Temple to Temple 5K #T2Trun

On July 24, a few of us decided to run/walk the Temple to Temple 5K in Provo, Utah.  Bright and early, we got up, got ready, and headed to the Provo Temple for the start of the run.

Here's a shot of the kiddos that joined us in the 5K run/walk.

Roni and I getting ready to go

And here's the starting line.

Did I get a picture of the finish line?  No, why would I do that????  I am a little bummed that there is no photo evidence of the finish line.  Oh well.

The Facebook page for the event says that between 10,000-12,000 people participated this year! Wowza, that is a ton.  I may have to participate in this run every year.

While Jared's Away....

Jared left early Monday morning for Timberline scout camp.  He won't be back until Saturday afternoon.

We literally could not shove one more thing into his pack.  I am sure he is having a great time.

So yeah, I spent Sunday night sewing on all of his patches... Remind me that the sticky stuff you can buy at the scout store is SO WORTH IT!

Anyway, in his absence, Nathan and Isaac's silliness has taken over our home.  I found these gems on my phone earlier this week.

Remember boys, any pictures I find on my phone just may end up on my blog.

Motherhood Monday - Obedience Through Our Faithfulness

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"...The challenges associated with having faith in Jesus Christ and obedience will be more difficult for some than others.... Each of us is a son or daughter of God, and we have a unique premortal and mortal story. Accordingly, there are very few one-size-fits-all solutions. And so I fully recognize the trial-and-error nature of life and, most importantly, the constant need of the second principle of the gospel, even repentance.

While some very intelligent and insightful people might believe our more complex time demands ever more complex solutions, I am far from convinced they are right. Rather, I am of the frame of mind that today’s complexity demands greater simplicity...

Too often we think of obedience as the passive and thoughtless following of the orders or dictates of a higher authority. Actually, at its best, obedience is an emblem of our faith in the wisdom and power of the highest authority, even God. When Abraham demonstrated his unwavering faithfulness and obedience to God, even when commanded to sacrifice his son, God rescued him. Similarly, when we demonstrate our faithfulness through obedience, God will ultimately rescue us.

Those who rely solely on themselves and follow only their own desires and self-inclinations are so limited when compared to those who follow God and tap into His insight, power, and gifts. It has been said that someone who is all wrapped up in himself or herself makes a very small package. Strong, proactive obedience is anything but weak or passive. It is the means by which we declare our faith in God and qualify ourselves to receive the powers of heaven. Obedience is a choice. It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence."

Taken from Elder L Tom Perry's Obedience through Our Faithfulness



I was reading this talk the other day and these passages really struck me, especially in relation to my feeling on motherhood.  I'm not going to share why today, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.  In your opinion, how does this apply to motherhood?  Do you think it applies at all?

Lehi Roundup Rodeo 2014

A week or so ago, we took the kids to the Lehi Roundup Rodeo.  It rained and it was cold, but we had a great time!

Keeping with my tradition of taking blurry pictures, I present to you the photos I snapped that night!  Also, I kept with the tradition of not taking any pictures of what we were actually watching.

Clara, Nathan, Isaac and Amelia trying to stay dry and watch the rodeo.

Clara loves to steal Nathan's hat.

What a handsome cownoy!

 
Isaac and Clara

 Amelia and Jared enjoying the rodeo.

The next two night, Nathan and I volunteered to usher at the rodeo.  The bonus of ushering was wearing a bright green vest!

Here we are on our first night.  Thankfully there wasn't any more rain!

And the second night of ushering was so HOT until the sun went down!!!  Here I am trying to hide from the sun by the bleachers.  Unfortunately in my hiding, I got too close to a hornets nest and got stung on my elbow and hand.

I stole some kid's hat so I could try to look like a cowboy with my husband, but the hat was way too small.

Such a good time with our family and a good time for Nathan and I ushering.

Big Flaky Biscuits

I came across this biscuit recipe a while ago on Pinterest, and wanted to give it a try.  You can find the original recipe here.  I adapted it slightly to make them plain.  These are delicious!

Big Flaky Biscuits

3 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 cubes unsalted butter, cold
1 1/4 cups milk

Preheat oven to 450.  Sift to combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. 

Cut butter sticks into 1 Tbsp chunks and add to bowl.  Using either a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until there are pea-size chunks or smaller.

Add milk and gently combine.  Save the measuring cup you used for the milk.  You will use the small amount of milk that is left in at the end.

Using either a pastry mat or your counter, flour the surface and turn out your dough.  Fold it over and gently knead your dough a few times to finish combining it and make it one complete mound.  Avoid adding any flour.  You want your dough to remain soft.

Use a rolling pin to roll out your dough to about a 3/4-inch thickness.  Use a biscuit cutter and cut out your biscuits and then place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. 

Quick tip: If you want crispier edged biscuits separate your biscuits so that they do not touch.  If you want your edges to be soft, place your biscuits on the baking sheet so that they barely touch.

Re-roll the leftover dough and cut out more biscuits.   (I have made this recipe several times and each time I get 11 normal size biscuits and 1 tiny biscuit from this recipe.) 

Once all of your biscuits are cut and arranged, use a brush (I usually use my finger) to lightly coat the top of each biscuit with the leftover milk.  (I told you to save it!)

Bake at 450 for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

These biscuits are big, very light and flaky and super tasty as well.  Don't let the time commitment scare you.  After you have made them one time, the recipe and rolling take a very minimal amount of time.  No, they are still not as quick as popping a tube from the fridge, but I feel better about what is in these. 

Camping for the 4th

This past weekend to celebrate the 4th of July, we went camping by the West Fork of the Duschesne with some of my family.  On our way to the camping spot, we stopped at Dairy Keen in Heber for a train burger. Love those!

Breaking with tradition, we didn't get in on the run, we stopped and went inside.  Clara couldn't' get enough of the train that circles the ceiling.

The next morning, Nathan and I snoozed in the hammock.

Later, we went on a little hike.  Look at that gorgeous view!

 A picture of the two of us on our hike.

Some sort of varmint that we saw on our hike.  We also saw a few does and a 2-point, but I didn't snap a picture of those.

 Nathan scoping out the camp of the Rainbow Family from across the valley.

The next day, we took some of the kids for a drive.  Clara stayed awake the whole time! and loved looking through the binoculars.

 The kids on our drive.

We had a great time!

Happiest of Happy Birthdays to My Nathan

He is the sour cream to my cayenne, the brake on my roller coaster, and the anchor for my heart.  I love this man!