Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

One of my passions in life is baking! Even though it is one of my passions, it tends to get me into trouble from time to time because I like to eat what I create and the remnants show up on my daire aire!

I have been trying to cut back in my sugar intake lately and wanted something sugary this past weekend. I immediately thought of this recipe to help fix my sweet tooth. I got this recipe from one of the sweetest older ladies in my ward in Southern Utah. She made and delivered these cookies to my house one afternoon to help cheer me up after Karmindy's Heart Surgery. I loved these cookies so much that I didn't leave one cookie for Mark to sample. Hence the name Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin cookies. I promise, they really are that good!

Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teas. Vanilla
1 1/2 c. All purpose flour
1 teas. Baking soda
1 teas. Cinnamon
1/2 teas. Salt (opt.)
3 c. Quick or Old Fashioned Oats, uncooked
1 c. raisins

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat together the butter and sugars until creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
4. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.
5. Stir in oats and raisins; mix well.
6. Drop by teaspoonfuls on greased baking sheet.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Let cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.
Makes about 4 dozen cookies. You can also make bar cookies! Bake for 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes in a greased 9X13 metal baking pan.
Last of All ENJOY!!

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Beating those winter blues...

Since moving to Northern Utah, I struggle with the winter months. I welcome the first snowfall of the year but after Christmas and New Years, the snow, cold days and inversion bring on the winter blues for me. Even though this time is hard on me, it is also hard on the kids. It isn't like I can just send them outside, because it is freezing out!!

I always look for ways to keep the kids occupied during these cold months but finding things that don't cost a lot of money can be difficult. This past Tuesday, one of my friends called me and in an effort to to heal those winter blues, we both decided to get our combined four rambunctious, stir crazy kids out of the house. Our destination was the South Towne Mall in Sandy. I love this mall! It has many fun things for the kids to get excited about. They have escalators, elevators, a carousel, train rides and last but not least, the indoor dinosaur park. The cost of the dinosaur park= $0 dollars. It is a carpeted gym area. It isn't much but to four stir-crazy home-bound kids, it is Disneyland. On this little outing, it was fun to watch my own kids get crazy with excitement as they slid down slides, looked in the funny mirrors, stepped in the dinosaur tracks, spun the gigantic globe, and rode the swimming dinosaur. Kaleb and Karmindy had a blast and they enjoyed playing with their friends. Afterwards, I took them to the candy store and we got smarties and gummy bears. Our little excursion cost me a whole $3 plus the gas to get to the mall. Next time I might really slurge and let them ride the train and the carousel. From one home bound stir crazy mom to another, what do you do to help fight those cold, winter day blues??Karmindy riding the Water Dinosaur!Round and Round the gigantic globe goes, where it stops only Kamindy knows!Sliding down the dinosaur slide!Matthew, Luke and Kaleb having fun in a motorized car!Playing in the dinosaur hide out!
Kaleb's friend Matthew. My own kids wouldn't really let me take their picture but Matthew was up for it! I had to post this picture- too cute!

There is a new Sheriff in Town....

It isn't like this little lady doesn't run the household already! Karmindy is such a diva and has such a fiery little personality! The past few weeks she has just been a little Chatty Kathy. She is doing so well on saying words and communicating to everyone that is around. I am sure that we are the only ones that can understand her but that is ok. Karmindy loves to talk and I think she may give me a run for my money. I do have to get my "10,000 words in" for the day quota. I am sure that Mark would verify this little tidbit to be true of his wife. I do believe that Karmindy will have me beat once everything she says makes sense!

It has been so fun to see Karmindy's personality emerge the past few months. She really does love to entertain others but has to be in the mood for it or else she snubs you. I have learned not to take offense to this because she does it to others too. It is very funny when I take her shopping and strangers will get in her face and tell her she is "So Cuuuuttte!" She looks at them or turns her head away as if to say, "Hello! Thanks for stating the obvious! I know I am cute, and your wasting my time!" I think Mark and I will have our hands full with this little lady. I know we already do.
Kaleb got a lot of fun gifts from his birthday party, but there is one gift that Karmindy has taken a liking to. It is Kalebs cowboy guns. She loves to wear the holdster around the house and chase her big brother with the guns. Talk about a little tease.
When I took these pictures she was making a snorting sound with her nose but if you didn't know that little piece of info then it just looks like this little lady means business- which is all the time! What a character! We love you Miss Dee Dee!
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Aarrrrrgggg Maties!

For the past year Kaleb has been talking about having a Pirate Birthday party. He talked about this for months and months in advance before his birthday. I didn't want him to be disappointed and so after Christmas I went to work putting things together! Yesterday was the big day!

