Halloween Baking Day

We were baking for hours today. I wanted to make some Monster cupcakes. Plus my sister was having a Halloween party tonight so we baked a bunch of fun Halloween themed things. Here are a few pics from today's baking adventure.


Brody is eating more cookies that he is putting on his pan.

These are cinnamon roll "bones." They are not cooked yet in this picture, but they turned out really great and delicious.

These monster cupcakes turned out better than I thought. Collin had a great time decorating them. Notice the blue one with the mint mouth and white eyes. That one Collin called it his "surprised face" monster. He thinks of the funniest things.

Brody is helping to stir the cupcake batter.

Collin is so organized and orderly. Brody is just hungry. :)

Bat-O-Lanterns

One of our fun Halloween crafts that we made were our Bat-O-Lanterns. (A great idea I found in Family Fun magazine.) I thought they were so cute and they were something that Brody could help us make. We painted some small pumpkins black. Easy right? And super messy. So glad we changed into old clothes first. The kids got black paint all over their hands and legs. Mandatory bath night. It was lots of fun though! We finished putting on their faces and wings today. I think they turned out pretty cute, especially since I am not that crafty.

"Three Month Thursday"

So do you like the name?? I couldn't think of ANYTHING more creative. Kind of lame, but if you don't give me any better ideas then it's going to stick.
So for the first week I decided to go with something relatively inexpensive and something that I know everyone will eat: Pasta. 5 lbs of pasta to be exact. Collin is extremely picky so I want to make sure I have something for him. I love Walmart brand because they come in boxes, which is way more convenient for storing.
So my challenge to everyone who reads this is to buy one item, pasta or whatever it may be, and add it to your 3 month supply of food storage. The shelf looks a little bare, but I think that it will fill up in no time.

Food Storage Link

So if you read my last blog on food storage you might have read the comment about another blog that does food storage. Here is the link. The website is amazing! They are buying A LOT every week though. I am going to be a little more gradual, but they are very inspirational. I added their link under my friends if you want to check them out from time to time. I will post tomorrow evening my pics of the item of the week. I think I am getting some pasta.

Three Month Supply

So I am really into getting food storage, but I haven't been doing very well the last year or so. I am getting back on track with my goal of having my 3 months supply. See the new Church Pamphlet.
So in my blog I am going to put up the item of the week that I am going to put in my food storage. I am going to try to gather long term food storage here and there as I can, but I am going to purchase one item per week to put in my short term storage. I will put up a picture of my purchase every week. Thursday is my regular shopping day so I will post a picture every Thursday of the food on my now empty shelf. You can watch how much food I gather. I challenge everyone to do the same. Either choose the same item as me or choose your own. Let's get our food storage up to par together!
Anyone got a catchy name for this weekly posting?

Spousal Abuse

I don't do these survey things a lot, but this was a pretty good one. I love you Darrell. I hope I don't embarrass you too much!!

*Where did you meet? I was at college in Cedar City and he was working in Salt Lake. One of his roommates up there was dating one of my friends. A group of "the guys" came down to "pick up chicks." Well, too bad for Darrell, he did pick one up. That's was when we first met, not when we first dated. In fact at the time I had a boyfriend and he made out with another one of my friends. :)
*How long did you date before you were married? I am not sure we ever had a formal dating period since we never lived near one another. I met him in Februaryish of 2000. I hung out with him (Lydia was there) about a week before the end of the semester that May. I didn't see him again until Christmas. We talked on the phone, but dated other people. When he left after Christmas I said the famous line, "So...um...what are we?" Together ever since. :)
*How long have you been married? 7 years
*What is your favorite feature of his? Tall, dark (hair), and handsome
*What is your favorite quality of his? He is very private. I blab my business too much, but he keeps to himself.
*Does he have a nickname for you? Gel, the same as everyone else
*Does he have a favorite color? Kind of a weird question. Are we in first grade?
*What is his favorite food? Fajitas, anything mexican really.
*What is his favorite sport? He likes alternative sports like dirt biking and snow boarding.
*When and where was your first kiss? In my dorm room in May 2000. Kind of a crazy weekend, but finally we figured out we liked each other.
*What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We like to go out to eat without the kids, but that is rare. We mostly like to do family stuff with the kids.
*Do you have any children? 2 - Collin, 4 1/2 and Bro-bro (Brody), 2 in December
*Does he have a hidden talent? The man can fix anything. It's amazing. A funny story about talents though - When he first met my parents (Christmas 2000) I told them he could do clogging! I said him and his 5 other brothers and sisters all went to dance class together and wore matching outfits. My parents still aren't sure if I was serious or not. It's a running joke still, almost 8 years later.
*How old is he? 28
*Who said I love you first? He did, over the phone from Saudi Arabia. I replied, "Ok."
*What is his favorite type of music? He likes rock and hip hop. Total music fanatic.
*What do you admire most about him? I admire how he works so hard for our family without complaining. He works 12 hour days almost every day.
So, I guess now I need to tag someone else to continue the chase. I tag everyone who reads this that hasn't done it already! I really need to get more readers.

