Zion

Shawn went to Zion over Memorial Weekend with friends.  They hiked "The Subway" and had a great time.  It was beautiful, and I'm definitely planning on being there next year.

Yummy Cinnamon Rolls

I tried out a new Cinnamon Roll receipe this weekend and they were so yummmmmy!  So, I thought I'd share....

1  C.  Sugar

1  tsp.  Salt

3  Pkgs. Yeast

2  Eggs

8-9  C.  Flour (I used bread flour)

2  C.  Milk

1  C.  Butter or Margarine

*Combine sugar, salt, yeast, & 2 cups flour in a bowl.

*Over low heat mix milk & butter until very warm (butter doesn't need to melt).

*On low speed, beat liquid into dry ingredients.  Increase to medium & beat 2 minutes.

*Beat in eggs & 2 cups flour.  Beat 2 minutes.

*Stir in additional flour (4 1/2 cups) to make a soft dough.

*Lightly flour counter & knead dough for 10 minutes.

*Turn over in greased bowl.  Cover & let rise until doubled.

*Punch it down & divide in two.

*Roll out to 18 X 12, brush with melted butter.

*Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar & 2 tsp. cinnamon in bowl & sprinkle over dough (do this for each half of dough especially if you like 'em gooey).

*Roll up, seal seam, slice, place on greased pan , & let rise until doubled.

Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes.  Let cool then glaze ( 2-3 cups powdered sugar, 2 Tbsp. softened butter, & 1 tsp. vanilla - add milk 1 Tbsp. at a time until desired consistancy...you can always add more powdered sugar if needed).

I hope you enjoy!!

Black & White

Funny Story....On the way to church today, my mom was commenting on all the beautiful flowers, when Brett asked her a question.  He wanted to know if there was COLOR in her world when she was growing up.  We thought he was being silly, but he was quite serious.  He said he wanted to know because all of Grandma's old pictures were in BLACK & WHITE.  It was a good question and we all had a good laugh.

Red Butte Gardens

Brett went on a field trip to Red Butte Gardens.  I was able to go with the class.  It's a very beautiful place, it took me by surprise.  I thought it was just going to be some desert garden with all the cactus labled.  It was a very beautiful place, and the kids really enjoyed the trip.

They gave all the kids little magnifying glasses to look at the plants.  We were told there are 100,000 dafodils planted in the Garden.

I think the kids loved the Herb Garden the best, because of all the different smells.  (It was my favorite, too.)  They also loved the pond.  There were ducks, a goose, quail, and a squirrel wandering around the pond.

Happy Birthday Mark!

Shawn's brother, Mark, turned the big three-oh last week.  We took him to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack.  The best part was when they sang Happy Birthday to him.  They tied one of the bibs around him and made him fly around the restaurant like Superman. 

Boys! Boys! Boys!

How do I love thee, let me count the ways...

I've been thinking a lot about how much I love my boys, especially since Mother's Day is just around the corner.  I know I'm not always the perfect mom, I make mistakes, I yell, I'm impatient, and I'm probably a tad of a "nagg".  Isn't this the first step to recovery...admitting that I have a problem?  Despite all my short-comings, I love my boys with all my heart!  They've changed my life in so many ways (all good, too!).  So this is my Mother's Day tribute to "My Brett" & "My Zach"...

To "My Brett" - You are my first.  First to bless our family with your smile and your sweet, giving spirit.  You are always so willing to help others, maybe not with chores, but when they are sad or scared, you show a compassion that warms my heart.  You are creative.  I love the little cartoons you draw for us at church and at school, they are so detailed and clever.  You tell the best stories.  I know you learned your storytelling from your dad, but that's one reason I fell in love with him.  You are smart.  I can see how much you love school, and not just recess.  You are a good friend.  You make your friends so easily, it's such a good quality to have.  You are a leader.  You are responsible.  You are thoughtful.  You are loved!

To "My Zach" - You are my little man.  You came into our family needing so much, and now you give our family even more.  You are strong.  Not just physically (you sure pack a punch!), but emotionally, too.  You are brave.  You are always ready to face life's challenges.  You are helpful.  Always willing to jump right in to the chores that need to be done, even laundry and especially yard work.  You are a great cook.  You will eat almost anything, another dad trait, and love to be helping in the kitchen when I'm cooking.  You are fun.  Always smiling and ready to be tickled.  You are kind.  You are smart.  You give the best hugs in the whole world.  You are loved!

Whatever may come along in my life, all I have to do to smile, is think of "MY BOYS".  I remember when they were born, how I couldn't take my eyes off them, I was mezmorized by how much I loved them.  I still catch myself staring at them in wonder, thinking how could I love them any more than I do now.  Then it happens, everyday, I love them more!  I'm so glad I was blessed to be their Mom!

BYU Women's Conference

I had the opportunity to go to the BYU Women's Conference on Friday.  My visiting teaching partner had an extra ticket and invited me to come along.  I'm really glad I did, it was a nice day.  We were able to here Julie Beck (RS Pres.) and President Monson speak.  It was amazing to me how strong the spirit is with him, just by walking into the Marriot Center, it was a testimony builder for me.  He is such a good man.  There was one thing he said yesterday that really stuck with me..."Never let a problem to be solved, become more important than a person to be loved."

I loved Women's Conference.  I'm already planning to go next year.  If anyone wants to plan on coming with me, set aside April 30 & May 1, 2009!

President Monson also said, "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and HANG ON!"