My little darling.

This Christmas season

I've been trying to relax and enjoy the holiday spirit this year. I didn't try to over-do everything and get all stressed out. It's been really nice just spending time with family, cooking, baking, staying home when it's snowy outside, and reading religious materials. Last night I had the chance to read The Living Christ. It wasn't Christmasy, but it gave me time to reflect on the Savior and his sacrifice for us. After all, we musn't forget the basis of CHRIST-mas. I do hope everyone is in good spirits this year! Have a Merry Christmas :)

A quick scrap book page...

The best frosting!

I tried this recipe from Pioneer Woman and it didn't dissapoint! It sounds kind of odd, but it delivers. I added 1/4 tsp almond extract to boost flavor and I think it tastes superb.


The Best Frosting PW Ever Had!
• 1 cup Milk
• 5 Tablespoons Flour
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 cup Butter
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar (not Powdered Sugar!)
Preparation Instructions
Bake your favorite chocolate cake and let it cool.
In a small saucepan, whisk flour into milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. (If I’m in a hurry, I place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools.) Stir in vanilla.
While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add the cooled milk/flour/vanilla mixture and beat until it all combines and resembles whipped cream.
Grab a spoon and taste this wonderful goodness. If there is any left after your taste test, spread it on a cooled chocolate cake. Cut yourself a piece and put it on a pretty plate. Grab a fork and prepare to experience the most divine pairing you can imagine. This frosting on chocolate cake is to die for. Sure, the recipe sounds strange — it has flour in it — but it’s sublime. Try it, you’ll see. You’ll love it so much you won’t go back.

Christmas box

Mckayla loves to play with this Christmas box I got out when I decorated for Christmas! She sits in it, drags it around, and puts her mini nativity figurines in there.


I got her this fun princess table at walmart for $20 bucks! She likes to sit at it and color and have snacks and stuff. It came with a dry erase marker that's supposed to wipe off, but doesn't wipe off so easy... It's great otherwise.

Some cute pics I liked of Mckayla

Thanksgiving 2010

The pictures speak for themselves, but I'll just say a few things.
1. Josh had "one of the best thanksgiving dinners ever". (me too)
2. We watched Avatar on the 60 inch. Awesome!
3. We danced to the BOSE in the kitchen and really cut a rug!
4. We had fun decorating ginger bread men (and women).
5. We had good conversation.
6. We got out the Christmas tree.
7. We watched cartoons on moms bed while Mckayla burned with fever. Sad. Her first real sickness. She is getting better.
8. We played speed scrabble. It's WAY better than the original version.
9. We enjoyed each others company.
10. We were all VERY thankful. We missed my sister Michelle and her family terribly! They weren't able to come because their sheep were lost in the foothills.

Some new scrap book pages.

Come see "Fall"

Click HERE to see the rest.

Holy Guacamole!

Wow, I just have to say, I made the best guacamole tonight! I LOVE everything about avocados. The shape, the dark and light green color inside, the smooth creaminess...

So here is the recipe I love.

1 avocado
1 Tbsp. Alison's Pantry guacamole seasoning
a few shakes of salt
2-3 Tbsp. salsa
2-3 strips crispy cut up bacon (adds awesome flavor)I get the dailies pre-cooked slices from Alison's Pantry. They're SO much easier, faster, and less messy.
a squirt of real lemon juice

Mash up the avocado, throw in the rest of the ingredients and mix together. Save the pit of the avocado and put it in the bowl to slow browning. If you can resist eating it right away, cover and refrigerate for 30 min. If not, EAT IT with tortilla chips. YUM!

Mckayla's Birthday part two

We had a small family party for Mckayla on Sunday over at G & G's house. She got to open lots of new books and puzzles from them and had a really fun time! She really loved the happy birthday song and blowing out the candle. We had turkey and mashed potatos and rolls and a fruit salad. SO YUMMY! Thank for the great party Ali :) I made the awesome cake. Don't laugh. I haven't perfected the box mix.