Halloween and Fall Pics

We are really enjoying the beautiful fall weather that we have been having. Getting 10 inches of snow dumped on us made me think fall was over, but that was just a fluke thing and fall is sticking around. We went to a small pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins. Or "pump-pumps" as Brody calls them.

My mom had a Halloween party at her work and I took the kids. Collin is a Power Ranger and Brody is Batman. I bought Brody a spider costume that was super cute, but he wouldn't put it on. He just had a freak out. SO...he is wearing his Batman Pjs. Oh well. At least he is happy.

This is Collin showing me some of his Power Ranger moves. He has all kinds of karate moves. So funny.

A Wonderful Present

My youngest sister, Alicia, just turned 13 this past week. Geez, am I getting old or what? Anyway, Collin decided that he could fit in the bag that her present came in. Can you believe a 4 1/2 year old kid is in there? And he is not a small kid! Collin is so funny. He is constantly making me laugh.

Quick Yummy Dinner

I just thought I would share a quick dinner recipe that is so yummy in the winter (or anytime). It's made from stuff that you probably have already. Enjoy!

Super Easy Chicken and Dumplings
1 can cream of chicken
2 cans chicken broth
1 tube of store bought biscuits - cut them in half if you would like or make biscuits from scratch. Basically flour and shortening-super easy.
Cooked chicken, shredded- depends on how much you like- I always do this recipe when I have a little leftover chicken
Salt and Pepper to taste
Optional: Your favorite frozen veggie blend. Also you can add a little water to make the broth go farther.

Bring cream of chicken and broth to a boil. Add chicken. Add biscuits and cover. Turn down heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until biscuits are thoroughly cooked.

That's it! It's the easiest thing ever. I just made it for dinner tonight and I am stuffed! So delicious.

My Yearbook

Just playing around at yearbookyourself.com. So cute! NOT!!!

100 Things About Me

Amber has a list of 100 things about her. Currently she is using it for her weekly blog entries. I thought it would be fun to make my own list. It's tough! It took me a long time to think of 100 things. I tried to get creative. Probably most of the things on the list are not surprising, but maybe you guys will learn something new about me. Leave me comments on what you think or what you learned!! Enjoy!


