Shepherd's Cookies

This last weekend we had a ward activity where the Elders in the ward were doing a service to the sisters by washing our cars, fixing bikes and laptops. In return we did a service by providing some of the food for the BBQ. I made a potato salad and cookies. The potato salad turned out really well and a lot of people came up to me and told me how good it was. One brother in the ward who doesn't like potato salad heard I had made it and so he decided to try it because he has eaten my at my house before and knows how good the food is I make. After he tried it he came up to me and told me how much he liked it. Also Brother White (Counselor in the Bishopric) told me that it was a great salad and then at church he came up to me again and told me how good he thought it was. Then he said my wife make a really good one too and I hope she doesn't think I don't like hers now that I have talked about how good yours was. I just laughed at him and thought that was funny.

On to the Cookies look at these

Don't you just want to take one and start eating one? I know you do. Well I would love to share the recipe with you but then I wouldn't have my special cookies anymore. And plus I use to share it with people and they would always come back and tell me the cookies didn't turn out the same as when I make them. So If you would like to try my specialty cookies just let me know and I will make up a batch to share with you. In the past when I have made these before I use to use just white chocolate chips. But this time I didn't have enough white chips so I looked in the cupboard to see what I had and I had three open bags: white chips, semi-sweet, and milk chocolate. So I put them all in and I think the semi-sweet and the white chips really compliment each other. Now I might be telling you to much to help you to enhance your cookies in the future. But this was something new I ran across and isn't my secret ingredient to these cookies. Because it has the left over chips in it that is why I have named them Shepherd's cookies.

Many people also came up and told me how good they thought the cookies were. If you would like to know for yourself so you don't have to take my word or those who have tried them just let me know and I will make you some.

ENJOY!

Banana Marble Bread

Sunday I decided to whip up some banana bread to use up some very ripe bananas. I like banana bread but not many people in my family do. So I searched in Mom's cookbook and I couldn't find a recipe. I guess she didn't think anyone would ever like it so there was no need in putting a recipe in the book. No worries for that, when you have the internet. I searched online and found a recipe. It called for 2 1/3 cups of bananas but I had less than two cups so I added apple sauce to make up the difference. It turned out really tasty. The other thing I did to make it a little different is after I put the banana bread mixture in the pans I took some chocolate ice cream topping and swirled it around to add a marble look.

I couldn't wait for the bread to be done cooking. It smelled so yummy and I was anticipating the wonderful flavor. It lived up to my anticipations and was very delicious. If you like Banana Bread and want to try something different add some chocolate. It was super moist and you can't taste the apple sauce. Very tasty. Great treat for a Sunday afternoon.

Hudson River

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to drive to West Point Military Academy to attend a fireside where Elder Jeffery R Holland spoke. It was an absolutely beautiful drive. One thing I love about the east is how green and lush everything is and all the green trees. On my drive to West Point I stopped at a look out point over the Hudson River. It is an amazing view.

I believe this establishment you see here is called Fort Montgomery this is where the Americans built early in the Revolutionary War. At this fort they also built a massive iron chain that stretched across the Hudson River. This was to prevent the British from passing but the British captured the fort and cut the chain.

I thought this was a cool bridge it looked really cool as I came around the corner and saw it.

I love this tree it is huge and full of life. 

As I mentioned here in the east everything is so green. I love coming down a hill and looking out over a mass of trees. The trees are so thick and beautiful. 

The Fireside was really good. It was a neat experience to be a part of. Elder and Sister Holland came early and joined a little gathering where they talked one on one with people took pictures and gave hugs. It was nice to watch then interact on a personal level with everyone. It was fun to watch the excitement people had as their turn approached to meet an Apostle of God and get to have a brief moment to exchange a few words and smiles with each other. It was nice to be able to just sit back and watch and take in the sweet spirit. Elder Hollands main point to his talk was One can be a multitude: so don't ever be sorry you are the only one standing...It was an great talk and I am grateful I had the opportunity to go and feast upon his words.

