Christmas 2008

Mom's still being pretty forgetful, so we didn't get as many pictures of Christmas as I had hoped for. This is the Christmas tree set up. The toys the kids get from Santa Claus remained unwrapped, which I'm kinda wondering if it's a good idea, it saves on the cost of wrapping, but the kids, well the younger ones, don't really have any interest in opening the others. The boys got a geocities remote control trains (bemote as Zander calls it) with trax. Faith got a fisher price camera (since she keeps stealing ours), and Amelia got a baby doll. See I told you they didn't really want to open the others, though this was the picture we took before we got distracted helping the kids open the rest.

Faith got this stoller from Santa (a fold-up umbrella one). Since she was nice enough to give her other set to a family in need. This was great cause it helped someone else out and freed up some much needed space.

This is when mommy and Millie were ready to get going and do our "rounds" with the family. For Christmas our rituals include going to the Hansen family Christmas party that's earlier in december and doing a Nativity with the younger kids, I again forgot my camera so we didn't get any photos, I'll have to see if my cousins got any. On Christmas Eve my dad has reserved that time with us and we have dinner and hang out. On Christmas day we took our time in the morning, had Dinner at my Rawson Grandparents around 2pm and open presents there, then head over to Gaven's Aeschilmann Grandparents for goodies and more presents.

Just some scenic shot we took while we were out

These are just some shots we got while we were out for a drive and taking our pictures of the family. I think that they are pretty cool. This first one is in Huntsville looking toward the monastary. I like the feel of the surrounding mountains and the misty clouds, the way that everything looks so authentic and antiqued such as the fence and the barns, etc. I also love that the cat seems to be posing for the picture in the foreground. This is the road coming into Huntsville from Snowbasin, near Trappers Loop. I love the curve and the colors. This road needs to wind down considering the slope that you come down on. I love the out doors!

Christmas Goodies

We've started this family tradition when we were married that we make goodies for Christmas for friends and family. Usually I do this with my mother, and Gaven might pitch in a little. But my mom's been sick with an ongoing cold and Gaven has stepped up to the plate. This is fudge with walnuts. I tweeked this a little so it wasn't quite so grainy. I used a full package of marshmallows (12oz) only 1 1/8 cup sugar. 2/3 cup evaporated milk .3 Tbsp butter and a full package of Semi sweet chocolate. It comes out more silky and richer.

A couple years ago I was given a ward recipe book from my mother-in-law that has the best banana bread recipe I have ever had. It's moist and has a little bit of nutmeg in it.

This is nougat (with walnuts) I really wanted to make another kind of candy, and though this tastes excellent, it's too hard to chew unless it's practically melting to each other. I think next time I'll add 1/2 boiling candy at 350 F. That should do the trick. The link to this is
http://www.recipezaar.com/Nougat-198917

These are some awesome Sugar cookies. They were so chewy and sweet and the frosting was great, it hardened within just a few minutes which makes it awesome to transport. I love the website recipezaar. Anyone can post recipes (they have to be approved) and then other's rate them and put in their responses. The link for these are http://www.recipezaar.com/Grannys-Sugar-Cookies-8757 and for the frosting it's http://www.recipezaar.com/Cookie-Frosting-19649

This peanut brittle was also awesome. It's got rave reviews from everyone including Gaven's grandfather who loves this stuff but usually complains that it hurts his teeth. But this is clean cut, no chewy stick to your teeth stuff. The link for this is http://www.recipezaar.com/Peanut-Brittle-37044 . We used roasted peanuts though instead of raw. We like the taste better.

These are suppose to be melt-away lime spritz cookies, but when I was making these, The dough was a little dry so I added some cream cheese and lime juice to the batter. Kids loved these. The press is always fun to use.
http://www.recipezaar.com/Lime-Meltaway-Spritz-Cookies-126042

These are Raspberry Spritz cookies. Well their suppose to be anyway. We only had strawberry extract and jam, so they're strawberry spritz cookies. I don't know that I'm too fond of these I think it's the extract, they're good until the after taste.

Spicy Ginger Cookies. I am such a die hard ginger cookie fans. These are definately awesome. My only thing I would change would not to add the fresh ginger, it seems to make them a little drier than I would like. I also like to add about 1/4 tsp of white pepper just enough to give a bite. The kids and Gaven also love these. The link for these is http://www.recipezaar.com/Soft-Spicy-Heavenly-Ginger-Cookies-20431

Elf Charelston

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Our Family

We are the Kemp family. We have been married for 6 1/2 years. We have 4 children ranging from 5 and under. Though we know we went fast, we always wanted 4 children, and they've been blessings in their own ways. We hope to help them make their way through life and help them become good, reliable, charitable, hopeful, happy people, and to be healthy psyically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We also hope to instill the meaning of honesty, faith, worth, knowlegde wisdom, and integrity.

