White Christmas

We are back from a wonderful trip to Utah to be with Jeff's family for the holidays. We enjoyed good food and great company. But the highlight of the trip according to the little people, was sledding. We went twice and had a blast, and can't wait to go again sometime soon.

2nd Grade Performance

We went to Callie's Christmas performance last night for school. It was so much fun. It was hard not to have the Christmas spirit after listening to 2nd & 3rd graders act & sing their little hearts out to Christmas songs.

When we got there, I couldn't figure out why Callie's teachers was putting a hankerchief on her head. Come to find out she had an extra little part in the program that she didn't tell me anything about! She is soooooo not like her parents at that age, who would've dreaded the entire thing because of stage fright.

We went out to eat with my parents and sister and family before the performance, and Callie reminded us we better not get to "chit chatting" and be late for the performance! She was an eager beaver to get on that stage.

It was such a fun night.... until Santa started throwing candy into this mob and Callie got trampled on and ended up in tears. Bad Santa!

Polar Express Party

When our children are all grown up, I want them to remember fun traditions and exciting times from their childhood. We started the tradition of A Polar Express Party. C & H could invite a few of their friends over for a night of popcorn, cookies, & hot cocoa while we watch Polar Express. We gave our invitations which included a ticket they needed to bring to the party.

The Invitations

The Treats

The Movie Watchers

During the movie, there was a knock at the door. We were surprised to find bells for everyone, with a tag that said "Believe". They were also very cold, like they had just come from the North Pole ( or freezer :).

This was a very fun party to have. Callie & Hayden made the cookies & popcorn themselves, which added to the excitment. This will be one of our Christmas traditions.

Global Warming Schwarming

We woke up this morning to a light covering of snow all over the ground. This is BIG news here in CA. I can remember as a little girl when it snowed once, and how exciting it was!

(Alaska people don't laugh at what we call "snow")

We were even able to make a snowman - California Style :)

32

32 things about me:

1. I love chocolate

2. I have never had a speeding ticket

3. I have no portion control when it comes to desserts and other tasty things

4. I have never had a pedicure (not sure I want one)

5. I am half British
6. I love raspberries & all other berries
7. I hate condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc)
8. I have met a President of the United States ( Clinton…. It would be way cooler if it was someone else)
9. I will never get a professional massage
10. I have run a half marathon
11. I have had the mumps
12. I can’t go to bed if I don’t floss my teeth
13. I love to make quilts
14. I HATE crickets – so black and shiny and jumpy
15. I can’t sleep if I’m home alone
16. My hands & feet sweat when I’m nervous or anxious ( so obnoxious)
17. I crack my knuckles & almost every other joint in my body
18. I get discouraged very easily.
19. I love to make lists and cross things off as I accomplish
20. I never iron my clothes (unless they’re really bad)
21. I wear flip flops year round
22. I can’t do pull-ups, but wish I could
23. I love to snuggle
24. I hate being cold
25. I can’t stand wearing lipstick
26. I am very tenderhearted
27. I love the beach, it's my favorite place to go.
28. I was once a travel agent
29. I love bargain shopping

30. I have always wanted an Easy Bake Oven (now that I have a real oven it has slightly lost it's appeal)

31. I love to laugh

32. My family is the most important thing to me.

Happy Thanksgiving

Every year, this nice lady named Carol, makes Thanksgiving pies to be served with dinner for the Salvation Army. She has been doing it a very long time. For the past 4 years, we've been lucky enough to be able to help. This year, the Salvation Army double booked their kitchen where we make the pies, so being the wonderful lady she is, Carol had everyone come to her house to make the pies, just like the early days of her pie making operation. We loaded up our cars with all of the supplies and headed over to her house.

People were mixing pumpkin for pumpkin pies in the front yard, apple crumble in the back yard, lemon meringue in the kitchen, and making pastry in the living room. All of the neighbors turned on their ovens, and baked the pies. It is always a blast. This year 212 pies were made.

I was on pie crust duty, which turned out to be slightly challenging. Gail, Sara and I had so much fun laughing about how horrible our pastry looked, but we figured once it was cut into slices, they wouldn't even notice. Callie & Hayden helped cut little leaf shapes out of pastry to put on top of the pumpkin pies.

Callie was an excellent pastry maker, as well as lemon juicer, and apple peeler. This girl wanted to try everything.

Poor Hayden had a run in with the lemon zester and grated this thumb. Owies and lemon don't mix too well. We told him his pie was extra special because a homeless person was getting a little bit of him with it :)

Afterwards, the excellent pie makers got to choose a treat of their liking at the gas station mini mart. We are so grateful for our many blessings, both temporal and spiritual. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving.

This weekend I read this

and this

and saw this

It was a good weekend ( besides from getting a parking ticket ).