New Year Surprise(s)!

New Years Eve Day was very anticipated.

It was the day Gma June, Sheila (Brian's mom & sis) and family were to arrive.

And arrive they did!

They drove all night from Arizona to arrive just in time for breakfast.

We ate a nice warm meal.

They were ready for hot showers to wash away the "traveling grime".

Only one problem...

NO hot water!

Actually no propane, which translates (in our home) to -- No HEAT!

No warmth of any kind coming from any of the pipes in our home.

Yep! We ran completely out of propane on New Years Eve with a house full of guests.

We bundled up...

snuggled under blankets...

stayed close...

and made the best of the situation.

One things for sure - we won't ever forget the eve of 2010!

Brrrrr!

My Mouth is Sealed Monday!

Maybe this will work better for me than Wordless Wednesday.

(oh my, I have already blown it!)

Hungry?

My guess is that you are not starving but there are children out there that are!

We visited a church in Salt Lake on Sunday. On that specific Sunday they were packaging food to fight against hunger. We joined in!

The sanctuary was set up with tables. Tables of food - grains and spices.

As you can see, they had bags and bags of food.

The grains were put in tubs and then we would measure, mix, seal and package.

Quite the process and an efficient assembly line!

Abbi and Caleb

Most people were working hard.

BUT not this crazy lady! :)

One of my very sweet friends, Laurie.
I love this girl!

Abbi

Hudson, Weston, Maggie and Brian were helping at this table

The younger children drew and colored pictures to put in the boxes for the children that received the food.

Elizabeth, Tessa and Dani Rae

The finished product!

Ready to be boxed and sent.
This food will be a blessing to many little children. We were blessed by helping out.

It's a Must!

The boys were given Cabela's gift cards for Christmas.

When THAT happens it is a must that you GO to Cabela's.

Who wants to shop online when you can go and see and touch everything that you have ever dreamed about. (Keep in mind, I am speaking for the men of the house.) Us girls enjoy going too. We like going for different reasons.  We like the animal displays, feeding the fish, watching the fish in the tanks, eating Horehound candy and watching our men enjoy themselves.

The Friendly Moose

The large fish tank. We got there just in time to watch them as they got fed. Oh, they were going crazy. Very fun to watch!

Tessa and Me!

Our good friends were also at Cabela's. So while the men shopped, and the little ones fed the fish, Laurie and I got to hang out and visit. Quite nice! (love ya, Laur!)
We had a fun and very successful visit to Cabela's.
Thanks Grandma June for the gift cards.

Be of Good Cheer!

Happy New Year!

2010

"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and are created."

Revelation 4:11

My prayer is that God will be glorified through our lives. That our words and daily choices would bring Him honor. 

We serve an awesome God!

It just Can't Be!

My Baby turned 3!

She has been anxiously awaiting this day. It has finally come!! Now she can be 3.

Tessa helping Hudson make her PINK Coconut Cream Pie.

Her birthday dinner on the birthday plate

Some of the party guests -

(even Toby joined in on the party with a window seat)

Gift Opening

Happy Birthday Tessa!

You are a sweet-heart! You bring so much joy to my heart. We love your giggles, snuggles and kisses. We have been blessed by you!!

Christmas Memories

Christmas 2009

It was a relaxing day full of fun memories.

Traditionally, we fill the stockings on Christmas Eve. Each stocking gets a book, orange tic tacs, toothbrush, stickers (for the girls), pretties (for the girls), a camping/hunting item (for the boys) and a few other random things.

This year there was a special gift in memory of their Papa Jerry (Brian's dad who passed away in August).

They were Angel ornaments made out of the ties he wore.

So precious!

The children were up WAY early with great excitement. In their excitement, they prepared our breakfast fruit platter, lit candles and set the buffet with little snacks.

At 6:40am, Hudson played Joy to the World on the piano while the rest of the children stood at our bedroom door singing. (Brian and I thought it was cutest thing EVER!) We laughed ourselves out of bed and got ready for the day of celebrating!

Santa flies right over our house and does not stop - in other words there is no Santa in our home.

Lots of Jesus!

We did the last Adornament

(ornaments, each with a name of Jesus. ie: True Vine, Bread of Life, Lion of Judah, Bright Morning Star etc.)