1. I am the oldest of 5 kids.
2. I have 2 children, both boys.
3. I am a stay at home mom who has a hard time staying home.
4. I like riding four wheelers and motorcycles, but I don’t like going very fast.
5. I have been skydiving.
6. I played the violin for about 7 years.
7. I was born in Utah.
8. I have lived in too many states to count, currently Utah and recently Hawaii.
9. I don’t like the beach nearly as much as I thought I would.
10. I am afraid I will get eaten by a shark while swimming in the ocean.
11. I have been surfing and loved it.
12. I enjoy having everything in its place, but I can’t seem to keep it there.
13. I hate housework.
14. I love going out to lunch.
15. I enjoy baking, but I am not that good at it.
16. My favorite food is Mexican and I secretly wish my husband would take on a second wife who was Mexican and would cook for me everyday.
17. I loved to play softball as a kid, and I was pretty good at it.
18. I love to watch football and soccer.
19. I always wished that I could sing well, but never had the talent.
20. I still love Matchbox Twenty even after all these years.
21. I got a scholarship to attend college, but I never graduated.
22. I exercise at the gym 4-5 times a week.
23. I hate the Doodlebops.
24. I love Dr. Pepper.
25. I don’t love chocolate like most girls. I prefer licorice or caramel.
26. I love going for walks with my kids.
27. I have nightmares almost every night.
28. When I am employed I am a workaholic.
29. I enjoy making quilts, but I currently don’t own a sewing machine.
30. I thoroughly enjoy ice cream.
31. I brush my teeth at least 3 times a day, usually more.
32. I go camping only because my boys like it.
33. I have never been “cool”.
34. I always have felt like I would give birth to twins.
35. I have given birth to huge babies. 9lbs and 9lbs 8oz.
36. My bigger baby was delivered naturally.
37. I have been to Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, The White House, the Golden Gate Bridge, the St. Louis Arch, and the Statue of Liberty.
38. I took French in college.
39. Neither my husband or I were old enough to rent a car on our honeymoon. We rented scooters instead.
40. I love the way I feel when I wake up really early in the morning. I am just too lazy to do it very often.
41. My dream car is a BMW X5. So cute!
42. I was on the school newspaper in high school.
43. I wish that I would have kept in touch better with friends I have made along the way.
44. I have always wanted to go to France.
45. I hate watching the Discovery Channel.
46. I love being surprised.
47. I hate driving in the rain.
48. I have hit a deer while driving a Honda civic.
49. I love seeing the differences and similarities in my children.
50. I love having the whole family in bed together in the morning.
51. I hate swimming.
52. I don’t like cats or dogs.
53. I don’t mind being puked on, peed on, or boogers wiped on me as much as I thought I would.
54. I double and triple check the locks on the doors every night before I go to bed when Darrell is out of town.
55. I love reading gossip magazines while I run on the treadmill.
56. I love scented candles, but can’t keep them lit for very long, because one of the boys blows them out.
57. I love finding cash that I have forgotten about.
58. I am always freezing cold at a movie theatre.
59. I am very thankful to have a washer and dryer.
60. I am a single parent 10 days on and 4 days off.
61. I hate introducing myself in a new ward. I have done it too many times.
62. I have become a much more affectionate person since getting married.
63. I love to help or serve others and do it often without recognition.
64. I have grown to like children and enjoy them more since being in the nursery and babysitting in Hawaii.
65. I enjoy hiking with my family.
66. I am a bit of a pack rat, but I really try hard not to be.
67. I waste too much time surfing the net.
68. The first boy I remember having a crush on was Sam Barlow in 1st grade.
69. I went to a private school from age 3 until part way through 3rd grade.
70. My favorite tv show is Bones.
71. I know that I am extremely competitive so I often give up or don’t try so I don’t hurt anyone’s feelings or so that I don‘t get upset if I lose.
72. I love crushed ice.
73. I like to make a budget and when we don’t stick to it I get a little crazy.
74. I enjoy reading, but I don’t do it as much as I should.
75. I am terrified of going to the dentist.
76. I have never had a real manicure or pedicure.
77. I have extremely long eyelashes and have to buy sunglasses that don’t touch them.
78. I love inside jokes.
79. I love having 2-3 best friends rather that having a larger group of friends.
80. I love spending alone time with Darrell, but it doesn’t happen as often as I would like.
81. I hate drinking milk.
82. I have lived on an Indian Reservation.
83. I enjoy beating my husband at bowling.
84. I am very interested in getting my food storage and I wish I had my own home to keep it all in.
85. I am a little sad every time I drop Collin off to preschool.
86. I talk too much.
87. I have lots of freckles and I always wished I had perfect ivory skin. The older I get the more I accept them though.
88. I currently do not own a tv. I have been borrowing my sisters tv since we got back from Hawaii.
89. I get along very well with my husband. We rarely argue.
90. I have a lot of travel tips and have seriously thought about writing a book them.
91. I have never needed glasses and I hope I never do.
92. I like to laugh, and I think that I am funny.
93. I don’t describe things as well as I think I do.
94. I still love getting birthday money.
95. I pierced my ears when I turned 8. I rarely wear earrings anymore, but my holes never fill in.
96. I love when my husband cooks. It’s rare, but he did cook me breakfast TWICE last week.
97. My favorite fire works are the really loud ones.
98. I wish that I had a live in maid/nanny.
99. Although I am generally laid back I can be stubborn.
100. I have never tried sushi. Just the thought of it makes me throw up a little.

Look What We Woke Up To!!

Watch Out For My Baby Bro

Here is Corley's latest football game. A professional photographer comes to every game and you can buy his pics. Here is a sample of them from last nights game. He is a receiver in for every other play and he is a linebacker. He is too skinny to be a linebacker, but what he lacks in weight he makes up in power! The kid holds his own. Royals sucks, but I still love my brother.
Here is Corley making a touchdown-
Look at this kid. Not 4 years old anymore is he, Lydia.

"Don't even think about it!"
Nice sack! Go #2!!

Fall is in the Air

The boys and I went collecting leaves up the canyon today. BEAUTIFUL!! We had so much fun. I love fall!

Simple idea to save $700 billion

Click here for the solution to all our financial problems!! So simple, so obvious, yet rarely used! So many people in $300,000+ houses that had no business in being in them in the first place. Quit keeping up with the Joneses. By the way, the bailout might give us warm fuzzies inside, but it's not a magic wand to fix everything. A little recession might just get our priorities back in line. Plus I am wanting to buy a house in about a year so I hope prices keep going down. :)

New Song

My brother, Corley, reminded me of this song. It's on his myspace playlist and I think it's just great! Enjoy, but put it on mute if the kiddos are around. :)

Eating Healthy

So here I am starting with new healthy eating habits. I don't eat terrible, but I definitely could do better. So I am asking for help from my blog readers, both of you. :) Send me recipes! Especially kid friendly ones. angelicagrannis@hotmail.com Do it! I need help!