Temple Square 2010

We went to Temple Square again this year. We chanced it and went the Saturday after Thanksgiving and were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't that busy! We went to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building first to watch the movie about Joseph Smith. Afterwards Ava told me she loves Joseph Smith. That made me feel good that she got what she should have out of the movie. We then went out and enjoyed the lights around the temple. As we walked close to the temple Ava told me that she was going to get married there. She invited me along to pass out candy at her wedding and said that Ryan could clean the temple. ha ha. I love creating these special memories for my kids. Lastly, we went home and had pb&j sandwiches and rootbeer floats. It's funny cause that's what we did last year and the kids insisted we eat the same things again. Just goes to show how kids love tradition. I even tried to get them to have hot chocolate instead, but to no avail!

Inside-Out Stuffed Cabbage

I haven't posted a recipe since July so I thought I better. I made this last night. It was yummy and different from the norm, so we really enjoyed it.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
2 cups cubed peeled butternut squash
1 medium green pepper, chopped
6 cups chopped cabbage
1 can (11 1/2 oz) spicy hot V8 juice
1 cup water
1 envelope beefy onion soup mix
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup uncooked instant brown rice

Directions:
In a large pan or dutch oven, cook the beef, squash, and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the cabbage, juice, water, soup mix and brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until cabbage is tender, stirring occasionally.

Stir in rice. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until rice is tender.

November 2010

Most of you have seen these pictures but I thought I would include them for journaling purposes. I love looking at these pictures. It reminds me of how much my beautiful children have changed and evolved over time, and how my relationship with them continues to change and evolve as they grow. It is so amazing to be a mother. I am honored to be one and am counting my wonderful blessings this Thanksgiving. Did I mention my great husband who let me sleep in Saturday and Sunday and made me breakfast both mornings. I am blessed. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

So these are

my beautiful kids! Am I proud? Yes I am! More pics to come, but I just thought I'd update my blog for once. Life is settling down a bit since our move back to our homeland. Gracie loves first grade now. Surprise! Her teacher is Ms. Nash and she loves being back with her old friends. Ava and Gracie are both in gymnastics again, which they just love! Breck has spent his time following Ryan around for every project he has undertaken, including trying to finish the girls room down stairs. He is a miniature Ryan and it is just too cute! Baby Jesse is either smiling or sleeping, and I am just trying to finish up my schooling, keep the house somewhat orderly, keep my addiction to food under control and get on the treadmill as often as I can.

The highlight of my month was heading to the Cheesecake Factory last night with a group of our friends. 6 couples and LOTS of laughing. It was so nice to just get out. Did I mention I had to bring the baby since we are attached at the.....well.....hip? But he is so great I didn't hear a peep from him all night!

Farm Country 2010

It looks like there is a spot right next to Breck that little Jesse will have to fill in a few years!

Fire Chief

So I have had a hard time keeping up with everything lately. I have more pictures I could post about other things, but I thought I would add this today. After Aubrey rode away on the fire truck at her wedding, I kept hearing Breck tell me "I want to ride Aubrey's fire truck mom." So finally we got together with Ashley and Niel and the kids got to ride in the fire truck. Niel gave them each a grab bag of fire stuff and Breck proudly wore his hat and fire truck jammies that night.....no the jammies didn't come in the bag....I think they came from cousin Derek.

Jesse Wayne

Our grand finale Baby Jesse (pronounced Jess) was born 12 days early on August 17 2010. He is a teeny guy at only 6.4 and 19 inches. He looks like a mixture of all of the kids...mainly Breck. Looking at him reminds me of all my others as newborns.
Jesse is my paternal grandparents 100th grandchild. He will most likely be the youngest grandchild on both mine and Ryan's side. He was born the same month as my grandpa Jesse Evans, just 100 years later. I love that he is named after a great man. Grandpa Evans is the epitome of turning a bad childhood into a wonderful life. Wayne is Ryan's middle name and his dad's name....two more great men.
We feel so blessed to complete our family with this little guy.

Flashback Friday

Breck June 2008. I have loved having a little boy. Can't wait to meet boy #2.

Flashback Friday

Kids on their way to church. Despite the whining, fighting, yelling, hitting, spitting, I really do love these little ones!

Blueberry Bread Pudding

If you have never tried bread pudding you are missing out! This is very fattening and high in sugar, but that's what is great about it.




Ingredients:
3 eggs
4 cups heavy whipping cream
2 cups sugar
3 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 pkg (10-12 oz) white baking chips
1 loaf French bread, cut/ripped into 1-inch cubes

Ingredients (for sauce):
1 pkg (10-12 oz) white baking chips
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cream, sugar and vanilla. Stir in blueberries and baking chips. Stir in bread cubes; let stand for 15 minutes or until bread is softened.

Transfer to a greased 13x9 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 50-55 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes.

For sauce, place baking chips in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over baking chips; whisk until smooth. Serve over bread pudding.