One Year

Then

Now

And one of Katie, because she doesn't usually look that grumpy.

We've been in Pennsylvania for a whole year now. Exactly one year ago (right about this time, actually, we pulled up and got out to a hot, humid, and beautifully green state.

One year later:

-Nate is about to start another semester of school.

-Katie has joined our family

-Nicole was in an accident that totaled one car, and now we've got a new one. (No one was hurt, and it actually worked out to be financially in our favor)

-We've moved once to an apartment slightly closer to town

-We've survived a whole summer without air conditioning. Some days, it was quite difficult, but we did it.

-Katie has managed to learn to smile, laugh, eat solid foods, get 4 teeth, crawl, roll over, and be basically too adorable for people not to comment on.

-Indiana has survived not being the main being that needs caring for, and has made a few friends and even been to a dog park many times.

It's been a really good year, and even though we miss seeing our families as often, Pennsylvania really has been a pretty great place to live.

You Should Get More Sleep When...

Last night, I fell asleep reading a book in bed. Nate woke me up so we could say prayer, and it was my turn. I was really, REALLY tired. This is how the prayer went:

Nicole: "Please bless that we can be kept safe, and if we can't, please bless that we can defend ourselves..." A few more things..."Amen"

Nate: "Did you say 'defend ourselves?'"

Nicole: "Uh, yeah. In case we can't be kept safe..."

To be honest, I usually just sort of revert to standard phrases that I use when I'm that tired. "Defend ourselves" has NEVER been in a prayer that I've said before...ever.

Look out intruders.

Then, One Time, I was Caller #2

Nate and I went grocery shopping on Tuesday night. We both love to grocery shop...it's like a hobby for us. As a result, dinners this week have been fabulous.

In case you're curious, if you love the Roasted Red Pepper Sauce from Brick Oven, this is a really close substitute. It works particularly well if you're over 2000 miles away from Brick Oven and you just desperately want some of that incredibly good sauce. Also, it's only $2.00 at Walmart, at least ours.

Anyway, we started at Giant, bought most of our things, and then headed over to Walmart for a few other items. These stores are about 5 minutes apart. Along the way we were listening to the radio, which happened to have a contest giving away tickets to "She Loves Me." This is the play that You've Got Mail is based off of, and it happens to be one of my favorites--Nate and I were planning on going and seeing it. I decided to call in, just for fun. Winning something off the radio has been something I've wanted to do ever since I started listening to the radio. I used to call in every morning on my way to work when FM 100 did their 100 days of Christmas. They were giving away $100, after all, and I like money. I never won though. I also attempted to win a love sac, but some guy named Steve won it for his 3 year old daughter. Anyway, I called, the line was busy, I decided to call again...the line started ringing. What do you know it? I managed to be caller #2. The radio guy says, "Hey, who am I talking to?" I tell him my name, he tells me I won. I say, "ArE yOu SeRiOuS?!?" He says "I wouldn't kid about a thing like that!" He gives me a chance to promote the radio station, at which point I quickly look over at the car radio and listen to Nate telling me what the station is that we're listening to, since I've never listened to it before that day, and then he tells me how to get the tickets.

And that, is how we got free tickets to a play we were already planning on seeing. This means that now, we can also go out to eat beforehand. and I'm so excited, because this isn't really a date we'll be able to do for awhile after the baby is born. Hooray for contests when most people aren't listening to the radio!

Or for just plain dumb luck. Either way, I'll take it.

So much for that...

OK, the Valentines day post probably won't be happening any time soon--it was really fun, we went to Vegas, we saw Eric and Jenn, Sage, Savannah, Haven, and Ryder. They're fantastic, and it was really fun.

I've been thinking about time lately. Between the change in it this weekend, and the fact that we went to an activity put on by the Young Women in Nate's family's ward, it's been interesting.

At the Young Women's activity, I was thinking "Holy cow, I'm not in Young Women's anymore." Clearly, I was previously aware of this, but Relief society in a Singles ward, and in a Young Married ward feels basically the same as Young Women's--just bigger.

I've also been thinking about the fact that I have a job--like a real one. I'm a teacher. The thing that I always said I wanted to be "When I grow up." Suddenly, I'm here, and I don't think that I'm really "grown up" yet. Who knows when I'll really feel like a grown up. I guess I feel moments of adulthood, just not a general feeling of being an adult.

