Christmas Candy

Today I spent the day with Helen, AKA Merriweather, making Christmas Candy and treats. It is always such a fun tradition to make treats at Christmas and there are a few of the things I only make at Christmas. Apple Cranberry Muffins and Coconut Bread are a couple of these things. Her favorite was the Apple Cranberry Muffins. Here is the recipe for all of you. I hope your Holidays are filled with great memories and family traditions.
APPLE - CRANBERRY MUFFINS

1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. quick oats
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1 lg. egg
3/4 c. dark brown sugar, packed
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. unpeeled tart apples, diced
3/4 c. fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 c. raisins

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin cups, or use foil cups. Mix flours, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Break egg into another bowl. Add sugar and whisk until smooth. Whisk in melted butter and vanilla. Stir in apple, cranberries and raisins. Fold in just until dry ingredients are moistened. Scoop batter into muffin cups. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until browned and firm to the touch. Turn out onto a rack. Let cool. Store 1 to 2 days in a plastic bag or airtight container before reheating and serving. Do not freeze. Yield: 12 regular muffins

Let's Start in Park City

So I haven't updated for a while. I will start with our week vacation with Granny and the cousins in Park CityIt was such the blast. It was the first time that I actually got to take the whole week and be with all of them. We went swimming shopping, play guitar hero championships
karaoke rock band, b-b-ques, and of course our favorite... The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Then we went to Snowbird where Phene entertained us with the Zip Line
, Rock Climbling, Bungee Jumping, The Alpine Slide, Mechanical Bull, and ATV and Ranger Tours. It is so beautiful up there in the back country of Snowbird. All of you should take a tour with her to see the beauty. It's amazing. The week was so much fun and I thank my mom for taking all of us up there every year without fail. It is certainlya traditin worth keeping.

Heber Creeper Train Ride

One tradition that my parents started 11 years ago is that when ever one of the kids are potty trained, they take all the kids on the Heber Creeper. It is so fun for the kids and they look forward to it.
It has really helped to potty train all 11 grandchildren. This year Sunny, who is Portias youngest, was potty trained so we spent Friday on the Train. Portia and I hadn't been there for along time so we decided to go this time.We really enjoyed out ride. The kids had a great time and Grandma and Grandpa Clayton spoiled them. They had me trying to hold on to a pole and lift my legs to a 90 degree angle. I am a little out of shape for that but I gave it a try.Garrett was so funny and would walk behind the gate making it look like he was going down the stairs. We laughed so hard at him. It was nice to see him let his hair down a little and have some fun. The sites were beautiful and the bigger kids really want to float down the Provo River next. It was so hot it sounded good to me.Cute little Sunny would say, "All aboard!! Choo- Choo."She is at a very fun age. Then we went to Delta to celebrate Sadies 16th birthday. Portia had a surprise party for her.There were about 43 kids there and Toddy and I made hamburgers and hotdogs. Her cake was to cute.It looked like a drivers license. There were a couple of boys that could really play the paino. I have never heard such music from these boys. One of them was playing the theme from "Charlie Brown" and we set Sadie and her friend Mary on the piano.We laughed so hard at them. We also spent some time at the "Res". It was so hot that we had to cool off. We had a great weekend and are greatful for the days we can spend in Delta.

Morgan & Chloes Birthday

I know that I am a little late with this, but things like this happen when you deliver "TWINS". I remember when I found out that I was pregnant and Mont was just 6 months old, Garrett was barely 2 years old. Then I found out that there were twins. What in the world could anyone ever do with 2 babies when you already had 2 babies. I was completely overwhelmed. And just how far could a body possibly stretch to be big enough for 2 babies. Well let me tell you!! I was due in July and Portia told me that she had the perfect outfit for me to wear on the 4th of July. I would look just like Maceys Flag. That was no comfort to me and since I was on bedrest with preterm labor with Mont for 2 months, I knew that I would automatically be on bedrest with these twins. I was-for 4 months. Just long enough to crochet their blessing dresses. I prayed that I would just be able to tell them apart. When they were born, we were so excited and I could definately tell them apart. One was so dark and the other one so light. Kind of like "Salt & Pepper". There would be enough babies for EVERYONE to hold. The funnest part of having twins was dressing them, for sleep was not something that we got very much of. They just turned 12 years old on June 18th and we had a surprise party for them. They are the cutest, sweetest and most helpful girls I could ever ask for. Morgan is a clean freak, likes to write and is taking a creative writing class this summer. Chloe likes to sew and is working on a rag quilt.
They both are so great and I am glad that I had all these babies so close together. I can still tell them apart since Morgan is still dark and Chloe is still light. Good thing that prayer was answered

Fathers Day

I am married to the best man ever. He is the perfect mate for me, although I thought he died in the war in Heaven and that I would never find him in this life. He puts up with me and ALL my weeknesses (and as you all know there are many). He is a great father and the love of my life. I always wanted to marry a man like my dad. Even though when I married Mike he was not exactly what my dad was, as time goes by, they are so simalar and such good friends that they are both what I need in my life. Such good examples and servants of the Lord. The testimonies of the Church and the knowledge of the gospel is more than I deserve. Boy, am I glad I married someone much better than I deserve.
We spent Fathers Day in Delta with the whole family. Grandpa Van, Uncle Jim, Uncle Jay, Neil (my brother), John (brother in law sleeping) and cousins were there. It was so fun.


I am so blessed to be surrounded by incredible men. Thanks to them!!!

Happy Holidays

This month has been great! Business was booming and Christmas was coming. I was ill prepared for it all. I went to Delta one day to make candy with Mom and Porche. It was a great success and hopefully a new tradition. We spent the weekend before Christmas at mom and dad's in Delta. Church in Delta was incredible with music you couldn't believe. There are some super voices from the young people there. Portia and I worked in the wood shop with dad doing last minute crafts while Neil, Mike and the boys went duck hunting.
They were only gone a short time when they returned with a whole lot of ducks, carrying a whole lot of ducks. Then the "Clayton Family Party" began with the traditional movie, dinner, story, and presents. The weather was real stormy when Mike and I headed back home so that Santa could find the kids at their own house. We made it slowly but safely. Oaklee had the time of her life with 2 gift certificates from "Build a Bear Workshop". She said she had waited her whole life for such a prize.( All 7 years). The boys received muzzle loader guns, girls cameras and scrap booking and Mike and I were as happy as punch to have it over. I am always amazed at the stress we as parents go through to have a successful event. Seems a little crazy to me. May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas, have love and peace in our hearts, and most of all love for the Savior.