Elder Bo Shafer - Off to the MTC

Our Little Cowboy

Winston made the cutest cowboy for Halloween. He absolutely loved carrying around his cap pistol and flashlight. He loved going around to see our friends and neighbors and would clown it up whenever we stopped at someones house. He really enjoyed everyone's reactions and of course - the candy.




One of the highlights of his evening was getting to see our neighbors dog Daisy. He loves Daisy.

Taking Bo to the MTC

We took Bo down to the MTC on November 12. It was an overcast and rainy day that matched how I was feeling. It's so hard to have him leaving so soon after Zack. He was so much more ready to leave than I was to have him leave. I think he was relieved and glad that it was finally here and he didn't have to wait anymore. I'm just having such a hard time with the fact that my two little boys are all grown up. He looked so handsome in his suit and I'm so proud of the man that he is becoming. I do think it's great that he'll be able to spend 6 weeks with his brother at the MTC. I know they won't get to see each other everyday, but they will get to spend some time together before they are separated by their missions. Bo was my baby for 17 years and I still think of him as the youngest. It just doesn't seem possible that he's 19 and ready to leave home. I will miss him so much but at the same time I'm so happy with the choices he's making for his future. Good luck Bo. We love you and will miss you but we're also proud of you and know you'll be a great missionary.

Bo's Farewell

Bo spoke at church yesterday and he did a great job of course. He's going to be a great missionary. We had a really great time afterward with everyone who came by the house to visit. Bo has just two days left at home and then he's off to join his brother at the MTC. It's hard for me to absorb the fact that both of them are grown and leaving to start their own lives. Thank you to everyone for your well wishes and prayers.

Thought for Halloween

One of my very good friends gave me this great thought and I wanted to pass it on to share with everyone else.
Happy Halloween to everyone!

"Being a disciple of Christ is like being a pumpkin. The Savior lifts you up, takes you in and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff - including the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you for all the world to see."

September at Lake Powell

A Recipe worth Sharing - Cinnamon Rolls

I love cinnamon rolls and have tried several recipes looking for a great recipe. Of course I found this on http://allrecipes.com/. This one is similar to Cinnabons. It's made with a bread machine to take some of the work out of it and the results are fabulous. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do. CINNAMON ROLLS III

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup warm milk
1 egg, room temperature
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups bread flour
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
FILLING:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped pecans
FROSTING:
1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons milk
DIRECTIONS
In the pan of your bread machine, combine water, melted butter, vanilla pudding, warm milk, egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, bread flour and yeast. Set machine to Dough cycle; press Start.
When Dough cycle has finished, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 17x10 inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over dough.
Roll up dough, beginning with long side. Slice into 16 one inch slices and place in 9x13 buttered pan. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes. While rolls bake, stir together cream cheese, softened butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk. Remove rolls from oven and top with frosting.

Elder Zackery Shafer - Off to the MTC