Night Skiing

This past Thursday, I had some surgery on my face to make sure there was not any cancerous cells remaining there (not life threatening), similar to the surgery I had three years ago. Back then, the margins did not come back clear, and I didn't want to worry about anything coming back again - so it was time to deal with it for good. Now I have a bunch of stitches running down the right side of my face, but in time, all will heal and my mind will remain at peace.

Having this "operation" didn't slow our family plans any though. We took the kids to Brian Head Ski Resort on Friday night to ski. Trevon had been begging to go, and wanted it to be a FAMILY activity. We loaded up after school and drove an hour and a half to the resort. I made some stew that we kept in the lodge to eat throughout the night. Corban and I "hung out" in the lodge and watched the others ski through the big glass windows. It was great seeing the kids catch on and enjoy themselves.



Elise liked skiing. She was a little fearful of getting on the lift, but through her dad's loving persuasion she did. She overcame her fear and went again and again, each time skiing down with her dad (her skis positioned between his). Cameron was very confident and got on and off of the ski lift by himself. He had a hard time stopping and would fall, but he skied great for his first time. Kristi skied the longest (with Trevon and Mike), mostly holding onto her dad. Sadie was able to do a run without falling before the night was over. Trevon did some jumps, a first for him. Cari had fun too. Mike was a great instructor and enjoyed the quality time he had with the kids. On many of their runs down the mountain, he held Elise in front of him, with Kristi holding onto his back. At the end of the night he was able to ski two runs by himself.



We had a great night together and everyone agreed that we should do it again soon.

Brownie Cookies & Other Stuff

Trevon, Cameron, Kristi and Elise painted the dog house this past week. It looks pretty good, but Mike says it needs another coat or two still.

This past week, I started potty training Corban. I'm DONE buying diapers and he is smart enough to "do it." He likes wearing the "big boy" underwear. If I go anywhere, I put the vinyl pants over his underwear. He doesn't like it, telling me they're "too tight." That's just the way it goes, until he's accident free. He will usually go "potty" if I have him sit there long enough - and he's done a LOT of sitting:)



When he does have an accident, he immediately runs into the bathroom. I think (HOPE) that by next week he'll be a pro!

One day, I sat him on his potty and I made the mistake of not making sure everything was pointing in the right direction. He started to "go" and made a nice splash in the middle of the bathroom floor. Then he looked at me and said, "That freaked me out, mom." I had to smile at what happened, and more so at his response to it.

This year's area of home improvement is going to be outside, in the yard. This past week, we purchased and planted seven fruit trees: peach, plum, apricot and cherry.



After doing the planting, Mike said we are not allowed to move for at least ten years. He wants to be able to enjoy the fruits of his labors, and it may take that long! ((We have NO PLANS to move, in case you were wondering))



I don't think we ever go a week without our kids baking some goody in the kitchen. It is a great test of my will power. Now, Kristi is beginning to take part. She just learned how to take things out of the oven and put them in too. That's a big deal!!!



Cari wanted to make Brownie Cookies this week. They are one of Mike's favorites. They are a pretty cookie, but do take a little extra effort to make than most.




Grandma Beutler's Brownie Cookies
8 squares unsweetened chocolate
1 c. oil
4 c. granulated sugar
8 eggs
4 c. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
4 tsp. vanilla

Melt chocolate in oil. Mix with remaining ingredients, then chill overnight. Make into balls and roll in powdered sugar. Bake for 14 minutes at 350 degrees.



ENJOY!

Week in Review

Looking back at the calendar, I notice that my week was really a busy one. I tend to live one day at a time - moving on to the next day without looking back. Often if you ask me what I've been up to, I have to really THINK about it (or look at my calendar)! This past week we enjoyed lots of rainy weather. On Monday the kids had off school and Trevon decided he wanted to build our dogs a dog house. He worked on it the entire day.





I loved watching him work and figure out what cuts he needed to make. I had to marvel again about how much he is like his dad. I'm glad he likes to work with his hands and make things; especially things for others. That night, the dogs slept inside their new house that they watched Trevon build for them. The house still needs to be painted, but I think that will happen this week and then I will post a final picture.

Trevon was busy building inside too - just for fun. One night, after Mike and I returned home from our "date night," we found the kids in a ship, sailing in the depths of our basement. They had a fan blowing on their "sail boat," imagining all kinds of nautical tales - from pirates and such to Nephi's journey to the promised land.







Our family sang at the Beehive Home today. That is a nursing home in our community, and we took part in their church services, providing a musical number. If you're wondering what else we did this last week: basketball (Cari & Sadie); Literacy Night (Kristi, Cameron & Elise); Junior class registration (Trevon); Class helper and carpooling (me); Costco work party (Mike & Shelly - boy can Mike "dance!"; Potty training (Corban); Especially For Youth (Cari, Sadie & Trevon); I ran three miles; saw EXTRORDINARY MEASURES (it was okay); and so on and so forth!

ZZZZZZzzz

This week, we headed to the dentist for our semi annual cleanings and check ups. They were MOSTLY good. Only two cavities total to report (out of eight people, I guess that's pretty good . . .) As you can see, Elise really enjoyed herself. (Sorry about the blurry picture).





