The Bennions

We were very fortunate to go Christmas Caroling with The Bennions. They are a family that is in my in-laws Murrayhill ward. They have 13 children. Two who are married with families of their own and two that are on a mission. 9 children are still at home, ranging from high school to three years old. What a wonderful family to spend an evening with. We went caroling to their neighbors and then back to their home for hot chocolate and a private performance.


This was my favorite song they sang. Sadly it does not do them justice. They are an extremely talanted family. Thank you for a memorable night!!

who is that girl!!

What to do when you are stranded at home...staighten Mikaila's curly locks. I've been wanting to do this for awhile. Her hair has grown so much in just one year. Let's take a walk down memory lane...


One of the few pictures I have of the back of her head!





Although I prefer the curls it was fun to see her hair straight. She looked so grown up to me.

And no that is not vomit!

I mentioned that I LOVE fruit cake but not just any fruit cake it has to be my mom's. Last Christmas she sent me home with my own start. To make this fruit cake you have to have a start to candy your fruit. I was so excited! My mom has made this since I was a little girl and my mom got the recipe from my grandma, so it's kind of a tradition. I have never helped my mom make this cake for even watched her it would just magically appear every Christmas. Well I started to candy my fruit back in October and this weekend I made my first fruit cake. And this is what happened...


It is not suppose to look like vomit!

I followed the recipe that I copied from my mom but she forgot to mention that she actually cooks hers for an hour and 45 min. not the hour and 15 min that it said on the recipe. Luckily she gave me a start for two cakes. I won't make that mistake again. The next cake turned out fabulous!!


Pour yourself a nice hot cup of hot chocolate and enjoy!
Oh wait, you can't it's already all gone!! and yes it was so yummy!

I know have starts to make 4 cakes I can't wait until next year...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

One of my many accomplishments from my mom visiting.

Mikaila is so excited this year for Christmas. I am planning on taking her to get her pictures with Santa. Hopefully she'll sit on his lap and not freak out she's not usually like that but you never know. Anyone know of a great Santa to get pictures with? Let me know.

Some of the things I Love and that I am looking forward to this month~
*Egg Nog
*Fruit cake
*Shopping
*Spending our first Christmas in Oregon
*Mikaila opening her presents Christmas morning
*Christmas Music (yes I love listening to it on the radio)
*Sending out Christmas cards
*The Forgotten Carols

I hope everyone is enjoying this Holiday Season I know we are!!

Lesson Learned

My mom came to visit for two weeks and she went home yesterday morning. I miss her already! I loved having my mom here, we didnt do much we spent most of our time on my couch watching movies, eating and talking. It was wonderful. She was a huge help with the kids. The first thing I noticed by the end of yesterday was how much my back hurt. Lugging around two kids and trying to get things done in between was a lot harder than I expected and I could feel it by the end of the day.
I love you Mom, thank you so much for spending this time with us!!

Here are a few pics from her stay...

Grandma with the kids the night before she left


Mikaila eating apple pudding (she kept getting applesauce and pudding confused)


Sweet Isaak asleep during Pearce's Christmas program
After you read the story below I had to include a picture of him. How could I be upset with that face?!

I thought I would share an Isaak moment with you.
Tuesday my mom and me took the kids and went grocery shopping. Afterwards we picked up lunch and headed to a nearby park. We ate in the truck and then my mom took Mikaila to swing while I stayed with Isaak. I fed him and then decided to change him before I put him back into the carseat. Well since I was sitting in the drivers seat and it was chilly outside I thought I would change him in my lap. He had pooped just a little bit so I wiped him bottom he then starts pooping more I quickly cover it up allow him to finish and then start cleaning him up again. I had to turn him over in order to wipe his bottom this time and that is when he unloaded all over my lap. I mean it was everywhere all over my pants and shirt. I am laughing so hard by the time my mom got there I had tears in my eyes. She see's me and is laughing hysterically. I had to drive home with baby poop smeared all over my lap. Guess I won't be changing him in my lap anytime soon!