Conference and Cupcakes

            I did not get much out of conference this year as there seemed to be more distractions even though I thought the kids seemed to show more respect during conference as a whole.  We had the TV on just before one of the sessions started and six-year-old Gary came in and said, "Oh, it's just conference.  I have seen this already."

            I am happy that there are recordings that I may go back to what I missed - and not just this year.  There are other years to review as well.  The year that my father died and was in the hospital over conference weekend - his last upon earth.  The year I was pregnant with Jenna - even though I was into my second trimester - I was still throwing up - practically my entire pregnancy.  And then she was born on conference weekend.

            After Easter's morning session, Roland took the kids into the kitchen to make cupcakes.  Each was able to add an ingredient and watch as he poured the batter into prepared cups.  After the afternoon session, the cakes had cooled and the kids each had five cakes to decorate.  Gary used the dinosaur decors for all five of his cupcakes.  BJ and Anna used mostly coconut and sugar sprinkles.  Jenna used a variety.  All four enjoyed the cupcake decorating and eating activity.

Green sprinkles are shaped like dinosaurs

Jenna's masterpieces

number dwindled a bit . . . actually a lot

Time Goes By Quicker in Oregon Than in Utah

        I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by!  Winter Break will take place during the two classes I am currently taking.  It doesn't seem like it's been too long since the last winter break.  I know a few months have gone by, but not 12!  Not even 10.  Only one month left of 2017. What the heck?  How can the year have gone by so quickly when there were so many spurts of activity that almost seemed/felt endless (here and here for example)

Jenna painting ornaments

        Last year I had participated in a posting class offered during winter break - students shared Christmas memories and recipes.  I remember one recipe for salt dough ornaments, and made up some batch for family home evening, but waited until yesterday morning to cut out the dough as the recipe suggested a four hour baking time, and I knew I wouldn't want  to be checking the oven after 8:00 pm let alone 10:00 pm.

        Thus yesterday morning Jenna and I twisted candy canes and cut out various cookies from our cookie cutter selection.  The twisted candy canes did not turn out as I had envisioned.  Nor did the gingerbread men I was hoping to look like decorated gingerbread man and not what was supposed to be an incredible hulk and what I had seen as a missionary. 

        The ornaments are not finished.  We all got tired of painting after a while (I think Roland only painted two) and have put on a top shelf for another day - only we need to hurry more quickly if we plan to send them out.

Except for the deer, these are the ornaments that

I worked on.  Will post them all when completed

        Jenna wants to go and see Coco.  She will have to clean her room - whether we see Coco or not.  But we will definitely NOT be seeing it if we don't see an improvement.