Simply Citrus Cream Cake

I have to share yet another recipe. My sweet husband made this cake for me for my birthday. It is soo yummy!

1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow or white cake mix
1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding
1-1/3 cups BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream, divided
3 eggs
1/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. grated orange peel
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
1 can (11 oz.) mandarin orange segments, drained
Make It
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans; set aside. Place cake mix, dry pudding mix, 1 cup of the sour cream, eggs, oil, water and orange peel in large bowl. Beat with electric mixer on low speed 1 min.; scrape bowl. Beat on medium speed an additional 2 min. Pour evenly into prepared pans.
BAKE 25 to 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool completely.
BEAT remaining 1/3 cup sour cream and powdered sugar in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Set aside.
PLACE 1 of the cake layers on serving plate; spread with half of the whipped topping mixture. Top with half of the orange segments. Repeat cake and topping layers. Garnish with remaining orange segments. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Things that make Christmas Christmas

For most everyone there are certain things that are important when celebrating the holidays and its just not Christmas time without them. The things that make Christmas special for me are definately not glamorous and they do not cost a lot but without them Christmas is just not Christmas.

1. Music. For me it is Bing Crosby's "Merry Christmas". It is an album that has been played in my home since I can remember. Memories of Christmas morning and opening presents to "Bing" makes me smile. What would Christmas be without the Andrews Sisters singing about the "big fat man with the long white beard" coming to town.

2. Christmas lights. I love christmas lights. When I was little my dad would put a strand around the outside of my window so they would light up my room at night.




3. snow. This is a more recent thing because growing up in California I never experienced a snowy Christmas. The most we ever got was rain. I hate driving in snow, but when I have no where to go I love the snow.

4. Its a wonderful life. This has to be the ultimate Christmas movie. I am not a lover of old movies, but I have to say this is one I treasure. It has such a great message--I make my kids watch it with me every year. Yes, and every year it makes me cry all over again.

5. Christmas cards. I love to make Christmas cards. There is nothing better to put me in the Christmas mood. I try to make each card just a little bit different and special for the person I am sending it to.

6. Family. I am sure this is important to most people and definately a must for me. There is nothing better than to spend Christmas day with the ones you love!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tradition

One of the things I like to do at Christmas time is make frosted Christmas cookies. My mom did it every year when we were little so I have kept the tradition. Every year I try a new recipe and every year I am disappointed with the results. This year however, I found the perfect recipe.

It is super easy and the dough is so easy to work with--I didnt even have to chill it before rolling it out. The cookies turn out really yummy too.

Butter Cookies

1 cup butter (not margarine), softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

* My kids decorated these cookies. Needless to say they love sprinkles!

I have been tagged!

Here are the rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Answer the six "8" items.
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. The Office
2. LOST
3. Medium
4. Desperate Housewives
5. The house flip show on TLC
6. all the shows on the Food Network
7. Deal or no Deal
8. American Idol

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. went to Walmart and Smiths
2. Had lunch with Nancy
3. picked up Camden from school
4. cleaned my house
5. made dinner
6. worked on homework with Camden
7. made and wrapped ornaments for ward christmas party
8. worked on pictures

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. SATURDAY (ward christmas party is on Friday)
2. Getting all the holiday stuff done
3. Receiving Christmas cards!
4. Christmas Day
5. Morgan turning 3
6. Taking lots of pictures
7. Riley starting Kindergarten
8. Date nights with Nathan

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Olive Garden
2. Mi Ranchito
3. Bajio
4. PF Changs
5. Black Angus
6. Enjoy
7. Cheesecake factory
8. In-n-out

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. Good health for my family and friends
2. A date night with my hubby
3. Please let the the christmas party go well
4. a piano
5. new kitchen table
6. spending time with friends
7. going away for the weekend WITHOUT kids
8. my kids to be happy

I tag Michelle, Tami, and Jerlyn!

Tis the Season

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanksgiving time again!

We had a great Thanksgiving! This year we went to Nathan's brothers house. The food was yummy and we had a great time being with family. We have so much to be grateful for this year. I am grateful for my husband who is a good man and works hard for our family. I am also grateful for holidays and family and yummy food.

Riley is grateful for his mom, his bed, and his family

Camden is grateful for Heavenly Father, his family, and school.

