Tea Party!

I have three beautiful granddaughters. Kylie and Hanna's birthdays are one year and 3 days apart. I wanted to do something special for both of them so I gave them a tea party. It was so fun! These are such special girls, they are such a blessing to me, they make me smile!

They were served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut-out to look like teddy bears, hot chocolate, marshmallows, sugar cookies and lemonade. I bought jewelry, purses, hair pretties and other girly stuff from the dollar store. After the tea party they played dress up and gave us a fashion show. I was lucky to have Tyler take some pictures so I could blog about this special day. I hope my grandkids look at these pictures and remember the fun we had.

Its always a party, when my Grandkids are here,

We don't need streamers or balloons floating near,

Cause when we're together, there's fun everywhere,

Our dreams are confetti, tossed high in the air.

Of course Tanner had fun too. This is one of his poses during the 'fashion show'. He's either posing as a dinosaur or a super hero.

Finally, the Spirit of Christmas and more......

We had the opportunity to attend the Christmas Devotional at the Conference Center in Salt Lake a couple of weekends ago. It was just what I needed to get me into the holiday mood. The sweet spirit there helped me put my feelings in order and remember what the season is all about, Jesus Christ. This year, for no obvious reason, it has just been a stuggle to get excited about the holidays. We also had fun visiting with Becca and Devon. Their apartment is so cute.

The lights at Temple Square were gorgeous! We took alot of pictures! There was just enough fog to make things cold and beautiful.

Before the devotional I made the most amazing Butternut Squash and Corn Soup and..........

'Corn Stuff' I know the name doesn't sound very impressive, but trust me this is so tasty!

Don't be fooled by the picture below, it is seriously to die for! Recipes below:

Corn Stuff (a cross between cornbread and corn pudding)

1 - Cup Sour Cream

1 - 7 ounce box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix

2 - Eggs

3 Tablespoons Sugar

1/2 Margarine or Butter

1 Can of Creamed Corn

8 inch square pan

Preheat oven to 375 and melt margarine or butter in pan. Mix all other ingredients and pour over melted margarine or butter, which will then surround the mixture. Bake for
approximately 40-45 minutes, until the top cracks and the side are golden brown.

Butternut Squash and Corn Soup

(from Taste of Home)

12 - Bacon Strips, diced

1 - Med. Onion, chopped

1 - Celery Rib, chopped

1 - Tablesppons All-Purpose Flour

1 - Can (14-1/2 ounces) Chicken Broth

6 - Cups Mashed Butternut Squash

2 - Cans (8-3/4 ounces each) Creamed Corn

2 - Cups Half and Half

1-1/2 - teaspoon salt

1/2 - teaspoon pepper

In a large saucepan, cook baconover medium heat until crisp, remove to paper towel and drain fat reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. In the drippings, saute onion and celery until tender. Stir in flour until blended, stir in both and bring to a boil, cook for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the squash, corn, cream, salt, pepper and bacon. Cook and stir until heated through. Makes 8 servings or 2 1/2 quarts.

Happy 21st Birthday Tyler!

Yes, I am old enough to have a 21 year old. In fact, I am old enough to have a 30 year old too. Oh my gosh, I am not in denial anymore. Below is Tyler, today is his birthday and he's 21. Everyone says he's my favorite, hmmm, it might be true. Happy Birthday!

I made him a chocolate cake with the most amazing chocolate frosting, the recipe is below this picture of the bowl before we licked it clean.

Amazing Chocolate Frosting

1/2 C butter
2/3 C Dutched Cocoa Powder (or regular cocoa powder)
3 C powder sugar
1/3 C half and half (or milk works fine)
1 teaspoon vanilla

I put everything into the bowl of my Kitchen Aid and mixed it with the wisk attachment till it's light and fluffy.

The Dutched Cocoa gives it a really rich chocolate taste. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Blessings!

Yep, that's what it's all about. Although we missed Becca and Devon, Thanksgiving was wonderful, with way too much of food. All four of the grandkids spent some time with "Great Grandpa" They climbed all over him and his bed, watched his TV and ate his delicious mini Milky Ways. I am so thankful for my grandchildren and their Great Grandpa. I am blessed.

This is a sampling of the pies Jaimie made. She asked everyone what their favorite was and made one of each, even fresh strawberry for Nikki and fresh peach for Craig, my choice was banana cream. Thanks Jaimie, you are awesome! Oh and my hips thank you as well ;)

SNOW! For Becca and Devon

A text from Becca this morning -

"Remember that snow storm that was supposed to happen? It happened last night...and now the whole Salt Lake Valley has no power."

Wouldn't it be fun to stuck in the dark with the man of your dreams?

He's BACK!

He's back! Craig loves soccer, it's his passion. He's had some health issues for the past few years and hasn't been able to participate. I've blogged about it before and some of you may know that in May 2003 Craig had 6 heart bypasses then, after 8 months of dialysis, in October 2003, our son Scott donated a kidney to his dad. Then 18 months later Craig had a pancreas transplant.

This year two of our grandkids started playing soccer. I think that being a spectator was too much for him. He volunteered to referee - HE'S BACK!

As a bonus Scott volunteered too.

I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

These pictures aren't the best. Both Scott and Craig weren't in the posing mood.

Even though the picture above is blurry I love it. I don't care how old he is, he's Scooter Pie around here. I am sure he will love me for sharing that too!

Chocolate Faces and More Halloween Goodness!

On Halloween,

The witches fly,

Across the Sky,

The owls fly, "Who? Who?"

The black cats YOWL!

and green ghosts HOWL!

"Scary Halloween to you!"

My favorite people all ready to go trick or treating. A ladybug, Spidergirl (I think a relation of Spiderman), Kala - Tarzan's Ape Mom, and Optimus Prime. I love these little characters.

Below are pictures of the kids after they had been sugared up a bit. I just love those chocolate faces.

Kayla

Kylie
Hanna
Tanner
I have been blessed with the most amazing daughter in laws! Here is Tammy and Kylie and my soon to be new grandson. I love Tammy's shirt, she made it herself, so creative!