Cookies for the 4th

The are 2 times each year that the extended family makes cookies: Christmas and the 4th of July. I always make gingerbread cookies and then choose something else. Kathy always makes sugar cookies and something else. At Christmas time this is OK, since there are so many shapes to choose from. On Independence Day it seems that stars are the shape of choice. Until now.

I wanted something different, so I hunted through my cutters and came up with the idea of making Liberty Bell cookies...I found a fluted spoon to make the crack on the bell with. The frosting dims the effect, but I'm still thrilled with my idea.

So, Happy Birthday America! And thanks to the men and women and their families who serve(d) in our armed forces.

Andrew's first email came

It's been a long week waiting for news from Andrew. I am on an email list for mothers with missionaries serving in the mid-west. On Monday I found out from a mother that Andrew was her son's companion. His name is Elder Tyler Lunceford and he's from Maeser (Vernal), Utah.

Today we finally heard from Andrew himself. Sounds like he's doing great. He's bumped into several friends from BYU and on Sunday he was just 10 yards away from the prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson, who was there to set apart new mission presidents.

We knew he was fine, but it sure is nice hearing from him and having that confirmed!