Silhouettes...DONE!!

This craft is finally done and man, does it look GREAT!!! It was pretty easy to do. It took me a long time because I kept working on other projects. I placed all these adorable silhouettes in my entry way to our home.
I took profiles of each of my six boys and then printed it out in my office. I taped the picture to a piece of black construction paper. Slowly, I took an exacto knife and traced around each of their cute little heads. I then glued the black silhouette to white card stock and placed in a frame. Simple. Beautiful.

Happy Birthday Brynnlee!!

Happy, happy birthday to my sweet cousin, Brynnlee! I wanted to do something special to celebrate her birthday so I made a delicious Italian meal and Red Velvet Cake. She chose the menu and the cake and it was great!

After dinner we played games. Here we are playing "Curses". This is a very fun game with lots of outgoing people. We ended the game just laughing to the point of tears. It was so fun!

Here's Aliegh scratching every time an animal noise is made....

Miss Birthday Girl had to dance every time she spoke...Among other funny things.

Tyler and Angie had to keep their hands on the chest, only using their hands.

Another funny thing Ang had to do was to make fists only with her hands. The funny thing is, she jacked up her pinkie finger and can't close her hand all the way. Scott rung the bell fast and she lost that curse! :)

Make a wish! We used trick candles and she kept blowing....Funny!

I had Brynn wear my wedding ring so we could take some fake engagement pictures. It was so funny! (But hopefully coming soon!)

Another reason why we LOVE living in Utah. It's so nice to be close to so many friends and family. Life is good, real good! Happy, happy birthday Brynnlee! I hope you had a wonderful time. I know we did!

Red Velvet Cake

My sweet cousin, Brynnlee, wanted a red velvet cake for her birthday. I'm not that great with cakes, but I gave it the old college try. I searched for some yummy looking recipes, but ended up with one from Brynn's boyfriends mom. I would rather use recipes that people have used and say they're great. And it was! It didn't look that pretty from the outside but it was beautiful and tasty! I love the color such a rich burgundy. It was moist and melted in your mouth. The frosting was pretty good too. So, here ya go! Pretty easy. And worth trying out!

2 1/2 C flour
1/2 C baking cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1 C softened butter
2 C sugar
4 eggs
1 C sour cream
1/2 C milk
1 oz red food coloring
2 tsp vanilla

Mix flour, cocoa, soda and salt together, set aside. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl for about 5 minutes (until fluffy). Beat in eggs, one at a time. Mix in sour cream, milk, color, and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Do not over beat. Pour batter into two 9" round cake pans or 24 cupcakes. Bakes at 350* for 35-40 minutes. Let cool before you frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
Beat 1 package of cream cheese, 4 T (1/2 stick) softened butter and 2 T sour cream until smooth. Add 2tsp vanilla. Gradually bead in 16 oz powdered sugar.

I put a layer of frosting in the middle of the 2 cakes and then a nice thick layer on top.
ENJOY!!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

I made this CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE last week and my boys gobbled it all up so fast! It was moist, sweet, and delicious! The boys all sat around the bar and helped me make it and were enjoying themselves until I started pouring in shredded zucchini. All of them freaked out and were mortified that I had done that. It was pretty funny to see their reaction. When it was done baking they all tried it, reluctantly, and really liked it. So I'm making it again! Here is the recipe:

1/2 C margarine

1/2 C cooking oil

1 3/4 c sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 C flour

1/2 tsp. salt

4 T cocoa

1/2 tsp soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 C buttermilk ( I use reg milk in my fridge and all a tsp of white vinegar, and hurry and pour it in)

2 C shredded zucchini

1 C chocolate chips

Cream first four ingredients together and then add all the dry ingredients. Then add the vanilla, buttermilk, zucchini and chocolate chips. Bake at 325* in a 9x12 pan for 45 minutes.

EASY!!

Going Bananas!!

Nathan, like all my other boys, LOVES bananas. I just hand him a peeled banana and he gobbles it all up. Isn't he the cutest?

Apples to Apples

One of the boys handed over his half eaten apple to Naters without me knowing about it. He knew he couldn't throw it away, but clearly he was done with it! Guess who gave it to Nathan without mom knowing about it???

If you guessed Gavin, you'd be correct! Nathan loved it and ate it to the core, literally. I'm happy I caught a few cute shots of it!

Mini Goals week 26

What a great week...really. Everyday is wonderful, every week is great. I am so blessed. I am so lucky. I have an amazing husband who is hard-working, funny and so kind to me. I have great kids who keep me on my toes and make me laugh. We live in a awesome area in a beautiful home. This has been the BEST DECISION we have ever made. (Besides hookin' up and having all those babies!!) I wish we would of moved here sooner. I love the area. I love the ward. I love the school. I love being close to so many friends and family. I love the mountains, trees, gardens, flowers, weather....I am so blessed.
Which brings me to this weeks mini goal. I will tell someone something new I am thankful for. Not what I've already stated earlier. Something new. It won't be a hard goal, there is so many to choose from!