~ ~A few pictures from the day ~ ~

Abbi - a new vest, scrapbook supplies, western belt

Maggie - playmobil vet clinic, doll clothes

Caleb - weightlifting bench, Cabela's gift card

Tessa - doll baby, dress up shoes, puzzles

Dani Rae - a doll and clothes, playmobil chapel

Elizabeth - doll and clothes, playmobil chapel

Weston - spar gear, Ironman watch, Cabela's gift card

Hudson - spar gear, Cabela's gift card

And lots of new games to play!

We are a family that loves the challenge and the time together as we play many different games.

We took our time throughout the day as we opened presents and enjoyed them as we opened.

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:10,11

May the joy and peace of Jesus be in your hearts!

"Glory to God in the Highest,

and on earth, peace and good will toward men"

Luke 2:14

May the power of the Holy Spirit fill your heart and may you experience the peace of Christ!

Merry Christmas 

from our family to yours!

Candlelight Christmas

at

This is the Place Monument Park

After Thanksgiving, their historical buildings (1840's) in the village are transformed.  Imagine the days of OLD come to life complete with carolers in the street, a live nativity with animals (rats included), a warm bonfire in the middle of town, a visit with Father Christmas, live reindeer, hands-on arts and crafts,  dancing around a holiday tree, and a stroll through the elf village.

Elf Village

Caleb staying warm by the wood burning stove in one of the historical log homes ~ Caleb's "Dream Home"! (My little Mountain Man)

Doing a craft

Me, Tessa and Brian

Caleb, Tessa and Maggie

A train ride around the village

The Mercantile Store - loaded with candy

Elizabeth and Dani playing on the wooden train

Caleb, Hudson and Weston

Daddy and one of his girls - Tessa

The Bonfire

Me, Tessa and Maggie

This lady was popping popcorn over the fire in one of the old homes

Daddy and another one of his girls ~ Elizabeth

The Dance Hall

 We all grabbed a partner, learned the Virginia Reel Dance and joined in on the dancing.

It was unanimous ~ this was the highlight of the evening.

Father Christmas

And his reindeer!

As we were headed to the van, Dani said, "This was the funnest day EVER!"

Gimme Sugar...

Buttermilk Sugar Cookies!

(note to self: next year don't do sugar cookies right before bed!)

We were bouncing off the walls!! boing~ ~ boing~~

Rolling and Cutting

This is a huge accomplishment for Caleb. He cut a cookie exactly how you are suppose to. You see, he is banned from all cooking. Things are usually burned, ruined or not edible when he is in the kitchen.

However, he is in training - under supervision with me!

There is still hope for the kid.  :)

Way to go Caleb! We are so proud of you.  lol

Dani Rae and Abbi

Time to frost and decorate!

Elizabeth, Tessa, Maggie, Weston

The whole crew

The platter is beginning to fill up with the ever-so-yummy stuff!

Recipe:

Aunt Shannon's Buttermilk Sugar Cookies

Cream together -

3 sticks butter

2 1/2 cups sugar

Add - 

3 eggs slightly beaten

2 tsp vanilla

Mix together - then add

7 cups flour

3 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Add -

3/4 cup buttermilk

***MUST chill overnight. If dough is sticky, add more flour. Bake @350 for 9 minutes or until slightly brown on edges.

Frosting:

1/2 bag powder sugar

1 stick butter, softened

cap full vanilla

1/4 cup milk

Food coloring (optional)

Sprinkles

Let the fun begin!!

A few other Things

The following are pictures of things we have been doing around here.


A Girls Night Out with cousins...

An evening at
The Nutcracker
with Aunt Shannon, Jessica and Julia

Before the Nutcracker Shannon and I took the girls to Olive Garden for dinner.

(My girls' fave eating establishment)

Waiting for the curtains to "go up".

Christmas Parties

Taking naps

Sharing beds

Sleeping (illegally) in the house during the winter storm

Playmobil set ups
(something that is always happening around here)

Taking (and giving) baths

Snuggling each other

Snuggling kitties

Practicing a worship dance for Christmas Eve program

(Abbi, Maggie, Elizabeth, Dani and friends)

Snowmobiling

Lots of Practice...

Makes Beautiful Music!

This past week our 4 piano players performed their Christmas songs. Our piano teacher invited all of her students' families over for appetizers and Christmas music performed by her students. Everyone did a fabulous job. 

Mrs. B is a blessing to our family. Each week she comes to our home and spends two hours giving lessons to our children. Can I tell you how nice it is to have her coming here? WAY, WAY nice! No driving, no travel time to and from, no leaving children in another home (for 2 hours) while waiting for their lesson, and we can continue with our school work while waiting for the next lesson.

LOVE it!!

Thank you Mrs. B!!

