2012 Goal Pages

2012 Goal Pages are Here!

They come in 2 different sizes and styles:

8 1/2 x 11

5x7

and 8 1/2 x 11

Note:

We made this style into a placemat.

It was a great way to keep our goals in mind!

Laminate the placemats so that

they can be wiped off easily!

Here are the PDF Files:

2012 Goal Page Packet 8 1/2 x 11 PDF

2012 Goal Page Packet 5 x 7 PDF

2012 Goal Page Packet 8 1/2 x 11 Option 2 PDF

Here's the Link to the FHE Goal Night Post:
Family History FHE Goals Lesson PDF

Have a GREAT Night!

Family Activity - Time to Carve the Pumpkins!

It's FINALLY TIME!

My boys have been ready to

carve our pumpkins

for weeks now.

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

Woot...Woot!

Carve 'em up . . . Light 'em up . . . and Set them on the Porch!

If you don't want to cut them with a knife,

use a drill!

Here are a few SAFETY TIPS to keep in mind:

I added these because MY FAMILY is totally

accident prone and BLESSED but NOT LUCKY!

SOOOO... if you are careful by nature,

YOU can skip this next section!

(Although it wouldn't hurt to brush up on some First Aid Basics!)

Prepare your Pumpkin - Moisture causes your hand or knife to slip.

Dry hands, pumpkins, and tools are a must.

Have the Right Tools for the Job.

Pumpkin carving kits have been created to make carving easier.

The small saws and sharp plastic tools are easier to control

 and are less likely to get stuck in the pumpkin.

“According to a study in the Journal of Preventative Medicine,

these tools cause fewer and less severe injuries

than serrated or plain kitchen knives.”

If using a kitchen knife, sharper is not better.

They often get lodged in the thick pulp and require greater force to remove.

If your fingers are in the wrong place when the

knife dislodges an injury can occur.

Hold the Pumpkin with Caution...People!

 Injuries usually occur when cutting towards your hand

or when the knife slips out the other

side of the pumpkin where it is being held.

Making small controlled cuts and using tools that cannot reach

the other side helps reduce these risks.

You can also use a carving board to steady the pumpkin as well.

Carving is for Adults

Little hands and sharp utensils do not mix.

Have them draw the pattern and remove pulp instead.

Adolescents Still Require Supervision –

Carving parties are fun but filled with distractions.

If adolescents are getting together to carve pumpkins,

an adult should be present to ensure the safe use of sharp carving tools.

Know First Aid for a Carving Injury

(Hmmmmm...that sounds like a good thing to brush up on!)

First Aid Skills are an important part of being PREPARED!

If an injury does occur, bleeding usually stops with direct pressure to the area.

Clean the wound and apply a topical antibiotic and a bandage.

If your finger loses feeling or can’t move, the wound is deep or the entire width of your finger,

or it is still bleeding after 15 minutes of pressure, go to the emergency room.

Oh, and one more thing...

Don't Throw the Seeds Away!

Save them for the TREAT:

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

You Will Need:

Seeds from your Jack O Lantern

Butter Flavored Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Salt

Instructions:

Rinse seeds and remove all pulp and fiber.

Pat dry with paper towel and let dry at room temperature

for at least three hours.

Spray a cookie sheet with butter flavored cooking spray,

or coat seeds with melted butter.

Sprinkle with salt or other seasoning if you like them spicy.

Spread seeds thinly on sheet and roast at 250 degrees for about an hour.

Stir every 15-20 minutes and spray lightly

with buttered covered spray as needed.

When seeds are golden brown,

remove them and let cool before eating or storing.

If you're in a hurry and your guests don't want to wait

for the seeds to air dry you can try the microwave recipe.

Rinse seeds in water to remove pulp and then dry with paper towel.

Place 2 tablespoons butter in a two quart dish

and microwave on High for 30 seconds.

Stir the seeds around in the butter to thoroughly coat each seed,

and spread out evenly in the dish.

Microwave on High for 7-8 minutes or until toasted,

stirring every two minutes.

Sprinkle with salt and serve.

For Extra Flavor:

After cooled if you want even more flavor

place them in a zip lock or plastic bag.

Add about 1/2 teaspoon olive or vegetable oil

to every 1 cup of seeds you have.

Once they are fully coated you can add your dry flavors,

 salt, sugar, cinnamon, paprika, garlic powder,

anything that sounds good.

If you are using a wet flavor like liquid smoke,

Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, soy sauce,

you don't need to add the olive oil.

Instead use the same measuring system 1/2 teaspoon per 1cup seeds.

WhaLaaaah!

Perfect Pumpkin Seeds . . . Everytime!

Here's the Recipe PDF:

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe PDF

Family Activity - It's Going To Be A "BOO"-tiful Night!

