The easiest, simplest, and yummiest Basic Bread Recipe

I found this recipe on YouTube while searching for an easy bread recipe. This is by far the easiest, simplest, and yummiest bread recipe ever!!! Bonus, it can be used for so many different recipes - dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, bread loaf, pizza crust etc

I love that it is a huge batch so I can make a variety of different bread. (link to original video below)

I top my bread loaf and dinner rolls with some butter and salt before putting them in the oven

you are welcome to print the recipe

simply click on picture to enlarge, right click, save as, and print!

original recipe

cinnamon roll recipe

Beck's One Year Follow Up Appointment

Christmas 2016, Beck was admitted to the hospital with a urinary tract infection. 

(you can read all about it here)

Following his stay at the hospital, Beck had a VCUG which is a Xray of his bladder. That test showed us that Beck had a grade one urinary reflux on his left side. 

(you can read about that here)

That result was followed up by a visit to the urology specialist at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.

(you can read about that here)

We knew he would have to do another test when he was a year; however this time he would need to be sedated. When they say sedated what they actually meant was Beck would be awake the entire time, he would just be a little bit loopy and totally relaxed. He has always been a cuddly boy, but this made him extra cuddly. The happy, funny, loopy Beck ended when we went into the x-ray room. The procedure is quite invasive and required his legs to be held down, and Aaron and I to hold his arms back. He was doing fine up until that point and then he started screaming. There was a lady there holding toys for him, which would distract him for like a second, and then he would go back to screaming. With his heart rate rising, they finally decided to give him some apple juice in a bottle, which Beck loved. He was able to stay mostly calmed while the x-ray tech finished up. It was hard to see my baby like that, so upset and nothing I was doing was helping him. 

In recovery, I was able to hold him and listen to him talk away to his pretty nurse. He ate crackers and drank more juice. 

Later that day, we found out that his reflux is still present on that left side. It hasn't got worse which is good, but hasn't cleared up either. We can't get back in to see the urology specialist until February which is frustrating; but, Beck's primary doctor doesn't think they will much if anything at all. It looks like Beck will more than likely have another one of these procedures in the future to make sure the reflux isn't getting worse.

Motivational Monday #37

Amen!

#LightTheWorld 2017

This Christmas season we are invited to particapate in #lighttheworld. An inicative the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints has created. The purpose is to generate more christlike service. Our family has decided to particapate and to document our service. Now, I fully believe in the phrase, serve without remembering and recieve without forgetting; however, I want my children to be able to see what we have done this holiday season as a visual reminder. 

Here are the ways The Craig Family is trying to #lighttheworld

Day One - "Freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8

Today we went to Salt Lake City to use the new charity vending machines. We spent $25 and donated 100 meals. There were tons of options to chose from including a goat, two chickens, medicine, reading glasses, backpack, baby hats, goldfish and so on. The prices also ranged from free up, so no matter your individual budget there is something you can give. The girls loved it!

Day Two - "I was thirsty and ye gave me drink." Matthew 25:35

Today we went to Costco, purchased a case of water, and delivered it to a local homeless shelter. It was also an opportunity to talk with Hannah about homelessness and we were also able to talk about what a blessing it is that we have a place to live and food to eat. 

Day Three - "Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." Matthew 12:12
Today Hannah sang in the stake choir. It was wonderful to listen to her share her talent with everyone. The spirit was so strong as the children sang about Heavenly Father and that He answers prayers.

Having Fun Playing With Cousins In St. George

My sister and her family took a trip to Cedar City for the new temple open house. We live about three and a half hours from St. George (the city next to Cedar City) so decided to head down for the day. Hannah loves spending time with her cousins! 

We went to a local dinosaur museum (they are everywhere in Utah.)

Then we headed to the funniest playground I have ever seen! The kids ran around for hours. There were swings, slides, zip lines, and a train!

We finished the day with dinner at Viva Chicken. Delicious!

Love when these kids gets together :)

Our First Week With Noel

Our elf Noel is back! 

The girls are so excited to wake up and try to find where she is. They always get so excited when they finally find her. This is the first year that Lilly Belle is really into it. She always yells for Hannah to come and see Noel once she finds her. Hannah, who has usually already found her, is a good sport about it. Noel doesn't do anything crazy or super creative, but the girls don't care which means less stress for me! 

Here is where the girls found Noel the first week

Day One 

Noel brought a letter and book for the girls to read

 Day Two

Noel was hiding in the popcorn bucket

Day Three

We did't have anything on top of our tree until now

Day Four

The girls found Noel hanging out with the snowmen on the ladder

Day Five

After we hung lights on the girls bed, Noel decided to spend the day with them

Day Six

I have no idea why but the girls thought that Noel hiding in the chocolate chip jar was hilarious

Day Seven

Naughty Noel drew on our wedding picture

(Lilly Belle was very upset about this)

Day Eight

December 1st!!!! 

Today Noel brought the girls an advent calendar!

Day Nine

This morning Hannah couldn't find her underwear. 

She soon found it on the Christmas tree!

click here to see what our elf has been up to in the past 

Fun with Nanny and Poppy

My parents came up for a long weekend at the end of October. 

Here are pics of all the fun things we got up too.

The day my Mum and Dad arrived Hannah had a Halloween party at school. Her grade was given the theme fairy tales. Hannah decided to dress up as Little Red Riding Hood. I think she is the cutest red riding hood EVER!

Traveling to the pumpkin patch. He always has that tongue out!

Waiting for the train to arrive.

Not sure who had the most fun on the train, my dad or the girls? I think it was a tie.

My sleepy baby. This is why I love baby wearing.

Train spotting

My Dad came with us on a little nature walk. It is called Bridal Veils because of the amazing waterfall.

Lilly Belle LOVES her Daddy

You can tell that my Dad was thrilled to take a pic with the girls wearing their My Little Ponies masks. 

My Dad wanted to go check out this train store in Murray, and it actually turned out to be so much fun. They had this mini arcade area in the back where they had a couple kid rides and tons of trains you could drive.

Their trip ended with Halloween. Hannah was wonder woman and Lilly was Belle

It is so much fun when my parents come to visit. The girls love and miss them so much.