The kids had Thursday and Friday off of school so we debated different family trips we could take. Since we always seem to be on the go- we decided to stay home and just enjoy our beautiful home and each other.
We worked in our garden and laid ground cover. We also had friends over for a movie party and went swimming. Friday night we had a pizza party. The kids made their 
own pizzas and we played a romping game of Settlers of Catan.
Saturday we enjoyed conference. Brigham and Brig went to the Priesthood Session and then out to dinner. The rest of us went swimming. We enjoyed great food all weekend and loved to listen to our church leaders. Here are some of our favorite quotes.
"Love ought to be at the center of everything we do. It should be our walk and our talk.
"President Uchtdorf
"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, God loves us perfectly. Though we feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us."
President Uchtdorf
We worked in our garden and laid ground cover. We also had friends over for a movie party and went swimming. Friday night we had a pizza party. The kids made their own pizzas and we played a romping game of Settlers of Catan.
Saturday we enjoyed conference. Brigham and Brig went to the Priesthood Session and then out to dinner. The rest of us went swimming. We enjoyed great food all weekend and loved to listen to our church leaders. Here are some of our favorite quotes.
"Love ought to be at the center of everything we do. It should be our walk and our talk."President Uchtdorf
"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, God loves us perfectly. Though we feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us."
President Uchtdorf
"Try until that which seems difficult becomes possible, and that which seems possible, becomes habit." President Uchtdorf
"You can feel the approval our your Heavenly Father when you do what He asks. I hope you will go out today looking for opportunities to do as He did."
Elder Eyring
I love the concentration on Kaleb's face. He is being allowed to cut with a knife for the first time and he was being so careful.
After Conference we made donuts. We made them heart shaped since I had heart shaped cookie cutters of different sizes. They were so delicious I think we will make them a Fall conference tradition. We had a great time eating them- especially when still warm and loved sharing them with our neighbors.
Crispy and Creamy Donuts
INGREDIENTS
2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
"You can feel the approval our your Heavenly Father when you do what He asks. I hope you will go out today looking for opportunities to do as He did."Elder Eyring
"Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose in life. Giving service can, in effect, save your life."
President Monson
President Monson
"Father in Heaven knew that you would be faced with decisions that would be beyond your individual capacity. "Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help [the guidance of the Holy Spirit] by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.""
Elder Scott
Elder Scott
"Avoid hypocrisy by living at home and in private what you preach in public."
Elder Bednar
The talks were all fantastic. Loved Elder Holland's amazing testimony. Conference just flew by for me. I remember when it used to last forever. Now it is just a small moment in time and I wish it could go on and on.
Elder Bednar
The talks were all fantastic. Loved Elder Holland's amazing testimony. Conference just flew by for me. I remember when it used to last forever. Now it is just a small moment in time and I wish it could go on and on.
I love the concentration on Kaleb's face. He is being allowed to cut with a knife for the first time and he was being so careful.
After Conference we made donuts. We made them heart shaped since I had heart shaped cookie cutters of different sizes. They were so delicious I think we will make them a Fall conference tradition. We had a great time eating them- especially when still warm and loved sharing them with our neighbors.Crispy and Creamy Donuts
INGREDIENTS
2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
Glaze
1/3 cup butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 tablespoons hot water or as needed
DIRECTIONS
Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
In a large bowl, mix together the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix for a few minutes at low speed, or stirring with a wooden spoon. Beat in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a greased bowl, and cover. Set in a warm place to rise until double. Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double. Cover loosely with a cloth.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.
Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slide doughnuts into the hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Fry doughnuts on each side until golden brown. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack. Dip doughnuts into the glaze while still hot, and set onto wire racks to drain off excess. Keep a cookie sheet or tray under racks for easier clean up.
1/3 cup butter
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
4 tablespoons hot water or as needed
DIRECTIONS
Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
In a large bowl, mix together the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix for a few minutes at low speed, or stirring with a wooden spoon. Beat in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a greased bowl, and cover. Set in a warm place to rise until double. Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double. Cover loosely with a cloth.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.
Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slide doughnuts into the hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Fry doughnuts on each side until golden brown. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack. Dip doughnuts into the glaze while still hot, and set onto wire racks to drain off excess. Keep a cookie sheet or tray under racks for easier clean up.
These are my kids one year ago on the temple grounds.
