Halloween video

Happy Halloween

Laethym and Avonleigh all ready for preschool

Avonleigh looks like Thing 1 (or Thing 2), but she insisted that she's a clown! What do mommies know anyway?




My sweet little pumpkin!

Ok, so you don't see a picture of Christopher, well, because there isn't one. He couldn't dress up for school (so sad!), and by the time he got home we ran out the door, did whirlwind trick-or-treating, came home and he stripped. I asked him to put his costume on for 1 picture and he said, "No thank you." Fine.

Payton helps with laundry

Children's Sacrament Meeting Program

We had our CSMP last Sunday and it went so well! I am so proud to serve in primary! The kids were awesome and they absolutely knew their parts and KNEW those songs!

So, why the picture you ask?

My first counselor (who is fabulous) found a story about how the munks used to twist their bread dough into this shape (that we know as the pretzel) to teach the children how to fold their arms and be reverent. So she explained this to the kids during our program practices - they do tend to get long. Then at our second practice the whole presidency made soft pretzels for the kids to have as a snack. They turned out so cute...and sooo yummy! Want the recipe?...

My kids helped me make these (I wish I had thought to take pictures!) and we had THE BEST time! They really aren't as much work as they seem.

SOFT BAKED PRETZELS
(6 large or 12 small)

3 ½ cups of flour
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tsp salt
1 cup very warm water (120 degrees +)
1 Tbsp yeast (dissolved in the water)
1 Tbsp sugar
1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water

4 cups water (boiling)
2 Tbsp baking soda

Directions:

1) Mix water/yeast, sugars and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add flour and mix until dough is smooth. Add more flour if sticky.
2) Divide the dough into 6 or 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, very thing, a little bigger than a pencil. Shape into a heart-shape, twist the ends around each other once and secure to side of “heart.”
3) In a pot, boil 4 cups of water and add 2 Tbsp of baking soda. Set the pretzel in the boiling water for ~10 seconds; drain.
4) Place on a greased cookie sheet. Brush with beaten egg and water solution. Sprinkle with course salt, parmesan cheese, cinnamon sugar or sesame seeds.
5) Bake in a hot over 450 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Brush with melted butter and enjoy!

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city soul with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian people - could life get any better?

Uh, yeah, I could ditch the cappuccino for a hot chocolate and my family could be with me...

What City Do You Belong In?

Smart Little Guy

My Buddy is so smart! He cracks me up. I give you the following conversation we had today after he got home from school:

Christopher/Buddy: "Look Mom! Maddie gave me a stamp that she found at school today! It says 'Made in China' on it!"

Me: "Honey, if she found it, then it wasn't hers to give. You need to give it to your teacher tomorrow so she can find the true owner."

Christopher: "Actually, I think I'll give it to Sushma because she's from India and it's close to China."

Smart kid! hahahaha

More Morphing Fun!

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Fight Childhood Cancer

A New Who in Whoville?

Ok, so I KNOW she looks like she belongs in "Whoville," but she's got this patch of long hair ONLY down the CENTER of her head, so she looks like she has a bad comb-over when it's down! Anyway, Chris suggested cutting it...this was my alternative:

I can't believe how big she's getting! She's already 6 months old...somebody make time STOP!

Football - The Undefeated Bengals!

My cute "Little Man!" He played so well tonight - 2 sacks, a fumble recovery and many great tackles! Go Buddy!