoop the ice cream into. Then I popped it all into the freezer until it was time to decorate!

Lizzy used butterscotch chips, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips to decorate with, and a mini peanut butter cup for the hat.Yummmmmm! And for a more healthy version we used bananas, pretzel arms, and an apple/grape hat all on a bamboo skewer. We did add some mini chocolate chips, just for decoration. ;)

The Thirteenth Tale

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Amazing. Well written. Enthralling. And slightly disturbing. Great story!



View all my reviews

Another year gone...another to look forward to!

Highlights of 2010!

Brennen: Receiving the priesthood.

"The priesthood is not really so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and opportunity to bless the lives of others." -President Thomas S. Monson

Gabe: Making a great friend who lives just down the street. We spend every afternoon together as soon as homework is done.

Tim: Going to Disneyland. I was finally tall enough for California Screamin'!

Lizzy: Going to Disneyland with Grandpa, Auntie Autumn, Amelia and Uncle Gabe.

Jeffrey: 2010...that's tough since I barely remember last week...

Tami: Getting to play a mean old witch in SVCT's Into the Woods. (This is a picture of after the witch becomes beautiful...but I still got to be mean!)

Looking forward to in 2011!

Brennen: Turning 13, so I can use all that teenager attitude legitimately (and see PG-13 movies...if mom and dad will really let me!)

Gabe: Getting an iPod touch (mom and dad won't let me get one until I turn 11. I only have $40 more to earn!)

Tim: Turning 8, so I can be baptized.

Lizzy: Going back to preschool with Miss Cindy!

Jeffrey: Planning a really great family vacation!

Tami: Getting the house organized, and maybe spending a little more time with my sewing machine.

And more singing!

Gabe's 5th grade also put together a Christmas show this year, giving us a glimpse into what Christmas was like as our nation began. It was wonderful to see...well, I couldn't always see (our cafeteria doesn't have stadium seating ;) ), but it was beautiful to hear. Gabe danced the waltz, sang a rap, gave a line full of personality, and sang, and sang, and sang! I love to see the funny expressions on his face as he sings. He is quite a kid that Gabe! The 5th graders closed out the night with my personal favorite, "Silent Night". It was even more special as the children used sign language as well as words to sing the song. Great work Gabe!

Ah...the singing!

Timothy's 2nd grade class was part of a Christmas Program this year at his school. The kids sang songs from around the world. Some of my favorites were "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth", "Feliz Navidad", "Mele Kelikimaka", and my all time favorite, "Silent Night".

The hit of the night was watching the kids dance with partners to

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"!

Timothy and his many faces...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!