Pumpkin Waffles

SO ... I LOVE all things Pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Cake, Pumpkin cookies and now ... Pumpkin Waffles. My cute friend and sister-in-law DeDee shared this recipe with me and we tried it last night. We didn't get to try the syrup yet because I didn't have cream, but the waffles were a HIT! I must admit ... we tossed in a few chocolate chips. Mmm, mmm, good! So, ENJOY!

Pumpkin Waffles

2 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
4 T. butter, melted
1/2 c. canned pumpkin

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, butter and pumpkin. Slowly add to dry mix. Cook in waffle iron.

Sinful White Syrup

1 c. heavy cream
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Stir over low heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Place in blender and blend on low until blended. Serve over waffles or pancakes. Refrigerate any leftover syrup.

Pumpkin Carving 2009

Weekend Fun

It's been a busy, but fun weekend! It all started on Friday night with 7 kids under the age of 9. YIKES! Sounds scary, right? Believe it or not it wasn't too bad. In fact, it was quite fun. I had 3 of my nephews and 1 niece over for pizza, movies and a sleepover. My saving grace ... having Greg and Nana by my side. Thanks guys for a fun time!




This has been a week of firsts for Miss Eme Grace - first cold & cough, first time eating rice cereal (which she LOVES!) and BIG NEWS ... she rolled over!


Today was the kids' Primary program. It was so much fun to be in the audience this year and actually see the kids faces as they sang and gave their parts. Kudos to the kids and a special thanks to the AMAZING Primary Leaders.

One final thought - As I sat in church today and looked down into this precious face, I thought back to a year ago. We were losing hope that baby #3 would ever join our family. We prayed and hoped, and prayed some more. We thanked our Heavenly Father every day for Kate and Josh and felt truly blessed to be their parents. But something kept telling us that there was one more. That we shouldn't give up. That our prayers WOULD be answered.


Those days seem so long ago now and I am savoring each and every smile, cry, late night feeding and diaper change because I know how fast they go by. In just a few months Kate will be turning 10 and I can hardly believe it. So, when there are those days, and we ALL have them, I stop and think back to those days so many years ago when I didn't have a little one to love, let alone THE 3 cutest kids ever! I love you Kate, Josh and Eme!

Fall Break

Sorry for all of the posts today. That's what happens when it's fall break for the kids and I have a minute or two to breath.

Yesterday we decided to head to the park with the Jorgensens and Milnes. It was a GORGEOUS day and we had a LOT of fun! The kids played for a while and then decided to help "save the planet" by picking up garbage. This was completely their idea. They even named themselves the "Green Team." Then we headed to Jimmy Johns for lunch. We're pretty sure the rest of the patrons were glad when they saw us leaving the restaurant, but hey ... where can 3 moms and 10 kids go for lunch? Not many places that won't kick us out!

I am so grateful that my kids have such good friends and glad that I LOVE their moms, too. Thanks for a fun, fun day!

Annual Cousin Weekend

Every year, Greg's brother and his family spend their UEA with us in SG. It's a weekend that we all look forward to. The kids all get along really well, which makes for a nice relaxing weekend.

This year we hit the movie theater to see "Sunny With a Chance of Meatballs," ordered pizza, watched General Conference and just "hung out." As always, it was a LOT of fun! Thanks for coming down you guys! We love you!

Eme Grace - 4 months old

It's unbelievable but true ... Eme Grace is 4 months old! She now weighs a hefty 13 lbs. 13 oz. and is almost 24 inches long! She coos and giggles, loves to lay on her tummy and push up, will put ANYTHING in her mouth, and has recently discovered that she has toes. She loves to take a bath, be held and smiles at EVERYONE! She is a VERY good baby and we love her beyond imagination. What a blessing and a miracle! Here's a few recent pics of her.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

School Days

I'm incredibly grateful that this is how we spend most of our afternoons ... homework and snacks. Simple, but good.

Fall Soccer

It's that time of year again ... Soccer Season! And for the first time Kate is playing fall soccer, too! So most Saturdays we spend a few hours watching games, but we love it. Go White Panthers and Blue Lightning!

Raptor Romp

Last night was the annual "Raptor Romp" at the kids' school. The kids look forward to this every year. It's our biggest PTA fundraiser and each grade learns a dance. The whole family comes, has pizza and drinks and sits on the grass while we watch the dances. It's a lot of fun!

Kate is LOVING school this year and was pretty excited for her "performance." You'll notice that she reminds the other kids of what they should be doing. That's my girl ... helpful (and maybe just a tad bit bossy ... wonder where she gets that from!) Great job sis! We're proud of you!


I LOVE how happy she looks here.


Three cute girls ... Kate, Kenna and Kaylee

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Josh could hardly wait for his dance. All week he's been practicing for the big night. He kept saying, "Mom, I just LOVE my dance!" And anyone who knows my boy, knows that he's got some moves! Way to go buddy! You did GREAT!


Totally excited for the big show.


How handsome are they? Jake and Josh ... the dynamic duo

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wasatch 2009

For as long as I can remember we've gone camping every fall in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains. Our entire family goes ... aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc. It's a tradition that we all look forward to and without fail, it comes and goes too quickly. Thanks everyone for a fun weekend! We love you all and can't wait for next year!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

SO inspiring!

Maybe you've heard about this amazing woman. Maybe you've even read her blog. Perhaps you saw her on Oprah today. I did and WOW ... she is one of my heroes!

Stephanie Nielson and her husband were involved in a terrible plane crash a little over a year ago. She was burned on 80% of her body. But through much prayer, love and INCREDIBLE inner strength, she is back at home, doing what she loves ... being a mom!

So, the next time I feel bored with laundry, overwhelmed with my TO DO LIST ... I'm going to jump on Stephanie (or Nie Nie's) blog. After hearing her story again, I am humbled and grateful. Thanks Stephanie for your AMAZING example of faith and courage. You inspire me to not just enjoy being a mom, but to SAVOR each and every moment!

If you want to be inspired, here's a link to her blog: