What To Make, Any Ideas!

Well we have our spaghetti dinner/dessert auction fun raiser for the youth coming up this weekend. I have so many ideas of things I want to make to have them auction off. I'm going to make my cinnamon buns, fudge,

banana bread and now I'm thinking of making pizza chocolate chip cookies

and I was going to make death by chocolate, but someone else is making that one. I was also thinking I could make chocolate covered strawberries. And the list goes on. I really wanted to make a trifle type dessert, but I'm not sure. I have a recipe from allrecipes called Caramel Apple Trifle.

But I'm not sure anyone would like it or not. So I really have a dilemma, what should I make. If anyone has any ideas or recipes send them my way please. I like them to be as easy as possible.

Christmas and New Years Together as a Family

Where do I begin. First of all on December 6th Josh came home from his mission because of illness. So we had to make a decision on if we follow through with our Christmas vacation plans. So we finally decided to book him a flight and take him with us, as the doctor said that would be fine. So on December 23rd we flew into Las Vegas. Josh on one flight, Vanessa coming from California (she had spent 10 days with a roommate from school) and us all arrived within a couple of hours of each other.

We then stopped at Salt Lake Temple Square for a visit and spent the night in Ogden before driving to Oakley, Idaho to spend Christmas with Jacquie, Ryan and the wonderful Bedke family.

We love spending time with the Bedke's. They are so generous in letting us stay at their home and feeding us for 3 days. It was great to visit, play games and spend Christmas day with them. We have a wonderful friendship with Jacquie's in-laws. She is a very lucky girl to have married into such a great family. So then on December 27th we headed to California. We were suppose to drive to St. George and spend the night, but everyone wanted to keep going, so that is what we did. We drive 13 1/2 hours and arrived in Corona, California. I think we were all so glad the ride was all done and we were in warm weather. Well in California we went to Hollywood Blvd.,

Venice Beach,

Santa Monica Pier,

Huntington Beach,

and the San Diego Zoo.

We wanted to go to Disneyland or Universal, but we heard it was really busy and decided we didn't feel like spending our whole day in line ups. The weather was so beautiful. Sunny every day and in the low 70's. You couldn't ask for better.

Then on December 31st we left California and headed to Las Vegas to spend New Years there.

On the way we stopped at Hoover Dam. None of us have ever been there, so it was really neat to see. We then spent the night on Las Vegas Blvd. WOW! Was that a crazy experience.

They figured there was over 300,000 people on the street that night. That is not counting Fremont St. where they had a party there and all the casino's that had parties in them. Let me tell you. Vegas was not short on tourist that night. You couldn't even walk down the street without feeling like a sardine. It was crazy. I'm happy to say, I did it once and I don't think I will be returning for New Years again.

Then on January 1st we spend the day back on the strip looking at the hotels and other things.

It was so great to spend time with all of our children. We love them so much and are so glad that they would take time out of their busy schedules to spend it with us. Thanks children for making this trip a special one full of lots of great memories.

A Special Gift of the 12 Days of Christmas!

Well about a week ago, Sherree de Jong dropped of a bag from a sister in the ward who wishes to remain anonymous. On December 13th I started to open the gifts one by one. It has been so much fun. So I wanted to post each item. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have. And to that special someone who ever you are. Thanks for making my Christmas special.

First Day said:

"On the first day of Christmas my true friend game to me: "A Partridge in a Pear Tree." The Partridge left you a Pear to remember her"

Second Day said:

"On the second day of Chrsitmas my true friend gave to me: "Two Turtle Doves." The doves fly away, but left a reminder behind."

Third Day said:

"On the third day of Christmas my true friend gave to me: "Three French Hens." The hens left you some chicken soup to warm the tummy and a candle to warm the soul."

Forth Day said:

"On the fourth day of Christmas my true friend gave to me: "Four Calling Birds" As the birds flew away they called out four of your great qualities. You are a wonderful Mom. You are a optomistic person. You are a hard worker. You are a joy to be around."

Fifth Day said:

"On the fifth day of Christmas my true friend gave to me: "Five Gold Rings" Gold is pricey, will gold pineapple rings do?"

Sixth Day said:

"On the sixth day of Christmas my true friend gave to me: "Six Geese a Laying" The geese layed some chocolate eggs for you before leaving."

Seventh Day said:

"On the seventh day of Christmas my true friend gave to me: "Seven Swans a Swimming" Before swimming away the swans left you the bubble bath they used."

What a Wonderful Family I Have!

Have you ever had one of those days that you are so glad that your Heavenly Father has blessed your life with a wonderful husband and children. Well I'm having one of those days today. It makes me so happy that I was sealed to my husband for time and all eternity. What peace of mind that brings to me to know that we can be together after this life. Sure we have our difference, but that is what helps us grow. He is a good man and treats me far better then I treat him. I need to improve in that area. I will never forget the first day I saw him in the gym at a YSA activity. I turned to my girlfriend and said, "I will have him by the end of the night". Well the rest is history. So thank you Gary for loving me and teach me patience.

Then there is my Jacquie! She is wise beyond her years. She is teaching me things everyday. Especially to trust in the Lord and it will all work out. She has a strong testimony of our Savior. She has become a wonderful cook. And what a great home decorator she is. She has the crafty talent that her mother lacks so much. She is so kind and helpful to her siblings. What a great example she has been to them. She is a wonderful friend. I read her blog and I now that she has alot of friends that love her and appreciate her. She loves to have parties and she sure knows how to put them on. Thank you Jacquie for teaching an old mom new treats.

We have been blessed with a wonderful son-in-law. He is so patience and kind. I am so grateful that I don't have to worry about Jacquie because I know Ryan is taking such good care of her. He is a hard worker. He goes after what he wants and he gets it. Even if it means he has to work at little harder or longer. He puts up with his in-laws living with him for a week at a time. And he loves us even though we are Canadian. Thanks Ryan for being the best son-in-law we have.

Our next girl is Vanessa. Well let me tell you that Vanessa never fails to make me smile. I can be down in the dumps pretty bad, but Vanessa always seems to be able to make me laugh. She is so strong in the gospel. She is good friend and she will help you in anyway she can. I appreciated her dedication to exercising with me this summer. When she puts her mind to something she does it. She has the wonderful talent of playing the piano and I love when she and her siblings are home and she plays and they sing. What beautiful music they bring out our home. Thank you Vanessa for teaching me to enjoy life and laugh at the small things.

Then there is our boy, Josh. Well he is currently serving a mission in Ireland. He has grown so much in the gospel. His testimony of the Savior is so strong. He loves to make you laugh. He is a great friend and will do anything for you. He is a great teacher. He has been blessed with a beautiful voice (like his sister Jacquie). He has learned to share that talent with others thanks to his sisters encouragement. He has taught me that I need to chill out more and not worry. He really doesn't stress to much about things. Well at least he never use to. His Missionary President said he is a great missionary. Thank you Josh for teaching us patience and laughter.

Well I really have been blessed so I thought I would share those blessings with all of you. Thank you Lord for the wonderful people you have brought into my life. They really have taught me alot. So thank you family for putting up with a crazy, crying, over protection mother for all these years. I love you all.

The Real Review

Well girls here you go. These are the pictures you have waited for. I personally don't think these pictures do it justice, but at least you can see what it looks like. We hope you like. Let us know what you think.

Remodeled Bathroom

So our girls are waiting for the reveal of the bathroom makeover. We are almost there. Gary is painting the last of the cupboards and then I can take pictures and post them. But in the mean time, I thought I would post the old bathroom pictures so that they can remember what a mess it was really in.