Cookie Recipe

Due to popular demand... here is the cookie recipe that I talked about a few posts back:

Cake Mix Cookies

1 box betty crocker cake mix

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

1 egg

1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add the chocolate chips and mix. Sometimes I don't even use the entire cup of chocolate chips, but it is something close to a cup. Roll the new creation into little one inch balls. Cover them in sugar ( I like to put my sugar in a regular sized bowl and just spin those dough balls around ). Place them on a cookie sheet. I can usually fit about 18 on one. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until the cookies begin to crack. Let them sit for about 45 minutes to about an hour so they don't fall apart while you eat them. Last, eat those delicious bundles of joy....... every last one of them!

Just Thinking About....

...these people today.

I often catch myself trying to figure out how I can become a better person than I am. My mind wanders to this picture. I have been so blessed in my life to be able to call these nine wonderful people my siblings.

By your example, I continue to learn:

how to maintain strong relationships, the importance of service, patience, how to treat your companion, how to put the Lord first in all things, how to parent, how to be passionate about what you love to do, how to be strong in difficult times, how to keep an eternal perspective, acceptance, compassion, the importance of an education, how to make good decisions, how to take care of one another, and most importantly, what love truly is.

I miss you all everyday and can't wait for the time when we can all be back together again.

Love you.

Paiute Trail

I have a confession to make.

I am addicted to chocolate cake cookies.

There. I said it.

My fabulous mother-in-law introduced me to these glorious cookies and every time I make a batch, they are gone in one day. No exaggeration people. I guess it probably doesn't help that my husband has the same addiction. It sure makes the cookies go a lot faster when there's two of us going at them like starving ducks fighting after bread crumbs.

I made some tonight to thank some people in our ward that have helped us out so many times since we have moved in. They are probably just going to have to wait until I make another batch... that we will try really hard not to eat.

Moving on to what this post is really supposed to be about: The Paiute Trail. Spencer's parents invited us to tag along with them as they rode the Paiute Trail this summer. We had a blast! It's been a long time since I camped without running water for three whole days. I forgot how much I really enjoy camping though. Call me crazy, but I don't mind sleeping in a tent and there is just something about being in nature that is calming to me.

Without further ado and in no particular order, here are some pics for you to enjoy.

My favorite pic of the whole trip:

He totally looks like the little boy on "Up" doesn't he?!

This kind of reminds me of Jurassic Park :)

My sweet husband decided that it would be only right that he collected a variety of wildflowers as we drove everyday. Here is my bouquet on the second day in particular:

The next picture was taken after we rode through a HUGE puddle. It was actually part of a river. If you look on Spencer's shirt on his collar, you will see a tiny spot that is a lighter gray color. That is the only spot that was left dry. A-mazing.

Last Call!

Ok friends, this is your last call. I'm going PRIVATE this week. If you haven't left your email, please do so now! That is if you want to keep on reading, of course.

More updates... coming soon. :)