Twilight Mania!

I am sure many of your blogger friends are going to have this posted on their blog, so I will make this quick!

Yesterday I did it. I went and saw the highly anticipated movie Twilight. I took Todd with me, and was shocked at the outcome. I hated it, but Todd loved it! I did not like this Edward (he was way too intense), I did not like this Jasper (he was way too creepy), and the whole movie was a bit awkward. I didn't get to know the characters in the movie! I didn't get to feel Edward and Bella's connection at all, instead it felt like a weird obsession. The only thing I liked from this movie was Bella. In the books I cant stand her, but the movie gave her a little somethin' somethin' that I didn't get from the book. Her mannerism's really came out and helped me appreciate her more.

I have talked to many people who have enjoyed the movie, so if you haven't seen it, go see it. It was worth it, but it just wasn't my Edward!!!

Connect the Dots...

After a season of long hard work it finally paid off. We have a yard full of grass!!!
We are so excited!! We have moved from house to house so quickly in the past, that we have never gotten to enjoy the yards we have put in. This time we are here to enjoy and take care of it!! Yay!!

Kaylee also loves the yard! She loves having grass to lay on, and hundreds of spots to tinkle! Unfortunately with that excitement comes her polka dots!! Large dogs have a large amount of nitrate in their urine that can kill the grass if its not watered enough. Well we are on secondary water, and it was shut off about a month ago. So the spots are getting bad!! Check it out..
I would show more, but the grass is frosted over this morning so I cant get any good shots!!! We love you Kaylee, but so help us if you kill our grass!!!

I'm really sad

I don't like to get political, but I think it is time I say my part.

Living in Utah is not where I wanted to end up. Todd and I have both felt like this is not our last stop, but while we have been here we have loved it. The peace and safety that the mountains bring is comforting, our ward is amazing, and I take comfort knowing that Temple Square is just south, and the church is so well known here so you would think discrimination would be minimal. Since Prop 8 passed Utah has been home to a few protests, vandalism, and threats. Last Sunday night there was a protest down town at temple square, thousands of people went down and walked the streets making their point of view known. This past weekend there have been seven churches vandalized, people have shot out windows and spray painted the walls. Then just yesterday in Colorado a Book of Mormon was found burning on the door step of an LDS church building.

I am sad. We all knew this was going to happen, but I didn't think we would see this much so soon. Our Heavenly Father has made it known that we are protected by Him as long as we are doing what we need to be doing. (Ether 2:8-10) I guess my question is, are we?

I hope this resolves soon and we go back to the way the founding fathers wanted and established this great country, a God fearing and respecting nation!!

Prince of Peace

For the longest time I have been enthralled with Liz Lemon Swindle's picture of Christ, Prince of Peace. For some reason this picture captivates me. I remember the first time I saw it. I was flipping through a Deseret Book catalog and there it was, in the center of the page. In this picture Christ looks so...real. For some reason this pictures triggers moments for me that I cant explain. I feel like this is how I remember him. The look of compassion, humility, understanding, love, and desire to be near me makes me tremble.

Deseret has this on sale right now and I am finding it hard to stay away from. I love my Savior, and this is the way I know him. This picture has always been uber pricey, so I went out and bought it in a scripture sized portrait for .89 cents, and use it as a bookmark in my scriptures. If I ever need to see my Savior I can just look in my scriptures and find his face. (Literally and figuratively)

Yummy yummy yummy...

Every evening Todd will come home from work and snack on pretzels. I hate pretzels!! I hate the amount of salt they put on those little things, I hate the crunchiness of them, and I hate how thirsty I am afterwords!! So last night I decided to make the only pretzels I have ever loved, the mall pretzels!! Yummy yummy yummy!! They were super easy and really really good. Anyone can make these...anyone!!
I topped half with salt and the other half with sugar/cinnamon!! You should all try these for your family, they are best right out of the oven..

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/8 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup bread flour
• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt
  

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast, brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Stir in flour, and knead dough on a floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface. Cover, and let rise for one hour.
2. Combine 2 cups warm water and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan.
3. After dough has risen, cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner. Twist into a pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solution. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets, and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt, garlic salt or cinnamon sugar.

Born to Teach...

It was an amazing Sunday. Can I just mention how great my wife Brittany is. In Fast and Testimony meeting today, Brittany gets up and shares one of the most beautiful testimonies i have ever heard, fluttering everyone's heart with love for our Savior and his Gospel. During the 2nd hour she then proceeds to teach Gospel Doctrine. In a room full of very knowledgeable saints, she taught on the scattering of Israel and building the New Jerusalem, a topic not so easily conveyed. I have never felt the spirit so prevalent in that hour as I did today during her lesson. The room was captivated by a Sweet Beautiful daughter of God who sincerely taught of Zion. As a husband, I sat proudly as many remarked on the great lesson she so diligently prepared. I wish all of you were there, she did so well. I love you Brittany.