BUTTERSCOTCH PULL APARTS- A CRISTMAS MORNING TRADITION

Mom used to make Butterscotch Pull Aparts every year for Christmas Morning breakfast. They are Yummy, like desert for breakfast.

Ingredients

• 1 package Rhodes Rolls, thawed
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 (3 3/4 ounce) package butterscotch pudding mix (regular, not instant) (the butterscotch is wonderful)) or 3 3/4 vanilla pudding mix (regular, not instant))
• mix
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
Directions
1.Grease a Bundt cake tube pan.
2.Srinkle 1/2 cup brown sugar in the bottom of pan.
3.Top evenly with 1/4 cup melted butter.
4.In bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar with the dry pudding mix and cinnamon.
5.With lightly floured hands (I did not bother), dip each piece of dough in the remaining butter and roll in sugar and pudding mix.
6.Layer evenly in prepared pan.
7.Let rise until double in size or until dough reaches just under top rim of pan.
8.Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.
9.Turn out of pan immediately and serve warm.

HOMEMADE GIFTS A CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITION

One of the traditions we have on Christmas Eve is exchanging homemade gifts with our extended family members.
Usually after Santa leaves the gift delivering free for all starts. This year Aunt Karen came up with an idea that was pure genius. She made boxes for each family group, so that we could put our gifts in the boxes when we arrived.

It made for a calmer more sane evening.

Each year I look forward to seeing what everyone came up with to make for Christmas.

I made the Wise Men for the Nativity Scenes I've been building for 3 years. These are the last 3 pieces of the set.

Cindy made a mix in a jar with these cute animals around them.

Chanelle made Hot Chocolate on a stick.

Lori made Christmas Ornaments.

Deirdra made bread and her & Kim both made Jam.
There were many other fun gifts not pictured.
THANK-YOU EVERYONE for the gifts!

CHRISTMAS EVE 2010 Part 2

Friday Night (Christmas Eve) we had our annual Christmas Party at Aunt Karen's house. We had a Ham dinner and then the fun began.
After a few of the kids showed their talents , Santa came.

We had the privilege of listening to Santa read the Christmas Story from Luke 2, before the children were called up 1 at a time to sit on his lap.

Jonah was less than thrilled at being on Santa's lap, but he liked his gift and Santa Bag.

Kal'el was having none of it.

Lyndi was Santa's best friend this year, she followed him all over.

Jordyn likes sitting on Santa's lap.

Hunter got scolded for tattling on his sister, but he still got his gift.

AJ still gets to sit on Santa's Lap.

Whisper is our newest family member, this was her 1st family party.

This is a rare good picture of Darrin, usually he moves so fast I get a lot of blur.

This was Kari's last time to sit on Santa's lap. She will be married before next Christmas.

Jenn & Brigham sat on Santa's lap in behalf of Baby Bunker, who will arrive before next Christmas.

CLICK HERE to see more pictures.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS EVE 2010 Part 1

We opened presents with Hunter and Jordyn Christmas Eve afternoon, since we wouldn't be spending any time with them on Christmas.

There were plenty of presents.

and of course, Christmas Stockings

Hunter got lots of Lego's, of the Harry Potter variety.

Jordyn got Princess & Hello Kitty stuff.

Jordyn will have fun making new crayons, with the Crayon Maker that Papa gave her.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HUNTER & JORDYN

GINGERBREAD MEN

While the kids were here for Jordyn's Birthday, Leanne made gingerbread men with them. Jordyn got to try rolling them out, while Hunter impatiently waited for his turn.

These are some of the gingerbread men they made.

Sunday afternoon after dinner the kids got to try decorating the cookies.

They were cute and tasted good too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDYN

Jordyn turned 7 on Dec 15, but since that was a school night we didn't celebrate until Saturday evening.
We had Pizza, vanilla cake with Pink icing and Strawberries (I didn't get a picture of it) and cookie dough ice cream for. dinner.

And, of course, there were presents.

I wrapped them so she had 1 for each year.

She was good with that, even though, a couple were just batteries.

We gave her a camera, pink of course.

Jordyn liked the video function. She and Hunter had a good time watching all of the silly things they recorded.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDYN!!

TOLLESON WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday Morning at 8AM we had our Ward Christmas Party.

We ate Waffles, Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Burritos & Muffins. It was a good breakfast.

After breakfast we had a program.

1st up were the Primary Children singing some fun Christmas Songs, Once There Was a Snowman, Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

They did a good job.

The children were followed by the young Men & Women, singing they're version of the 12 days of Christmas.

The Bishopric did a skit Hans & Franz. They were funny as usual.
The High Priests did a reading at the end, I didn't get a picture of them.
What Christmas Party would be complete without visit from Santa. (this isn't the Santa that was at the Ward Party, I didn't get a picture of him, so I borrowed a picture of Uncle Max.)

INTERVIEW ON A STORY BOOK WORLD

I was interviewed this weekend on A Story Book World about books and reading, by Deirdra. It was fun but kind of daunting to answer some of the questions.
Check out the interview HERE..

Deirdra & Mary

To learn more about Deirdra and her books

CLICK HERE.

SANDRA GREY BOOKSIGNING

Saturday afternoon I went to Deseret Book in Glendale to meet LDS Author Sandra Grey.
I admit I have never read any of her books, but I purchased Traitor, the 1st of  3 historical novels she has written.

"With war raging in Europe, the only way Marie can be with Felix is to join the Allied forces. However, as Marie parachutes into France to Join the Resistance, she not only lands into the arms of her fiancé, but also drops into the hands of the enemy.

Major Rolf Schulmann has been struggling between personal convictions and his duty to the German Fatherland. Now he must decide what to do with the captured fiancé of the man who gave him a new chance at life — a man he once loved as a brother. The Gestapo will do whatever it takes to dispose of Marie. If Rolf helps her escape he will have enemies on all sides. Is it a sacrifice he is willing to make? Can Marie possibly trust her life to a man torn between two masters?
Join acclaimed suspense writer Sandra Grey on a journey of unexpected twists and turns through the trenches of love, suspicion, and faith."
I am looking forward to reading it.
I had a good time meeting Sandra Grey and getting to know a little about her.
Sandra doesn't have a blog or a website yet, but you can find her books  at www.deseretbook.com, www.seagullbook.com & http://www.amazon.com/.

THANKSGIVING 2010

This year,since Dad has been in a care center for the past 2 months, we decided to fore go the traditional Thanksgiving Feast at Aunt Karen's house and have a quiet dinner at Dad's house.
We were able to get a pass to bring Dad home for a few hours, this afternoon.

We had all the traditional Thanksgiving foods

Turkey Breast & Corn Bread & Sausage Stuffing

Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Corn, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes & Cranberry Sauce

Gluten Free Rolls

and Gluten filled Crescent Rolls.

Desert went a bit against tradition, we had Pumpkin Cheese Cake

and Chocolate Mint Pie.

We were Thankful today to be able to bring Dad home for a short visit and hope to be able to bring him home permanently before Christmas.