Temple Square Lights

We went and saw the amazing lights on Temple Square last week. The weather was perfect and the lights were gorgeous - as always.

Happy Holidays!

A look at what we have done this year!

Yummy!!

So, I really needed a treat tonight and I decided to make caramel corn. Which is funny, because while it is good, I don't usually crave it or want bunches of it. Tonight, something was up, I wanted it. Thanks to Traci for an easy recipe, I whipped it up really quickly. It satisfied my crave. Now, I probably will have to give the rest away because I have had my fill. But it was yummy.

Birthday Cake

So, even though his birthday isn't technically for 4 more days, we had the party. I made the cake (cupcakes). I love how it turned out! He didn't love the sticky frosting and tried to shake it off his hands, but he loved the cake, and wasn't even that messy.

Quiet Book

I have been working for months on a quiet book for my nephew's birthday. We celebrated a few days early and that time would have been useful. I was up late trying to get it finished, but I finally got it done. Just in the nick of time. Here are some pictures from the project. I am loving how it turned out, but man --- that is a lot of work!!!

INCREDIBLE!!

We discovered this little restaurant by our house a couple of months ago. It is delicious!!! It is a cute little house that serves up delicious treats. We have gone a few times. It probably isn't on the weight loss menu, but it is a great little indulgence once in a while. The Cherub is our favorite. (Milk chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting.) We are waiting to try The Brooklyn Blackout, but they only make that on the weekends. Another reason we must go back. However, they have a cazookie that is amazing too. If you are wanting a sweet little treat, I highly recommend this quaint little place!! Already, I can't wait to go back!

There is no place like home...

So, my summer has been busy, busy but I love it. For three weeks I came home on Saturday and left for another trip on Monday. I love keeping busy and going places has been so much fun. After returning home from California, I went home. All the girls were home, the boys had to stay and work. We just chilled and had fun.


He is getting so big. He is cute to play with and loves family.
He was a trooper for the long drive!!

DISNEYLAND!!!

So, we were the only two not working or in school, so we took a trip. We went to Disneyland, to celebrate a new job for my little sister and my birthday. We had an amazing time!! It has been a long time since I have been there, so it was fun to go back. We went to the park in the mornings, then when it got hot in the afternoon, we went home, took a nap rested our feet and went back in the evenings. We ate amazing food, watched fireworks every night, and were just completely in heaven!!



Obviously, we couldn't go to Disneyland and not have a picture with Mickey and Minnie. We found them in a corner on our way home one night. I guess they were hidden because there was no line, which was not typical of Disneyland this time of year!!!


We went to California Adventure for the first time. They have some fun rides including Soarin' over California. They also had the cutest Pixar parade!!


I love the new Monsters' Inc. ride.


Outside of the Tiki room is a fruit stand with amazing Pineapple Whip - we ate them several times. Oh - to have one now...


"The Happiest Place on Earth!!"

Family Reunion

This is the Kenley's Family Reunion. We spent 3 days packed with activities. The younger kids loved getting together and playing with cousins. We did some family history stuff out in Wendover, and while everyone was in town we had a family picture out on the Salt Flats.

I saw this...

We have spent the last 10 days in Seattle and had a great time.
Here are some of the things we saw:


Mt. Rainier - from the top (in the airplane)



The skyline from top of Queen Anne's Hill.


Night view from the Space Needle.



Day View from the top of the Space Needle.



The Public Market - the place with the famous fish throwers.


The Seattle Temple - the only day it rained.


The Space Needle.

I highly recommend Seattle for anyone who:
needs a fun vacation - but be prepared to walk!
needs to get away from the heat - average temp was 70'
loves hectic, crazy city life - lots of tourists but worth it
wants to see expensive homes - there are many including Bill Gates
or just wants somewhere new to explore!!

Summer is Almost here!!!

There are only 10 days left of school, and I am definitely counting down!
It has been a long year, and I am ready for a break.




My little sister graduated with her masters at the beginning of May. We are so proud of her.



While everyone was here, we decided to take new family pictures. I think the little one was a little too cold to enjoy the experience.



He is such a happy kid, and so cute too!!



I made these pictures at my sisters, sister-in-laws (got that?) homemaking. The Salt Lake is for me, and the Manti is for my in-laws birthdays. Theirs is distressed, and I am debating if I want to do that to mine or not. They were a lot of work - I made the frame myself - I was pretty impressed. Anyway, I love how they turned out!

Makes Me Happy...

We made a real cheesecake - like the kind you bake for hours. It was a Sara Lee recipe and it was really good. We let it set in the fridge for a day and it setup perfectly.




Daffodils - I went to my parents for Spring Break and had a great time. These flowers were in full bloom and just beautiful.



A little easter egg hunt.

Ideas?

Ok, so here is what I am asking. Paul and I want to go on a couple of trips this summer. However, I am having a hard time trying to decide what to do and where to go. If you have any ideas let me know. Where you went and what you did. I am up for ideas out of the state, within driving area of a day or two and something we don't typically get to do. Any ideas?

Cuteness Update.

He is 5 1/2 months and is the cutest. He has started sucking on his bottom lip. It is quite funny. He has become quite the pro at flying and does really well.

New Recipe - Banana Bars

So I had the brown bananas sitting on my counter. I could make another batch of that banana bread that is good, or I could try something new. I decided -new it was. Banana Bars - they sound weird, I know, but they were actually good. And it gave me another reason to eat my absolute favorite thing - CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. I just love that stuff for some reason. Anyway, the bars were good, I would recommend them.

Also, just for the record - I do not like homemade marshmallows, and they make a huge mess!

Frosted Banana Bars
from allrecipes.com

½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (I used three ripe bananas)
Frosting (use store-bought cream cheese frosting, but homemade is always better!)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10 x 15 inch jellyroll pan or one 9X13 pan and an additional 8X8 pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pan(s). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.

January = SNOW!

We just got pounded with snow last night and I am sure, this is
not the last of it. It seems to have been pretty slow this year, compared
to what we got last year. Anyway, just loving staying in and doing
projects - now just need to find a project.
(Sorry, my snow picture won't upload.. another day, maybe)

I got china for Christmas, so I made a "fancy" dinner and
had my sisters over. It think it turned out so pretty!! I love
them and can't wait to use them again!






TODAY'S PROJECT IS: Homemade S'mores!
We are going all out today - these will not be your typical
campfire s'mores. I am going to make marshmallows
which I have been waiting to do for years. We are
also having homemade chocolate sauce and homemade
graham crackers. Can't wait to see how it goes!!!

December Wrap Up

I realize I haven't been so good. So, just a quick wrap up of December.
We went to my parents house for Christmas. A good time was had by
all.


Here is E with her most favorite little boy.


E and P - looking their best - as always...


It really is tricky to catch this little boy smiling. He smiles
and laughs constantly - but even the look of a camera being out
somewhere and he stops. But, he was cute was ever.


Santa brought us all slippers - love them!!


How cute is he all dressed up as Santa?