Tonight's Family Activity

Is All About GHOSTS!

Ghost in the Graveyard

I was just taking a trip down Halloween MEMORY LANE

and remembered a game we used to play all the time.

Ghost in the Graveyard!

We would play for hours in the back yard.

It took me a minute to remember the rules . . . In fact,

I actually had to google it.

Here's the Link to the Game Rules and Instructions

just in case it's been a while for you too!

Ghost in the Graveyard Link 

Here's a game that might be more fun for the little ones.

It's a Ghost Hunt!

I made some numbered ghosts that can be printed, cut, laminated,

attached to tongue depressors.

Stick the ghosts in hiding places in the yard or around the house.

Here's an example of the ghost:

You can cut the ghost out if you would like

or you can leave the gray around it . . . either way

It's Ready To Go!

 The ghosts come in two different sizes.

Larger ones for the tinies.

Smaller ones for bigger kids.

Here's the Ghost Hunt Packet PDF:

Ghost Hunt Packet PDF

"BOO"-ling anyone?!?

(Pictures and Instructions Coming . . . Tomorrow!)

You Will Need:

Water Bottles

White Fabric

Ribbon

Batting

(Paper Towels or Toilet Paper will work too!)

Black Felt

Googley Eyes

and

A Ball

Here's another FUN Game:

Ghost Story Dice

I love ghost stories . . . although I have to admit,

my husband and I (and our boys) are the biggest chickens

that ever lived, so we tell FUN ghost stories.

You Can Let the Dice Help YOU
Tell A SpOoKy Story!

Each side of the dice has a different part of the story.

Side 1:

Person

Like Dracula, Wanda the Witch, the Ghastly Ghost . . . etc.

Side 2:

Place

Like the Haunted Mansion, The Graveyard, In A Coffin . . . etc.

Side 3:

Thing

Like Vampire Teeth, Bat Wings, A Witches Broom . . . etc.

Side 4:

Action

Like Making a Potion, Cackling like a Witch, Dancing like Dracula . . . etc.

Side 5:

You Choose

Whatever you want to add to the story!

Side 6:

Treat

Yay . . . Candy!!!

Here's the PDF:

Ghost Story Dice Packet PDF

You Will Need:

A printed copy of the PDF

(I printed mine on Crack n' Peel.)

and

1 Wooden Block

(2 1/2 - 3-inch size)

Instructions:

Print

Cut

and

Attach each square to one of the sides of the block.

Done!

Now you're ready to play.

Here's How You Play:

Have everyone sit in a circle facing each other.

Place a bowl of candy in the center of the circle.

Each person takes a turn rolling the dice.

If the dice lands on PERSON the person who rolled it

has to add a person to the story.

It's an add-on Ghost Story.

Everyone gets a turn to add to it, depending on what you roll with the dice.

If you roll and get the word TREAT.

Everyone yells, "TREAT"  and gets to take a piece of candy.

Next roll . . . the story over all over again!
This is a PERFECT Game for School Parties!

We're not through yet!

There's one more way to make GHOSTS a part of your

Family Activity.

Ghost Suckers!

Sorry about the glare from the cellophane.
I had to hurry and wrap them before the boys finished ALL OF THEM off.
They were eating them as fast as they were making them!

 You Will Need:

A Squeeze Bottle

(You can find these at the Dollar Store or the Craft Store.)

White Chocolate Pieces or White Chocolate Chips

Mini Chocolate Chips
White Sprinkles

and

Tongue Depressors

Instructions:

Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 20 second intervals.

(I melted mine right in the squeeze bottle.)

Lay tongue depressors out on a piece of tin foil.

Squeeze Ghost shapes onto the tongue depressors.

Add the eyes and some sprinkles.

Wait for them to set up.
(You can put them in the fridge to speed things along.)

That's It!

Super Cute and Super Easy!

They make fun gifts for Visiting Teaching and are perfect for stirring hot chocolate.

Pure Creamy Goodness!

Have a "BOO"-tiful Night!

Family Activity - It's Fall!

I think that fall leaves are one of the most beautiful things

ever created.  I looked out my window this morning and could see

the colors had not only changed in the mountains,

but they were even starting to change closer to home.

It's and AWESOME sight!

Take your family on a drive to see the fall leaves.

Mueller Park is my favorite this time of year, especially

if you would like to go for a "FAMILY FRIENDLY HIKE."

Take some Ziploc bags so that the kids can

gather fall leaves.

Dry the leaves between the pages of an old phone book

and they can be added to your Thanksgiving table.

They can also be used to make a Fall Leaf Wreath on paper.

This can be laminated and added to your Family History or

Family Home Evening Journal.

