All Together

We had the the whole family together for Christmas this year! It was just for one night, but we fit in a family photo followed by the smorgasboard called 'The Roof' (yummy) and walked off some of those chocolate mousse calories at Temple Square. It was great to see everybody! I miss you already!

(top: Gregg, Camille, Bob, Lynn, Stella, Tara, Chris, Presley

bottom: Brad, Amber, Becka, Lincoln, Eric, Krista, Matt)

Gingerbread

My mom was in town this week visiting. It was fun to have her around for a whole week. I had a bunch of leftovers from our big young women's activity, so mom and I spent a couple of hours one afternoon decorating gingerbread houses. I have never made a gingerbread house out of real gingerbread before (I always just used graham crackers...). Anyway,
I think they turned out darn cute!

Mom's House: (she only let me photograph the front)

My House:

p.s. the recipe we used for the gingerbread was great! I didn't have leavening or eggs in it so the pieces didn't 'poof' up while baking, so the pieces fit together really good

Trading up

From an earlier post you can see that Matt gave me quite the Christmas present last year. Unfortunately, it has just sat around for the entire year since it was given to me. Not that I didn't think it was a really cool present or anything, it just needed a lot of work. It had the potential of serious greatness, but alas Matt has had zero time to put any effort towards it's future greatness. And Matt being Matt and me being me, we decided we should trade in. Matt wanted more space in the garage and I wanted something I could enjoy now (as opposed to many years from now when Matt might finally (yeah right) have some time to give it some love). I love Matt and think he's the greatest husband imaginable. Anyway, here's the ghia upgrade...




Awesome huh!!! Thanks to a struggling economy and its previous owner's desperation to sell because an upcoming move to smaller digs, we scored this beauty (in unimaginable perfection) at an amazing deal. Basically a straight up trade for the car, what great fortune! So, I now have a beautiful piece of furniture in my 'twirling' room that has been empty since we moved in. It's a 5'3" Yamaha baby grand, not a scratch on it either. I'm now it's third owner. It will live a long happy life here in our home. Now I just need to see if I can remember how to play :) I wonder what I'll get this year for Christmas... Keep those awesome Christmas gifts coming honey! I love you!

The End...

I'm finished with ALL of the local classes Wilton has to offer. Four months of sugary goodness! My goal now is to make one cake a month... We'll see how that goes. I already have a few ideas for a Christmas cake (and yes, Camille, I'll make it while I'm in UT). Anyway, here's a shot of my last Wilton cake...


I can't wait to eat it! It's lemon cake with a raspberry cream cheese filling, yummy!!!

Give Thanks

First of all, I just wanted to thank all of my friends and family! You guys are great!!! I've had some rough times this year and am SO thankful for all of your love and support. Here's hoping for a better tomorrow!

This year we spent Thanksgiving with Matt's family. It's so nice to live close to them. I miss my family terribly, but I am greatful to have his whole family nearby.


Sylvia out-did herself on the food, it was all terrific! I must say that one of my favorites is her concoction of pretzels, cream cheese and strawberry jello, yummy! And of course, the entire reason for thanksgiving, mashed potatoes!!!! (Hmmm, I'm getting hungry again, do we still have left overs?????)


Of course, boys will be boys, and here they are all rocking out! I think Patrick has the best 'rock stance', but Will was awesome, he wasn't actually playing, but he was hitting the drums on the right beat! Future rock star?????


And finally here's a quick pic of Audrey. She's so cute! Unfortunately, there was an emergency and she had to be rushed to the hospital after dinner. After careful observation and monitoring she was release to go home. She had a visit with her doctor the next day and everything apprears to be normal and healthy. She gave us all quite a scare, but we are thankful for quick response, close hospitals, good doctors and priesthood blessings! Hopefully that was the last HHD (that would be Hymas Holiday Disasters, last Christmas Will was taken to the hospital).

(This photo was taken before dinner). We are all hoping for a safe, healthy and peaceful Christmas season. Cue the Christmas music!