When I returned home from my appointment, I walked in the door to find Corban asleep on the piano bench. He must have been really tired!



How did he sleep like that? I'm not sure, but he manages to fall asleep in the most interesting positions.



Saturday, he didn't get his nap and played hard. After a bath, just as dinner was getting made, he fell asleep on the counter. I think he was in the middle of munching on a corn chip! We moved him to bed and he slept the rest of the night.

SURPRISE!!!

Friday night, just after heading to bed, a knock sounded on our front door. To our great surprise, Mike's parents were here! Earlier in the week they had mentioned they might come for a visit, but we weren't expecting them. I quickly changed bedding and moved Kristi's hamster to another part of the house. When I thought more about it, I decided it is much nicer to have unexpected visitors (as long as the house is clean); because my day would have been otherwise spent getting ready for company (EXTRA cleaning and such), and that part just isn't very much fun!

It was perfect timing for Papa and Grandma to be here. Cari and Trevon had a County High School Honor Band concert Saturday night. They practiced all Friday and Saturday with other high school band students around the county. We enjoyed ourselves at the concert, listening to a variety of beautiful music.













Tonight, the kids wanted to make a sweet treat; something we tend to do EVERY Sunday; almost as faithfully as we go to church! Grandma wanted Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies; Papa wanted Oatmeal Raisin Cookies; Cari wanted to make Sandies. So, they made all three. Papa and Grandma collected some pecans out behind the backyard and added these to the delicious bakes.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

On New Year's Eve, Mike and I chaperoned a youth New Year's dance at our church building. We spent four hours watching the kids dance the year away! It was fun to see Cari and Trevon enjoying themselves with friends.









There was slushy rootbeer brewing with dry ice, Oreo cookies, and ice cream sandwiches for refreshment. Occasionally, a candy cannon blew candies all over the dance floor, for added fun. By the time the year was over, streamers and balloons covered the cultural hall.



Sadie watched the little ones at home. Cameron wanted so badly to be awake when the clock struck midnight, but he was so tired he fell asleep. When he woke, shortly after midnight he cried tears of frustration - he had wanted to pull his poppers and throw his snappers to ring in the new year with the others. Sadie said she tried to wake him, but he wouldn't. So, to make a long story short, he threw his snappers in the morning on New Year's Day, and probably woke a few of our neighbors with his poppers!





Mike made some biscuits for breakfast and then we went to St, George as a family to shop for shoes and clothes with our Christmas money. After our shopping, the older half of our family went to the movie Sherlock Holmes. (Thumbs up here) Then, our whole family went to Chili's for dinner. We had a GREAT DAY together, and look forward to many great times this coming year.

Christmas 2009

It was an enjoyable Christmas at our house this year. On Christmas Eve, I made some of my mom's Holiday Cherry Coffee Cake, to share with some of our neighbors and friends who didn't get some of our cookies or cinnamon rolls earlier in the week. Of course, there was NO WAY I could bake and give to everyone I wanted to. I'll include the recipe at the end of this post, so that you can make it, and consider it a gift from us!!!



We decorated paper Santa hats that we used at our family party that night. After eating pizza and salad, we gathered downstairs for reflection on the true meaning of Christmas. Mike shared his thoughts and testimony and then we watched a video about Christ's birth. Next, we put a pile on nine wrapped presents in the middle of the floor (gifts I had purchased specifically for this game), and played a white elephant gift game. Everyone ended up with a small gift to enjoy. Then, we played Pin the Hat on Santa, which Cameron decided would be fun to do at our party.



Elise became so disoriented that her Santa hat ended up on the piano, no where near the Santa face.



We ate goodies and continued to play games together until it was time to go to bed.

I heard the kids at about 6:30 a.m. and took a couple of pictures of them as they checked out their stockings (then, I hopped back into bed).






When Mike and I got up and ready for the day, we called the kids upstairs and opened up the presents that were under the tree from Santa and loved ones.



I don't remember eating any breakfast. A good part of the morning was spent assembling toys and such. The kids were all pleasantly SURPRISED by the gifts Santa brought them.







Corban watched as Mike prepared a turkey and stuffing for a delicious Christmas dinner.



We must have eaten all day long. I felt like the stuffed bird by the time the day was over. We watched the movies "UP" and later "Superman Returns." It was a fun and relaxing day for us, all in celebration of our Savior Jesus Christ. He truly gives the best gifts of all.

I am so thankful for my family and the wonderful day we were able to share together. I am thankful for loved ones who are so generous and giving to our family. We are truly blessed.


Mom's Holiday Cherry Coffee Cake

1/4 c. butter
2 c. Bisquick
3 oz. cream cheese
1/3 c. milk
Can of preserves (your choice)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Cut together butter and Bisquick. Add cream cheese until blended. Add milk. Flour wax paper and knead dough until no longer sticky (Dough can be divided into two small cakes or one large one). Roll out dough on greased cookie sheet. Add fruit preserved along the center of the dough. Cut slits along the sides and braid up the dough over the fruit. Put in oven for 12-15 minutes (golden brown). Add a powdered sugar/milk glaze frosting on top.