(Just make sure the leaves are completely dry BEFORE you laminate them.)

Don't Forget to take your camera!

No family activity would be complete with out a treat!

WARNING . . .

This dessert is Aaaa-MAZ-ING!

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

Here's the Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 (14-ounce) packages Gingerbread Mix

1 (5.1-ounce) box Cook-and-Serve Vanilla Pudding Mix

1 (30-ounce) can Pumpkin Pie Filling

1/2 cup packed Brown Sugar

1/3 teaspoon Ground Cardamom or Cinnamon

1 (12-ounce) container Frozen Whipped Topping

(Shelf-Stable Cream can be substituted here.

Just refrigerate, whip, and add a little powdered sugar and vanilla.)

1/2 cup Gingersnaps, Optional

Instructions:

Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions;

Cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool.

Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cinnamon

 into the pudding.

Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large,

pretty bowl.

Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread,

Then add a layer of whipped topping.

Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding,

and whipped topping.

Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired.

Refrigerate overnight.

Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl.

This would make a great BAG MEAL DESSERT!!!

I'll post the tags for the "Bag Meal Dessert" tomorrow.

Here's the Recipe PDF:

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle Recipe PDF

Sooooo Good!

Family Activity - Pumpkin Patch Here We Come!

This is my

ABSOLUTE FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR!

I love EVERYTHING to do with Fall,

and a trip to the PUMPKIN PATCH is a great way

to get the season started!

Load up the FAM and head out to your favorite patch.

My parents found a great one in Ogden that we

go to as a WHOLE FAMILY.

We make sure to take lots of pictures . . . especially

in the premade halloween scene with cut outs for your heads.

LOVE 'EM!

It never fails . . . we ALWAYS lose someone in the

Corn Maze, but it all eventually works out and it gives us some

more great stories to add to our memory album.

Top off the night with
some of the

World's Easiest Cookies!

Here's the Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Box Spice Cake Mix

1 Can Pumpkin

Chocolate Chips

(We use a whole bag of milk chocolate chips.)

and

1 Egg

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes

or until cookies are no longer doughy in the middle.

This is the PERFECT shelf-stable recipe,

especially if you're BRAVE ENOUGH to try your powdered eggs!

Have a Great Night!

(Whew . . . I got all 3 posts done!)

Family Activity - Personalized Pizzas!

My boys LOVE pizza!

It's pretty high on their

"WORLD'S GREATEST INVENTIONS" List!

I have a feeling this is one family activity they won't want to miss.

We will be making

PERSONALIZED INDIVIDUAL PIZZAS

and the best part . . . everyone will be able to make their own,

so EVERYONE will be happy!

You Will Need:

Spaghetti Sauce

or

Alfredo Sauce

Some people even like BBQ Sauce

Cheese

Pizza Toppings

(Here are a few of our favorites!)

Pepperoni

Olives

Pineapple

Tomatoes

Mushrooms

Spinach

Ham

Sausage

Bacon

Onions

Peppers

Jalapenos

Chives

Cucumbers

and

Chicken

or Pulled Pork

For the Base You Can Use:

Rhodes Rolls

(Thawed)

Bagels

English Muffins

Pita Bread

or

Homemade Bread Dough

I LOVE THIS IDEA FOR HALLOWEEN!

Note:

This would be a great scrapbook page.

Take before, during and after pictures of the pizza making process.

It will be fun to see what everyone chooses for their pizza.

Enjoy your night with the family!

(One post down . . . two to go!)

Family Activity - Make Your Own Family Movie!

My favorite movies are . . . HOME MOVIES!

I just love to watch the boys faces light up when they

see themselves on the big screen!

They bust me up!!!

Most of us are on a pretty tight budget trying to save money

anywhere we can.  We are doing more at home, and

definately having to be more creative in our family activities.

This is one of those activities

that doesn't cost any money . . .

but is still entertaining for everyone involved.

Give each family member an opportunity to be the STAR

in your family movie.

You can make up a movie plot, or just record

EVERYDAY LIFE!

At the end of the day, you can pop some popcorn

and snuggle up on the couch to watch the movie.

It's a great way to spend a night with the fam!

Have a FUN Night

Hanging Out,

Laughing

and

Making Memories

with your FAVORITE PEOPLE!

It will be a night they'll remember for sure!

Family Activity - "Back to School" Blessings for DAD!

This is a picture of my mom and dad.

(I think they are so stinkin' cute!)

Just to let you know a little history on the photo . . .

My mom and dad are wearing their "Survivor Bandanas."

(Part of our family retreat activities.)

We had just hiked to the top of the hill for a family fireside

and photos.  They don't usually wear bandanas.

(My dad just wanted me to add that info.

so that you wouldn't question his sanity!)

