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.