Abbi, Maggie, Hudson, Mrs. B, and Weston

A Secret...

I just have to tell you.
When it comes to decorating for Christmas, the children get most excited about setting up the Nativity Scenes (the tree is a close second). I have collected Nativities through the years. All varieties - porcelain, glass, china, salt, stuffed, Playmobil, wooden etc. Each one of them unique.

Here is the secret:
I buy a Nativity Set AFTER Christmas when they are 50%-75% off the original price.

It's perfect. Another Nativity. Another Great deal!

The Winter Trek

Caleb caught this herd of elk in traveling mode.

Amazing animals to watch!

There are few deer ahead of this herd (top left of pic) leading the elk.

As you can see, Caleb enjoys watching the wildlife. AND he knows where to find them!

Yummy House!

Each Christmas we put our creativity to use

with "nummies" for another tradition.
Sidenote: I love Costco for 1,000,001 reasons.
The ONE is that they provide the absolute best Gingerbread House Kit.
Which translates into - No prep on mom's part.
Open it. Build it. Design it. Decorate it!
DONE!!

Not sure if she is "taking off" or "putting on"

By the look on her face - I think she was "taking off" (and eating).

Our little candy snitch.

Voila!

Finished product.

I am terrible!

Since it is not Wednesday anymore...

I just have to add a few words to yesterdays Wordless Wednesday Picture.

( I know. Keyword - Wordless!! I just CAN'T keep it wordless!)

(I am sure this is making you laugh, Cinnamon)

Anyways, the picture was taken while Caleb was scouting. There is one obvious deer but there are 3 others. Can you find them? All 4 are looking at the camera.

Maybe I will do better next Wednesday - or Not!

Can I do it this time?

Wordless Wednesday!

Hang It Up

In the coming posts, I will try to share with you some of our family traditions during the Christmas Season.

The first tradition happens when the tree goes up.

The Tradition:

Each child gets a new ornament that represents the past year. And they add it to the tree.

{When they get married (or have their own tree) they will have an immediate collection of ornaments that remind them of their growing up years. I also write the ornament and the reason in their journals that I keep for them.}

Tessa

A 2009 frame with a pic of her and Chawee (Charlie the kitten)

Lo-oves kitties!

Dani Rae

A Horse

She rode in her first horse competition this year

Elizabeth

School Supplies and a Cross

She learned to read

AND - She asked Jesus into her heart!

Weston

Piano and a Cross

Started piano lessons

AND - he asked Jesus into his heart!

Maggie

A Piano and a Cross

Started piano lessons

AND - she asked Jesus into her heart.

(a revival took place in our home this year :) )

Abbi

Karate girl

Started karate lessons

Hudson

Karate Boy

Started karate lessons

Caleb

Boy with braces holding a sign

Braces OFF!!

(finally! after 5 years, many rubber bands, and thousands of dollars)

There you have it!

A tradition that they all look forward to.

And I LOVE our tree!

It has so much meaning and memories hanging on each branch.

Let it Snow!

or should I say...

Let it Dump!

We were expecting 3-6 inches Sunday morning. Instead we woke up to 2 feet. AND then it snowed all day to make matters even harder. Needless to say, Brian spent the entire day in his truck and Caleb in the backhoe plowing our 2 1/2 mile road.

The road is cleared.

Let the fun begin!

The infamous sledding hill where lots of fun is had and many memories made.

Dani's crash landing (and loving it)

Elizabeth taking a break in the fluffy snow

Weston buried deep. Exactly how he likes it...Buried!

Cute Mags looking cute. (as always)

Abbi ready to go again, and again, and again...

Hudson and Libby waiting for the rest of the crew to get to the top.

We love snow!

(Except for the plowing part)

More Gaming

in South Dakota

for more Pheasants!!

Caleb had the "pheasant fever" so when another opportunity came about - He jumped all over it!


The Game - Pheasant Hunting

The Players - Caleb (of course), Papa, Weston, Uncle Paul (my bro), Alli, Grace and Calvin (3 of Paul's children). 

And 6 dogs!

Weston and Calvin having an 8 year old theological debate while walking the fields. I believe it was a discussion about baptism. AND it was I N T E N S E ! !

These boys were troopers. Too young to carry a gun but they walked field after field and scared up many pheasants for the hunters. Never once did they complain. 

The Winners - The Hunters!

Another fun and successful 5 days of hunting in South Dakota.

Plenty of birds. Laughter with cousins. Great memories.

Until Next Year...