When Kalebs friends came to the door, we put a pirate dew rag on each of the kids heads and gave them a silvery skull ring to wear. After that the kids sat up to the kitchen table and colored and personalized their own pirate hat. I got the pirate hats from a restaurant down in St. George. It is called Pirate Island pizza. The pirate hats were seriously so stinkin' cute!

The birthday boy so excited for his party!A few of Kalebs friends personalizing their Pirate Hats!
LtR: Caleb Bradford, Jaxon Trimble, Kaleb, Sterling Lund and Sydney Searle

After the kids colored and personalized their pirate hats, we opened presents and then played a game, "Pin the Eye patch on the Pirate Skull." The kids had so much fun. I was really proud of myself too because I made the whole game. I drew the skull and decorated it and then laminated it and each individual eye patch.


After the game we all went back into the kitchen for cake and icecream. After birthday cake and icecream, we went on a treasure hunt. I am not very poetic but I am married to a man who writes beautiful poetry for me on occasion, so I ropped Mark into helping me with the Treasure hunt clues. I also made a treasure map for Kaleb since he was the Captain of his party crew.

Our Treasure Hunt went Like this:


Arrrggg Maties! Welcome to Blackbeards Treasure hunt!
To find the treasure it won't take long, all you have to do is play a little song! (The kids then had to go and find where you would play a song. We had the clue stuck to our piano)

#2-If you are cold, this is the place to be, It will have you warmed up in one, two, three. (This clue led the kids to the fireplace in our front room)

#3- when your clothes get covered in dirt and grime, this place will get them clean every time. (This clue led them to my laundry room, the next clue was stuck to the dryer)

#4- You are coming far along the path, now let's go and take a bath! ( This clue led the kids to the Bathroom Tub)

#5-You're almost there you Landlubber, lastly go where you would cook your supper. (My treasure chest with the kids goodie bags were hiding in the stove.)

The kids loved the Treasure Hunt! Mark and I only wish we would've written a few more clues because by the time the kids got into it and understood how to play it was over. Oh well, you live and learn. Also I am kicking myself because I forgot to take pictures of all Kaleb's friends that were at his party. Another thing that you live and learn from.

After the Treasure hunt we turned the kids loose and let them go play until their parents showed up to pick them up.


Mark and I felt like the party was a success! The kids seemed to have fun especially Kaleb. The most rewarding part of the day was when Kaleb came up and said thank you for throwing him a pirate party! I love the little rewards of motherhood. I am so Glad Kaleb enjoyed his 5th Birthday Party!
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This month is such a special one.....

It's Birthday Time for Kaleb! I can't believe it... My little boy has turned the BIG 5 YEARS OLD!!! How did time fly by so fast? I feel like It was only yesterday that we had him and that my baby nurse handed him to me all bundled up and smelling so good.

It has been really hard for me to come to the realization that my little guy is getting older and that must mean that I am too! YIKES! It is fun though to watch him grow and learn. He is loving preschool and looks forward to it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The past few weeks he has "graduated" and is bringing books home to read to Mark and Myself. Crazy! He is doing very well with his reading. Kaleb is really smart( I am not just saying that because I am his mom- wink, wink) and I marvel at how quickly he learns and catches on to things. He is really good with his hands and loves to build things. He can take things apart and put things back together at the drop of a hat. He loves Legos and will look at the pictures and recreate things by just looking at them! (Maybe he will be a future architect or even a surgeon and make his parents lots of money!) He also has one of the best memories of anyone I know. He will ask me all the time, "Mom, do you remember when we went and did that?" What is funny is that it will have been something that has happened several years ago, which would make him 1 1/2 or 2 at the time. Most of the time I have forgotten but will remember when he tells me about the memory he has had. Amazing!!
All in all, I love this stage and enjoy watching my little man grow and learn...

