Jack-O-Lanterns

The pumpkins finally got carved last night!!! Our pumkins actually starting rotting this year BEFORE we even carved them- gross. So, one got tossed, and Dallin and Daniel joined efforts on the big one. So, the top row, from left to right, are Eliza's, the boys, Dailie, and the bats on the bottom is Audri's. We're ready for some trick-or-treating tonight. I hope it warms up a little. At least it's not raining.

Daniel's Ready for Christmas

Right now I'm listening to Daniel sing "Jingle Bells" in the next room.

Two days ago, Daniel sent a letter to Santa. I could hold him off no longer. He wants a red castle with knights.

Daniel is excited for Halloween, only as a stepping stone to Christmas.

It's going to be a long two months, and I certainly hope this holiday lives up to his expectations...

Sunday Sweets II

No pictures this week, but we did bake again.

Dallin and Audri tried gingerbread cookies. I really liked the recipe. They were crunchy on the outside, and still soft in the middle. They cut some out as ghosts. They said they were still people, just dead ones. Nice.

Eliza, Daniel and I made Vanilla Hearts, which were basically sugar cookies, although a little more like shortbread. They were very tasty, but didn't hold their shape very well. Maybe we needed to chill the dough.

Rick and Dailie made Apple and Cinnamon Muffins. They were very yummy, with a crunchy brown sugar and cinnamon topping. They even used some wheat flour. Yummy and healthy : ).

C'mon Cougs

It's a big game tonight. It's getting tense around here...

*that didn't turn out the way I wanted it to : (

Sunday Sweets

Last week sometime I picked up this cute little cookbook for $3 at TJMaxx.

I was so excited to try all of the recipes : ). They looked yummy and fun to make. Rick had a great idea (I have to give him credit for the idea). He suggested that we take turns picking one out to try on Sunday afternoons. The kids often want to bake on Sunday afternoons, so we decided to go with it. We figured why not start out with more than just one. There was a Bishop's Youth Fireside this evening, so the extras could be taken for refreshments. We grouped up into teams of 2 and 3, and each team chose a recipe to try. It has to be chosen in advance, since there is usually an ingredient or two that needs to be purchased. I think the first Sunday Sweets can definitely be declared successes.

The trio of treats.

Rick and Dailie chose Tropical Pineapple Cupcakes with Citrus Cream Frosting. They were refreshingly light and delicious with grated lemon rind and fresh lemon juice in the frosting.


Eliza, Daniel and I chose Tiny Chocolate Cupcakes with Ganache Frosting. Yum. They were piped into mini muffin papers that were set onto a baking sheet, rather than in a muffin tin. I thought it was a nice balance of slightly bitter chocolate in the ganache, and sweeter cake. Some of the kids didn't like the frosting as much- a little too dark I think.

And Audri and Dallin chose Baklava. Definitely the most complicated of the recipes, Dallin had lots of fun assembling this delicacy from the Mediterranean. I even stopped by a Mediterranean Market to purchase orange blossom water for the syrup. I told them that my 14 year son planned to make Baklava, and they were very impressed. They told me if it turned out well, maybe they would have to sell it at their store : ).

We had lots of fun making and eating the treats, and I think this is a tradition we'll keep up for sure. We may have trouble convincing the kids to only do one next time : ).

P.S. The Cougs won last night. BYU 38- San Diego State 28. They are now ranked 16th : ).

The Times They are A-Changin'

Yesterday Eliza and Dailie were home sick. This morning Eliza seemed good so she went to school. Dailie stayed home one more day. While Daniel was at Preschool in the afternoon, I left Dailie at home and went to the grocery store before my chiropractor appointment. While at the store, I got a call from the school telling me that Eliza was sick again. So, I decided to finish at the store, cancel the chiro appointment and go pick her up. I called home for Dailie to look up the number for the chiropractor's office. She had the phone book and was having difficulty finding it. Then, it struck me and I said, "you know what, go type it into Google."

Problem solved, number easily found. Why do they even make phone books anymore?

Dallin's Cell

...and I don't mean phone.

This is Dallin's biology project. He had to make a model of a cell. He built this out of wood- cut it out with the scroll saw, put the hinge on, etc.

On the inside are all the parts of a cell- the nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria, cytoplasm, vacuoles, etc. He was very creative in his use of materials for each of these items.

Just another angle. I thought it turned out pretty awesome, or as Dallin might say, "Epic".

What's Your Definition of Peace?

I think the world is very confused on the idea of peace. First Al Gore, now Barrack Obama?

John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. "

Just my 2 cents.

Great Weekend

General Conference fills my bucket every time!! So many excellent talks and messages. I'm hoping to be highlighting them soon on my Conference Nuggets section on the sidebar. I hope you enjoyed it as well.