Disneyland and California Adventures

I had the opportunity to go to Disneyland and California Adventure with my sister Sarah and her family and my Aunt Connie.We all had so much fun. It was my first time to go to Disney anything and I had a really good time. We all decided to be brave and go on the Splash Mountain ride. Sarah and I both do not like rides like these. The kids were so brave they all wanted to do all the crazy scary rides. This first picture is of our first ride and we were terrified except for Steve.

The second time on the ride I was much more brave but poor little Nana she didn't want to ride it a second time. We thought we would try the ride a second time to see if we could actually get Carson's face in the picture and the second time he hid his face again. If you look really close. You can see his face and it looks like he is scared too. After the first time I realized it isn't as scary as I thought it would be. It was a lot of fun.

 I am glad that the kids even little Nana were so BRAVE because how could I their Aunt who they look up to chicken out on these rides. They helped me to be more brave myself and ride on rides that I would not have ridden on otherwise. 

We got to ride on the carousel and then we met Mary Poppins and Bert. 

Me and the kids in front of Mickey Mouse made of flowers. 

Me sporting Sierra's glasses. I forgot mine so Sierra said she would share with me. 

None of them could pull the sword from the stone alone and so they all tried together and still couldn't get it to come out. 

Baby Paityn thought she would try on Briana's hat. Aren't we a cute bunch of girls!

We got to met all of the Princesses and Briana was in heaven. She is such a little princess herself. Sierra was starting to feel sick so she wasn't super excited to stand in line and get pictures. Carson couldn't stand to be surrounded by so many girls he was being very bashful and silly and didn't want to be in any pictures this one actually turned out pretty good.

I loved this picture with sweet Nana by the little door. 

 

We are in the inside of Goofy's boat. We had fun playing inside but Sierra wasn't feeling well still and decided to stay with the adults. 

 

Briana is such a little poser. She wanted her picture taken everywhere. I think she would be a great little model. 

 

They are excited to ride the Indiana Jones ride. It was very thrilling and a lot of fun, the kids loved it. I sat next to Carson and I told him he had to keep me safe from any snakes and he did a great job at protecting me. 

Now we are in our boat on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This was a really cool ride everything look so real and it made you feel like you stepped into the actual movie. 

 

The kids with the bear from Splash Mountain. 

Me and Sierra on the boat for Its a small world.

 

Connie and Carson-Its a small world

 

Carson at the Buzz Lightyear ride. He was super excited about this one. 

 

This was one of Carson's excited moments as well. Watching the Jedi's train and fight Darth Vader.

 

 This is the biggest Giraffe I have ever seen made out of legos.

 

I think these are the coolest looking flowers Birds of Paradise. 

Isn't she a doll!

 

The Finding Nemo ride was a lot of fun. It was neat to see under the sea!

 

Group picture I love my family. They are all a fun group to spend time with. 

 

Carson and me in the Go-Carts He was driving and he was crazy it is a good thing he doesn't have a driving license yet. 

 

Another group picture in front of the Castle. We all had so much fun.

This is one of the best pictures of Sierra. Her eyes are open and she looks alive. I love this picture of her. 

 

Alright they all had to get their pictures with Minnie and they are adorable. 

 

How precious she might not remember this trip but we will remember it for her. 

 

We all decided to get our picture with Minnie. Minnie and the girls. 

 

Me and the kids with Mater

 

 Us and Lighting McQueen.

 

Aunt Connie and Sierra on the balloon ride at the Bugs Life.  

 

These are bugs carved into the wall in the Bugs Theater. 

We brought our Antie with us too. It wouldn't have been quite the same without her. 

 

Everyone with the Bug Eyes. 

 

Boy did we get super wet on this ride. But it was a blast and so much fun. Briana was to small to go with us. But she was sitting on a deck watching and she got splashed and thought that was the funnest thing. It made her not feel as left out.

Little Paityn had such a good time.I really enjoyed being with her and getting to see her again. I guess she hasn't taken a liking to many people and cries with everyone but mom and dad but I was happy when she loved me and would let me hold her without crying. I must have that special touch. :)

 

We got the royal treatment and got to ride in a special car on the train and the conductor came and talked with us and told us how Walt Disney loved trains and all about how this train car became a part of Disneyland.

Her face tells it all for how much fun we all had. It is the place that makes you feel like a kids and full of excitement.