Christmas Eve 2013

Our Christmas Eve just included the 4 of us.  We had cheese fondue with yummy things to dip then opened our Christmas Pjs and opened our gifts from our Grandparents.  Then, we spent the evening making and decorating cookies and getting ready for the morning.  Ashlynn was so cute..She loves to leave notes for Santa so this year she used her gift from her Grandpa Rod and drew a message that shinned up on the ceiling for him.  She left him a note on instructions on how to turn the machine on to view the message..Sooo Cute! Then, Santa left her a message.  She was so excited!

HO! HO! Santa Hat Alert!

This year I found a fun Santa Hat mix recipe that I changed a few things, but loved the Santa Hats.  They are bugles dipped red melting chocolate, sprinkles on the ends and a cute marshmallow on the top.  They were easy but slightly time consuming to make.  Matt was a trooper and helped.

Lots of Santa Hats!

 

The Chex mix with white chocolate on top.

The bugles dipped in red chocolate waiting to be fancied up.

Here is the complete mix.  It was so yummy!

And then a cute paper box with a window.  Now they were ready to be delivered to those neighbors and friends that have helped our family this year.  This mix is going to be a keeper for another time because it was so yummy!

Class Field Trip

I always enjoy going along for class field trips, but this time was even better because...I didn't have to ride the big yellow bus with 70+ kids.  There wasn't enough room for the class helpers so we hopped in our own car and drove to Salt Lake City without the excitement of the bus.  It was so nice to chat with other moms that I don't usually get to sit down and talk to.
Carter's class and 2 other 5th grade classes headed to a IMAX 3D movie about the Gallipolis Islands and the discovery of the habitat there.  Then, we headed to the State Capitol Building for Lunch and toured around the building.  

Nice 3D glasses and some comfy seats.

One of the Congress rooms
Carter on the right with his best buddy Cameron in the middle.

The murals going up the walls were so neat and beautiful.

The tundra looking up...

Carter looking under the bell

Carter and Cam on the front steps

 

 

This was a awesome learning experience!

Light of the World

Our Primary President found this great gift for our Primary Children from the 2002 Friend Magazine.  We enlarged the picture and mounted them on file folders and gave them out at the beginning of the month for the Children to do each day of the month. 

Each day has a scripture you read and you find all the titles of Christ and attached them to the correct related scripture.  

The kids get excited to pull out their scriptures and find the title for the day.  This was such a great idea for the Primary Children to enjoy all month long.

Flying wheelchair vs small car...

This is the after math of what a wheelchair on the freeway did to our car after a semi ran over it.  Large pieces of metal came flying at our car and pretty much put dents, scratches, gashes and chipped paint in about the whole front and side of the car.  I was so frustrated when it happened, but the police officer reminded me that no one was hurt and that cars can be fixed.  He said I was lucky that the windshield didn't break and that I was okay.   

I took the car to get washed to assess all the damages, but the owner of the car wash said he would not wash it because all the hood paint would lift off.   Sniff..Sniff..

This is the hole in the hood...

..the busted head light.

It was estimated that there is over $5,000 dollars worth of damage and a week in the repair shop. (good thing for auto insurance)  Just a reminder that a interstate is not the place to leave large objects laying around for people to cause stress in their life!  Tie down and secure your stuff people!

Christmas Gatherings

 

 

The first of the month started with our Ward party.  Then, the next week we had a dinner visit with Aunt Tracy and we opened fun gifts from her recent travels.  We had a great visit!

The snow is here..

The snow is here..Is it here to stay for Christmas?  Most of the state of Utah got dumped with the white stuff this past weekend.  I always love a good snow storm, but can do without making the drive to the hospital in the stuff.  I was lucky enough to drive through the craziest storm ever.  Hopefully I don't have to do that again. (I can only hope)

 

The kids were excited for the snow piles in front of our house again. 

They couldn't wait to get their snow gear on and hit the snow.

I couldn't resist..

I couldn't resist this cute snowman doughnut. It made me smile!
Happy Holidays!
 

Our new tree...

This was the year that we also got a real fake Christmas tree (if that is even a term 'real fake').  We have had our cute craft tree that I got with my Sister in Law like 13 years ago at a huge Black Friday Sale at Michaels in Boise.

Here it is..Slim, multi-color lights and the perfect size for its space in our house.

We kept our elf themed tree...candy, santa, toys and elves on the tree.

Ashlynn holding our Elf of the Shelf story.

Our Elf on the Shelf Buddy is in place for his first night out of his box.  Ashlynn couldn't wait to get him out.   

Last leg

This chair has made it through 14 years, 4 moves and several fix-it operations.  We have been wanting to replace the chair for a while so we ended up using our Christmas money from Tom and Frankie to get a new one. 

The arms have fell off a few times..

Matt did some metal work to hold the support in the bottom.  The poor chair has been bandaid long enough.

Here is the new chair!  Leather, not too bulky, reclines, comfy and the best part is that it swivels around.  It is perfect!  We love the new chair and all our family can enjoy it.

Thanksgiving Fun with family

Tom and Frankie stopped in on their way to St. George a few days before Thanksgiving.  We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Joy Luck with them and Craig's family.

They surprised us with fun gifts!  Syd is loving her new socks!

A fun picture..Matt and Ashlynn with Carter in the background. 
The last picture is what was in the box.

 

New jewelry...Grandma has great taste!

Tre, Ashlynn and Sam.

I love this wood carved star nativity! 
So simple but beautiful and fit perfectly on my lamp.

We loved the visit from them!