What is YOUR goal? Working out...reading the scriptures....not drinking soda...??

30% off Coupon for Old Navy, Banana and Gap!!

Take this printable coupon to Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta, or a Gap Outlet to save 30% off from August 26- 29. You can use the coupon in store multiple times or online. The best part is that 5% will also be donated to a charity that you choose.

Thank you Melissa at Savin Cents with Sense

Meeting the Utah Govenor

The boys school, Rosecrest, was chosen for a visit from the Governor. The state is encouraging children to bike or walk to school on safe paths. It was a huge deal and all the news channels were out to tape and interview the kids. My 3 boys made it on each station! AWESOME!

KSL 5 News in Salt Lake City, UT - Governor encourages kids to walk, bike to school more often



ABC 4 News in Salt Lake City, UT - Governor Herbert promotes safe school commutes

Mockingjay

Who has pre ordered their copy of Mockingjay?
Who is planning on heading out at midnight to get their copy?
Scott and I are excited to read the third and final book in the series. A few days ago we were talking about the book and then all of a sudden we looked at each other and said, almost at the same time, "who is going to read it first?" I told him it was okay if he wanted to read it first. But I know then entire time he's going to be saying things like, "No way!", "Oh my gosh!", and with a huge smile on his face "I can't wait till you read this!!!"
SOOOO exciting!! Can't wait!!

Schools In!!!

Walking to school, which is one street over. Love that it's so close we can walk there faster than it would be to drive!

Rosecrest Elementary is their NEW school!!

The Birthday board right when you walk into the school!

This morning, after the boys were dressed and ready for school, Scott gave each son a father's blessing. We then had a family prayer. What a perfect beginning to the day! It can't get much better than that!

Good luck in school today boys! I miss you already!

Stairs or a slide?

Kinda surprised it took this long for the boys to figure this one out....They played for hours sliding down the stairs...and no one was injured!

School's a comin'!!

I made these east, cute little treats for the boys to take to their teachers...TOMORROW!!! Yeah! School starts tomorrow. They boys have been wanting to attend school since we moved to SLC!

This afternoon I took out their clothes I've been buying all summer long and we held a little fashion show. Most of the outfits pictured don't match, but the boys were so excited to try on new things!

GOOD LUCK TOMORROW BOYS!!! I sure do love you!

Talks

We spoke in church this morning, all of us and it went really well. After the 4 big boys spoke, they sang the 5th Article of Faith song. They sounded like little angels. Just adorable! I spoke and then left Scott 30 minutes, which he filled easily and it was a great message. Here is what we said:

Good morning brothers and sisters. My name is Gavin Thompson and I am 4 years old. I am going to recite the 1st article of faith:

“We believe in God the eternal Father and in His son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost.”

I am thankful for my mom. I am thankful for my dad. I am thankful for my brothers. I am thankful for my primary teacher who always brings us cookies. And I am thankful for Jesus.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Good morning brothers and sisters. My name is Tyler Thompson and I am 6 years old. Every Sunday our family memorizes a new scripture. Lately, we’ve been working on the Articles of Faith. I am going to recite the 2nd Article of Faith:

“We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.”

I have enjoyed memorizing the Articles of Faith because they have taught me more about the gospel.
I am thankful for my mom and dad. I am thankful for my brothers and friends. I am thankful for Jesus Christ. I know the church is true.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Good morning brothers and sisters. My name is Jackson Thompson and I am 8 years old. I am going to recite the 3rd Article of Faith:

“We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.”

I know that Jesus suffered for our sins, and that if we repent when we make a mistake, we can be forgiven.
I am thankful for my mom and dad. I am thankful for my brothers and the fun things that we do together. I am thankful for primary, and for the missionaries and the prophets. I know the church is true.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Good morning brothers and sisters. My name is Will Thompson and I am almost 11 years old. I am going to recite the 4th Article of Faith:

“We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, are first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost”.

