On the Eighth Day of December

We took the kids to This Is The Place Heritage Park for their Candlelight Christmas. This was a good year for us to visit since Miriam and I have been into all things Laura Ingles Wilder. We took a "train" from the beginning of the park to the top of main street. Most of the quaint old shops and homes had old time Christmas crafts and activities for kids Miriam's age.

The puppet show that Bub had a love/hate relationship with. He was excited/terrified by the puppets, laughing and then crying in turn.

Making snowflakes.

Putting together a wooden train.

The wise men who were warming themselves by a campfire, walked us to a live nativity in a stable full of animals where Mary and Joseph were quietly holding baby Jesus.
We then caught the train to where Father Christmas and his live reindeer stay. It was a fun night, cold of course, but we were sufficiently bundled and happy.

On the Seventh day of December

We had family home evening on GIFTS. We read Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl Buck, which I bawled through, and then talked about the gift of Jesus Christ as well as the gifts from the Wise Men.

Then we made a REAL gingerbread house using Aunt Vanessa's molds. It smells divine. Miriam has added to her masterpiece everyday since, and is getting quite creative.

Bub tested all our candy choices, and licked the beaters. I hope that mortar/icing doesn't harden in his stomach.

She Photographs Tuesdays - JOY

My Joy = Christmas Music

I am a Thanksgiving purist, so I don't allow Christmas music till December.
Then it's COZY and FM 100 in the car, The Messiah and The Nutcracker for Sundays, Fiona's Christmas 2006 & 2007 mixes or our other collections for every other waking moment.

I love to go caroling, even though sometimes I feel silly and shy about it.

On Christmas Eve, nothing makes me feel the spirit of Christmas like reading the Nativity and singing the corresponding Christmas Hymns.

When I was away from home for 18 months, my family sent me a Christmas package that included a tape of them reading and singing the Christmas story. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard: my mom singing her strong soprano, Julia in a clear alto, Mark and Dad singing the Tenor and Baritone parts, and Sarah playing the piano, as she always does since none of the rest of us play. Erik was away at college, but he can sing as well. I don't write well enough to express what that meant to me. All I can say is that I cry when I think about it, and I cried that Christmas Eve...tears of pure JOY.

SPT

Fifth and Sixth Days of December

We made our annual trip to the Festival of the Trees

We drove Darin into work that day which made us 1 hr and 15 min early for the event. Luckily Johanna's Restaurant is right by the festival so we had a yummy breakfast.

I ate a scone the size of my head with a huge scoop of honey butter, it was probably equal to two days worth of my total caloric intake. It makes me sick to think about that, but BOY HOWDY was it gooooood.

This tree is "me". I love this color combo.

Had to show this tree. There were a few Twilight themes but this was the best in my opinion. Loved the gift idea!

The COOLEST TREE I have ever seen. It is a marble run. If I could have my dream tree this would be it.

Miriam's favorite. She is asking Santa for an American Doll for Christmas.

I don't love this tree, but have to admire the craftsmanship!

How sweet is this ribbon tree??

This is how Bub was entertained while Miriam spent her time in the craft corner. Bub's favorite tree was full of sports equipment since he loves to throw anything he can get his hands on. He wouldn't cooperate for a picture.

This is a chocolate dipped potato chip...again BOY HOWDY good. What? You afraid of a little heart attack?

On the sixth day of December my sisters and I had a long overdue SISTERS DAY OUT to celebrate a milestone birthday for Sarah.

Oh I love these girls, they are hilarious, and unfortunately so stinkin' busy we hardly ever get to have a day to ourselves. Lots of giggling I tell ya what.

On the Fourth day of December

We were suppose to go to Zoo Lights.
Sadly, Bub got sick all over himself, and the car seat. So even though he was chipper, and pleasant for the rest of the day, we didn't think we should risk it.

Does this remind anyone else of New England but me?

Maybe it was just popular in Foxboro, Mass Christmas 1997, but this sight takes me back to 18 months spent in Massachusetts. I saw a lot of doors during that time (a LOT of doors) and this was a common sight. I was enchanted, as I am with all things New England.
Darin, who lived back east for a long time doesn't remember ever seeing such a thing. I bet our neighbors are thinking the same thing, but like I said, I am enchanted with it.

Thanks for the tip Kristi!!

Neighbor gifts...check
Teacher gifts....check
Friend gifts....check
(sorry friends if this ruins the surprise)

On the Third day of December

The Young Women made gingerbread houses.

