Christmas 2011

We had a fabulous Christmas!!  It was a whirlwind 24 hours, but so precious to spend time with family and friends making special memories.  After delivering all of our sweet treats Saturday afternoon, the kids were ready to get in their jammies and head to church for "PJ's with the Pastor". 

During the service when the Christmas Story is told, all of the children are invited to sit with the Pastor.  This year Eva was eager to sit with her brothers up on the stage.  The highlight of the service came when it "snowed" after the reading!  The snow was actually bubbles, and afterwards Eva asked if she still had to take a bath since she'd played in the "soap"?!  Back at home we had a chilli dinner with the grandparents and our annual viewing of "Polar Express".

Eva was so excited when we woke her in the morning.  This year she was really into opening her presents; taking her time with each one, careful to get off every single bit of paper!!  Waiting for her were the pink "eggos" she's been asking for weeks to get, a new stroller, a baby, and many other surprises!

 

 

The boys were equally excited with the new Wii games, a game table for our family room and more. It's so fun to watch all of the expressions as each gift is unwrapped!

                        

Later that evening, we welcomed more family for Christmas dinner and gift exchange.  How warm our home felt to be surrounded all day with those we love!

  

Our Family

Christmas 2011

Merry CHRISTmas!!

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Sweet Treats!

I wish there was scratch and sniff blog, because today our house smelt really good!! 

The kids and I, along with a couple of the boy's friends, spent most of the morning cooking up a few sweet treats.  Tomorrow we will separate everything out onto some cute Christmas plates and deliver them to some widows and widowers within our church and family!

We started off with some sugar cookies, cut out and decorated entirely by the kids!

Next we made cake balls!  Nicholas wanted them on a stick this year so we gave that a try.  To make, I take a box of Devils Food Cake and bake according to the package directions.  As soon as it comes out of the oven, I pour a can of sweetened condensed milk on top and mix it all with the cake.  Freeze them after rolling into balls and dip into chocolate almond bark...Yum!! 

Lastly, Nicholas and his friend Jack, made Cowboy Candy!  I've put that delicious, and easy, recipe under the photos.

 

I added food coloring to the white almond bark, it came out a little more pink than red, but still festive.

Cowboy Candy

12 whole honey graham crackers

6 sqares white almond bark

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 squares chocolate almond bark

2 squares white almond bark

Line a 10x15-inch pan with foil and coat with nonstick cooking spray.  Fit the graham crackers in a single layer into the prepared pan.  Combine 6 squares white almond bark and the peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave on High until melted, stirring occasionally.  Spread over the graham crackers.

Melt the chocolate almond bark in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave and drizzle over the white almond bark layer.  Melt 2 squares white almond bark in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.  Drizzle over the chocolate almond bark layer and swirl wth a wooden pick, if desired.  Chill for 10 minutes or until firm.  Break into pieces and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

I hope you all enjoy your own sweet treats over the next few days!!

Christmas Time!

This is truly my favorite time of the year....cooler weather, hot chocolate, sparkly lights, red/green and glitter, Christmas carols, shopping for the perfect gift, receiving Christmas cards in the mail, my children's face on Christmas morning, and celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It's just such an exciting, magical time!!

We have already been quite busy the last few weeks:

We started the day after Thanksgiving decorating for Christmas.  We were so thankful to have Mrs. Sue come over to help us again this year.  What we got done in one day, would have taken me a week by myself!!  Eva was all about helping! 

One of the tasks we gave Eva was to put together a table centerpiece by adding the ornaments to the vase.  She did this last year and I just have to include a picture of her then and one now. 

 

I think it's just amazing to look at the difference.  Not just physically, but there's such a bright light in her eyes and a big smile on her face that just wasn't always there.  Everyday I am just in awe of our beautiful little girl!

Another of my favorite things about Christmas are the ornaments!  Each of our ornaments hold a memory, they are kind of like a scrapbook of our lives, and every year the boys and I take our time reflecting on each of them as we hang them on the tree.  We are now adding these collectibles for Eva.  This year her very special new ornament was that of Minnie Mouse.  She LOVES Minnie Mouse and even dressed as her for Halloween this year.  Eva was so excited to add Minnie to the tree!

 

Eva and I enjoyed spending the day with Maw-Maw Carolyn and doing some Christmas shopping!

Last weekend, Noah had the lead, male, role in our church's Children's Choir performance and let me just say..."He ROCKED"!!  He played the part of Brody, a jock who was all about himself and what he was getting for Christmas.  At the end of the play, Brody learns the true meaning of Christmas and when he delivered the Christmas message, I just have to say that I had tears in my eyes!  He was that good!! 

 

Last night, we went out to look at Christmas lights, and our first stop was to a local church to view their live nativity.  The first thing Eva noticed were the angels on top of baby Jesus "house".  It was a simple and beautiful presentation.

 

 

 

Even though we don't put alot of emphasis on Santa at our house, I still don't feel like Christmas would be complete without a visit to "Ho Ho".  Last year, it probably took about 6 months before you could mention Santa around Eva without her saying "Ho Ho, I cried"!  This year she made a little progress, no tears and she even looked him in the eye and spoke!  She asked for "pink eggos (legos), babies and a stroller"!!



Remembering that she sat on Noah's lap last year (have I ever mentioned that she doesn't forget anything?!), this year she wanted to sit on Nicholas's lap to take the picture.  Maybe next year she'll sit on Santa's??

Ended our visit with a train ride through the mall and a cookie.

This week will be the boys last week of school before the Christmas holiday.  We are all looking so forward to hosting Christmas at our home this year and spending time with family and friends!!

From our house to yours.... 

 MERRY CHRISTMAS

and

A BLESSED NEW YEAR!!