In Stake Conference today, Sister Bateman told us about a quote she heard from Sister Hinkley. She said, "You're all wonderful, you just don't realize it because you're so used to yourselves!" I really liked that--and I guess it goes with the whole time thing. Over time we tend to get used to lots of things in our lives. We sort of fall into a pattern, and we don't think about lots of different things that we have to appreciate. This can apply to friends, family, our spouse, anything. The same thing I think starts to happen with ourselves. We're always with ourselves, and we start to ignore the talents and abilities that we've been given.

Not that we should run around tooting our own horns, and extolling our various virtues, but I think that it might be just as important for us to recognize the blessings we've been given in the form of personality, and talents, as it is for us to be thankful for the physical blessings we've been given.

And if you're having a hard time figuring out why you're wonderful, you should ask someone. If no one else, ask me. I can tell you a thing or two about why you're fantastic.

62% BYU Student.

I found this on someone else's blog. I found it somewhat entertaining...hopefully you will too.

How BYU are you?

77 questions.

[X] You have been kissed at lease once
[_] Your first kiss was on campus
[X] You've had a boyfriend/girlfriend
[X] You lived in the dorms your freshman year
[X] You went to Homecoming or Preference
[X] You hiked the Y
[_] You've taken a social dance class
[X] You regularly attended FHE for at least a semester
[X] You've participated in Choose to Give
[X] You've been to Liberty Square for a party at least once
[X] You've driven around south of campus for at least 20 minutes trying to find a parking spot
[X] You know the cougar fight song
[X] You've crossed the crosswalk without using the flags or biked through a red light
[_] You've been to Friday Night Live
[_] You've performed or witnessed an act that made it onto Police Beat
[X] You've been on a "date" to the bell tower or duck pond
[X] You've been to the Bean Museum for FHE
[X] You've been to Divine Comedy
[X] You've been to International Cinema
[X] You are engaged
[X] You are married
[X] ...in the temple
[_] You were previously engaged/married
[_] You have kids or are expecting kids
[X] Your birth parents are still married
[X] ...in the temple
[X] You have at least three siblings
[_] You've taken a marriage prep or relations class
[X] You've taken at least one religion class that is not based on the scriptures
[X] You have slept on a couch in a restroom
[X] You have been to the BYU Creamery
[_] You have been in one of the BYU choirs
[_] You've been on a date to Fat Cats
[X] You have read Twilight
[X] ...book 2
[X] ...book 3
[X] ...book 4
[X] ...seen the movie
[_] ...more than once
[_] You've waited in line at the Bookstore for the Harry Potter or Twilight book premiere
[_] You have seen The Singles Ward or Sons of Provo
[X] You have walked out of a movie you found morally reprehensible
[X] You know where the "chastity line" is
[X] You can finish the phrase "Nothing good happens after ______"
[X] You read the Daily Universe at least 3x a week
[_] ...and it's the only newspaper you read
[X] You've personally known someone who was reported to the Honor Code Office
[_] You've participated in or watched a Mr. BYU contest
[_] You've received personal revelation that he/she is "the one" (or been told this)
[_] ...and told him/her about your revelation (or been told this)
[_] ...and then they rejected you (or rejected them)
[X] You've been to the Nickelcade
[X] You've been to Classic Skating
[_] You've ignored your parents' phone calls for at least 3 days
[_] ...and then they called the University Police
[_] You've been pulled over by the University Police
[X] You watch The Office religiously
[X] You mostly wear jeans and t-shirts or plain fitted shirts
[_] You own at least 3 things from American Eagle or Hollister
[_] Your sacrament meeting is a fashion show/scam session
[X] You've been on a date to the Provo River

You've kissed in a...
[X] ...campus parking lot
[X] ...Provo Canyon or Squaw Peak
[X] ...on temple grounds
[X] ...on a couch as soon as your roommates left the room
[_] You think UVU is not a real university
[_] You hate U of U with a passion

FOR GIRLS (don't answer if you're a guy)
[X] You own knee-length shorts
[X] You regularly wear camisoles/undershirts for modesty reasons
[_] You are a MFHD, RMYL, Elementary Education, or Exercise Science Major
[_] Your major crush ended up dating a MFHD, RMYL, Elementary Education, or Exercise Science major
[_] You have had at least one roommate who is in hair or dental school
[X] You own The Italian Job or The Princess Bride
[X] You wear makeup at least 3x a week
[X] You do something with your hair (other than brush it/ponytail) at least 3x a week
[_] You went or plan on going on a mission
[_] ...because you couldn't get married