Morgan is grateful for Riley, Camden, Mom, Dad and herself.

Preschool fun!

I have been such a blog slacker lately! I have been so busy with photography. I have hundreds of pictures to still process and more to take this week. It is such a great thing because I love taking pictures and NEVER get tired of it, but it just makes it harder for me to post to my blog.



Riley has been loving preschool. One of his favorite parts are the field trips. Miss Lisa always has something fun planned. This month we went to the pumpkin patch.



The day before the field trip Camden had come home with a stomach bug. So, I wasnt sure that we would make it to the field trip. Fortunately, he seemed better by the time we were to go so we went. They had a lot of fun spots for pictures. This big red hay trailer was hard to resist. I love color!











They had lots of fun tractors for the kids to climb on. I think we could have spent hours here just playing on the tractors.


Morgan had a good time picking out pumpkins and running around. She was also a good sport and let me take a few pictures of her in this wheel barrow.





Last month we went to the Dinosaur Museum. Riley had a great time with Zach. We were planning on going to the Children's garden, but it was pouring when we got there so we went to the museum instead. However, I wasnt prepared for inside pictures so some turned out a little dark, but I am glad I got a few of them playing.



They especially loved digging in the sand with the dinosaurs.





and digging for dinosaur bones.

TuTu TIME

It has been a while since I have posted to my blog. Our family has been so busy I havent had a chance to do anything fun for me. So, today while the kids play at the neighbors I am blogging.

I am a lucky girl because I have a very talented friend (NICOLE) who made this adorable tutu for me. I am loving the tutu! After taking Riley to preschool Morgan, Camden (who is still off track) and I went over to Herriman Cove and took some pics. Morgan was willing to pose for pictures because not only did she get to wear the tutu, but I brought the jelly bellies.

General Conference

Yesterday we had General Conference. It was uplifting and inspiring as always. They talked about having faith and not letting fear take over in hard times. They also talked about unity and lifting one another. Something for me to work on. I feel like my life is so full with children and my own projects that I don't reach out to others. I can think of so many people around me who are so willing to go out of their way to lift another's burden. Family, friends, and neighbors who help in any way they can. Thank you for your example!

My cousin Damon, is one great example to me. He served a mission in Guatamala years ago. Now he is working to help children in Guatamala receive education through an organization called BRITE BLUE. His organization has helped kids acheive there dreams of going to college. In 4 weeks he will leave with supplies and donations to help kids who live in unthinkable conditions with no educational chances otherwise. If anyone wants to help click HERE to read more.

The Neon Dragons

Riley started soccer a few weeks ago. There are 3 girls and 3 boys on Riley's team and Riley is the tallest one. They are little, but play hard. We are enjoying the games watching Riley kick the ball and score a few goals.

He's off

Our house was filled with excitement this morning. Camden was off to school excited for Grandparents Day while Riley was excited for his first day of preschool.

He has been eagerly waiting for this day to come for three weeks. He is going to school with his buddy Zach. I am excited for all the fun things he is going to learn this year.

His first preschool project was to make his face. With all his creativity this is the end result--his face with tons of snakes biting him.

Riley told me that his favorite thing about school so far is painting. He told me that today he painted a big scary monster with fire all around him. What a boy!

While Riley was gone Morgan and I made pink pancakes and ate them with chocolate milk. I am excited for our one on one time.

New Recipe

I am always trying new recipes so my family will not get bored with my cooking. I don't love to cook, but obviously I love to eat! I am always looking for easy meals that are yummy and do not require more than 5 ingredients. I love to watch the Food Network and some of the cooking shows on PBS. They always make it look sooo easy and it seems like no matter what they are making, even if its something I dont like, they make it look REALLY good. I recently watched a cooking show called "Simply Ming". If you have ever watched this show you know Ming has a way with Asian dishes that make your mouth water. I swear if I were rich before anything else I would hire Ming to cook for me. So, anyway he made fried chicken using these Japanese bread crumbs called panko. So, I tried to find the recipe tonight, but really didnt have much luck. However I found a recipe called "Deviled Chicken Drumsticks" that looked really good. They turned out so yummy! It was a winner with my family and it isnt really hard to make so I thought I would share it with you.

