baggie ice cream

this is the picture on my pinterest board but the link doesn't work (don't you hate that?). so i searched around and found a couple recipes but none of them sounded perfect so i made up my own.  it's really really creamy and rich! this is a fun, super easy, and super quick little treat that my kiddies loooved!  i made them each their own, separate baggie which they thought was cool.

things you'll need:
-quart size freezer baggies
-gallon size freezer baggies (use freezer baggies since they are stronger)
-a pair of gloves
-ice
-ice cream rock salt

ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
3 T. sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
1 t. almond extract
(you can add whatever you want.. berries, chocolate, etc.. we just love vanilla)


mix together all ingredients in a quart size baggie. fill a gallon size baggie half way with ice and add about 1/2 c. rock salt.  put your cream mixture in the baggie of ice and seal.  get your gloves on and shake/massage it for 10 minutes (it really only takes 10 minutes!)
after 10 minutes, take the small bag out and rinse with cold water.  snip a corner of the bag with scissors and squeeze out the ice cream into a bowl. it makes a lot so i gave them about half and put the rest in the freezer for another time.


* on a side note that kind of relates to this post, my kids have been making butter. get an empty jar..we just use an artichoke jar that i washed really good. as long as it has a lid that screws on tightly, it will work. fill it about half way with cream and a little bit of salt.  then they just shake it for about 20-30 minutes until it separates. then put in in a cute little dish and refrigerate. they think it's the coolest thing that they can each use their own butter for waffles, sandwiches, corn on the cob etc.  my kids are funny that way.   it takes all of 30 seconds of my time... and they think it's a fun activity. :)

a degraff update

i'm feeling the need to blog more and keep a better record of my life as a mother, wife, and, individual.  i've been slacking and i know for FACT that i will regret it in the future.  there is so much that i want to remember during these fleeting times. i'm making a resolution to be better!

anyway, did you know i have a pintrest board?  well, i do.  it's fun to pin things and it helps me be a better person.  it also gives me fun ideas that will help my kiddos and i live life fully.  there are lots of pins that i have incorporated in my home (little tips here and there, things that have made my life easier, delectable recipes (both sweet and savory) and lots and lots of other fun, inspiring things!  so, this is my plan- i am going to post things i do from my pinterest board and share it with YOU!  how fun.  i'm thinking this will motivate me to do more.

you may ask yourself  "how does kristen have the time to not only try out things off her pinterest board, but blog about it too?"  don't fret.  i have the time.  my laundry might not get folded or my bed made, but i'm accepting the realization that it's ok to let things go here and there.  i want to be a MOTHER, not the maid.  i'm going to run my house and stop letting the house run me.  so there.

the first thing i'm going to post from my pinterest board is this lovely little number.  the triple chocolate chunk muffin.  i made them and they are really, seriously yummy!!  now look at the ingredients.  they are HEALTHY!! so healthy!  i was completely skeptical when i was gathering the ingredients.. in fact, i warned clay that they were really healthy and he was not amused and didn't even want to try them.  but then he did and he loved them.. and so did my kids!   

*two little tips- don't add any chocolate chips before putting them in the muffin tins.  just sprinkle them on after or you will have too many in some muffins and hardly any in others. - they aren't as rich as i like my desserts.  so we tried putting land o lakes whipped cream (0 carbs) on them and that did the trick.  super satisfying treat!
 

First Day of School!

Max -1st grade
Jack and Grace-3rd grade

Triplet's 1st Birthday!

Happy Birthday
Cole, Ava, and Henry!

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate not only the babies special day, but helped us celebrate the survival of our 1st year of triplets.. a feat I wasn't so sure I could conquer. It was such a fun day that began with silent tears of joy during their morning feedings. I'm so very aware of what a blessing the triplets are. You can all imagine the never ending work and stress three babies would be but unless you have triplets, you can't imagine the overwhelming joy and happiness that comes from mothering three at once. I often feel that the most difficult part of having triplets is deciding which baby to cuddle and kiss on. They are wonderful and I can't express my gratitude having the privilege to raise them.
Happy,happy day!

Jack and Grace's 8th Birthday and Baptism

Happy 8th birthday Jack and Grace! I love you so!

Clay, Jack, and Grace right before the baptisms!

Before and Afters of my sweet kiddos

After the Baptisms and Confirmations, friends and family came to our house and enjoyed crepes and orange julius. It was a delightful day. I'm such grateful mommy.

Summer 2011

goofy helpers

my life got substantially easier when the babies started to hold their own bottles this summer!

lots and lots of swimming with friends this summer. it's so nice that they can all swim so well now.

My parents reported to the MTC on the 4th of July. This is most of my family sending them off. They are in the Denver Colorado North mission. Such amazing missionaries and such amazing examples for all of us!

The 4th of July Parade in Provo. Jack, Grace, and Max were there too.. i just didn't get many pictures that day since i was a little preoccupied roping the babies in every two seconds. :)

Lots of playing in our backyard since i was too chicken (smart) to take the babies anywhere with water. they loved their little pool and splash pad and i loved that we could fit in fun in the sun in between naps. lots of smiles and giggles!

good thing i have 3 amazing helpers for my 3 babies! all summer long the big kids would come up with fun things like this to entertain the babies with.
this day was rocket day (inspired by the baby boy's t shirts) haha.