FOR GUYS (don't answer if you're a girl)
[_] You shave every (or almost every) morning
[_] You know when your hair is "too long"
[_] You know what the "divide by 2 and add 7" dating rule is
[_] ...and you follow it
[_] You've dated freshmen girls as a RM
[_] ...when you already knew better
[_] You've used the phrase "On my mission..." to a girl
[_] At least 3 girls have baked cookies or meals for you
[_] You went or plan on going on a mission
[_] ...because you wanted to get married

TOTAL: 48

A: 68-77
B: 60-67
C: 53-66
D: 45-52
F: 44 or below

Yes! I'm 62% Stereotype! I thought perhaps that waiting for a missionary, going to a Divine Comedy Show, and only ever kissing my husband would have pushed me over the top.

Nic and Nat

The first picture here was taken at Greg and Tess' wedding in May.

The second is at Thanksgiving--on Thursday.

Apparently, Natalie and I like to take the exact same picture...and so does Karly.

Thanksgiving was wonderful, in case you were wondering. Hope yours was too.

Also, Merry Christmas!

So. Funny.

I've been hearing a lot about various and sundry midnight release parties for Breaking Dawn lately. At the moment, I'm not planning on attending any of them, but I am hoping to get the book fairly soon thereafter. If any of you are planning on going to one...well...let me know.

If I were going to a midnight release party, I think I would have to go to the BYU Bookstore's. Not only are they doing a book release party, but they're also doing a blood drive.

Yes, a blood drive, for a vampire novel. I'm still laughing about it now. Genius.

Pioneer Day Weekend

This Pioneer Day weekend, Nate and I decided to go and see the Golden Spike Museum at Promontory Summit, and then we went to see the Spiral Jetty.
When we went, it was totally dry--no water at all around it, just hard, dry, shiny salt.
This was a stick that was entirely crusted with salt. Also, the Salt from the Salt lake is really, really salty. Much more so than just table salt.
Can you see the sparkles? It looks a lot like snow, except that it was really hard, and it was WAY too hot outside for there to be any snow.
This is a place where the salt has formed crystals on the rocks of the Spiral Jetty. In case you don't know what the Spiral Jetty is, you should go here.
This was a large metal ball. The salt has totally eroded and rusted it, and now you can break off parts of it easily if you tried. We didn't. It's pretty amazing to see what nature can do to stuff that's dumped in her.
This is the presentation of the driving of the Golden Spike.
And also, the reinactors and the engine replicas--they really run, and they're pretty, which is a funny thing to say about a massive machine, but it's true.
Nate got this action picture of them driving the last spike, which was actually a plain Iron spike. The golden spike was never actually driven.
This is Nate and I with the reinactors, each holding one of the Golden Spikes...ok, so they're replicas, but they really do have gold in them.
Here's one of our Chacos on the sand. We're not quite sure why it's so blue, but it's kind of cool.

Hope you all had some good Pioneer Day experiences. We're sure glad they came to Utah!

Because I like Comments...

I put off doing this for a bit...because I don't want to look like I'm following the blogger crowd, and I don't want to look desperate for comments. I'm feeling nostalgic though, and would rather look a little desperate in the hopes of gathering some good memories.

So...yeah. Leave a comment with a memory, and I promise to reciprocate. It'll be like a reunion...only we're not actually together. I guess it's more like we're 80 and making phone calls to each other where every sentence starts with, "remember that one time..."

Anyway, I'd like to hear from you. Leave a message at the beep.

Beeep.

A Day at the Beach

We've only got two more weekends here in Tremonton, and so we decided to take advantage of some of the local attractions. We headed to Willard Bay, which is an offshoot of the Great Salt Lake, except it's freshwater. We took Indiana along to see how he'd like swimming and the beach. He was a little skeptical at first, but he got right in after sniffing around a bit.

Indiana really liked rolling around in the sand

Me and Indiana, chillin' on the Beach

Nate and Indiana, getting some sun

After swimming around, Indiana needed a drink

This picture took some effort. Indiana hasn't learned any "look at the camera" command, and we, apparently, can't handle it either.

It was a lot of fun. If you're ever in the area, I would highly recommend it. Also, Indiana can swim, and well. Here's a video...in case you wanted to see it in action.