My Sweet Man!

This is my sweet, dear, and sexy hubby. He is my dark knight in shining armour. He has dark mysterious eyes, with gorgeous eyelashes that I'm always threatening to take in the middle of the night and glue them to my eyes, dark shiny careless hair, and what a smile! Though at the time I didn't want to admit it, because I thought it was too soon, I knew I was meant to be with him. He treats me like a lady, and he spoils me. He cooks and bakes (awesomly), cleans, takes care of the cars and lawn, changes diapers and helps bath and cloth the children, is a good provider, and a wonderful support, even when the times get tough.

If there is one thing that he is really good at, it is his passion for cars and stereo systems. Almost every month someone is asking his help to install a system. His passion for cars are more into the imports and into the upgrades, sometimes he likes a little too much as far as power and therefore I lovingly refer him as "Tim the Toolman".

He has a very broad range of other interests. He loves other mechanical things, such as manly tools. He lately has been really interested in how computers work and putting them together. He's also interested in the medical field, specifically radiology (he says that's because he's had so many x-rays through his life). And as I had stated earlier he's a great chef. He loves to just cook and bake, and would love to have his own restraunt, though he's not too fond of the clean up. In fact he's made most of the goodies we've given out for Christmas to our family and friends while I've been studying and doing my finals.

I want the best for this man. I love him dearly. I know his potential and I want him to reach what he is searching for. I also want for him to take time to enjoy the journey. To relish in those struggles that will make him stronger. I want him to know everyday how much in love with him I am. I want him to know how much he's really worth and that to us, as many others, he's worth the world.

Ok so this is me. Well, I like to hang with family and friends. I love to be able to be fortunate enough to have my family without any difficulty. I love to be able to stay at home and raise my children and help them learn and understand the world around them. I love their hugs, kisses, and messages of inspiration to get through the day. I love to learn. I love to figure out people, as well with myself. I love to figure how the body and the mind work. Why things work out the way they do and why we act the way we do. That is why I want to go into a double degree in medicine as well as Psychology.

I love the gospel. I love that it is so inspiring. I love that I have something to look forward to and be grateful for always. I love to meet new awesome people. I love good food, good music, a good movie, good company, a good laugh, a good book, and even a good nap sometimes.

My goal is to create my legacy, and I understand that this is an ongoing struggle. I understand that life isn't a destination but a continual journey. I'm glad I have a good husband, children, family and friends to share it with and to hold onto during this journey

I just hope that as struggles go on that I won't be too hardened. That we will be able to keep in mind the important things. That human connections will continue to be stronger. And that we will all be able to endure to the end, with the help of each other.

Princess Faithy

This is our oldest Princess. I feel bad that we didn't get enough photos of her on our outing that day, but that doesn't mean I don't have enough. She's soooo photogeneic. As you can see she loves the camera, and the camera loves her. She has this awesome personality, she loves to be mommy, she's willing to help take on just about any mommy duty we will allow her, or that we aske she do (even if she thinks she can send the boys to their rooms). She is such a girly girl! Not quite like her mom who was raised with 3 brothers and needed to be that roughin' tom boy. She loves to dance, sing, play barbies, house, mommy, doctor, and craft cards, letters, and jewelry for her friends.

She also loves to help mommy with chores. Cooking, baking, making beds, putting laundry into the washer, picking up, sweeping, mopping, and she can even use the vaccumm.

I love her personality. She loves to help people. She always wants to see others happy. She has a smile that can't keep you mad or gloomy. Those bright blue eyes, the button nose, the full lips, and baby cheeks, and those girly moves. But don't let that fool you, she still can give quite a fit when she doesn't get her way.

Little Conductor Zander

My Little man who never seems to be satisfied. He's always asking questions, and though some answers may satisfy him they never are interesting enough. He has quite the imagination and will come up with some pretty awesome explinations of his own. He loves to help out. He's eager to grab a wet wash cloth and help mom wipe off the table, cabinet, floor.... well just about anything if you let him, he can get pretty carried away. He also loves Trains, we live not too far from a Track and he loves when we are stopped so that he can talk about all the different cars.

Zander has got big golden brown eyes. He's always so busy that when the camera snaps a picture, he's not always still looking at the camera, but keeps in mind his smile. He has his daddy's dark thick hair and dark eyelashes. He's such a skinny little thing that sometimes I wonder if he's getting enough to eat, or if he just burns it off so fast.

Though he was the last to hit his milestone as far as mobility compared to his siblings, he certainly did hit his vocal milestones earlier then them. He's always full of conversation, contemplation, and curiosity. I think that he'll definately be the one giving me a run for my money when it comes to taking things apart, figuring how they work, then trying to put them back together.