Santa Clause is coming to town!

We took our kids to see Santa and the only one that seemed to be okay with the whole thing was the baby! Obi & Rex were bawling and Bella was pulling away! Santa pictures are always so much fun! I cannot remember why we always make them sit on some strange man's lap and insists on a picture, they all seem to wonder what we were thinking! LOL! I guess they owe it to us for all the great presents they get from Santa!

Our Thanksgiving Break

Happy Thanksgiving to all! We had a very eventful weekend. It started with early out on Wednesday, which turned into a big party out at the playground for the kids. It was plenty warm outside for the kids to run around. As you can tell from the picture they did need jackets but that's pretty good for November.

Here is Rex and Jack-Jack playing on the basketball court. Jack-Jack loves to run around with his walker! Rex is a bit camera shy but he'll give me a half smile.

Here is Bella & Obi just hanging out with their friends! Obi is wearing his Halloween costume because it has become his favorite new outfit to wear around. Isn't he just so cool!


Here is a picture of all the kids in "all their glory!" Rex has decided that being "nated" is so much fun especially when mommy chases him around the house trying to put clothes on him before the home teachers come! Obi as always doesn't think wearing a shirt is for any place except the outdoors! Jack-Jack loves to climb our stairs, he just hasn't figured out how to get down yet. His favorite thing is to get up on the couch or one a the beds and then dive off. The result isn't always what he thought it would be but he won't try it anyother way and gets mad at Daddy for trying to help him!

Obi's preschool class made turkey hats for Thanksgiving. Mr. A wore it throughout all of Wednesday at the high school. Obi wore it long enough to take a couple pictures but then wasn't all that interested.

My mom is always big on the presentation of the meal. I figure its just food so let's eat but my SIL had to learn how to set a table were everyone has 3 plates, one bowl, and lots of silverware! Holiday magic! LOL! It just ends up being a whole lot of dishes, thanks to the inventor of the dishwasher, Josephine Garis Cochran! You knew it had to be a woman.

Grandma B let Jack-Jack have some chocolate pie until his little belly was content! He made a huge mess of himself but was all grins about the chocolate! I want a lick! HAHAHA.


On Friday morning Mr. A went to the Black Friday with the family at 4am to make sure he got all the deals. It is one of his favorite holiday things (I have never even attempted the crowds, they make me nervous!) He raced a lady down the isles to get the last two razor scooters but showed chivalry toward the end and let her go first. She took them both! A very Christmas spirited event I think not! Our friends stopped by for a short visit which was nice. The kids enjoyed an excuse to go outside. They weren't able to stay long but we appreciated that they came anyway!


Saturday we watched the Utes lose to BYU for the 2nd year in a row! It was a mighty pointless game, both teams only had a few field goals until the last 2 minutes of the game. The Utes scored the first touch down with about 2 minutes left and then BYU scored two touch downs. It was rather pathetic! Later on we all went out the Madrin Buffet. As we were leaving a bus came carrying 47 passengers to dine there. Poor guys! We set up the Christmas tree and decorations that evening. The kids got to bed rather late but we made it to church in the morning, a little ornerier than usual but still there. Hope you all had a rather fun and eventful weekend as now things have to be back to normal until Christmas break!

Activity Days: Mini Pies

We had Activity Days last night. I taught the girls how to make mini apple pies. They seemed to enjoy themselves and they had fun pies to take home!

Mini Apple Pies
Makes: 3 mini pies 2 servings each. Prep: 20 minutes
Bake at 400 for 10 minutes, then 350 for 30 to 35 minutes.

4 apples, peeled, cored and diced (4 cups)
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp sugar
4 1/2 tsp Cornstarch
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Pinch Ground Cloves
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 box piecrust mix or 1 recipe double pie crust
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp milk

1. Heat oven 400. In large bowl, combine apple pieces, 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, cloves and lemon juice. Toss to combine; set aside.
2. Prepare piecrust as directed, adding remaining 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Divide dough into 6 pieces. Roll out 3 pieces to 7-inch circles. Fit into three 5-inch ceramic pie plates (we used pot pie pans). Roll out remaining dough to three 6 1/2-inch circles.
3. Divide apple mixture evenly among pie plates, about a generous 1 cup per pie plate. Cut butter into 3 pieces and place 1 piece on top of filling in each dish. Top with rolled-out doughs, and crimp edges to seal. Cut a few vent holes in each. Brush all crust with milk, and sprinkle each with 1/2 tsp sugar.
4. Bake pies at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350; bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cool on racks for 20 minutes before serving.

It took long enough with 7 girls that we ended up sending them home with instructions for baking. Hopefully they enjoy their homemade pies!