From the Files...

I was going through some of our old files, in an effort to consolidate what we have into one place, instead of having it on two computers and a removable hard drive. In the process, I found these pictures.This was after a trip to Panda Express. I got the best. fortune. ever.

Seriously, this is what came out of my cookie.

I believe that this is my impression of being so cool I don't care what you think...I don't even have to do anything to my hair I'm so cool.

...or not.

These girls, however, are that cool. These are their Tour of Italy Shirts. You'd never know they made them themselves.

This is when I started fighting with Sophie because I was so jealous of their awesome shirts. As I recall, I lost.

Somehow though, we managed to be friends, even if we couldn't center the picture..

This is the picture that we're going to put on the "be an RA!" flier sometime. Seriously, look at the kind of people you work with.

Wendy and Sophie, I miss you guys. We should play more often. Also, if you want to get me one of those Tour of Italy shirts, I wouldn't complain too much. I'm still ever so slightly jealous.

Weekend Adventures...Part 2

In which we had our camera, and simply failed to take many pictures.

First thing in the morning we headed out to the Provo Parade. There were some awesome floats and people, and music, but we just watched until the Provo missionaries came through, and then Nate wanted a picture. So we took a couple. We took Indiana with us, and towards the end this group of little girls became really interested in him. They were all trying to get his attention, and one little girl, who happened to be the littlest of the group, kept ripping up grass from the area and trying to feed it to Indiana. He happily ate what he could from them.

After the parade, we headed back to Nate's parent's house, where we got out the paper rocket launcher that I made a little while ago in a physics conference, and started launching paper rockets down the street. We also tried attaching smoke bombs to the ends of the paper rockets. It was pretty cool.

We then headed over to my parent's house for some sweet Mario Kart racing and some lunch. My parents and family then headed out to work at Stadium of Fire, while Nate and I headed back to the Murray's. I'm pretty sure that this is where we took a 2 and a half hour nap.

Yes, that's right, 2 and a half hours. Wait, no. That happened on Saturday--but it did happen.

Once back to the Murray's, there was more Mario Kart, and Nate and Abby and I went to Walmart whre I got some contacts and we got some rocket making supplies for the evening of cousins. We also got a few fireworks. And, now that I think about it...this happened on Thursday night. Regardless, there was a lot of Mario Kart this weekend.

Friday night, all of the Elison/Edwards clan came over for fireworks and food. As usual, when that group of family gathers, there were plenty of delicious things to eat. We set off fireworks galore, which was fantastic. During one session of snake lighting, Chase made the comment that the snakes were, "The Devil's Untrimmed Fingernails." This phrase was quickly adopted by other cousins present, and the snakes took on a much cooler tone to the boys who were sitting around as I lit them.

After the Elison/Edwards festivities, we went to my parent's house to light some more fireworks. Fire and family--who could ask for anything more?

Saturday morning, we got to go and see Wall-e for free. I thought it was a really interesting film. I won't go into too many things in this post, but it touched on a lot of interesting things.

Then we went to a BBQ with the same Elison/Edwards group, which was delicious. Then there was the Nap mentioned above. Then some more Mario Kart, first with the Murrays, and then with the Frosts.

Sunday we went to church with Grandpa Murray, and then we had lunch with the Murrays, and said goodbye to both families and headed back up to Tremonton. It was a great weekend, and we did a lot of things that made my Fourth of July well worth being one of my favorite holidays.

That Poor Woman...And Happy Birthday!

In AP European History, our teacher was completely insane. He'd rant and rave about just about any topic. One of his favorite was Sophia, sister of Peter the Great. While her life story is fairly treacherous, I would say that the ultimate part of her legacy, insofar as I know it, is this painting:

Tell me that this isn't the saddest painting that you've ever seen. Generally speaking, in pictures, they try to make you look flattering...if this is flattering...I feel such sorrow for that poor woman. Clearly, this artist was a little too realist for her own good.

Good old Coach Thomas used to randomly stick this picture up on the overhead. Then he would just chuckle to himself while the class sat in horror waiting for him to get rid of the picture.

In much more attractive news, today is Jared's Birthday!! He's a whopping 16 years old, which means that every one of the Frost's is now old enough to date...or is married. Jared is awesome. He ballroom dances--and well. He has a great sense of humor, and, somewhere he managed to pick up enough coordination to do a rip stick. He definitely didn't learn that from me. Congratulations Jared--you're awesome. Also, don't let the girls chase you too much.