They work very hard to

keep our family close to the SAVIOR,

as well as helping us to keep an

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE!

Each year our children have the opportunity to get a

back to school father's blessing.

As a wife and mother, I always make sure I get one too!

My dad used to do this for each of us when we lived at home,

but after we were married the responsibility

shifted to our husbands. 

This was a tradition my dad thoroughly enjoyed!

Last year we as mom's were talking about how much we

appreciated being able to receive our blessings.

Everyone in the family was able to receive a blessing . . .

except for the Dad's!

That all changed last year!

This Sunday we will meet together as a whole family for

Couples Council with my parents.

This is when my mom and dad talk to each couple

throughout the night to see how we are doing,

and if there is anything we are in need of. 

My dad gives each of the father's a blessing

at this time as well! 

Talk about an awesome opportunity!

Even though the blessing part of this tradition

only started 1 year ago . . . it's a tradition that will go on for

generations to come!!!

My dad truly enjoys being able

to bless his family.

We are grateful

for his amazing example!

Family Activity - Harvest Fest!

It's Time for the Farmington

Stake Harvest Fest!

Date: TODAY

Time:

Dinner is at 5:30 pm

(Free FOOD . . . Woot Woot!)

Music starts at 7:00 pm

Tminus5 and Trebleicious

How LUCKY are WE!?!

See YOU at Woodland Park in Farmington!

Don't Forget

A Blanket and A Flashlight!

It's going to be a lot of FUN!

Family Activity - Clean Room Relay!

Before we get started with today's

Family Activity . . .

I need to announce yesterday's

Twenty-A-Day Challenge WINNER.

The LAST contest winner is:

Stacy!
WOOOOHOOOOOOO!

Send me your address and I'll send you your PRIZE!

I'm mailing out all of the prizes on the same day

so if you haven't gotten yours yet . . . YOU WILL!

Thanks to EVERYONE who took the challenge.

I hope it has made your home a little less cluttered

and ready for some fun new ways to organize

the spaces in your home!

Today's Family Activity Is:

A Clean Room Relay!

We are on the final countdown before school starts

and having a clean room will make mornings, homework,
and everything else go so much smoother.

I love it when we can make everyday jobs seem like a game.
It's not always the first thing we try, usually because
we're exhausted just trying to keep up with everything
and everyone.
Before long we find ourselves getting into the nagging rut,
BUT when we get a little creative . . . great things can happen!
Mary Poppins was a PRO at this concept.
That whole spoon full of sugar thing was GENIUS!!!

The kids go to work without even realizing
what's happening!
I LOVE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS!
Here's How It Works:

You will be given 8 Tasks.
Each task will be given one at a time.
After each of the tasks is completed
you will earn a number of points.
If you have small children you may want to:
Divide into two teams so that
you can help little ones with their assignments.
Each time a task is completed . . .
A treat can be given along with the points.
This will help to keep
interest and incentive throughout the relay!
Music always makes things more FUN as well.
Here are the Clean Room Relay Task Cards:
#1
Make My Bed
8 Points

 #2
Pick Up My Clothes
5 Points

#3
Pick Up & Put Away My Toys
(Or Other Out-Of-Place Items)
5 Points

#4
Take Out the Garbage
4 Points

#5
Straighten Dresser and Nightstand Tops
6 Points

#6
Spotwash Fingerprints and Doors
5 Points

 #7
Dust
5 Points

#8
Vacuum
6 Points

You may want to set up a little treat stand
or a mini store for the kids to spend the points they've earned,
or you can give small treats or privileges along the way
and have ICE CREAM CONES for the REWARD!
Here's the PDF:
Clean Room Relay Cards PDF

Have a great time
working and playing together.
Remember it's a game . . .
MAKE IT FUN!
Take pictures to add to your family scrapbook,
the evidence of smiling faces
will show just how much FuN working together can be!

Family Activity - Back to School Shopping Dates!

One of our favorite

 Back to School Traditions

is a Shopping Date with mom and dad.

We take one boy at a time.

We go to their favorite stores, and take them out to lunch.

It's all about them!

A Few Things to Remember:

Set a budget with your child BEFORE you go.

This will help to make sure that they know the limits.

Make a of list of the things they need BEFORE you go.

I've included a blank Shopping List for you to use

if you would like.

Here's the PDF:

Back to School Shopping Lists PDF

BE PREPARED, they will have a lot of sales.

Stay focussed and remember to stay in your budget.

Teaching your children to stay in a budget

early on can be one of the best lessons they will

ever take with them into adult years.

Make it FUN

and

Don't Forget Your Camera!

This is a memory you'll definately want to add to your scrapbook.

Have a GREAT Time!