Deviled Chicken Drumsticks

12 chicken drumsticks (2 1/2 to 3 pounds total)
1/2 cup dijon mustard

3/4 cup panko (found in the same place as shake n bake)

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

3/4 teaspoon cayenne

3 tablespoons butter, melted

preheat oven to 450 degrees with rack in upper third.

Pat chicken dry, then toss with mustard until evenly coated.

stir together panko, cheese, cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper

drizzle with butter and toss.

Dredge each drumstick in crumb mixture to coat, then arrange, without crowding, in a buttered large 4-sided sheet pan.

Roast until chicken is browned and cooked through, about 30 minutes.

I love this recipe because it is easy, yummy and you dont have to fry the chicken in oil.

Adventures in Potty Training: Day 5

With eyes closed I have jumped into the world of potty training once again. Its day 5 and I finally can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Morgan has been showing signs of potty readiness for a few months now. She was excited about going potty and went several times a day, but also had a wet diaper. So, I decided it was time to train her before she lost interest. I decided the best approach would be to go cold turkey. no more diapers or pull-ups! I figured that if I kept putting a diaper on her she would not get into the mode of holding it until she went to the potty. So, we went to the store and I got her a barbie and some new underwear. I put the barbie above the fridge and told her that if she could stay dry for a whole week she could have it.

The first day I was ready to quit! She went through 6 pairs of underwear before lunch. She would go on the potty but wouldnt get it all out and so she would go in her pants too. I was so tempted to put a diaper on her again and wait six months. But, I didnt. Day two was a little better only 2 accidents. Day 3 was Friday and she had lots of accidents. I kept thinking "Is she really ready for this". I didnt count Saturday or Sunday because we werent home alot on Saturday and I wasnt going to bring her to church in underwear so both days she wore a diaper. Surprisingly she took off her diaper to go and was mostly dry through the weekend. Yesterday she did really well only one accident. That brings us to today. I think we have turned a potty training corner. She is doing so well and has gone potty without me once asking her to go. I am crossing my fingers that she will continue to do well and that we are done with diapers!

The Greatest Discovery

I was playing around with my playlist this morning and I came across a song that I havent heard in a very long time, but one that I have always loved. It is an OLD song by Elton John and not one that I have ever heard on the radio. So, I dont think many people have heard it. But, it has sweetest words and always brings tears to my eyes. I included it in my playlist as no. 1 (The Greatest Discovery). Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Monday

On August 3rd we celebrated Riley's 5th birthday. I can remember the details of the day I went into labor and delivered Riley. It feels like it was yesterday. I can not believe how quickly the time goes. Nathan and I decided last year that since his birthday was so close to the cut off and because he is only 15 months younger than Camden that we would wait another year before starting him in school. So, this year he is going to go to preschool. He is so excited! Only a few weeks till he starts. Today his teacher, Miss Lisa, came to visit him. He was so excited for her visit that he asked me if he could wait for her on the porch. She came and read him a story about making friends.



He was shy for a while, but by the time she was ready to leave he had warmed up. I am eager for him to start and have something fun to do. Miss Lisa is a great teacher with lots of fun ideas for the kids and even has a field trip planned for each month. The best part for mom is that she just lives at the end of our street so I can walk Riley to school.


Riley is going to do great. So, that just leaves Morgan and I for a few hours a week. Morgan is going to miss Riley. Good thing its only a few hours a week. They have been spending a lot of time together while Camden is at school.

I love this picture because of the expression on Riley's face. What a sweet big brother!

Some pictures I took of Riley and Morgan one day while Camden was at school.

Morgan in her cute hat that I got at the Children's place for 5 BUCKS! WOOHOO! I LOVE the Children's Place!

My sweet girl with her buddy Riley

Today was a busy day. We also celebrated Camden's teacher, Mrs. Joffs, birthday. Her birthday was yesterday, but we decided to celebrate it in her class today. Jacie, my friend and our room mother, called me over the weekend and told me that Mrs. Joffs likes "some hot diggity dog chocolate thingy that they sell at Smiths". So I was on a quest. I went to the bakery and asked them if they knew what I was talking about and after some laughs they told me I was looking for a "devil dog". So the kids and I got the devil dog and some balloons and headed to school.

Mrs. Joffs was surprised and the kids enjoyed eating some hostess cupcakes.

But Camden really enjoyed seeing his brother and sister.