Family History Fashion Show

On Sunday night, we did the most fun thing. We went through Grandma Elison's hope chest with her, and tried on a bunch of her, and her mom's clothing. In the process, we got to hear the stories of each of the pieces of clothing. I don't know who doesn't like to play dress up, or history, but the combination of the two was positively fantastic.

This dress was Grandma Elisons, and apart from wearing it to a wedding reception, she wore it when she played in the ballroom scene in "The Sound of Music." Richard Losee was playing Captain Von Trapp, and apparently, he was so handsome, that Grandma had a hard time remembering her line. The headband came from Grandma's mom, and apparently she wore it when she went out for a night on the town.

This was one of the dresses that we found out that Great Grandma Neely made. Like, with a sewing machine, and talent. The shawl is from Hawaii, I think. She didn't make that though. Also, there's been no alteration done to any of the dresses...Grandma Elison and Grandma Neely really were just that thin, as is Natalie.

Here's Natalie and Nate, Nate sporting Grandpa Elison's MP hat, and suit coat, Natalie adding a fabulous hat that came from a recent production of the Music Man.

Here are Mar and McKensie, sporting some fabulously handmade clothing again. Notice how the outfits actually fit both of these young ladies. The sewing on the dress that Mariel is wearing was so fun. The dress had like, a Spanish style ruffling along the bottom.

And here's Luke...wearing...a dress. After trying to convince him to wear Grandma Elison's old dance outfit, which was purple, the size of a bathing suit, and covered in lace and fabric lollipops, he picked this instead...and he's darling in it.

Not that we're endorsing cross dressing.

Lily is wearing a dress that Great Grandma Neely made for Grandma Elison for her first piano recital. There are some really cute cherries on it, and it's adorable.

Here's Uncle Kurt wearing his old letterman's jacket. It still fits...though not quite as loosely as it once did.

Karly is wearing probably the one piece of clothing that nobody knew anything about...we just found it in the closet. That my friends, is a t-shirt with American Gothic printed on it. Could you ask for anything cooler?

Here, Mar and McKensie wear dresses created again by Great Grandma Neely, with fabric that she brought back from a trip to Hawaii.

Here, Gwen is wearing a dress that Great Grandma made for Grandma, when she was in college. Apparently, Grandma Elison was going dancing at Salt Air, and she wore this dress to do it. Gwen is 10, and while the dress is a little long for her, it fits her in the waist perfectly.

Here's Grandpa Elison wearing his dad's old hat.

And here's Gavin wearing the same one, with an additional accessory.

Here, Emma sports a shirt that Great Grandma Neely made for Grandma Elison for a picture that was going to be taken. The shirt is really cute, and totally current with today's style.

This is the dress that started it all. I wish we had more pictures of it, because it really looks fantastic on Abby. Great Grandma and Great Grandpa were part of a dancing group who would get together a few times a year for a very fancy date. Great Grandma would make these clothes to match the theme of the evening. Abby is Tiny, and so was Grandma Neely. She also had really great taste, and amazing sewing talent.

I think the best part about the whole evening was the fun that it was. It really got every one of the grandchildren there interested in where the things came from, and why they were so old, and why we had them etc. If you're looking at figuring out a way to get smaller children interested in Family History--this is a really great way to do it.

Good Golly Miss Molly

We spent Memorial Day weekend with family, and it was fabulous. Indy did such a good job with all of the people and,in spite of a few accidents, our whole family was really understanding and kind.

We also brought a few fantastic things back with us. First, there's a washer, from Nate's family's neighbors across the street. Then, there's a dryer from Nate's family. I know that they got a new dryer, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it was mostly just so that we could have the old one.

Last night, after we got back here, we were hooking things up, and loading them into the laundry room, I looked at Nate and said, "Whoa, this is our first washer and dryer! We own these! Shouldn't this be like...a significant moment or something?"

Seriously, it's fabulous. I can't wait to do a load of laundry in our own house, and to not wait until we're out of underwear to do a load.

To top off the generosity of procuring us a washer and dryer, Nate's family let us trade cars with them so that we could bring them up to Tremonton this week, without having to wait or anything. This also allowed us to bring up the 6' siesta sac that we got off of Craigslist for $45. This thing is amazing. I'm so glad we bought one...especially for so cheap, because I am, in fact, pretty cheap.

