In Search of the Perfect Roll

Over the past year I have pretty much perfected my bread-making skills. I am so proud that I can take whole wheat berries, grind them and make them into beautiful loaves of whole wheat bread (kind of have that "Henny-Penny" thing goin' on). However, I have been wanting to make the perfect whole wheat yeast roll. You know the kind ... tall and square and fluffy! My friend gave me -- what she thought was -- the "perfect" recipe. I decided I would try it today so that I could perfect it and WOW them on Thanksgiving but it's NOT the one! Too much like cinnamon roll texture and kind of sweet. Don't get me wrong --- they are dang tasty but the search is still on!

These are the kind I want (on the left) these are mine today (on the right). Just need different dough and make them rise a little higher -- I'll let you know and post the "perfect" picture of the "perfect" roll. (That is if I can "waddle" on up to the computer after all my experimental tasting!!!)

Twilight

I took a bunch of girls to the midnight showing of Twilight lastnight. We have all read the books and it really was a good movie -- followed the book really well. However, in my opinion I would have picked a better looking Edward but, then again, I'm 49! The girls LOVED him. A bit too "goth" for me. He could have ditched the lipstick!!! It was fun -- we are all tired today!

BYU WINS!!!

Our friends, the Ropers & Nathan Wagstaff, came to Colorado

for the weekend and the big BYU/Air Force game in

Colorado Springs. A quick trip -- but LOTS of fun!!

(Cindy Roper, Kelsey Naylor, Kevin Roper, Jacob Naylor,
Nathan Wagstaff, Casey Roper & Kraig Naylor)

Jacob's favorite friends and college team!

Dramatic entrance onto the field of chosen Air-Force para-troopers.

The Air-Force "Falcons" have the only living mascot of the college teams. A real falcon! They did a great exhibition of him soaring above the stadium.

Several jets did a fly-by at the beginning of the game that was VERY impressive and VERY loud. Not to mention VERY fast -- could only get a couple in the picture.

BYU won 38 to 24!

IT'S HERE .........

We set a record here in the Denver area for the longest recorded fall without snow -- well guess what? Winter has made it's grand entrance this morning! Was at the gym when Dad took Jacob to school ... hopefully he didn't wear his shorts and tee-shirt. I think he's in a bit of denial too!

We're having friends drive from Kamas today to go to the BYU/Air Force game in Colorado Springs tomorrow and to spend the weekend. It's suppose to be in the 60's tomorrow and Sunday so we will hope and pray! In the meantime ... I am fighting the urge to put on a little Bing Crosby Christmas Music while I'm cleaning! AHHHHHHHH .......

First Game -- First Win

Jacob's first game playing center for the 8th Grade team was a win!

He made 8 out of the 9 shots he took and had a great game!

Findng Out "Who's Who" in this Great Picture

I had the tremendous opportunity on Thursday, to go to our Church Family History Center in Parker and learn a new software that our church has published called New Family Search. Finally, they have compiled all the geneology work that everyone has been doing in one place where you can go and find out names and information about your ancestors.

A few years ago, Kraig's mother gave me this wonderful picture and on the back were the names of the people in it. I am now going through and finding out who they are and how they are related to Kraig. I am SOOOO excited!!!

So far I have found out that the woman standing on the left at the spinning wheel is Mary Bunting Ashton, Kraig's Great-Great-Great Maternal Aunt. Born: 15 Feb 1820.

The woman sitting down in the chair on the left is Ann Slater Bunting, Kraig's Great-Great-Great Maternal Grandmother. Born: 17 Dec 1797.

Isn't that fun? Can't wait to "meet" all the others in the picture and in the other pictures I have.

P.S. I finally learned how to use our scanner, Jessica!

Sisters Then and Now

In honor of my baby sister Cathy's birthday, yesterday, I thought

I would share some priceless pictures of us three "Burke" girls.

(Cyndi-left, Cathy-middle, Sherrill-right)

I guess we're about 4, 1 and 3 here.

Flying First Class on United Airlines (which my Dad worked for)

to our grandparent's house in Washington.

Are we fashion divas or WHAT! I think I was having another

bad hair year! Wanted the straight, parted-down-the-middle look

but obviously that didn't work with curly hair!

Cyndi-15, Sherrill-14, Cathy-12.

Here we are today! We had this taken at our

Mom's 70th Birthday celebration!

I just wanted Cathy and Cyndi to know how much I love them!

They are the best sisters anyone could have -- both then and now!!!

Trinkets from Down Under

Over the years, Kraig has brought back some fun "trinkets" from wherever he travels. We have a shelf in our computer room where they are displayed. He brought some great ones this time!

This is a Koru -- a symbol of new beginnings, growth and harmony. It is made of hand-blown glass and is such a pretty apricot color. The spiral, representing the unfurling of a young fern frond, is a well known emblem of the Maori people. He got this in New Zealand.

He also brought us this hand-painted Boom-a-Rang from Australia -- Murrawolka Creations (Murra=hand Wolka=painted). It is hanpainted by Aborigal families of the Birri-Gubba tribe).

Some favorites from other trips!