A white Christmas at the Cabin

It snowed every day we were there.

We stayed at the Cabin for nine nights and ten days

At night it was maybe 10 degrees.
The day time high about 18 to 20.

Geoff and Dad on the Rhino.
We went snowmobiling.

We also went sledding. We have the most fun sledding hill. Sorry no pictures but it is fun we go on knee sleds for 1/2 a mile, then we shuttle up on a snowmobile. Love it!

Carlie went snowboarding, even though she had a sprained ankle

We played a lot of games. This was a big hit,
The Settlers of Catan.

Nothing is better then Rylie's famous foot massage.
She is good at it and likes doing it.
She got all the stuff you need for a great foot massage
in her stocking.
(Lucky Geoff, I think he talked Rylie into a couple of foot massages.)

Geoff and Stacy with our cute snowman that we
built in the meadow.

Jason and Rylie.

Carlie putting on the nose.

Our snowman without his mouth.

We love our snowman he is so cute!

Ticket to Ride Europe edition.

Geoff loves to play pool.

Carlie is our rocker!

Sweet Rylie in her nightgown.

We got Rock Band for Christmas.
It was a big hit. We have little talent but lots of fun.

Our Christmas Pajamas.

The boys are triplets.

The Christmas tree all decorated.







Jason and Scott bring in the Christmas tree.
This was Jason's first real Christmas tree.
We never had one until the cabin.
We had a great time as a family. We are very grateful for all our blessings and most of all, our family and friends. We pray that you had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year.
God bless you all.

I have been taged. By Jill Dastrup

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Wrapping paper much more fun.

2. Real tree or artificial?

When growing up we always got a real tree. I have the fondest memories going to the tree lot and picking out a tree. I love the smell and the memories, it was hard to convert over to artificial. Now we do both. We have artificial at home and real at the cabin.

3. When do you put your tree up?

Usually around the 7 th of Dec. But the last two year we haven't gotten around to putting one up at home. This year it has been hard to feel the spirit of Christmas without a tree. At the cabin we put it up the week of Christmas.

4. When do you take it down?

At home as soon as possible. At the cabin some time not until February. It gets so cold at the cabin when we are not there the tree last a long time.

5. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?

Hot Chocolate!!! With lost of whipped cream!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

A baby doll. I loved playing with dolls and I can remember the plastic smell of the doll. The smell brings back so many great memories. My sister Judy and I got twin dolls it was so much fun.
PS My favorite gift ever is the new picture (You can see it on my blog) I got this year already, my picture of The Savior "Seeking the One" By Liz Lemon Swindle!!!!!

7. Do you have a Nativity scene?

Yes. I have had it for years. I want another one the is bigger. Some day.

8. Hardest person to buy for?

Scott, Granny, and my Dad. Granny has everything and I always want to buy her something she will love, because I love her so much and I want her to feel special. But what do you get her? Same with Scott, and my Dad

9. Easiest person to buy for?

My kids because it's fun and they bring the magic of Christmas.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?

When I was little I got a boy barbie, my older sister got the bendable barbie I wanted it. So I took it from her pile before she woke up. I think that when she did find out I took it she broke my Barbie's leg.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?


Mail with a picture! Don't send one without a picture that is the best part.

12. Favorite movie?

It's a wonderful life. Love it!

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Yes.

14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Yam, and the pumpkin pie. I do love it all. But the best part is eating it with family and friends.

15. Clear or colored lights?

I love them both.

16. Favorite Christmas song?

Joy to the World. I love the message

17. Travel or stay home?

THE CABIN!!!!!! or travel either one. One year we went to Australia. We had a blast.

18. Can you name all the Santa's reindeer?

Yes I think so.

19. Angel or Star?

Star

20. Favorite Christmas memory?

I have many good ones, but I would say the first year we stayed at the cabin for Christmas and we had to snowmobile out to do our sub for Santa. It was so much fun. We have done a sub for Santa in Fairview for many years. We loved it. It is the best part of Christmas helping others.

I tag Jessie, Aly, Brittany, and Macie

Christmas decorations at our house - no tree yet!

Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care ...



We also have our living room fireplace mantel decorated, but no Christmas tree yet. We always do a tree at the cabin. Last year we thought that we would be in our new home for Christmas
(we didn't move in until April) so we never got one up at the old house.
I really miss not having a tree maybe this weekend?
Let's hope so, I love Christmas!

Nutcracker Party

Watching a movie, Night at the Museum
Lunch PIZZA

Eleven people in the car.
(It's only a 7 passenger)


Rylie in her snow costume


Lydia in her mechanical doll costume.

Rylie had a Nutcracker Performance this morning.
We decided to have a going-away party for one of the dancers. Ayana is moving away after the performance tomorrow night. Rylie has danced with her for a few years and just loves her. As you can see we had a great time. We went to Five Buck Pizza for lunch then we came home and watched a movie. It was fun. Then back to Thanksgiving point for another preformance tonight. They perform four times, two day shows and two night shows.

Graditude

Things that I am grateful for.

Gratitude requires awareness and effort, not only to fell it but to express it.Gratitude the Path to Happiness!

1. Text message for my children.
2. Husband that works so hard to provide for his family.
3. Winder Farm milk and egg home delivery.
4. Husband that is faithful and good to me.
5. Having my Relief Societies lesson over.
6. Husband that gives me a card for every holiday or celebration.
7. The week ends when Geoff comes home from Collage.
8. Husband that is fun to be with.
9. Shopping on the Internet for Christmas.
10. Celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary.

Thank you Scott for everything you do for me, and our family we are truly blessed. We love you!

Just some kids we love

Boston

Macoy

Avery
These are Jarom and Jill Dastrup children. Good friends of our. My girls love to babysit them.

Nutcracker

Rylie is in the nutcracker again this year. She dances for Rocky Mountain Ballet. This is her eighth year dancing in the nutcracker. They preform at Thanksgiving Point in the Show Barn. She is in Waltz, Snow, Ladies, Chinese, and Party Girl. She is at rehearsal for more then 20 hours a week. This is a very love hate thing we do. Carlie decided to have a life this year and not do nutcracker this year. The performace is Dec 11 and 12. Then we are done with dance until January!

Gratitude

Jessie puts on her blog top 10 loves for the week. I love reading it and look forward to it each week. I am on a Gratitude high lately. So for a while I am going to do the same, but do the 10 Gratitude.

Gratitude requires awareness and effort, not only to fell it but to express it.
Gratitude the Path to Happiness!

1. Cards that my family gives to me. (Jessie I just found one from you, it made me cry)
2. Family traditions (Like card giving, cabin trips, family prayer etc...)
3. Board games and card games our family plays together at the cabin.
4. Holidays that give us time to be with our love ones.
5. My new picture of the Savior.
6. Good friends that love me.
7. Books and talks on CD. (John Lund is one of my favorites.)
8. Husband, that is my best friend.
9. Our Cabin
10. My GREAT children. (That includes Jason)

Thanksgiving

The more our hearts are grateful,

the more our lives are Blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love the Elders

Here are some great Thanksgiving recipes

from my friend Lindy Allen

She is one of my favorite people.

(She owns the furniture store FOUR CHAIRS my favorite!)

****

Turkey Crust

A crust for Turkey will hold in juices and flavor

like you would not believe!

Melt 1 cube of butter

Add about 1/4 cup of flour

(just until pasty)

Add 2 Tble. Seasoning Salt

Add 1 tsp Pepper

Rub on outside of turkey before baking.

Bake as usual.

****

Creamy Pumpkin Pie

Use pumpkin pie recipe on the back

of the can and make these few changes.

1 1/2 the amount of sugar called for

2 Exchange canned milk for Sweetened

Condensed Milk

3 Double all spices

Bake as directed and ENJOY!

Happy Birthday Jason

Jason's new sweater
Jason with his presents from the Elder family.
Jason and Jessie at dinner.

We all went to dinner for Jason 25th birthday. (all but Rylie, she had Nutcracker practices) We went to Shoots. It is a Chinese restaurant in Provo. Our family loves it. It is very vegetarian friendly. If you like Chinese food and have not been there you might want to try it out.

