Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Gingerbread House Contest

UPDATE:We have a winner!


We made gingerbread houses for FHE a couple of weeks ago. I don't recommend using nerds. They kept hitting the floor like hail. We will probably be finding them for months. 

Do you think you can guess who made which gingerbread house? The first person who guesses them all correctly will get some candy from us in the mail. Something yummier than nerds. Leave a comment to enter.

#1


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#8
Here's a hint. The following people  made houses - Stan, Amy, Rachel, Heather, Gwen Kelly, Michael and Naomi.

 None of them were made by Summer, who is away at BYU trying to decide what to do with her life. Over Thanksgiving, she tried out a few roles, but decided she isn't ready to get married and doesn't want to get involved in any drug wars. (She was dressing up in her Aunt Marcia's wedding dress, using Uncle Ed's knife and wearing a poncho from her Uncle Randall's mission.)


Sunday, January 15, 2012

December Catchup

Here's a bunch of stuff that went on last month. Stan took most of the kids to a grand reopening of a park near his office. They had a free pancake breakfast, balloon animals, cookie decorating and standing in line waiting to ride the trains. This park has miniature (but still large enough to ride on) steam powered trains.



I didn't go because it was my first time teaching bookbinding at our local art museum. I stressed and worried and had so much fun when I finally got to teach :)


Heather and Gwen took part in their piano teacher's annual Christmas recital.

Here are snatches of each of the pieces they played.



I took Michael to the Kindergarten/First Grade Christmas Party at school. Each kid made about eight different projects. This is a wreath made out of smashed Shredded Wheat cereal, Elmer's glue, green food coloring and beads.


Later in the month, Michael, Naomi and I went on a field trip to the International Printing Museum. It was fascinating.

This is their replica of the press that printed the Gutenberg Bible.

The linotype was amazing. I loved the clacketty sound it made.

I got a kick out of the juxtaposition of technologies we saw in the break room on the way to the restroom.

One of the best parts of last month was getting to spend time with Summer (who, of course, I don't have pictures of). She caught a ride home from the Y with one of her roommates and her friends. They stayed a couple nights while they went to some tourist attractions. they were all so nice and a delight to have as guests. I thought this was a fun pictures of the three girls, Veronica, Christina and Maggie with their Macs.

Henry favors Apple products, too :) I probably got to spend the most time talking to Henry for two reasons. One, he slept in the living room on the couch and got woken up earlier than anyone else by kids running around and, two, he spent awhile each day waiting for three females to finish getting ready. He is a great guy.

I went to Stan's company Christmas party with him. His coworkers are all so nice. This picture was during the white elephant gift exchange which I counted as a rousing success because the gift we brought was taken from one person by someone else and because Stan got the books he wanted. Can you tell I am a dyed in the wool introvert? Even though I was having fun, enjoying conversations, relishing the food, my hands are still twisted in a knot trying to survive being around all those people :)

Last month, we made 50+ treat plates. It is a good thing I have so many capable people working in the kitchen. This is definitely a group effort each year.

Heather wrapped her Christmas gifts beautifully.

For New's Year Eve, we ate fun food and played board games. Here is Naomi poking some caviar to see what she thinks of it.

Happy 2012!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Über-Randomness

I am catching up for the last few weeks. I still have a huge folder of pictures from our camping family reunion, but am ignoring them for today...or maybe forever...anyway, here is what I have for you now...

Naomi "graduated" from Nursery and is in Sunbeams.

Summer received this book for Christmas and (with a little help from her redheaded sister) made little animal pillow thingamabobs for her five youngest siblings.

Stan brought me flowers :)

At the above mentioned family reunion, there were puzzles and games purchased by the grandparents. My mom promised a 750 piece jigsaw puzzle to my brother Matt, but Heather didn't know and was hoping to take it home. I made her give it up because it was already spoken for. Matt could see the longing in her eyes and was kind enough to mail it to her when they were done with it. (Thanks Matt!)

Last Monday night for FHE, we made mango lassis and started the puzzle.

This is how it looked at bedtime.

We ate around it for a few days and finally finished it Thursday, sort of. We are still missing one piece - arghhh! I am guessing it either fell on the floor and got swept up, or someone ate it in their breakfast cereal...

Finally, Gwen looks cute even when you only see her teeth and the tip of her nose!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Ward Christmas Dinner

We went to our Ward Christmas dinner last weekend.

Michael and Naomi both thought they were more excited than the other to see Santa.

The Primary put on a pageant. Gwen and Kelly were angels and Michael was...

...a sheep.

Since we didn't get a good picture of him on the stage (that is the back of his head up there), I sent him to Stan for more pictures. I think he just wanted to get out of his lacy pillowcase :)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

A Recipe for You

Here is something yummy and easy to make for your Christmas parties and treat plates...

White Chocolate Candy Cane Popcorn

I put sprinkles on this batch because I took it to Michael's Kindergarten/1st Grade party and have this idea that kids like sprinkles on everything, but they are optional.

The following recipe makes enough to cover 8-15 cups of popcorn, depending on how thick you like the chocolate. That is the same as 1-2 bags of microwave popcorn, or 1/2-one batch of air popped corn (at least from our popper). If you use microwave popcorn, I'd suggest using "Light' instead of "Butter". I'm not sure how well the chocolate would stick to the buttery kind, but you could always try it and eat the whole batch yourself if it is too sticky ;)

It is a good idea to shake all the old maids (unpopped kernels) in your bowl of popcorn to the bottom and move all the good popcorn to another bowl (make it a big one because you will need room to stir).

Next, measure one cup of white chocolate candy coating. I like Guitard A'Peels.

Then, pulverize two regular sized candy canes in a zip lock bag. It will make about 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of crushed candy cane.

Melt the candy coating in the microwave, stirring after a minute and then returning it to the microwave to melt it some more if needed.

Dump the candy cane powder in the chocolate, mix well and pour it over your popcorn. Stir it until the popcorn is evenly coated.

It is best if you let it cool before you eat it, otherwise, your hand will look this!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Did you realize...

...that Christmas is only 40 days away? I don't usually start counting down until after Thanksgiving, but eBay has a countdown on the top of their home page!

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the cards, especially the cards with pictures. I am excited to get some free (plus S&H) Christmas cards from Shutterfly. The hardest parts will be getting everyone to look at the camera and smile at the same time, and also choosing which design to use, because they have so many nice ones.

Here are my top three (I mean four) choices-In Living Color-Merry Thought Bubble-Air Mail Wishes-Oh What Fun-which one would you choose?

Besides the darling designs, I also think it is nifty that you can choose to have your cards printed on card stock or photo paper. I will be getting card stock and am excited to see how they turn out! You can also chose between flat or folded cards. So many choices...

Shutterfly has great gifts, too. Two of my favorites are the keepsake boxes and the luggage tags.

If you have a blog, you can sell your blogging soul and get free cards, too. Go here and sign up.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas Day

Besides eating fudge, cookies, candy and leftover tamales until we all felt sick, we also burned a yule log...

...went on a hike and made button rings.

The week before Christmas...


...the kids did a Nativity play for FHE...


...Rachel wet and braided all the hair she could get her hands on...

...and three different kids had a stomach virus, but we don't have any pictures of that!