Time Change!

Rachel is 8! Her baptism will be Saturday, May 9th at 1:00. This is a change in time from what I originally posted. Hope to see you all there!

Cupcakes!

Today during Conference sessions we made these cool fondant decorated cupcakes. I read about them on Pioneer Woman and decided to give it a try. I found a great fondant recipe on the internet, and much to my surprise, it worked! I had never even tasted fondant before so I had no idea how it should turn out. This whole thing appealed to me because it looked more like a craft project than a baking project. The kids had a great time creating the designs. It was kind of like playing with playdough only more edible. However, when we ate the cupcakes, we just peeled off the fondant. It's better as a decoration.

Here's the whole bunch arranged into a heart by Erin.

Kevin decorated the cupcakes on the top left and the bottom right.

Erin did the one on the top right.

Rachel's cupcake is on the bottom left.

Camille did the flower with the pink center.

Picassa and scrapbooking

I recently took a class where I learned about Picasa. I never knew what a great tool it is. It's a FREE download from Google that stores and edits your photos. The best thing is the collage maker. I can make a collage, download it into an online scrapbooking program (Shutterfly.com is my favorite-also free until you order) and have an easy scrapbook page done! The biggest drawback to Shutterfly is that I couldn't always find the right template for my pictures. Now the problem is solved. Also, another site, Blurb.com can change your blog into a book. A blog into a blurb. Blurb your blog. How cool is that? I haven't used it yet, but it sounds promising. Now I really can justify my blog as family history...ha, ha! Picasa is also great for blogging. I just click on the pictures and hit the blog button in Picasa, and it easily uploads much faster than browsing through the computer for the pictures I want. Well, this is my tech tip of the year. Hope you all enjoyed it.

(P.S. I also had to make a teacher blog for the class I took. That is why my name is now showing up as Mrs. Graf. I'm not trying to be all formal. I should have signed up for it under a totally different email and name, but I didn't think about that until too late. Someday I will change it.)

We Love to See the Temple

We have loved our opportunities to tour the Draper Temple. We've been as a family and also had chances to tour the temple as volunteers helping with refreshments, working security, or serving as ushers. Our youth were able to clean the temple. Before they working as cleaners, they had a short fireside followed by a private tour given by our stake president. He spent a few minutes in the baptistry, sealing rooms, and celestial rooms talking to them. What a wonderful way to learn about the importance of temples! It's been fun having family come up and stay with us and tour the temple. We feel blessed to be able to participate in this unique opportunity.

Krysta's 19th Birthday

Krysta turned 19 last month. As you can tell the party was in full swing as the birthday song was belted out. At what age do you stop putting the appropriate number of candles on the cake? Curt and I certainly don't have room on our cakes, but when does this actually occur?

Valentine's Love Story

For those of you in the mood for a great Valentine love story follow this LINK. It's a true story, very romantic (and clean) posted by a woman in Oklahoma. I warn you it may be addicting, and since there's already 30 chapters (it's not finished), you may want to wait until you have a while to read. Scroll down to the bottom to start at chapter one. Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy New Year

Below is a list of our "New Year's Resolutions." I didn't have time to figure out my Adobe Elements to change the cat's eyes, so I left them. I think it may help explain her curious hold over our family, however.

Curt: To figure out how our new kitten came to rule the house. [“You can only have a cat if it stays outside….The cat can only be inside if you stay with it.…The cat can only sleep inside if it’s really cold….The cat can only sleep inside every night if it stays in the laundry room….Apparently, the cat can do anything it wants.”]

Sydna: To exercise and eat right every day. Okay, at least don’t eat as much bad stuff. Well, how about just eat and move everyday?
Krysta : To get mom and dad to let her keep her car, rather than just being able to borrow it every so often. Learning to live on your own and pay your own way is expensive. Also, to get a good grade in anatomy so she can get into the Dental Hygiene program.
Kevin : To get taller. At barely age 15 and nearly 6’2”, he has a fear of being considered short. His other goals are to continue getting straight A’s and to eat everything in site.
Erin : To help Kevin get a cell phone. This is NOT motivated by unselfish, sisterly love. She figures if he gets one before he’s 16 (which is the family rule) she’ll be able to get one at an even younger age. She also wants to keep up the straight A’s so she can have bragging rights with Kevin.
Camille : To have a room full of American Girl dolls and their accessories. (or their much less expensive equivalent) Also, she wants to continue to write and illustrate her own stories.
Rachel : To own a horse. She still doesn’t understand why we can’t keep a small pony in the backyard. If she can’t have a horse, she wants to take horse-gymnastic lessons. (Who thinks of these sports?)

Phish (the cat): To continue my reign as the Supreme Couch Queen, Ruler of All I See.