Las Vegas with the Browns

We had such a blast in Las Vegas this past week. Jordan and I went with some of our friends and stayed in my dads Condo. It was about 10 from the Strip so it was close enough to do stuff, but far enough away to get away from it all when we were ready for bed at nights. We stoped at Casablanca the first night and Amber and I got massages that next day while the boys went golfing. Then we drove to the condo, got settled in and then went to the Vegas Temple. It was beautiful. Abit of Heaven in sin city. During our trip we also went to Mystire, which was fabulous. We shopped, and ate till we were sick, It was nice to sleep in and stay up late. The best news was I won 100 dollars while playing Bingo. It was awesome. The weather was a bit on the cooler side, so the boys liked it for all their golf they played but I love soaking in the rays so I was a bit bumbed, but owell. We had a blast! Ps. Did anyone notice my Braces are off! It was a happy day Im telling you.

Looking forward to Spring

The Browns are back.. not that we left but I hadnt blogged for a while. Not that I have much to say either, but owell. My kids have loved being outside the past few days. We are so excited for warmer weather. Jack actually got a sunburn today on his face. Jordan......Oh there is something new with him. He has been training for his triathalon these past few months, and Im so proud of him. The race is in two weeks, down at the American fork Rec. Center. Anyway he is excited. Its for work and he once again is hoping to beat his boss. Jack is becoming a big helper now that he is five. He loves to protect Meg, and I love to see him do that. Meg is getting ready for her Spring dance rectial, and so and I. Meg has her last urinary reflux check up next week and we are crossing our fingers that its all good so we dont have to do the surgery. Well there is about us lately. We feel really blessed to have such good neighboors right now. We really do like where we are, we may break the two year house move rule. We have been in this house for two years in May the longest we have ever stayed anywhere, in the six years of marriage. Horray for us

Some Recipes and an Update!

Hello everyone!! Well Hyrum and I are probably the worst at updating you about our lives on the blog... but I will attempt today! :)

First things first... a lot of you wanted the recipe for the dessert I brought to fast sunday this month.... here it is!

Chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake bars!

Baking: 325 for about 30 minutes

So.. this recipe happens in 3 different parts (crust, dough, and filling) so I'll go through each.

Crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

5 T butter, melted

2/3 c (4 oz) miniature semisweet chocolate chips (I used milk choc chips for eveything in this and it turned out well..)

Dough:

5 T butter, at room temperature

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3 T sugar

1/8 t salt

1 t vanilla extract

3/4 c flour

1 c (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

Filling:

10 0z cream cheese, room temperature

1/4 c sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

1 t vanilla extract

1/3 c semisweet chocolate chips (don't add to filling..)

Crust:

Butter a 9" square baking pan and line the pan with a piece of wax paper that is long enough to go over the edges. Butter the paper.

In a bowl, stir the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until the crumbs are moist (they won't be REALLY wet, and that's fine) Stir in the chocolate chips.

Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom and 1 " up the sides of the pan. Bake for 6 minutes (at 325).

Dough:

In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth. Add flour, mixing just enough to mix it in. Stir in the chocolate chips. - Set aside

Filling:

In a bowl (with clean beaters), beat the cream cheese and sugar just until smooth (I didn't wait until my cream cheese was room temp so it got pretty lumpy. I just left it and it turned out fine once it baked.... so don't worry if it doesn't really smooth out.) Mix in the egg and vanilla just enough to mix in. 

Pour the cheesecake batter onto the crust. Drop spoonfuls of the cookie dough over the top of the batter. Bake until the top feels dry and firm and looks set if you shake the pan - 30 minutes. 

Put the 1/3 c chocolate chips in the microwave until melted. Use a spoon to drizzle it over the bars. 

Cool the bars completely in the pan (about an hour). The chocolate topping will be set when the bars are cool. We had some right after they were done warm, and then some later once they had cooled- and they do tast better cold-FYI

The bars can be covered and stored in the fridge (the recipe says for up to 3 days). Enjoy!!!

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Also... not to make this extremely long... but I just found a really really yummy cupcake recipe. I made them for my brother's birthday with all white chocolate ingredients (he doesn't like chocolate! go figure!) but it's intended for milk chocolate - both are good!! There's a bundt cake store in Vegas, called "Nothing Bundt Cake" and that's where these are from!

"Nothing Bundt Cake" Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cupcakes

Mix Together:

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix (from a box)

1/2 c warm water

1/2 c vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 small pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix (just the powder- don't make the pudding)

1 c sour cream

2 c chocolate chips

The batter will be fluffy

Pour into lined cupcake trays (fill about 3/4 of the way up, they will rise)

Bake for 15-17 (15 was just right when I did it) minutes at 375 degrees.

*Or you can pour the batter into a greased bundt pan and bake it at 375 for 50 mintues (I haven't tried that yet)

This recipe makes about 30 cupcakes.

Frosting:

8 oz softened cream cheese

1/2 stick soft butter

3 c powdered sugar

1 t vanilla

1 T water if needed (I put in about a teaspoon)

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Anyway... Well we have been doing other things besides making yummy treats!! I am just about over my latest cold and happy to be able to breathe again :). School is going well and my internship has been pretty enjoyable lately. Hyrum has been really busy studying for his LEED test (He's trying to become a LEED AP, which is the new environmental way to build in construction. It's really big right now, and most companies are trying to head in that direction. It should make him more of an asset, which we all know is key in today's economy!- oops! did I say the economy word?) Anyway, the test is in a couple weeks (wish him good luck!)  He's also busy with work, school, and callings like always. 

We're starting to get excited about moving on from school and into the 'real world' (if we can get a job! nothing too concrete in that arena yet.. but we're really hopeful and feeling ok about things). It's hard to really appreciate your schooling when you're right in the middle of it :)

We went to see Aida last week, and it was amazing!! If you haven't seen it, go tonight (I think today's the last show, right?) I had never seen Aida, so I loved it and they have really done an awesome job at the school. Thanks for the head's up Mary! It was also fun to walk around the legend that is Viewmont :) and see all the sites (I was appalled there was such a thing as "Stud Hall" though!!! :) 

Last night our Social Work student association (BSWSA) that I am the publicity chair for, put on a benefit concert for The Center for Women and Children in Crisis. It went really well and we had a pretty good turn out (which we were relieved about!) We have yet to see how much we really made after paying the venue and performers... but I think it turned out ok. It's a relief to have it over!

Well, that's all our latest, sorry this is SO LONG!! For any of you who are still reading, we love you and are excited for Bear Lake!! Woo!

jenna & hyrum