The work is done. Now we can have fun!

If your life is like mine then you will understand when I say things got a little hectic the week before Christmas. Fortunately, we got it together and we were able to relax and have some fun too.

I purchased a Gingerbread House kit last year after Christmas, and a kit of 4 Santa Sleighs on sale, just right for an afternoon project!

Ready, Set, Decorate!

Take a break to SMILE for the camera!

Okay, don't stop, but smile any way!

Nice work!

Jared's creation was a success!

So was Danny's sleigh.

Mission Completion!

Look Who is 30! I

Amid all the December fun we had a little extra fun. I finally can be ranked among the greats as I've finally reached the big three-oh.

It was a blast!

I was spoiled by friends near,

And by friends far. (They sure were sneaky!)

There were dreams of things to be,

And wonderful dreams fulfilled!

Happy Birthday to me! I am so very, incredibly loved. No one could ask for better family and friends.

Pre-Christmas Fun

December was busy, as always. We did have a lot of fun along the way though!
We decorated the tree.

We baked.

One of our Gingerbread Men escaped from the oven!

So of course we had to read the story.

We caroled with friends, and watched Christmas movies.

Then there was Hardware Ranch up Black Smith Fork Canyon.

We took a sleigh ride through an Elk herd!

And we had cookies and cocoa.

LOTS of cookies and cocoa!

We saw Santa and even got a picture!

The stockings hung and the tree lit with plenty of time before Santa came.

There was candy making,

and lots of Gift-Giving and receiving.
We had a very good December!

Candy Cane Cupcakes

With just a few days until Christmas I thought I'd better hurry up and get this on the blog. Candy Cane Cupcakes! Yum!

"A well balanced diet is a CUPCAKE in each Hand." Amen.

Candy Cane Cupcakes

Devil’s Food Cake Box Mix

1 Boxes of Candy Canes

1 Bag “Hershey’s” peppermint Kisses (use about half)

Peppermint Extract

1 Large Tub Cool-Whip

1 Recipe Chocolate Frosting

1 Recipe Pink Peppermint Icing

Holiday Sprinkles

Prepare Cake Mix as directed.

Add crushed Kisses.

Pour into baking tins. I like to use my ICE CREAM SCOOP. It works quite well!
Bake.
Prepare chocolate frosting and pipe into cupcakes. Be generous. ;) Optional: Use apple corer or serrated knife on top of cooled cupcake to create opening to fill.

Chocolate Frosting:

MIX:

1 lb. Powdered Sugar (1/2 bag)

1/4c. Cocoa powder. (If too bitter add more Powdered Sugar)

2/3 c. shortening

1 tsp. vanilla

¼ c. milk

Prepare Peppermint Icing and Frost on top of Filled Cupcake. Allow time for Icing to set before adding cool-whip.

Pink Peppermint Icing:

Soften Margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powder sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add peppermint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting. Add more powder sugar if too runny.

5 Tbls. Margarine

Dash of Salt

3 Tbls. Milk

1 Tbls. Light Corn Syrup

2 ½ to 3 c. Powdered Sugar

½ tsp. Peppermint Ext.

1-2 Drops Red Food Coloring

Pipe Cool-Whip onto top.
WARNING: Make sure your cool-whip is thawed first. Just WAIT. Do not try to microwave, or stir it, just WAIT.
I like to use this BIG tip for piping it. You can buy one at Michael's. (bring your coupon to get a better deal!)

Sprinkle with… sprinkles.

Add broken Candy Canes just before serving. (The colors bleed over time). I like to use my kitchen sheers to cut candy canes.

Enjoy, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We were on our way to my Grandma Andersen's house in Orem when I ordered Ryan to immediately turn the car around. What could possibly stop us in our tracks less than 2 minutes from Thanksgiving dinner!? Mater of course! (Tow-Mater). Any mother of boys will understand.

Unfortunately Joshy was a little shy meeting his favorite movie character... next to Lightning McQueen that is.

Well, we made it to the feast, and it was grand.

There were 12-15 of us for dinner off and on through the afternoon... I think we had enough pie! I made the apple one with the leaf crust. My amazing sister Wendy made ALL the rest!

She also made this 12 LAYER Jell-O!! I think we ate 1/4 of it. (The tray on the right is sugar free for Grandma!)

While we had dinner in Orem, we actually spent the weekend in Salt Lake at Wendy's place. It worked out that our future Sister-In-Law Katie was in town as well! We were so excited to meet her. She will be a great addition to the Hochstrasser family. Her and Jason will get married in the Logan Temple this coming April.

I just like this picture of Joshy. He was very cute all weekend, and surprisingly pleasant.

Daily Bread

While running our little errands today Joshy informed me that he was very hungry. When we got home however, he didn't run to the pantry and ask for a graham cracker, or lunch for that matter. Instead he saw my scriptures sitting out and ran and grabbed them.
" Going read scriptures now!"
He then proceeded to flip through the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants until he reached the back cover. He closed the book and said.... "AMEN".
Priceless.

Grandma Donna

My Dad's Mom, Grandma Donna, was born on October 22, 1924. She passed away on her 87th Birthday, October 22, 2011. We knew her mission in this life was nearly complete, when I was able to drive down to Clinton, Ut and see her for one last time. I sat by her bed and held her hand. When it was time for me to go I kissed my Grandma Donna good bye.

She was a lovely woman. I can say that, because at her 80th birthday I was voted to be the grandchild (out 55) who looked the most like her. (as a child at least). I will always associate the color teal with her, and will never forget her lovely teal bathtub and bathroom.

Fortunately all of my family was able to come for the viewing and funeral. We played host, and it was nice to have them close. Two days before the funeral I found out I had an ectopic pregnancy and they operated that evening. It was a blessing to have them here. It was a hard thing to go through, but I saw tender mercies all along way. I'm grateful I was able to attend the funeral the day after I came home.

Family is what gets you through the ups and downs of this life. Love these girls SO much!

Each of the grandchildren was invited to take a flower from one of the arrangements at the burial site. Good choice Jared!

Me and my hubby... to Eternity and Beyond

I love this one. Dad is looking down on his mother's grave stone... and smiling. He knows Family relationships continue beyond the grave,

and THAT is something to smile about.

All of the cousins who were able to come.

I guess we all grew up... we don't all fit in the tub together like we used to.

The rest of these pictures are a trip down memory lane, courtesy of my sister Melissa. Thanks for the memories.

Grandma was elected the Tomato Queen after all!

Loved playing on these swings when I was little. Looks like I have lots of fond memories to hang on to.