Jenni's note: I thought I would throw this video in because it was cute to watch Preston and Jace interact- being that they are only about 2 weeks apart. I can't say that they got along this well the entire time they were together (lots of competition with toys, let's just say that), but this video was cute.
For those who haven't had a chance to pick up my new album yet, I just wanted to let you know that I am going to be having a fantastic sale on both of my albums from now until the end of 2009. So if you are looking for a great gift idea for Christmas or stocking stuffer...Look no further :)
November 4th, 2003 was the first time I ever laid eyes on Will in real life.
It was the first time I rode in a car with him.
It was the first time I noticed he had freckles (because I didn't notice it in his pictures).
It was the first time we climbed a mountain and ate sandwiches together.
First time we got to have a long conversation without typing it or speaking it into a phone.
First time I got to look into his blue eyes.
First time I knew for sure that he would make me laugh.
Last time he would wear his green American Eagle sweatshirt because I stole it after that and have never given it back.
Happy 1st Date Day babe,
Your babalicious.
We had a lovely Halloween. Preston was an elephant. His friend Camden was a giraffe.
Although, Camden was not really diggin' the giraffe suit.
Everyone had a good laugh at Preston's costume. Hee hee.
And of course, he...
On the other hand, Will found a comfy cozy spot which is where he parked for a while. He did run 10 miles earlier that morning, so I suppose that is a good enough excuse.
Erika and I had fun totally messing up their brand new kitchen in their brand new house by making some brand spankin' new pumpkin cinnamon rolls with caramel frosting (thanks to Heather in our Relief Society Newsletter!)
Want the recipe?
Okay.
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Frosting
1/3 cup milk
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin or mashed cooked pumpkin
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, beaten
1 package dry yeast
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. melted butter
Caramel frosting (recipe follows)
In small saucepan, heat milk and 2 tbsp. butter just until warm (120-130
degrees) and butter is almost melted, stirring constantly. In large mixer bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar and salt. Add milk mixture and beat with electric mixer until well mixed. Beat in egg and yeast. In separate mixing bowl, combine flours. Add half of flour mixture to pumpkin mixture. Beat mixture on low speed 5 minutes, scraping sides of bowl frequently. Add remaining flour and mix thoroughly (dough will be very soft). Turn into lightly greased bowl, then grease surface of dough lightly. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto floured surface. Knead a few turns to form a smooth dough, sprinkling with enough additional flour to make dough easy to handle. On lightly floured surface, roll dough into 12x10 inch rectangle.
In small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Brush surface of dough
with melted butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Beginning with long side of dough, roll up jellyroll style. Pinch seam to seal. With sharp knife, cut roll into 12 1- inch slices. Place rolls, cut side up, in greased 9 inch square baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, 30 to 45 minutes.
Bake rolls at 350 degrees about 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from
pan to waxed paper-lined wire rack. Cool 10 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with
Caramel frosting. Makes 12 rolls.
CARAMEL FROSTING
1/4 cup (4 tbsp.)butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp. milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla
Dash salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar.
In small saucepan, heat butter until melted. Stir in brown sugar and milk.
Stir in brown sugar and milk. Cook over medium low heat 1 minute.
Transfer to small mixer bowl and cool mixture. Stir in vanilla, salt, and confectioners' sugar. Beat with electric mixer until well blended. If necessary, add more confectioners' sugar for desired consistency.
My Advice: Put more flour into the dough. It was way too gooey.
I thought it would be ultra entertaining for you to see some of our Halloweens pasts. There are lots of old goodies in here. (I couldn't find many of Will's old costume pictures, but there is a goodie in here anyway...you'll see it).
This lovely gem below is Will and I's first Halloween together. We actually won 1st prize for our costumes. We were just barely engaged at the time. We stuffed a pillow in my butt, socks in my bra, Will stuffed a pillow in his shirt...and we were stunning. Love my hot pink cheeks and lips?
This one is me, as a ballerina, with two of my brothers. Ninja hi-ya! And an Arabian Shiek.
This was me during my first year of college. I played in the symphony orchestra and every year they did a Halloween concert. The first year I was Miss America. Yes I made my own sash. The only thing I wish I would have done better was had bigger hair.
Yet another fab Halloween concert at school - the following year. My friend Mel and I borrowed costumes from the theater department in the 18th century era and just, well, felt pretty. My hoop skirt knocked over someone's music stand on stage because of how huge it was.
Below: This one below was when I was living in Provo. That's me and my totally fun awesome roommate Veronica, and uh, exboyfriend Chris (on the left, he was Icabod Crane). We were Renaissance Maidens. Oh oh oh!! And the costume that Veronica is wearing I actually sewed! Myself! Yep one of my only past sewing projects thank you very much.
Okay this fun one was a YSA Halloween dance in 2003. I had just met Will at this time but he was living in Portland, and I was up here in Seattle. So he's not in any of these photos. I was a gypsy. The easiest costume ever I might add. Big jewelry, and scarves.
Michelle you should get a good laugh out of these because here's your hubby as the hulk!
Okay next. Me as I was meant to be - an angel. Awwe. sigh. LOL kidding. But yeah, here's me at yet another Halloween symphony concert. This one was 2002.
And last but not least, this was us last year. I was a beauty school dropout, Will was my client, and Preston was a duck. Or a chicken. No, wait, he was a duck (Noelle, I still need to give you your costume back!)
What will the Thomas family be tonight???....Well, Preston's going to be an elephant. And as far as I know, we're just chillin' this Halloween :)
Happy Halloween! Don't eat too much candy or it'll rot your teeth out.
