Christmas 2014

Christmas has come and gone.  It is crazy!!  I really think time should go a little slower.  We have enjoyed being able to spend more time together as a family and to feel the spirit of Christmas.  I think some snow would have made it more perfect but we have somewhat come to grips that we don't get that white stuff much at all.

Several days before Christmas I was still waiting on some packages to come through the mail.  Our dog is so good at letting us know when someone is near our house so I have to intercept some of those packages or the mail person won't leave them.  

On the evening of the 12th day before Christmas our dog was going crazy so I went out to check who was there.  I felt bad because it was a family in our ward trying to be sneaky and we caught them on the first day of their run.  Then I figured I just won't let the kids know who is doing this.  However, the next night the kids went running out and caught the family leaving us a treat.  I don't like being caught when I try to do similar things so I suspect we were a great frustration to them.  I felt bad.  We have never had anyone do the 12 days of Christmas for us and it was fun to see what was coming each night.  We were spoiled.  They gave us treats every night (it was a lot) with some being given on nice glass plates.   The best item they gave was a full Nativity set.  There was one piece of the Nativity given to us each night.  I don't have a nice one yet and I  like the one we were given.  It was good for us to be the recipient of such kindness.

The Nativity that was given to us.

The following are all of my kid friendly Nativities that we have.  I like them all but it is nice to have one that isn't kid friendly.  

The kids made a manger, camel, and sheep for our live nativity that we did for our good friend who came to eat Christmas eve dinner with us.  

The kids acting our the Nativity. 

Elijah was showing off big time for Sister Arthur that night.  She absolutely loves this boy.  We made so much food that night.  It was nice to not have to bake or cook anything on Christmas day.  We have lived on leftovers for the last three days. 

Elijah had the BEST reactions when he opened his presents.  He would say "look, look, boys" grinning as wide as could be.  It was more fun watching his expressions than opening presents.

He was so excited to see these wooden train tracks.  He has had the trains but not much track.  He can built a cool track now.  

Josiah has been begging for a leather jacket for a long time and finally got one.

Nathan has been drinking out of the cup on the right for years and years.  This year I decided it was time to retire that cup.  Look at the difference!  I found a set of four.  

Jarom was happy to get a ninja turtle.  

Nathan started on this train project with Jarom four years ago and never did get it done.  About a month ago Jarom asked Nathan if he was ever going to get the train done.  Nathan was able to make the time to do it.  He was so happy he could actually make something for one of his kids this Christmas. It is a nice train set.  

This magic sand claims that it is mess free on the box.  I beg to differ with that statement.  It is weird stuff.

Sadie with her new robe.  She also made that hat with her new loom set and the puppy in her hand from yarn.  

This was a nightmare of a puzzle.  It looked like fun on the box but it was a tough one.  It is a dog in case you can't tell. 

This is how we snack on Christmas day.  There is nothing like a huge gallon size bag of ham of leftovers to tide you over till you eat another piece of candy.  

I couldn't resist getting this.  Peppermint patties are one of Nathan's favorite.  I happen to like these too.  This package had two 1/2 pound patties in it.   Yes, it was grossly big and yes tasted quite yummy.  

The kids had fun tie dying some shirts.  

Christmas treat tradition

So after using........... 

5 lbs of powdered sugar

 32 oz of whipping cream

 6 bags of semisweet chocolate chips

1 bag of milk chocolate chips

1 bag of butterscotch chips

2 bags of peanut butter chips

24 oz of cream cheese

12 oz of cocoa

2 bags of pretzel rods

32 oz of peanut butter

package of candy canes

3 boxes of Chex cereal

1 box of rice crispies

36 oz of peanuts

80 oz of almond bark

2 bags of marshmallows

2 c. corn syrup

2c. sugar

3 lbs of butter

Wow that is a lot of stuff

This was the outcome.  I broke tradition this year and made different treats instead of my usual cinnamon roll rings.  I have made the rings for years and got the idea from my mom who had made them for years and years.   I am not sure if this will become a NEW tradition but it was fun to do something different.  

Peppermint fudge is one of my favorite.  Our neighbors in Boise gave us a plate of these so I got the recipe from her and it has only taken me 6 years to make them.  

Crock pot crack is one of the best too.  

Drawings

Do any of these people look familiar?

The lady who drew these pictures is amazing.  I am so thankful she and I are friends.  Age is getting the best of her these days but I will treasure these drawings forever.   She asked me if she could do this and of course I couldn't say no.  

The picture of the day

Sadie's band concert

My camera took horrible pictures and Sadie was sitting in a place I couldn't see her very well but I am going to document this anyway.  She has enjoyed playing the clarinet.  She seems to pick up on things quick.  One of her many talents.   The next concert I will choose our seats more wisely.  I thought this beginning band did a great job and much better than what we thought we would hear. 

The smell of gingerbread

We got our tree up on Thursday and I have loved the smell of gingerbread in my house.  We made gingerbread men over a week ago to hang on our tree.   I not only like the smell but I love the looks of them on the tree.  We were able to make and decorate 99 gingerbread in one night.  I know I am not a decor guru by any means so don't look at the other stuff around but I am happy with the way the tree turned out and we have a few bigger ones on our mantel too that I enjoy smelling and looking at..

The finished product

It was messy especially when kids put their own flour on the table and dough.

The mess

I think this gingerbread man has a mace but I don't recall it being on the tree.

I don't think this one made it through the decorating process either.  

The decorating process

A huge pile of gingerbread men

Here are a few close ups of some.  I think they all are so fun and I am glad we took the time to do this.

The best part about this tree is that Elijah has come upstairs every morning so far and turns on the lights and says "I like my Christmas tree."