2011

Some have asked about the homemade Christmas gifts that I was working on in October....

As I was playing with playdough with the kids one day, and cutting out little shapes, I thought, "hmmmm...I bet these shapes can dry out and be made into ornaments." That thought then progressed into more thoughts..."Oh! We can each put our thumbprint on the little flower!"..."Oh! I can then personalize each thumbprint with a Christmas character!"..."Oh wait! No, I will personalize each thumbprint with something unique to each person!"..."Oh wait..."..."Oh wait..."..."Oh wait...."

The result was...

Rick’s thumbprint- Not only is Rick a traditional fellow, but just like Santa, Rick has worked very hard in 2011 providing for his “Mrs. Claus” and his little “elves.” He has been diligent, and joyful, and we have so appreciated our “Saint Rick!”, ahem, "Saint Nick!"

Elizabeth's thumbprint- I have had such a fun and productive year in the kitchen! Not only did I get to have a great time creating beautiful confections, but I also got paid to participate in my favorite hobby…How cool is that!?

Wyatt's thumbprint- With the exception of his obsession with Scooby Doo (which is a rather LARGE exception), Wyatt has continued his excitement/discovery/knowledge of all things Science Fiction. Among knowing things that actually matter in life (Academics and Biblical Scripture), he can talk your ear off about any character that ever existed in both Star Wars and Star Trek.

Beatrice's thumbprint- Beatrice has left behind anything that resembles life as an infant. High Chairs, cribs, and car seats have exited our home this year. Now enter Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, Care Bears, and of course…Hello Kitty! It is so much fun to watch her develop into her own person, and discover her own interests!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2012!!!

Joy to the World!

Christmas Eve is always spent with my family. After we all went to church, we gathered together at my dad & stepmom's house...











Beatrice and Samantha looked so beautiful together in their matching dresses. We tried so hard to get a picture of them together...but to no avail. My little niece is such a ham...in more ways than one...but when it comes to posing for a picture, she is 100% in opposition to the idea. This is the best we could do...





And my attempt at taking a picture of my own children in front of the tree, was only slightly better...



The food was great! My dad made his famous "Party Ryesers" (Rye bread is the essence to this appetizer)...



To which we found him "raising the roof" on more than one occasion when someone would partake in his appetizer, lol...



My sister Jenni made these amazing horse devours...which we deemed as "mini-pizzas". Fortunately, even calling them "mini-pizzas" did not have the kids convinced that they would taste good...too many "real" ingredients...more for us! :0)



Unfortunately, I was stuck in the back of the table, pinned between the kids, the adults, and a table leg, before I realized that I had forgotten my camera for the sit down dinner. There was NO getting up. But the food was delicious...a Honey Baked Ham, and Honey Baked Turkey Breast, cheesy potatoes, my grandma's spoon bread, stuffing, salad, green beans, corn...and what else am I forgetting!? hmmmmm. Regardless, the eats were plentiful, and delicious!

For dessert, my sister Anna had bought an apple pie which was "deserving of a kiss from Wyatt"...my stepmom put out all of the treats her and I made together...



And I made a malted milk ball Yule Log...



After all of the eating was done, the kids brought their talents to the evening. Brady played Jingle Bells for us on the guitar...



Wyatt played "The First Noel", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on the piano...



And then Trevor, the best reader in the house, read us the account of Christ's birth from the book of Luke...



After that, each parent was armed with scissors, a camera, and/or a garbage bag...let the present-opening begin!







As always, Christmas Eve was a fun and blessed time with family. We are so appreciative of the generosity of our loved ones.

On Christmas Day, we are solo as a family in our own home. The kids woke up at 6am, and were so excited to open their presents...



Let the fun begin...













Daddy's turn...



By the time the presents were all opened, the cinnamon rolls I had made were just coming out of the oven...



...swimming in cream cheese icing...



After breakfast, it was time to try on, and try out all of our new things...







And then I set out to work on our Christmas dinner...

...a standing rib roast with root vegetables...



...homemade potato rolls...



...I have never had it before, but I crave risotto every time I watch the chefs make it on Food Network. I figured this meal was the perfect excuse to research a recipe, and make a creamy risotto for my family...



...and green bean casserole for my lovely hunny. :0) A Christmas FEAST!!!...



Such a wonderful Christmas filled with graditude for the birth of a Savior...love in our hearts...and laughter in our bellies...



Merry Christmas! :0)

Wrapping up the year (Part 1)

So the final weeks of the year are upon us! I can't believe it was almost a year ago that I turned 30...in some ways that seems like just a couple of days ago...and in some ways, it seems like my 30th birthday was YEARS ago! Anyway...enough about that.

This week, the kids and I celebrated the Christmas season together in a few more ways. We had our 2nd annual cookie decorating playdate with our MOPS group. First, Wyatt read the account of Christ's birth to the little ones...



And then the children got busy making birthday cards for Jesus.











Some of the finished products...

(Wyatt's card...)


(A kindergartner's card...."Isaac really wanted you to die on the cross. Love, Isaac")



And then we got to the cookie decorating...







Beatrice was doing great on her own...



And then once I turned my back for a minute, to get a few other pictures, I come back to my funny girl's plate...



And would you believe, she was insisting on me giving her even MORE sprinkles!? A girl after my own heart! But out of concern for her own heart, I did NOT fulfill her request, lol.

And the other festive adventure we took this week, was walking the beautiful Christmas lit streets in Penasquitos. We went the night before Christmas Eve...better late than never! :0) Outings are always more fun with others, and so we asked my sister's crew, and my mom to join us. And since my mom thinks outings are more fun with others, she invited her friend as well..."Grammy Barb" is ALWAYS good for a laugh! :0)





A speacial shout-out to...

...all of the princess themed houses, that caught my Bea's attention...



...the super hero houses that had the boys wide-eyed...



...the MANY over-the-top-super-cool train houses that could only be appreciated if you were walking the streets, not driving them...



...the Smurfs, a family fave...



...and to the really neat sleigh that shuttled folks through the streets...



In other adventures...

Apparently the best medicine for actual growing pains that keep you awake in your own bed, is sleeping with mama. It is definitely the exception, and not the rule, that the kids come and sleep in our bed...but it sure was fun waking up to this sweet face...





We had fun with Science...

My Mad Scientists...





...making "fart putty"...











...and making our own bouncy-balls...





So that's a wrap. I will blog about Christmas in a separate post. :0)