Kaleb was so excited for his birthday this year that he could hardly stand it. On several occasions I would hear him singing Happy Birthday to himself as he got ready in the morning. The funniest moment was when I knew he was in the bathroom doing "his business" and he was singing at the top of his lungs, "This month is such a special one, it's birthday time for me!" Yes, he takes after his mom, not that I singing on the throne but in the effect that I love birthdays, parties or anytime to celebrate. My family will all agree about this and they give me such grief about my enthusiasm for any type of celebration. I am the one that gets giddy like a little school girl thinking about presents, party planning and of course the food! Even though I get teased relentlessly, I am glad that I have passed down this "zest" for taking joy in the little things in life to Kaleb.
On the day of Kaleb's birthday he had preschool and it was also his VIP (very important person) day. On this special day, the moms get to bring in their child's favorite treat to share and also a poster board of them featuring pictures and information about their likes and dislikes. Kaleb loved being the center of attention! He got to wear a (yellow- his favorite color) crown for the whole entire class and be the teachers special helper. I went in the first part of class and talked a little bit about Kaleb's favorite things. I made a poster board with a ton of pictures on it and of course Kaleb's favorite things listed on it. Kaleb wanted to take Chocolate Milk to share with his class and all the kids loved having their own little cup with drinking straw of chocolate milk. (I found the cutest paper cups with lids and matching straws at Walmart for a screamin' price!)
After Preschool, I picked him up and we went to Smith's to go and pick up his birthday cake. Kaleb requested a Pirate Birthday Cake. He is loving anything that has to do with Pirates these days!Kaleb with his Pirate of the Caribean Cake!Kaleb with his presents!Kaleb loves his Play-Doh Hamburger Builder! Thanks Nanna D and Grandpa D!I found this cute bomber jacket at Wal-Mart and I just couldn't pass it up! Doesn't Kaleb look so handsome in leather?Kaleb with his razor scooter. He has loved riding it in our basement since it is still to cold to be outside much.
That night after Mark got home from work we opened presents and then we went to Chilis (Kalebs request) for dinner. Kaleb seemed to really enjoy his day!

Twas the Month After Christmas!

I over did it this year! Yet again! My holiday eating has yet again taken its toll on my body. I am patiently waiting for the sun to appear through the dreary cloudiness and inversion that graces the Northern Utah skies. Until the sun appears, I will dream of warmer weather so I can go walking/running, enjoy the fresh air and maybe lose some of this holiday weight that I have packed on... I just had to share this darling poem that a dear cousin sent me via email. She always forwards me the cutest stuff. I hope you enjoy this poem as much as I did. Happy dieting to myself and those of you who will be joining me as I try to slim down in 2010!

Twas the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,
the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales
there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store
(less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend a Summer, disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

A sprinkle or Flowers....

And a couple of Kisses, soon Ross and Kamberee will be Mr. And Mrs!! I can't wait for my little sister to get married. She is marrying a great guy and he is such a great asset to our family.

This past Thursday (1/7/10), Mark, the kids and myself drove to Southern Utah so I could help throw my sister Kamberee a Bridal Shower. We decided to throw her a grocery bridal shower, in hopes that we could help her and soon-to-be hubby stock their pantry before the big day. The bridal shower was a huge success and I don't think that they will have to buy groceries for several months after the big day!

I love to socialize, and planning any type of get together is so fun for me. It was especially fun because I got to work with my best friends-my sisters. I had so much fun several months before the big gathering.... visiting with my sisters about the menu, party favors, decorations and of course ways to embarrass Kamberee. I think we succeeded. My sister Amber and I made her this apron to wear during the shower. It was a grocery shower after all. We decided she needed to have something cute to wear while she is using all those groceries and making something yummy for her hubby to eat. We also made her wear a purple, furry tiara. Kamberee was a spoil sport and didn't wear it for to long but I was able to snap this picture. Doesn't she look thrilled....?

I know Kam will probably be mad at me for posting this picture but "What are sisters for?"

I love ya Sis!Kamberees apron says: "Mrs. Stratton" in rhinestones. I am sure she appreciated the bedazzled look! I sewed the purple ribbon and bows along it. It turned out really cute and I was proud of my sewing ability, even though it isn't much! I am also grateful to my mom for letting me use her sewing machine at the last minute.

Here I am with my cute sisters....LtoR: Tiffany, Me and Amber

Here I am with my best friends and partners in crime....
My mom, Tiffany, me, and Amber

Group Shot: My mom, Kamie, Kamberee, Amber, Tiffany, and Me! I love these ladies!

I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with my sisters and my mom. I appreciate all of you and your hard work in helping to pull off a wonderful evening for Kamberee. I love you all!

Grandpa & Grandma are their names....

SPOILIN' THE GRAND KIDS IS THEIR GAME!! My two beautiful children have been blessed with the best two sets of Grandparents. Both sides are very attentive and spoil my kids rotten. First with LOVE and then with Gifts. Very seldom do my children leave their homes with out some type of special treat or gift. This past weekend, we traveled to Southern Utah to visit both of our families. The purpose of our trip was so that I along with my sisters could throw our sister Kamberee a bridal shower. During our visit, We stayed with my parents for the weekend but found the time to also take off and Visit Mark's parents who live in Santa Clara.

Both of my kids look forward to going to visit Nana-D and Grandpa DeMille and also Grandma Rizbey and G-Bob.

When we stay at my parents home, Kaleb loves to follow my dad around the yard and help him gather the eggs from the chicken coup and he also loves to help Grandma in the kitchen make yummy things to eat and also remind her to buy new toys for her playroom down stairs. Each time we visit my parents, my mom buys a new toy to add to her toy collection. Kaleb and Karmindy both love being the first to try out the new toys. The latest addition that my mom has been working on is gathering all the rooms and dolls for the doll house that her and my dad made for us girls when we were little. The cute little dolls and doll house rooms are called, "The loving family." Kaleb always asks, "Grandma? Did you buy any more loving family stuff for me?" Talk about spoiled!!!!

