Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sad

 My conversation with Eli before bed tonight went something like this...

"Mommy... Sad"
"Nope, mommy's not sad"
"Mommy... Sad"
"Are you sad buddy?"
"Shane, sad. Nenul, sad. Wessie, sad. Zoey, sad. Pop-pop, sad. Nana, sad. Goosey, sad. Allll, sad."
"Oh, do you miss Shane, and Kendal, and Westie, and Zoey, and..."
... exaggerated head nod from Eli...
"Here, coming, Shane"
...exaggerated head nod from Eli...
So... even though Elijah may have clung to me the entire trip to Utah, it turns out he pretty much can't stop thinking about everyone there. So, thanks for having us. The weddings were beautiful, my kids loved every minute. And as for me... I want another honeymoon for me! (Maybe to Hawaii, Santa?")






I'm sad I didn't get any pics of Sambo...

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Chocolate Cake... You Know You Want It

This is my Grandmother... most of you have tasted her amazing award winning chocolate cake. I know I have dreamed it would magically appear on my doorstep. Guess what? It did! And you can have some too! I am happy to announce that Magleby's is hoping to be able to ship this cake all over the nation. Want to help them get started? It would mean the world to us.

On kickstarter.com you can pleadge just a little bit and get a whole lot of chocolate cake for your money, and help us spread the love! Will you do it?? And tell all your friends too... We only have until December 2nd.

Love You!!!

Danielle

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

A Sunshiny Day

 I cannot get enough of the amazing fall that we are having. Just when I feel like it can't possibly stay warm another day, it does! The colors are bright, and the sunshine just makes me happy. I am seriously trying to talk Jacob into buying us one of those alarm clocks that wakes you up with light that slowly get's brighter... like the sun. Wouldn't that be awesome?? On one of those dark dreary winter mornings? Speaking of dreary winter days... I am putting together a box of tricks that will make us happy inside our house when I don't want to brave the icy roads. Do you have any suggestions? What keeps you sane in the winter?


Here are some highlights from our long weekend...


Luci was really excited about her grey hand-me-down sweat pants because, "they are just like daddy's!" so she had him dress up too.
 Um, check out those guns... okay maybe you should just let me do that ;)


The reason for our long weekend.

We had a pretty fun date night too. Who knew Hockey was so much fun to watch??










Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Halloween and a Recipe





 Halloween was pretty fun this year. As we speak they are playing with their candy. We don't eat it, we just do pretty much anything else you can think of with it. Art projects, towers, form letters, count, give to friends, bake into brownies... I am learning that Elijah is not as good at not eating it as Luci though. He is choc-o-holic for sure. It's so hard to say no to him though, and he is so good at opening the stuff and shoveling it before I even notice. Pretty darn cute.

And for the recipe...


Coconut Molasses Granola
This stuff is delicious over yogurt, drowned in whole fresh milk, on top of a pumpkin milkshake, and especially on vanilla ice cream. It's also great to give as a gift! I've been baking it for 3 years now since my friend Nicol shared it with me. It is a huge batch and usually lasts us the whole fall season. We like to bake it extra long so it is nice and crunchy. Thanks Nicol!

10 c. old-fashioned oats
1 c. wheat germ
*8 oz. shredded coconut
3 c. chopped almonds, pecans,
        walnuts, or a combination
1 ½ c. packed brown sugar
1 ½ c. water
1 ½ c. cooking oil
½ c. honey
½ c. molasses (regular or blackstrap)
1 ½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. almond extract
3 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 300.  In a very large bowl or two large bowls, combine oats, wheat germ, coconut, nuts, and any optional ingredients – except raisins or dried fruit, you can toss these in before eating.  In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, oil, honey, molasses, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Heat until sugar is dissolved, but don't boil.  Pour syrup over dry ingredients and mix until well coated.

Spread into five 9x13” baking pans or 2 cookie sheets with sides.  Bake 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Bake 15-30 minutes longer for crunchier granola.  Store in airtight containers, I use oatmeal boxes.  Good for up to six months.  Makes about 20 cups.

*(I use unsweetened, but any regular store brand is yummy too.)
** Other optional ingredients = sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax, quinoa, wheat bran,
 raisins, dates, other dried fruits

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

My Girls


So I got spoiled a couple of weekends ago. Oh it was a much needed and enjoyed trip. Jacob and the kiddo's stayed home to have the best daddy weekend ever while I got some girl time. Sometimes in the craziness of life do you ever forget who you are?? Well I was starting to wonder who was under all the layers of bread dough, princess costumes, truck noises, zoo trips,  pony tails, laundry detergent, and peanut butter and jelly. All wonderful things by the way. But before I had the privilege of being a part of this married with kids life I had a most life changing and defining experience. I went on a semester abroad with BYU to Italy for 6 months with these girls and many others. Just being with them again in one of the world's greatest cities was such a good reminder of the bigger picture that I saw then. The goals I was working towards... (okay anyone who knows me knows that they were mainly to find a certain someone and get some little stickies, ha ha. ) It was so relaxing and FUN! We saw some sights, ate lots of good food, bought a new purse(!) had some girl talk (well, girl + Branden talk :) Thank you!! I can't wait to see you again!