You know it's January when....

The kiddies and I were running errands this morning and Gracie said " Mom, Look how pretty the sky looks over there!!" I looked around and saw nothing but gray. I said "where?" and she said "way over there!" Sure enough there was a little patch of bright blue sky to the west! I laughed and then the next little while we all were talking about how gorgeous that blue was and how we can't wait until the it warms up and the whole sky will be blue and when "the flowers will not be dead". January is sometimes a difficult time for me.. such a boring, icky month. I am starting to get tired of the cold. I even wore shorts today with my Uggs. I know, pathetic! I guess the good I got out of our little conversation today was that I truly take things for granted. I need this cold, yucky weather to appreciate the warmth and beauty to come in the next few months. There certainly is a reason for having opposition in all things and this January day I contemplated this truth.

So long January... I'm glad you have come and gone!
I'm putting up our Valentine decorations today to celebrate the coming month!

YAY!

President Gordon B. Hinkley

This evening our beloved Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed on. I don't know what to write other than I am going to miss his wise words, his testimony, his witty sense of humor, and of course his kind and gentle demeanor. What a privilege to have had such a remarkable and inspiring leader for so many years. No other Prophet has influenced my life, on a personal level, quite as much as President Hinckley. His words and example will be forever treasured in my heart and hearts and of the millions who knew and loved him. Despite the sadness I feel, I can't help but delight in the fact that he is with our loving Savior and his dear, sweet Marjorie.
I love you and will miss you deeply. Thank you for the legacy you have left with us all!

January Happenings

So...we've had some serious snow around these parts.The kids are beside themselves with glee at the outdoor play land we've got going on: tubing, shoveling (oh, the shoveling) and generally rolling around in the powder. For now, and for the most part - I'm rather enjoying all the snow. It's beautiful out there! And inside is the pleasure of January nesting - we're getting in some serious couch time; drinking lots of cocoa and creating lots of little crafts here and there (grace especially, she is constantly working on some kind of elaborate project!) And then there's the baking... more than I ever thought possible. What is it about these cold, snowy, dreary days that makes me crave warm, comfort food? I love making things with the kiddies too. Baking is kind of the big event in our home lately... where we can all participate and work together to produce a yummy and delightful finished product in just a couple of hours or less. I love the warmth it provides in the kitchen and the smell of the food permeating our home all day. I mean, we can only spend so much time in the 20 and 30 degree weather.. what else is a mommy of three little ones to do?

Yummy, Yummy!

Last weekend Clay and I managed to escape reality for a few hours and have a night on the town (does Orem count as a night on the town? Debatable). We wanted to try the new restaurant at that new midtown plaza on state up in Orem. It was soooo YUMMY and the atmosphere is really fun and inviting -like nothing else in Utah Valley! We ordered an appetizer and I can't remember what it was called but it was the most delectable meat I have ever had! Then we ordered pizza! To Die for! Such an amazing place! When we went (Saturday night), there was an hour wait so we went to Barnes and Noble then back in time for our name call. Just a heads up if you go this weekend.... there will be a long wait so be prepared, but it's worth it!


Pizzaria Seven Twelve
320 S. State St. #185
Orem, Ut 84058

The Heatons were sweet enough to spoil me with another amazing night of screaming and cheering! The Jazz are doing so good lately!
This makes me very happy!
Playoffs?

We are so there.

Matt and Kirstie-Thanks for letting me witness the Jazz win up close and personal!
Love being with you!
This is a picture I saw on my brothers blog! Good job spotting us Dave!
Go Jazz!

Guilty Pleasures

The past couple weeks I have been listening to this singer/songwriter non-stop! I just love her and I can't get enough of her music. A couple years ago I was obsessed with this song, and then I was watching this show (which I'm a little hesitant to admit that I watch. It's soo staged and cheesy!!!) and was thrilled this song was on the season 3 finale! I love it sooo much! Here you can watch and listen to my two favorite guilty pleasures at the same time! I also love this song and this song! And I always smile while singing along with this!
Enjoy!

Recipe For a Perfect Evening

Step 1. Have the boys in the family go downstairs and watch a "Boy Movie"
(Our boys watched Transformers....again)

Step 2. Break out the "Cupcake Baking Kit" (very complete...quite impressed) that the little girl in the family got from Daddy for Christmas. Preheat oven and mix up a bunch of ingredients making sure to use every single, little, piece of the kit.
Every utensil and gadget needs to be tested.

Step 3. Pour cupcake mix into mini cupcake tins.
Take your time. This is a VERY important process.

Step 4. Bake cupcakes. Let cool for a little bit. Meanwhile, Take some time to decide on the color the frosting will be. Then make sure it's the perfect shade. Again, don't rush. Frost.
Then pause for a moment so Mommy can take another picture.

Step 5. Test the final product. Let the little baker be the first to take a bite!

Step 6. Let the boys know the cupcakes are ready and see how fast they can make it upstairs and down 3 cupcakes a piece. Make sure to laugh and make a big mess of everything!!

Happy New Year

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Hope you have a dreamy year!

Love, Kristen