Current Gulity Pleasures

I make this weekly. I don't want to admit how many times weekly. I call it brownie in a bowl. It's super easy. All the ingredients are already in your fridge or pantry. It only takes a tablespoon, a microwave safe bowl/mug and a microwave. I got the recipe from my mother-in-law, who got the recipe from her son, who got the recipe from his wife, who is the woman who has all the most delicious recipes.

The recipe:
4 T flour
3 T sugar
1 T cocoa
3 T milk
3 T oil
3 T chocolate chips
vanilla

Spoon all the ingredients into the bowl/mug. Mix them up. Add chocolate chips once the other ingredients are well mixed. Microwave for 2-3 minutes. ENJOY!

It's easy, it's not messy, it's warm and chocolaty and it's yours and you don't have to share

I usually make it late at night while watching my other guilty pleasure Studio C. Have you seen it? You should. It's funny. It's a comedy sketch show on BYU TV. We watch it online. 

This clip is especially great. 

ENJOY!

I Heart the Moon

The girls love Lucy

 Last week I took my girls once again to Half Moon Bay and the tide pools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Before going to the beach we stopped in town to take some photos. I saw these cute signs my last time at Half Moon Bay and knew they would make for some great shots.

 While I was taking this picture an older gentelman with a charming accent approached me to tell me he painted the signs and he did it for the children. What a nice man. I am sure glad he made these charming signs and displayed them for all to see and enjoy. It reminded me of the value of art and beautiful things. They bring so much joy to life.

Mally drawing "Mally" in the sand.

 Speaking of joy... I find so much joy at the beach. We met some friends at the tide pools. I planned this trip to be at the tide pools during low tide. It was ingredible. The tide was so low that the rocks and tide pools went out a long way. We saw crabs, fish, shells, and sea lions. Too bad I didn't take any pictures of them and too bad that the rain called our outing short. The kids didn't seem to mind the rain, but eventually we were too wet and cold. So, home we went. We spent the rest of the afternoon wearing cozy clothes, watching movies, drinking hot cocoa and trying to get warm again.

It was a good day.

Why I love this place

I love living here because on a lazy afternoon you can jump in the car and within 30 minutes be at beach. It's awesome. We went to Half Moon Bay and spend a sunny afternoon in warm 60 degree weather. Our sweaters and sweatshirts were not needed. Loved it. 

I gave the camera to Mally. This is me and Lucy from her perspective. 

Cute sleeping Lucy. 

The Holiday Rush

December was PACKED with visitors, parties, family, friends, trips, and travel. Here are a bunch of pictures from the month. 

At the first of the month uncle Marshall came to visit. 

Brothers playing Starcraft together. 

Eva posing outside of DreamWorks before the Family Christmas Party. 

Eva didn't dare get close to Santa, but Stephen and his co-workers gladly posed with St. Nick.

Sunday evening visiting the lights at the Oakland Temple.

We traveled to Sacramento for cousin Rachel's wedding. The kissing newlyweds.

Love was in the air. Us kissing Lucy. 

Eva and Rachel giving thumbs up to marriage.

The eating newlyweds.

Lucy with her newest cousin Conver.

Spending the day with cousin Lanelle visting for the wedding.

Aunt Sarah gladly holding Lucy.

Surfing Santa. 

Lucy trying to look like Santa.   

Taking Grandma Ward on a boat ride around the SF Bay.  

Mally on the Bay. 

Taking Grandma to Pier 39.

Lucy with Grandpa Nat. 

Dreaming of sugar plums. 

Girls playing Silent Night on the hand bells. 

The "Holy Family." 

The Christmas morning lineup. 

Girls with the gifts they gave each other. Eva made a joke book for Mally and Mally made a coloring book for Eva. 

My favorite Christmas gift, Boom Wackers, from the Suggs.  The musical instrument you play by hitting each other. 

We escaped for a night to stay in the Castle Creek Inn. 

The girls crashing in the car 

Seeing the lights at Temple Square with all the Lewis family. 

The Scotts at Temple Square.

With Grandma Mitchell. 

Mally's work of art. 

The girls with their favorite older cousin, Aubriaunna. 

The girls with Logan and Lizzy. 

And that's a wrap.