I also have to jot down some of the cute things the kids said while visiting my parents this time around.

Kaleb: "Grandpa? Are you ready to go out and lay an egg with me?" Meaning- Grandpa, can we go outside and collect the eggs from the chicken coup?

On Sunday morning, my dad took Kaleb down to the corral before we left to come home so Kaleb could see the goldfish that are in the water trough and also to go gather the chicken eggs. While they were down there, I grabbed Karmindy and took her down so she could go and see the Chickens (she calls them Chichens). When Kaleb saw me he came running up to me to show me the eggs he collected. He said, "Hey Mom, feel this egg!" "It is still warm, because the chicken just had it!" So funny....

Along with helping Grandpa in the yard, both Kaleb and Karmindy love sitting on Grandpas tractor.Kaleb and Karmindy love driving Grandpa DeMille's Tractor.

On Friday night during our visit to Southern Utah we drove to Santa Clara to visit Grandpa and Grandpa Frisbey. They wanted to celebrate Kalebs upcoming birthday, so they invited us over for dinner (orange chicken/Lo Mien/egg drop soup), cake and ice cream and presents. One of Kalebs favorite main dishes is Orange Chicken. We had a fun time celebrating Kaleb's birthday with them and also with Aunties and Uncles. Kaleb was really spoiled and got many great gifts from his grandparents and from his Aunties and Uncles. Here are a few pictures from our visit to Grandpa And Grandma Rizbeys House.

Grandpa Rizbey, Kaleb, and Grandma RizbeyKaleb getting ready to blow out his birthday candles!

We are so grateful for such wonderful parents who are constantly their for us and also for our kids!! We love you all!

Primary Bulletin Boards & Birthday Bucket

This past Tuesday I had a Primary Presidency Meeting and I found out our Ward was in charge of decorating the Primary room this year. When the Primary President asked who would be willing to do it. I volunteered, but never did I realize how much time I would spend executing this assignment. I will never take for granted again the time that people put into making something as simple as a bulletin board. I have never done bulletin boards before and thus I had to pull the inner Teacher out of me..... I was so stressed that it had to be done by this Sunday that after our Primary meeting on Tuesday, I came home and went to work looking for ideas online. Bless this popular site. I don't know what I would have done had I not had some idea for a launching pad. I know that I followed pretty close to the ideas given but I did put my own twist on things. I also couldn't have executed the job with out the help of one of my best friends Carlynn. She is also in the Primary Presidency with me. Carlynn helped me by looking for ideas as well, helped with input and came and helped me put things together. What a life saver.

We completed this assignment on Thursday afternoon (New Years eve). It took me two whole day to complete!

Here is the finished bulletin boards....This year we are talking about Christs life and how we Know he lives! Each picture along the path focus' on some aspect of his life. I learned a lot from this!Here is the 2010 Scripture/Theme Along with the Picture for this year: " For I know that my Redeemer Liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."
Job 19:25I love this picture of Christ with all my heart. I really want a huge copy of my own to hang in my home.On this Bulletin Board I put some of the I knows... That the kids should know.
Since our Theme this year is, "I Know My Savior Lives," I thought it would be nice to have them see some other things that they know. For example: I am a Child of God, The scriptures are true, Pres. Monson is a Prophet of God, etc.



This year for the Primary Children's Birthdays we are giving them these:

I can't take credit for designing these. The primary president designed them. They are called Birthday Bishop Bucks. The kids present these birthday bucks to the Bishop and he in turn shakes their hand and gives them a huge candy bar for their birthday. We thought that this would be a good way to have the kids get to know their bishop. This is the bucket that I made to put the Birthday Bishop Bucks in. I thought it turned out so cute.....I just took an unused paint can and covered it with cute scrapbook paper. I added a few stickers and embellishments and ribbon and Viola!

New Years Resolutions....

My New Years Resolutions for 2010 are:

1-To train and run at least two 5ks this next year.

2-Start reading my scriptures or a story from the Ensign at least 3x's a week!

3- To step back, and count my blessing and to not dwell on the hard times that may come along.

4- To be a better mom and wife, and enjoy the moment with my sweet kids and Handsome Husband. I don't want to wish this time away... Example: "I will be happy when the kids get this old."


5- To live in the moment and live like today might be my last day on earth. Maybe it sounds morbid, but what I mean is to just enjoy the little things in life that can bring us so much delight. (The small and simple things like The smell of a rose, rain, baby lotion, chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, the birth of a new baby, and spending time with family and friends.