Teenage Joy!

Christmas Fun

                                            Intense game of Wii outdoor adventure
                                    Long hours of playing the Wii and relaxing
                                                              Eating good food

Cooking Caroline

Caroline received cake decorating lessons for Christmas.  She was excited to try out the new tips and she decorated our Christmas cake.  She did such a good job--- perhaps she doesn't need the class.:)

Christmas morning!

Christmas breakfast--Jake is wearing the crown from the English Christmas crackers.
                                                            Interesting presents

                                                           Favorite presents

Christmas Eve

                                                                 Christmas PJ's
                                              Christmas Eve at Opa's and Oma's

Gingerbread House

Each year we put together and decorate a gingerbread house.  Some years we do the individual graham cracker houses or make original ones from scratch.  This year I just bought a costco gingerbread kit because of cost (less than 10.00) and because it is less work and it includes everything.  Joseph said,"This is funner than vacation".  Caroline had fun putting on the finishing touches with the icing.  

Snow Pudding

When I was younger and there was a fresh snowfall, my mom would let us make snow pudding.

Basic recipe:  1 bowl fresh white snow(never yellow snow!)

   sugar to taste

   1/2 tsp vanilla

I loved it as a child probably because of the sugar.  It snowed today and as I look out on the sparkly white snow I wondered whether snow was indeed safe to eat.  After googling the question and reading a few articles I think I will still let my children catch snowflakes on their tongues but no more bowls of snow pudding.  One article I read said, "licking a little snow is OK....a meal of snow is not."  I guess it is time to retire this recipe. :(

First Snowman of the Season

Joseph and I had a great time making this snowman today.  You can't see them but Joseph gave the snowman pockets so he could carry his action figures and toys.

Busy December

It is always a busy time in December.  I love going to all the children's concerts. We still have the piano recital to go to next week. Yeah!!  Josh has been very busy working for BYU catering at various Christmas parties this year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATALIE!!!

Happy Birthday Natalie, Nat, Nad, Natapatata!!!!

Things we love about Natalie:

1. She is passionate about the things she is involved in.

2. She love to accomplish her goals.

3. She is sensitive to those around her.

4. She loves to be comfortable(clothes, blankets, shoes,etc).

5 She loves the Lord and tries to do what is right.

6. She is a great example to her brothers and sister.

7. She loves to read.

8. She leaves nice notes on peoples pillows.

9. When she cleans she does a great job.

10 She does not give up.

11 She loves her family.

12  She is a tradition enforcer--if Mom forgets, guess who reminds her.

13 She is beautiful both inside and out.

14 She makes up funny words for things.

15 She is very opinionated.

16 She is very competitive--watch out on the soccer field.

17  She is fun to be around.

18 She loves to give hugs.

19  She is a little bit of a tease.

20 She is very observant with her big beautiful eyes.

21  She is a talented creative writer.

22 She is a great little actress.

MOST IMPORTANT WE LOVE THAT SHE IS IN OUR FAMILY!!!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 

               WE LOVE YOU NATALIE.

Wordfull Wednesday--My Favorite Christmas Songs

I enjoy listening to all types of Christmas music.  I love the spirit the songs brings into my home.  My two favorites are "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night".  Both of these songs, whether song by a choir or by a small child makes my soul soar and my skin tingle.  I wish I could sings these as beautifully I feel them in my heart.  I have fond memories of the song "Silent Night".  As a child in Michigan my parents would load the family up on Christmas Eve with bottles of honey from our bees to deliver to our friends and neighbors.  No matter the weather or chill factor,  we sang carols at the door of each recipient.  My father who served his mission in Switzerland always sang "Silent Night" in German as we sang together.  I loved hearing his deep voice singing this song in it's original form.  

Like my sister Alison, I also love the songs in the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol, especially "It feels like Christmas" and "Bless us All".  This movie is both a touching and fun version of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.

More wordfull Wednesday--here

On your Mark, Get set, Go!!!!

Well begun is half done

Aristotle

My children dread doing their Saturday chores.  In their minds they seem like insurmountable and never ending tasks. I decided to time them and give a prize to each person who finished their jobs in one hour.  All the children claimed a prize. It was eye opening for them to see that their chores really did not take as long as they thought.   I have had the same mental block with cleaning my bathroom.  I timed myself today and was able finish in 20 minutes which is good considering it is fairly large. ....Where is my prize?

