SPRING

   The weather has been very Spring-like.  It gives me cabin fever.  I have really wanted to get out and go camping or something.  However, being Spring all my camping excursions have been curtailed by rain.  We were able to get out finally this week.

I think the kids really enjoyed being outside too!

Spring has come

Ingredients

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Last week was General Conference and we started a new tradition with Conference cinnamon rolls.  I had found a fantastic recipe and we made these for breakfast. They didn't make it to lunch.

Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast or 2 Tbsp
• 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, heat the buttermilk until warm to the touch.
2. Pour the buttermilk and oil into the yeast mixture; mix well. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda. Stir the flour mixture into the liquid 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 20 times. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out into a large rectangle. Spread the brown sugar and butter mixture over the dough, roll up into a log and pinch the seam to seal. Slice into 1 inch pieces and place cut side up in a lightly greased 10x15 baking pan. Cover and let rise 30 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight. If baking immediately, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Let stand for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 315 | Total Fat: 14.1g | Cholesterol: 17mg

The Perfect Cinnamon Roll Icing

Ingredients

• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 7 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Beat together the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer in a large bowl until creamy. Mix in the vanilla and milk, then gradually mix in the confectioners' sugar and salt until smooth and fluffy.

Note:  If your cream cheese and butter are cold, it won't cream well. Microwave each separately for about 10 seconds and they will be soft enough to work with.

As fantastic as these cinnamon rolls were, they were not nearly the feast that we experienced listening to the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I will be honest with four kids my opportunity to listen wasn't as great as I had hope. (Really grateful for a DVR.) I am thankful that I have leaders on earth to guide me.  More important than that.  I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice that will help me overcome the many weaknesses that I have. I love Him. General Conference is such a gift. (If interested, lds.org.)

Year End Thoughts

I know there are not many people following this blog and that is okay.  I am doing it for myself more than anything. So as I am sitting here thinking about the year 2011, I wanted to share some thoughts.
    2011 was not any easy year.  We had many challenges, as most people do.  The thought that keeps coming to me this week, however, isn't about our difficulties.  It is about our blessings. In Psalm 145:9, it says: "Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."  In LDS General Conference in April 2005, Elder David A. Bednar gave a talk about the Lord's tender mercies and he defined it as “The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ”  As I look back on 2011, I am more able to see the Lord's tender mercies in my behalf.   We received help in so many ways.  Our major difficulties have been because of medical bills, so our finances are not what we would like.  Yet, we always seem to find a way through and I know the Lord has touched the hearts of wonderful people in our behalf.  Two such examples this year happened in the last week.  We found a $100 Visa gift card taped to our back door. Then we received a $50 gift card to Dillon's in the mail. I don't know who gave us these gifts but I pray that God will bless them for their generosity.  Someday I hope that we can be in a better position and return the loving kindnesses to someone else in need. 
   I know that God is aware of each one of us and demonstrates it through His bountiful tender mercies. Another example of tender mercies in my life are the wonderful people God has put in my life.  I have a wonderful family, i.e., a loving husband, beautiful children, caring parents and in-laws, and the most wonderful friends.  God bless you all!! 

Christmas 2011

I know that I haven't posted in 2011 at all and there is only a week left, but I would really like to post more often. It is a goal and I hope I will be able to achieve it. A more reliable computer will help and for the time being that seems to be a reality.

     I am going to start by posting some Christmas videos and pictures. This first video is of Ammon, our youngest.  He just turned one a couple of weeks ago.  His grandparents sent him a pillow pet for Christmas.  He loves it to say the least.  Now he will leave his brother and sisters pillow pets alone. (Maybe?)

  

We took this picture after church and before we began opening presents.  What a cute bunch! 

I just want to say that I am extremely grateful for my wonderful family.  Something about this time of year makes me appreciate how lucky I am to have a loving and hardworking husband who strives to make me happy everyday and generally succeeds.  I am also very lucky to have four beautiful children.  Grace is in first grade and excelling.  She is a wonderful girl who always tries to do what is right.  She is a great helper and I do miss her when she is at school.  Kaitlyn is almost five and such a loving girl.  She is very emotional in good and bad ways.  She is the first to share and the first to let you know she loves you.  Luke is all boy and definitely two.  He loves cars, trains, and anything that has to do with balls.  He enjoys life and brings a smile to all those he is around.  Ammon is my sweet mischievous boy. He is a little tease with an infectious smile.  

This next video is of Luke.  His brother got him six shooters for Christmas to replace the hangers he has been using to shoot everything.  I have been telling him not to shoot people, but that he can shoot bears and deer and such.  Well, Gramma and Grampa Bair got him a reindeer and proceed to shoot it all morning.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Luke Discovered His Tongue

I had to post this because he had us all laughing so hard. I thought anyone who decides to check us out might get a kick out of it too.

Grace's First Day of Kindergarten

Ready for school. She got all dressed up in her new outfit and literally bounced out to the car. Once we got there she couldn't stop smiling. She told me last night not to embarass her (already!). So I tried really hard and she was the one that gave me a kiss before we left. I can't believe she is so big. I was proud of myself, only a few tears on the way home. I couldn't be too sad because she was so happy.

Need a Smile?

This will make smile unless you have a heart of stone. Grace was playing with Luke and the rest is self-explanatory.