Book Reviews: First Day of Forever and The Reunion

I just finished reading two of Jack Weyland's books, they are both out of print but I was lucky enough to get them from our library here in St George. First, I read First day of forever, it is a compilation of many of Jack Weyland's short stories written for the New Era several years back. They were heartwarming and focused on missionary work at different phases of relationships. I enjoyed the read. Second, I read The Reunion, which is a novel about a bishop who is headed to his 20 year high school reunion. The book makes you realize how much a man has to sacrifice for his religion when called upon to serve in such a demanding calling as a bishop would be. I found new respect for our bishop and thoroughly enjoyed the added humor that Mr. Weyland used. In one part the bishop through many phone calls one evening receives an anonymous call asking his favorite color, he answers the color green. The call ends abruptly. Later on in the story he calls his neighbor and asks about his home to make sure it wasn't broken into. The neighbor gets back on the phone to tell him that the priest and laurel group had painted the house "garden hose green" as a service project!!! It was very fun!

Family Photo Session

Well we took our kids to Sears Portrait studios here in St. George to get our family picture taken. It is so hard to get everyone to work together on the whole thing. The assistant to the photographer gave up on the kids half way through the shoot because the kids weren't really interested in blowing a cake off her head! I do believe I would be much better at taking pictures than most of these girls we pay to do it. When I took Jack-Jack in to get his blessing pictures at the same place, the lady kept making this high pitched squeal and he would start bawling. Do they not see that if it is bothering the child: DO NOT DO IT AGAIN!!!

The pictures turned out okay as you can see but I really liked getting our pictures taken at JC Penney's before and they don't have one down here. I guess we'll just have to pay someone with a little bit of talent a few extra dollars and get what I want next time. Sorry to anyone who may actually be working at Sears Portraits, I just don't like this one here I haven't gotten very good service for the past two years. Fortunately, my smile savers expires next month. Maybe I'll just take them myself or ask a friend of mine.

Guess who is walking

Our little Jack-Jack went in for his 9 month appointment this past week. He is by far my heaviest baby at 20 lbs 10 oz! Also, he decided that instead of just being my heaviest he also wanted to be the earliest to walk... yeah, you heard that right! He has taken 5 steps! He is a little ways from running around the house just yet but at 9 months old he's definitely my youngest to try it. I think I'm in trouble!!!

Stake Conference

We just attended stake conference today. It was broadcast to 77 stakes in the Eastern & Southern Utah areas. We were pleased to hear from Elder Holland and President Hinckley. It was a very encouraging meeting with emphasis given in enduring, and missionary work.


The prophet President Hinckley went another route. He talked of the importance of a happy marriage. He started by saying that we need to "Enjoy the journey...hand in hand." President Hinckley addressed the four cornerstones of a happy marriage: mutual respect, a soft answer, counseling together in finances, and building your home. First, mutual respect is to respect our differences. To look for virtues rather than vices. Second, speak with a soft voice. Soft answers turn away wrath. Quiet talk is the language of love, the language of peace, the language of God. The voice of heaven speaks to us through the still small voice. Third, finances are the root of many troubles in marriage. Husbands and wives need to counsel together in regards to their finances. If they share this burden it will bless their home. Fourth, it is our responsibility to build our home. We need to join together in family prayer and scriptures. Unite our family in the gospel. The meeting left us with a good spirit and goals to work on. It is always such a blessing to be able to hear the words of a living prophet. Like a brethern said at the start of the meeting. A living prophet can teach us things that God wants us to know now. To focus on us as a people in this day and age.

Book Review: How to Date Your Wife

Z & I just started reading this book, How to Date your wife, written by Stan Cronin. It is written for husbands but has been pleasant for both of us. It lists 52 ideas to improve dating with your wife/husband. We haven't finished the book but would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve dating in their relationship. It is worth the price!!!

Grandpa & Grandma B's New Home

Just thought I would upload a picture of my Grandpa & Grandma B's home here in St George. They moved here just a few short weeks ago. It is wonderful to be able to visit with them so readily. My mom has been able to help them find a good doctor and help with some errands that they might not be able to handle otherwise. My uncle T was a huge help in getting them down to St George. He helped them with the purchase of this home. He also helped move them and all their belongings down here. Amazingly, they managed to move all their possessions in one Uhaul truck. It was done with major ingenuity on T's part. They seem to enjoy things so far and hopefully feel at home in their new home. It has all the latest amenities.

Halloween Week...

Okay so I believe that Halloween is one of those holidays that seem to become overwhelming, especially the more children involved. This year we were packed with lots of holiday plans. This is the kids right before we went out trick or treating. Jack-Jack wasn't interested in anything but his daddy holding him. Mr. A recently changed his part time employment and works until 7pm or later. Jack-Jack is crazy about his daddy and when he does have Mr. A around he is very upset if he puts him down at all. The funny thing is now he is crawling all over the place and doesn't usually want to be held unless he's tired or has his daddy around. Rex hated wearing the lion hat and took it off immediately following this picture! At least Bella and Obi were into the events!!!

Bella's class put on a Halloween opera with singing and dancing. This is right after her performance! I rarely get to be in a picture with the kids. I am always the one taking them!

Bella as a bride!

Obi's preschool performed two little songs for their "college friends" and parents were invited to attend. Aren't they all just cute!?!

Our Young Womens group put on a Halloween party on Saturday. They played games and got lots of treats! The kids had a blast and they all loved wearing their costumes for a couple extra days!!!

I believe this shirt has fit my boys very well. We get compliments on the humor of it whenever they are wearing it. Caution: Does not play well with others.