Education Week

Back in 2004 I had the chance, thanks to my spectacular mother, to go to Education Week. This year, thanks to my spectacular mother-in-law, I've been able to go again. Except this week, so far, it has been like Education Week on steroids; I've gotten there at 9:30 and made it home tonight (after a necessary stop at the Creamery for some amazing graham cracker ice cream) at 9:00. It's an amazing experience to go and have your bucket filled until you don't think it can hold any more, but it's only Tuesday!

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

I LOVE these sooo much I can only make them once a year:

1 1/2 C Sugar
3 Tbls. Ground Cinnamon
2 Tbls. Active Dry Yeast
1 tsp. Sugar
1 C warm water
1 C warm milk
2/3 C sugar
2/3 c melted butter
2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
up to 8 C flour
1/2 c melted butter
optional: 1 C pecan or walnuts chopped
1/2 C melted butter
1/3 C sugar
4 C Pwd sugar
2/3 C melted butter
2 tsp. vanilla
up to 6 Tbls. hot water

Mix together 1 1/c sugar and cinnamon and set aside
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tsp sugar, set aside
In a lg bowl or mixer, mix together milk, 2/3 c sugar, 2/3 C melted butter, salt and eggs. Add yeast mixture and 4 cups of flour. Mix until smooth, stir in enough flour to make a stiff dough. Knead or mix for 8 minutes.
place dough in a large greased bowl and cover. Allow to rise in a warm place until double in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
punch down dough and let rest for 5 minutes
Roll dough out on a floured surface into a 15 by 20 inch rectangle
Brush 1/2 C melted butter over dough; sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over dough then nuts if you like them.
tightly roll up dough and pinch edges together to seal; cut the roll into 12-15 slices using dental floss or thread.
Coat the bottom of a 13 by 9 pan with 1/2 c melted butter, sprinkle 1/3 c sugar evenly in bottom of pan (sometimes I use an 8 by 8 pan also so they don't have to squish together.)
Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the prepared pan; cover pan and allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.
Bake rolls in a 350 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Stir together powdered sugar, 2/3 c melted butter and extracts. Add hot water 1 Tbls. at a time, until the frosting is the consistency you like. Spread over slightly cooled rolls.

PS this takes enough time it's worth it to do 2 batches and freeze one right before the rolls raise a second time. Then you can pull it out the night before you want to have them, they'll raise and thaw in about 8 hours.

Benson's Baptism!

I can't believe Benson is 8!

Benson and Grandma Sumsion

Martina, Jessica, Benson and Crystal

Great Grandma Allen, Bens, Grandma Allen and Great Grandma Coombs

Benson and baby Ben

Markelle, Brynlee and Kim Jensen

Grandpa Allen

Great Grandpa Sumsion

Addison Jensen

Melanie and Ashton Bennett, Allyson Luekenga, Sharee Bird

Grandpa Bird

Marci Crawford

Grandpa Coombs

Today was my Grandpa Coombs' funeral. As I was getting ready, Benson asked me if it was really smart to waste all that make up (as I would cry it off later). There were 3 beautiful musical numbers, and my aunt and uncle gave touching tributes about the man I called "Gramps." My grandpa had been sick for a while, and I knew the end was near, so the call on Friday that he had moved on did not come as a surprise. But when I woke up Sunday, it hit me... The last time I saw him was the last time I will see him in this life. I know this is all part of the plan. I know he is in a better place. I know he is with his parents, that he has had a sweet reunion with a father he had never met, who had died a month before his birth, that he is with his mother who he loved and spoke of with such tenderness. I know he is no longer in pain. I know this is only a temporary good bye. And yet my Grandma looked so small and lost and alone without him. I feel sad for myself. But grateful that he was my grandpa. He came to so many of my classes to play the guitar, he took me on a date on my fourteenth birthday, he pretended that who ever won at miniature golf was who had the highest score. He made model airplanes with my kids and showed them old movies with the real planes in them, and when they were shooting foam airplanes in their house and I was telling them to stop he told them to aim better. He told jokes (Did you hear the one about the invisible man who married the invisible woman? They didn't see much of each other. Their kids weren't much to look at either!) and sang and when I played my flute he said it sounded perfect. He would answer the phone and say, "Well Liz! You're looking good!" I have so many great memories. I am grateful. And sad.

Alan's Sick...

I hate to admit this, but I don't mind too much when my kids are sick... It means we stay home and read and watch movies and nap and eat ice cream for lunch. In my mind this is making my kids feel more comfortable when they are miserable! To George, it's encouraging/rewarding them to be sick. It's all about balance, right?

A Busy Life

Yesterday I had to schedule time to fold laundry. I hate it when decisions I've made limit future decisions I'd like to make. We're a little busy around here. Sometimes I love it. Sometimes I hate it. Mostly it's great!

George!

here's the new george... that's right bic-ed head. and he's kept it up too... except that sliver in the back that he misses every time (shhh don't tell just laugh)