Shout out to my bro

On Sunday, we went up to my parent's house because my little (yet big) brother Kramer got ordained an Elder! He'll soon be turning in his mission papers in a week now. He's seriously the sweetest, most thoughtful, most handsome boy in the whole world and we are so excited for him! I'm just so proud of him for always being such a good kid! We are going to miss him so much, but are so excited for him! Just make sure you're not around me when that song "In the Hollow of Thy Hands" ever comes on the radio....it makes me cry my eyes out! Anyway, just a little shout out to my favorite brother! We love you Kra!

Gobble Gobble

This year for Thanksgiving we went to St George with Devin's family. I was determined to take some pictures, but then I left the camera at the condo. So thanks to Devin's sister Kristie, I now have my camera. Whew! I've got a lot to document here pretty soon with the new baby coming and all. :)

We had so much fun getting to hang out with everyone over Thanksgiving!! The food was yummy as always, love the homeade rolls and pies especially, and Paityn had so much fun hanging out with her cousins!! Our family has a lot to be grateful for and we truly feel blessed! I've been thinking a lot lately about what it really means to be "GRATEFUL" instead of just saying I'm thankful for this, or that. I've decided that being truly grateful for our blessings brings so much peace and contentment and just happiness into our lives. I have felt that way lately! I'm grateful for so many things this time of year, especially my little family that will grow by one more in 4 more days, being a mother, my parents, brother & sisters, Devin's family, good friends, and so many other things!! Now that I've bore my testimony...haha...I hope you all had a wonderfuly Thanksgiving as well!

BYU -vs- Utah, The So-Called Holy War

Take your pick!! What's it going to be! The much anticipated game of the year is now days away and the excitement around our place has begun. Growing up going to Utah games with my dad and then marrying the world's biggest BYU fan has made this time of year exciting!! Devin has been getting everyone's bet on the score and I picked 27-24 for Utah so we'll see what happens. I have to say that one of our first fights ever was over this very subject. Devin told me that the only reason I was a Utah fan was because my dad was and I got mad at him and said that I am a Utah fan because I choose to be. :) So funny!! It should be a fun game to watch. If the truth be known, I wouldn't mind seeing BYU win since I watch all of their games and know all the players names and I don't know that much about Utah's team!! Don't tell my dad I said that. :) Let the games begin!

The yummiest wheat bread

Okay, so I've been making this bread now for about 6 months and I'm finally going to share it with you all! My neighbor brought me a loaf and although I'd never made bread before, I had to get the recipe. I went over to her house and made it once with her and then have made it on my own ever since. I wrote the recipe in "dummy" language just so it made perfect sense. And because I really need specific instructions! :) I just got a wheat grinder for my birthday and that makes it that much better. So any of you who live close by, come grind some wheat pioneer style at my house anytime! Paityn and Devin devour this bread and it's really good for you! So here goes, it really might not make sense, especially when it comes time to making it into a loaf, but feel free to ask questions and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Whole Wheat Bread: Jennifer Franks

In your mixer mix:
5 C HOT water
¼ C oil
¾ C honey

Then add:
2 C wheat flour
Mix until it looks soapy

Then add:
1 T bread enhancer/gluten
1 T salt
2-3 C wheat flour (or until it looks like a pancake batter consistency)

Then add:
2 T yeast

At this point, keep adding wheat flour 1 C at a time until it cleans the bowl.

NOTE**You end up adding A TOTAL OF 10-11 CUPS OF WHEAT FLOUR** (no more than 11 cups) So I like to keep a little piece of paper close by and mark how much I’ve added. Like in the beginning you add 2 Cups, so then make 2 marks, then when you get it to a pancake batter consistency mark how many cups you’ve added. And so in the end it ends up being 10-11 cups of wheat flour. (If this doesn’t make sense, please let me know)

Let it knead in the machine for 5 minutes. Then cover it and let it raise for 15 minutes.

Divide it into 4 equal loaves. Then beat out each loaf on an OILED countertop in a rectangle until all the bubbles are out. And roll it into a loaf and put into your pan. (I grease my pans with Crisco)

Then let them rise for 15-25 minutes. (I actually let it raise for 30 minutes)
Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

Let me know if any of you try this out!

So much to blog about

Yikes!! Too much stuff has gone on that I've been planning on blogging about so here goes me trying to update myself...First Halloween! Paityn and I met up with Meghan and Kanyon and went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. Paityn had so much fun and got so much candy! Then we hurried home because Devin's friend's were all coming over for a little Halloween get together. I was anticipating all of their costumes and was not disappointed! They are all hillarious! I was so busy running around that I hardley took any pictures so I'll have to get Seth and Abbie to e-mail me them. (or just look on their blog if you really care to see them and you'll laugh your head off) It was so much fun as always and you should have seen my husband! My oh my, you'd have thought I'd married a drag queen. It was so funny, yet a little creepy. haha! Overall, it was such a fun day and I feel like we really got the most out of Halloween this year! It seems like we've been celebrating all month! Here are a few pics.

Last, but certainly not least, my crazy, goofy husband....meet Devina! (seriously, for your sake, don't click on it and make it any bigger) :)

Family Party

Monday night, on her official birthday, we celebrated with the fam. I ordered these cupcakes from a bakery in American Fork called Dippidee and they were yummy! It's always fun having the whole family together! Thanks to everyone who came over and celebrated with us! Paityn had such a fun birthday this year!!

Happy Birthday Dear Paityn, Happy Birthday To You!

Yesterday was Paityn's official birthday and she is now 3 YEARS OLD!! We can't believe how grown-up she's become and how much funner she is everyday! We celebrated her birthday with her friends on Saturday the 27th and here are a few pictures.

All the kids came dressed up in their halloween costumes and there seriously couldn't have been cuter kids!! I swear, our friends have the cutest kids ever! When they got there, they ate donut holes, fruit, and juice and colored a pumpkin. Then Beverly, Devin's mom, read them 2 Halloween books and the kids were way into that. We then went outside and Devin took the kids on a little hay-ride around the neighborhood. Abby painted little ghosts, pumpkins, on their faces too. Thanks Abb! We sang 'Happy Birthday', ate cupcakes, and had such a fun day!! Thanks to everyone who came, we're so lucky to have such great friends!