Recent Passings

I was sadden when I heard the news that Elder Wirthlin had passed away.  He is my father's first cousin, but more importantly he was my father's close friend.  I looked forward to and loved his talks and the messages he gave.  He was a great spiritual leader and man.  I loved his last conference talk, "Come what may and Love it".  I also came across a great message in an old Ensign he wrote where he tells a story about "Snowman".  I will share this story with my family for our advent activity tonight.  12 hours after hearing the news about Elder Wirthlin, my father recieved a call that his brother who had been ill passed away.  Eventhough Uncle Ralph always lived far away I loved hearing stories about him from my Dad and Aunt. I also loved it when he visited and cooked up a storm.  Dad, know that we are thinking of you and our hearts are reaching out to you at this time. 

  

 Elder Wirthlin said, "One of the great comforts of the gospel of Jesus Christ is our knowledge that this earthly existence is merely a twinkle in the eye of eternity.  Whether we are at the beginning of our mortal journey or at the end, this life is merely one step--one small step."  

Christmas Activity Advent Calendar

This year instead of putting prizes or candy in our advent calendar, I am putting a scripture and an activity in it.  Yesterday I put each person's name on small pieces of paper and we drew names to be secret elves to for the week.  Today, I will put a tiny book inside and then we will unwrap a Christmas book to read.  Tomorrow I will put a stamp inside and we will all help with the Christmas cards; stamping, stuffing, licking etc.  When we have a concert or party to attend, that will be the activity for that day.  Other things I may include as activities are crafts, service projects, more stories, Christmas movies, driving around to look at the lights, caroling, and baking.   I am excited to try out this "new" advent calendar. Hopefully this will help us draw closer as a family as we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

More pumpkin shooting

Yesterday, John took the children up the canyon to shoot the remaining pumpkins I had out for decoration. They all shot some bulls eyes and had a fun time.

We're going on a tree hunt we're going to find a big one..

....we're not scared.  Well actually I am always scared when John insists on going higher up the mountain on the snow covered road.  I think he has more faith in our suburban than I do.  Well we made it out safely and found a beautiful tree.  Even though our tree only cost us 10 dollars, it is not very economical if you consider the 1 hour drive both ways and stopping to eat on the way home, but the memories are priceless!!!

Corny Thanksgiving Post

I received an extra letter with a mp3 song from Johnny on Monday.  He did not send it with these pictures, but I did not know how to post just the song by itself so made it into a video with pictures.  My kids say it is corny with the pictures.  I love it and it is one of the best Mom "payday" I have had in a long time.  These are just some of the pictures he has sent home from his mission in Greece.

Dear Mom,
I heard this song this week from Elder Rimmel and I thought of you.  I hope you like it.  I love you.

What a wonderful Thanksgiving gift.

Wordfull Wednesdays--I am grateful

I am grateful that I am so busy today with my children, cooking, cleaning, and the holidays around the corner that I do not have much time to write this post.  This demonstrates to me how full my life is and the love that surrounds it. I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father from which these blessings flow. As I reflect on my blessing a peaceful feeling of quiet joy permeates in my soul.  I like what Thorton Wilder said, 

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

I feel very "alive" with all the commotion and activity that surrounds me and is caused by my "treasures" and I am grateful for this.

Homemade yogurt with powder milk

My friend gave me this recipe who has been making her yogurt this way for years.  

2 quarts warm(not too hot) milk made from powder milk (use an extra 1/3 cup powder milk when mixing this)

1-2 Tbspn yogurt(make sure it has live cultures) or/and acidophilus culture added and gently mix

Put lids on jars and put in small cooler with two other mason jars with(very hot) water bottles next to them.  Let culture for 8-12 hours.  Put in refrigerator and enjoy!!!

***I usually just half this recipe.  I fill one mason jar with warm water up to where it starts to curve.  I pour into a blender and add a almost a cup of powder milk.  Pulse to mix and then add the 1 Tlb yogurt and gently pulse once.  I pour this into two jars.  It makes about 1 1/2 quarts.  I put my hottest tap water into 2 other mason jars (sometimes I may microwave the water if it doesn't feel hot enough) and put them in a box with the yogurt and wrap with a towel and blanket because I don't have a small cooler the right size.  This is great for fruit shakes.  You can experiment using different yogurt starts.  I may try some Greek yogurt from the health food store and see how it turns out.

Garage Sale

After reading Cathy's and Al's blogs on the great treasures they purchase recently at garage sales, I stopped by one and this is what I bought for 11 dollars:

cannon rebel film camera with a separate flash that works!

tripod

sweatshirt

star wars lego video game

2 boxes of Christmas lights

I am really excited about the flash because it fits my new digital cannon camera I just bought and I did not have a tripod.  The star wars game will be wrapped and put in Joseph's stocking. The camera was priced cheaper than a disposable camera.

Becca's BYU Football BASH

Yesterday Rebecca hosted a fun football party to watch BYU play their rivals University of Utah.  BYU flags, a BYU doormat, and other BYU paraphernalia decorated her house.  Everyone wore their blue shirts and were in good spirits during the first half.  As BYU began to turned the ball over and over again we flocked to the kitchen to be comforted by Becca's good food.  Becca made homemade krispy kreme donuts which disappeared as soon as she cooked them. Doug called dad and mom (both U of U grads)who were at the game a few times to tell them that these were evil times with U of U beating BYU. 

Why we love Sundays!!!

I love Sundays.  I love going to church with my family each week and especially happy when we make it on time (9:00 am) like we did this morning. Yeah!! I love the good people there and the spiritual boost it gives me each week.  I asked my children why they liked Sundays and these are there responses.

Josh--relaxing after church (notice his pjs he puts on right when we get home)

Natalie--Quiet time (Mandatory after lunch.  The one and only time I get a nap all week)

Jake-reading and no school

Caroline--Choir practice

Joseph--being home with the family (It is a no friend day--the one day I don't have to drive anywhere except church--Yeah)

The kids all said they like the big meal and dessert I make each week for lunch.  This week however they were all very disappointed because I served homemade butternut squash soup (I loved it). We also all love to read the comics in the Sunday paper, except lately the kids have been scouring the adds as they fine tune their Christmas wish list (notice Caroline).  Cousin game night and early evening walks with the family are loved by all too.

Wordfull Wednesdays--Service

                                                                    GRANDMA

 In Elder Holland's conference talk he said,

 "we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind." 

 My mother-in-law who passed away six years ago this month was one of those angelic persons who served not only her family, but all those around her while she was alive.  She served the young, old, wealthy and the poor.  It was inspiring to us when numerous people at her viewing recounted to us stories of how this sweet and spunky woman served them and touched their lives. She never asked what she could do to help, rather when she saw a need she would fill it. When I was first married, I remember being surprised when she grabbed my foot as we watched TV to give me a foot massage. She came and helped with almost all of my new babies (above picture).  Even when she visited for a vacation she never stopped working.  I remember once getting everything I could possibly think of done in the house so she could relax when she visited, yet when she arrived she decided John needed help in the yard clearing the rocks.  She truly found joy helping those around her. Though we miss her dearly, I know she is joyfully serving those around her in heaven and continues to watch out for us from above.  

      

Goal Charts

 I just made this bingo chart for Caroline because I wanted to motivate her to complete a few projects she has already started. I have made these in the past for my children during the summer and they get excited to mark the squares off. I give them monetary rewards for each row they finish and a bonus for blackout.  I also give them a deadline to complete it. I always put a few easy and fun items like baking cookies along with the more challenging items.                            

Reflection Winners!!!

Caroline and Joseph won in their school's reflections program.  Caroline composed and played a song and Joseph took a picture.  The theme was WOW.  Joseph called his picture Pumpkin Masterpiece and Caroline named her song China dance.  They had fun and I enjoyed watching their creativity, even-though Joseph slimed my LCD monitor on my new camera with his mouth while taking his pictures.

Pumpkin Masterpiece

Dress Your Best

For one of my value projects, I planned an activity for the young women and their mothers.  I asked Aunt Al (fashion expert) to come down and do a presentation on how to dress your best.  My favorite part of the presentation was when she told stories, gave tips on posture, and how to clean out your closet. I made handouts for everyone to hang in their closets to remind them of Al's points:

*Know who you are

*Know what will flatter your figure-good fit and posture

*What you wear underneath will matter

*Clean out your closet and keep it organized

*Take care of your clothes

*Have fun with accessories

*Be well groomed with your hair and make up

*Dress appropriately for events and activities

*Don't be a slave to fashion

*Never compromise your standard of modesty

It was really fun and I'm grateful for my aunt's help--Thanks Al!!

Natalie

Pumpkin Shooting

Yesterday Jake, Dad, and I went up the canyon to the shooting range to shoot our pumpkins.  We shot with a 22 and 30-30.  We shot the bulls eye target and then used the 30-30 at the pumpkins and one of mom's winter squash(pictured).  Jake and Dad also shot the golf balls with both guns.  It was fun to see the pumpkins explode.  Jake and Dad shot a few bulls eyes.  

Josh