"Be certain you are creating a rich environment in which your family can look forward to special times of the year when traditions hold you together as a great eternal family unit." ~ Elder L. Tom Perry, The Tradition of Light and Testimony, Dec. Ensign 2012

Cutie Christian

Christian says, "Why, hello there! Hope you are having a great day!" Oh, he is such a joy to have in our family!!! He's our little "cutie patootie"!

Andes Mint Cookies with a Christmas Twist

Before I got married, I had four bridal showers. Yeah, I am one blessed lady!! The faculty and staff where I worked and taught at (Sunnyside Elementary) threw me one of those bridal showers. They all gave me gifts as well as submitted a favorite recipe. They compiled the recipes and put them in a recipe book all nice and neat and organized. I have used many of the recipes and have especially used - Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies because they are quick and easy. I decided to make them for my family (even though I am on a diet and trying to eat less - I couldn't resist). I  got the idea when I was at Walmart in the Christmas candy aisle and saw these:

I had never seen Peppermint Crunch before so I decided to try them and make the cookies a bit more Christmassy.

Here is the recipe:

1 package Devil's Food Cake mix
1/2 cup of melted butter
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
Andes Mints (you can use the original green ones or try the Christmas ones).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat 1/2 cake mix with butter, vanilla, and eggs. Stir in the rest of cake mix and mix until well blended. Drop by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 - 12 minutes ( I do 10 mins.) or until edges are set. Set Andes mint on the center of the cookie. Let cookie set on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack. When the mint is melted spread carefully on the cookie.

5 Years & 3 Boys Later

Five years ago today (Sat., 24 Nov. 2007), Curtis and I (Adriana or Adie) were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. I was more calm than I thought I would be on my wedding day. My nieces were instructed to call me that morning to make sure I was up and awake! Surprisingly, I slept well the night before. There is a reason I slept well and wasn't too worked up - I was at peace and felt confident/comfortable with who I was marrying because we were doing it at the right time in the right place. We were both 29 when we got married. Were we both "set in our own ways" you may ask? Yes, yes we were...and I still kindof am. ;) He is way more self-less!!! I remember Curtis's mom saying to me before we got married, that Curtis is a pretty easy guy to live with, probably the easiest. That is totally TRUE!!! He doesn't want contention and always picks up after himself! I hear of husband's who still throw their clothes on the floor...that, I just don't get. Curtis puts up with my OCD of certain things...he knows what they are. ;) He is great with the boys, and is ALWAYS so helpful!! In fact, I think he has changed more diapers than I have. Blessed and grateful??? Yes, yes I am!!! Happy 5th Anniversary, Curtis!!!

Short do

Welp, I did it! I did what most moms with new babies do (or some anyway...), I chopped my hair.  Eight inches to be exact. My hair is falling out like crazy, and it made sense to cut it. It looks thicker and healthier, and deep down I think Curtis likes it better than when it was longer (seriously). Weird, since most guys just LOVE long hair. However, if you were to ask him, he would say he likes it long or short (short to me, is still to my shoulders).  :) He's a smart guy...he knows how to answer when I ask loaded questions. Kinda like, "Do these jeans make me look fat?" ;)

Two EASY and DELICIOUS recipes

Oh my goodness...this Pumpkin Crunch Cake is to die for!!! I was introduced to it at Bunco. I had to make it the next day for my family...it didn't last long. It was devoured in no time. This tastes better than pumpkin pie and is WAY easier to make!!! Here's how:
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
-1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
-1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
-3 eggs
-1 1/2 cups sugar
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (optional)
-1 cup butter melted

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of 9X13" pan. Mix pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour mixture into greased pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture and top with pecans (if desired). Drizzle melted butter over pecans. Bake 50-55 minutes. ENJOY!!!!!!

This was my first time making somewhat homemade bread. Yes, it is less work buying bread, but the smell and taste can't be beat when you make it yourself. Thanks to Stefanie Hunter for sharing this recipe with me.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

This is half a recipe so it can fit in a Kitchenaid. Mix a can of evaporated milk with hot/warm water to make 2 3/4 cups. Add a Tablespoon of yeast and let it work for 10 mins., until it bubbles. Pour into mixer bowl.
Add 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup of oil, and 1/2 cup honey and mix with paddle attachment.
Put the dough hook on. Then add 7 cups of flour (5 whole wheat bread flour and 2 white flour) until the dough is a good consistency, and let it mix with bread hook attachment for 1 1/2 minutes.
Then on setting 2 (which kneads the bread) let it run for 3 mins.
Then let the dough rise for an hour or more in the bowl covered.
Punch it down, divide into 2 sprayed pans, and let it rise for another hour or more.
Bake for 350 degrees in oven for 40-45 minutes.
YUM, YUM, & YUM!!!

1 Baby Blessing + 2 Birthdays = 1 Big Celebration

Precious Picture of the boys on Oct. 21st - Cannon's Birthday and Christian's Baby Blessing. Curtis gave Christian a beautiful blessing! I was planning on having Christian wear the same blessing outfit that Cannon and Carter wore, but when I pulled the little, white outfit out of the closet on Saturday night...it was all yellow. :( So I had to rush to Dillard's and get a new outfit-  luckily they were open!  *Photo by Jana Browning

Cannon and Mom. 

Cannon holding up four fingers to show he is 4 years-old. 

Cannon on his first day of preschool - second year. What we love about Cannon: smart, good listener, helpful, teaches his brothers new things. We love you, Cannon!!

Happy Oct. 22nd Birthday to this guy! For Carter's 3rd Birthday we went to Toys R Us so he could pick out presents. He loves Thomas the Train - notice we were in the Thomas aisle. :)

Carter holding his favorite blanket! :) What we love about Carter: cute smile, good memory, good eater, gentle with his baby brother, Christian. We love you, Carter Boy! :)

We had many extended family members come to the blessing! How grateful we are for them! After the blessing, we had everyone come over to our home for dinner to celebrate the blessing, and two birthdays - Cannon's and Carter's. These two loved having everyone sing to them!! Happy Birthday, Boys!! We love have two birthdays in a row in our household!! *Photo by Jana Browning

Nephew's Wedding Pics

Back in August, my nephew got married to a neat, neat girl - Danielle. Their wedding was incredible, and their reception was magical! The reception took place in Danielle's parents' backyard...one word, BEAUTIFUL!!! Click on the link to see how great of a day it was (and how amazing their photographer was). Brendon and Danielle's Wedding Pictures

Pumpkin Pie Fudge

Boil at medium heat for about 12 minutes or until thick:

1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup Sego milk
2 Tbls. butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Then add:

2 cups fresh mini marshmallows
12 oz. pkg white chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
nuts (optional)

Let it set over night in an 8x8 buttered pan. Cut into pieces. Put a piece of candy corn on each piece for decoration.

Sorry no picture...you will just have to make this recipe to see what it looks like and how YUMMY it is!

General Conference was uplifting and inspiring as usual! All of the talks were fantastic...they really were - so much to learn from each one!!! Find the time to listen to this talk by Elder Uchtdorf.

Christian's newborn pics taken when he was nine days old