Seeking The One

I have wanted this picture for three years. I finally got it! When I first saw it I felt peace. I know that the Lord loves me and all of his children. I hope and pray that all those who come to our home will feel the spirit of the Lord.

Tunnel of Fudge Cake

1 3/4 C butter
1 3/4 C sugar
6 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 c powder sugar
2 1/2 C flour
3/4 C cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 C pecans (chopped)



Preheat oven to 350. Butter and flour a bundt or tube pan. Cream butter and sugar in a bowl. Add eggs individually, beating well after each. Add vanilla, then powdered sugar. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and add to sugar mixture. Pour in to pan and bake 50 minutes. Cool slightly and serve warm. With ice cream.
I made this on Sunday and we all enjoyed it. Jessie told me I needed to post this recipe. I hope you love it! The middle of the cake it is a tunnel of fudge and it is go good.

Womenhood

In Relief Society today the lesson was on.

"The Women of the Church"
I have always felt blessed to be a women. I love femininity and have taught my girl to be grateful to be a daughter of God and to be grateful for the femininity in them. Here is a quote from President Spencer W. Kimball.

"No greater recognition can come to you in this world than to be known as a woman of God. No greater status can be conferred upon you than being a daughter of God who experiences true sisterhood, wifehood, and motherhood, or other tasks which influence livers for good."

I love that!

Halloween

Rylie and Lydia Newsies
Noah, Lydia, McCall, Katlyn, and Rylie


More picture before they divided out the candy.


Carlie as an OHS Cheer Leader



McCall's candy. Can you believe it




Jason and Jessie at the pumpkin patch.





Boston and Avery Dastrup.


Halloween with out me.

On Halloween, Jason and Jessie passed out candy at my house while my Scott took Rylie and her friends trick or treating. When they got back to the house, they dumped out their pillowcases and began the trading. McCall ended up with 53 Reeses peanut butter cups, and Katie collected Crunch bars. It was pretty incredible to see all their candy. Rylie and the gals were Newsies, and Noah was an army man. They were so cute!Carlie went out with a huge group, and she refused to let Jessie take her picture. She wore an OHS cheer uniform and looked great! I missed it all. I was still with my father in Calif. I am grateful for Jessie who took over for me. Scott who let me go and also took over the car pools and other things for me.

LDS/CHRISTIAN FINE ART

Savior
Security

Advocate

Adoration

Her are some of the pictures that will be at the home party.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

You're Invited

I am having a home party on November 7Th (Wed)

3:30-8:30 PM

Come and go at your leisure

David Bowman is the Author/Illustrator of the bestselling

"WHO'S YOUR HERO-BOOK OF MORMON STORIES

APPLIED TO CHILDREN"

SERIES

At 4:30 Special "WHO'S YOUR HERO?" storytelling, live Drawing, Lots of Fun!

So bring you kids this should be fun!

Bring a friend all are invited!

Heart-Healthy Eating.

This is what my father has been told to do.
Heart-Healthy Eating. Maintaining a heart-healthy diet can improve your cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

• Read food labels when you shop
• Eat fresh or plain frozen vegetables
• Select lean cuts of meat
• Broil, bake, steam, or microwave foods instead of frying them
• Season your food with herbs, lemon juice, flavored vinegar, or salt-free spice mixes, instead of using margarine, butter, or salt. Take the saltshaker off the table.
• Avoid cream, cheese, or butter sauces, which add fat and cholesterol.
• If you are dining our, ask your server for heart-healthy suggestions.

Exercise for You and Your Heart!

Wow! I have somethings to work on.

How bypass surgery is done.

During bypass surgery, blockages are not removed. Rather, a new pathway is created around the blocked part of a coronary artery. First, a healthy blood vessel is taken from another part of the body. ( as you can see this came from my dad's leg) This is the bypass graft. The graft is attached to the coronary artery beyond the blockage. This way, blood flows through the graft and bypasses the blocked part of the artery.

My Dad is doing great! Can you believe all the machines they use in ICU!

Dad should go home today!