On Sunday night, Indy got to meet Carlos and Stephanie too--which was great. I think he liked the calmer environment...at least after meeting all the cousins and trying to sleep in the middle of the Family History Fashion Show (a blog post for another time, because it deserves it's own). He really loved playing catch, and also playing "Frisbee." Thanks guys.

How on earth have we been so blessed? We stayed with G&G Elison, and they fed us, and gave us THE most comfortable bed (honestly, it was wonderful), and, thanks to Grandpa, we got to see Prince Caspian for free on Saturday Morning. Monday was spent at two BBQ's--one with the Murrays and one with the Frosts. We had hamburgers, chips, salads, Ribs, Chicken. We even got to play Wii Fit.

We really have the best families ever. They love us so much, and do whatever they can to help us out. They were also willing to take the time to spend with us while we were in town. Hopefully, we can sometime return the favor. You are all so wonderful, and we absolutely love you. I hope that you can be blessed just as much as you bless us. Thank you!

Sledding!

Saturday was a nice snowy day, and so Nate and I decided to use the inner tubes that we bought back in summer to go sledding with some siblings. We gathered them all, filled up the tubes for a mere 50 cents, and headed to rock canyon for some serious sledding.

Ninja Nate at the base of the Mountains. He doesn't particularly like this picture, but I think he's cute.

There were Trains....

I got this amazing coat for Christmas, and it's great, and so warm. I love that.

I love this picture of Mar.

Another Train.

Aww...Siblings.

There was this other funny little boy there who was wearing a little red jumpsuit. He had one of those circular kinds of sleds, and he just kept jumping in that thing and curling up into a little bean shape inside it and then holding on for dear life as he headed down the hill. It was hilarious. He looked like he was terrified each time he did it, but then he kept on coming up the hill and jumping back into that sled to do it again. Seems kind of like me and roller coasters. Those pictures they take never come out looking like I'm having fun, but I love them just the same.

One more week of break--any suggestions on what to do with it?

Lunchtime at the BO

Nate and I went out for lunch today, to celebrate the end of class/start of finals. We had some delicious pasta, and pizza, and salad. Really, it was quite good.

While we were sitting at our booth, we overheard this one guy talking. A few of his choicer phrases went something like this:

"Yeah, she's exactly what I like in women: Big hair, big chest, medium brain."

"This is a phrase I live by: If the food is warm, the phone is working. You know what I'm saying?"

Um...nope.

Happy Halloween!

In honor of Halloween, and as a way to unwind from a very stressful couple of weeks at school. Nate and I had a really fun FHE. Right after I was done with my last class, we headed over to the store and bought some pumpkins (Reams in Provo right now, they're only $0.09 a pound). We had to dig through them to find some that were small-ish, as most of them were quite large, but we managed to come away with some really good ones. After all the carving was done, and our neighbors gave us some votive candles, This was the end result:

Can you guess who carved which pumpkin? We both went for the "Cute" theme.

After pumpkins, we both used the cookies we had cooked the night before (thanks for the recipe Mom!) and mixed up the food coloring to decorate. Our end results were, if I do say so myself, quite lovely...even if there was a little too much excitement with the red food coloring and the pumpkins ended up a little more red-orange than orange.

Our Creations--on festive holiday plates!

All-in-all, it was an awesome Family Home Evening. We even had pizza and radioactive-looking green punch. I think I have an awesome family.

Also, if you want an amazing sugar-cookie recipe, you should try this one. Seriously, the cookies are firm enough for decorating, but still soft-ish, and the cookies don't burn on the bottom at all. Also, they taste good, with no funny aftertaste.

Courtesy of Kerry Murray: Amazing Sugar Cookies
1/2 cup Shortening
1 cup Sugar
1 egg
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg (I had pumpkin pie spice on hand, so I used that, it was still good)
3 1/4 Cups Flour

Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add sour cream. Mix in dry ingredients. Mix well. Roll out 1/4" thick and cut with cookie cutters. Bake 6-8 minutes (I would definitely start with 6) at 350 degrees. Don't overbake, cookies will not look that much different from when you put them in. Cool and frost. Eat...and enjoy.

Happy Halloween everyone.

Note: Nicole wrote this post...not Nate. Nicole failed to check who was logged in.