Miriam and I spent the afternoon trying different icings. The one that worked best is Pampered Chef's royal icing (which is the one that needs to be beat for 5 min per batch). Thanks for the molds and icing recipe Vanessa, as you can see, I decided NOT to bake 8 ginger bread houses....we went with graham crackers. We are going to use the molds though, to make our own ginger bread house.

After finishing all the icing and packing it in ziplock bags, I looked around the kitchen at the HUGE powdered sugar disaster, and thought about all the doctors I needed to call to sort out our flex savings stuff, about the Christmas cards I needed to order, about the decorating and wrapping I needed to do and then became completely overwhelmed. I thought that if the girls didn't enjoy this activity I just might cry.

My sweet girls LOVED the activity, they couldn't have been more appreciative. It makes the powdered sugar mess well worth it!

Royal Icing
1 egg white
1/8 tsp cream of tarter
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar

beat together for 5 min.

First Two Days of December and SPT- LOVE

On the first day of December we decorated the tree.

I LOVE having a Christmas tree up with all the twinkly lights.
I LOVE having my freshly-cut-tree smelling candle melting underneath it.
I LOVE having ornaments that mean something, or remind me of past Christmases.
I LOVE the Festival of the Trees, which I am going to this Friday!

Funny story about our tree, we bought the sad little thing years ago for $4 after Christmas at K-MART. I keep thinking we should upgrade, but I am kind of attached to it's shape, and the way it's branches are so obviously fake...there is something truthful about being obviously fake. Anyway, ever since Miriam was born we have put it up on our end table to keep her away from it. I like it up there safe from not only our kids, but friends kids, and neighbor kids. It keeps those awkward "your kid just broke the Christmas ornament I received when I was born" moments at bay. One night we had some visitors (home teachers) and one man who exuded self confidence said something to the effect off "oh, good trick, put the little tree up high so people will THINK you have a nice big tree. Ours is huge, to the ceiling". I think of that story every Christmas, it reminds me you can't assume others motives.

SPT info here.

On the second day of December.

We had a Christmas tea party.

Thanks for the tea set Grandma C! Even though they are "for decoration only" they worked perfectly as toys.

Till Next Year....

Beautiful Fall Weekend.
Great company.

Wonderful Dinner enjoyed by everyone

except for Miriam who was feeling under the weather.

These two did lots of yak building, and some computer fixing.

Although Miriam wasn't in top form, she was okay when doped up on Ibuprofen and was able to create

these two books. One is a Christmas poem book, the other is more informative.

We watched lots of Noggin, and Sprout.

Miriam and I did some shopping.
Grandma sent Miriam out with $ to spend by herself, which was almost too exciting to handle.
She saw this craft set and knew instantly it was the perfect purchase...no hesitation, second thoughts.

I was looking for the game Qwirkle, which I didn't find, but I did find these cute German games at 50% off. The store clerk said they had been around since the store opened, and thought that the German names scared people away (English instructions were included).

I was thrilled by my find, and am in love with the cute wooden pieces. Unfortunately, Miriam, doesn't usually enjoy games, and being sick and all wanted nothing to do with them.

Grandma and Grandpa always have lots of chocolate pudding on hand for our visits.

Bub 18 months Thanksgiving 2008

Miriam 18 months, family reunion 2005

Thank you Mom and Dad for the hospitality, and for housing the Yak!

Tip of the Iceberg...

My heart is full.

I realized I rarely take pictures of/with my friends, which is a crying shame. One of the greatest blessings of my life, and I have no photo documentation. Crying shame indeed.

"Come what may, and Love it"
-Joseph B. Wirthlin's mother

Bring on the celebration!

Gratitude Week

Continuing with the gratitude theme, today I am thankful for Family Home Evening.

I am thankful for church leaders who continually emphasize the importance of setting aside Monday nights to teach, play, and be with family.

I am grateful I was prompted to resisted the urge to "help" Miriam make this necklace. I so wanted to interfere when I saw the pattern (or non pattern) she was creating. I now love the finished product, and so does she, and so will the little girl who is having a birthday party tomorrow.

Keepin' the Gratitude Flowing

I hear rumors that our beautiful Fall weather is ending this next week. I am grateful that our playground days have lasted so long.

I am grateful the Utes won today.

(this is G'pa B and G'ma C, it's written on the back)

Miriam is itching to visit her grandparents..... all of them. I am grateful for the wonderful grandparents my kids have. I feel lucky for the wisdom and expertise that is at our disposal between the four of them.

I am grateful I rescued these pages from the trash after punching out leaves for our Thanksgiving Tree. Fun craft for Miriam, and I am enjoying the rich colors in our kitchen. I had no idea I liked Fall colors so much.