I have been baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost when I was 8 years old. I know that if I don’t know what to do, I can listen for the promptings from the Holy Ghost and he will always help me to choose the right. I also know that it is important for us to make good choices so that we can always have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion.
I am thankful for my parents and my brothers. I know that this church is true. I know President Monson is a true prophet. I am thankful for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for all of us.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Good morning brothers and sisters, my name is Lori Thompson. Before I start my talk this morning I want to share a little information about me and my family. I enjoy blogging, reading, cooking and making crafts. I am fluent in American Sign Language and I have my own custom vinyl lettering business I run out of my home.
Scott and I have been married for almost 12 years. We met in the MTC at the beginning of our missions. Scott served in Columbus, Ohio and I served in the Spokane, Washington mission. We just moved into this area from Mesa Arizona. Before that we were living in Santa Barbara, California.
I am a busy mother of 6 active, wonderful BOYS. They range in age from 10 years old to 10 months old. I was raised with an older brother and a single mother in a home where there was no priesthood. I now feel extremely blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to now teach my boys about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of the priesthood. I am also able to teach them about the sacrament; what it means and how it impacts our lives.
In Arizona church was only 2 ½ hours long because there were 5 wards meeting in our building. But, the sacrament time never changed. Why would that be? Why is the sacrament so, so important to the church and to us? 1/3 of the services offered on Sunday are reserved for the Sacrament.
Joseph Fielding Smith said, “It is Important to meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus.”
The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. It is the only Sabbath meeting the entire family can attend together.
President Kimball said, “But we do not go to Sabbath meetings to be entertained or even solely to be instructed. We go to worship the Lord.”
President David O. McKay said, “Do we always stop to think, on that sacred Sabbath day when we meet together to partake of the sacrament, that we witness, promise, obligate ourselves, in the presence of one another, and in the presence of God, that we will do certain things.”
It is good to meet together in sacrament meeting to renew our covenants with God in that holy sacrament.
This is a commandment with a promise. By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament we qualify for the promise that we will "always have his Spirit to be with [us]" (D&C 20:77). That Spirit is the foundation of our testimony. It testifies of the Father and the Son, brings all things to our remembrance, and leads us into truth. It is the compass to guide us on our path. This gift of the Holy Ghost, President Wilford Woodruff taught, "is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon man"
During sacrament meeting - and especially during the sacrament service - we should concentrate on worship and refrain from all other activities, especially from behavior that could interfere with the worship of others.
Now as a mother of 6 noisy, wiggly, rambunctious boys this is hard for me. When we were in Arizona, Scott was in the Bishopric and I sat alone, like a single parent in the pews. More than half of the time I couldn’t tell you what the talks were about or who bravely walked up to share their testimony. I often feel like a referee and a juggler during sacrament. But I also know I need to be there not just for myself, but for those six little busy-bodies I walked in with. I make a point during the passing of the bread and water, that this is the time to take a moment to think about Jesus.
In 3 Nephi 18:7 it talks about the meaning of the sacrament and states, “And this ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my spirit to be with you.”
When we partake of the sacrament, we make a sacred covenant that we will always remember the Savior. How sad to see persons obviously violating that covenant in the very meeting where they are making it.
The sacrament is the ordinance that replaced the blood sacrifices and burnt offerings of the Mosaic law, and with it came the Savior's promise: "And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost" (3 Nephi 9:20).
Brothers and sisters, I know this is true. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to come weekly to partake of the sacrament and to renew my baptismal covenants. I know that as we honor our covenants, that the Lord will bless us more abundantly with the spirit in our lives. I am grateful for my family and the opportunities to teach them about these sacred principles. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Freezer Corn

Last week our Relief Society had a fun meeting about corn and zucchini. Most everyone around this area has their own garden, a huge one too. They is usually so much veggies growing fresh from the garden sometimes people aren't sure what do to with it all. It was a very informative meeting. Nicole, who has a beautiful garden, showed us how to freeze corn after you've picked it off the stalk. (Of course you can buy corn from the market or from a seller off the side of the road.) I picked 24 cobs of fresh grown corn from Nicole's fabulous garden.I hired some strong men to help husk and wash the corn...I had a huge pot of water boiling and added about 10 cobs of corn for 2 minutes. You want to blanch the corn. After I put the corn directly in bowls and pans of ice cold water.

After the corn was cold, I took off the kernels using this handy-dandy tool from Pampered Chef. It's like $8-$10 bucks and totally worth it!

I placed the corn kernels on a cookie sheet with plastc wrap on it and freeze for 12 to 24 hours. After that you place chunks of the corn in small zip-lock baggies. You can add salt, pepper and butter if you want. But corn right of the cob is so sweet and delicious, I didn't need to add anything to it. Doing 24 cobs it filled only 4 quart size bags. I placed those right back into the freezer. Easy, fresh and yummy!

Disney Days

Disney Days is held downtown once a month here is SLC. It's free, fun, and entertaining. Every month they hand out free things to the kids, there are games with prizes and much much more. Last month everyone received a free water gun amongst other things. This time it was bubbles and blow-up beach balls. Here the boys are watching a snake and reptile show.

After they posed for the "got milk" campaign, they received free chocolate ice pops. They were delicious, especially on such a warm day!

A very fun afternoon! Thanks Disney and Google for sponsoring a free fun event for the entire family!