A Christmas Tradition

Decorating Christmas cookies has been one of our favorite traditions. I made the cookie dough about 2 weeks ago and things were so busy we never could get everyone together to do it. Then the next monday night (family night) we tried it again... I got the first batch all ready to bake and the oven would not turn on..... so one week and $75 on a new oven igniter later we finally got it all together.

"Super detail" Holly.

Jami's

Chad's with a little reindeer dropping.

"10,000 BC Santa Claus" by Jarom.

Craig's

"Kirby Santa" by Tyler

IT'S OK TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS

My mom gave me this little button a few weeks ago. Have you noticed that everyone says "Happy Holidays" now days. When did it change from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays"? If you watch an old movie they always say "Merry Christmas". The other day I was at Sees Candy and the lady that rang up my order said "Happy Holidays" and I said back to her "Merry Christmas". She just looked at me a little surprised and said "oh..... yea"!!! So I will do that this month every time someone says that to me. And I will start wearing my "It's OK to say Merry Christmas" button. It's one of the little subtle things that is happening to take God and Christ out of everything. Poisoning by degrees!!! Don't let it happen!!!!!

I like to display nativity sets during the Christmas season. I have collected a few over the years.... some I have bought, some that have been given to me, and some I have made myself.

Some of my homemade ones are my favorites. I also have the worldly fun stuff here at my home with santa and elves and snowmen, etc, but I like to have the nativity to help us remember what it's all about. So all over the house and on the tree you will see reminders about the birth of our Savior. I am so grateful for Him and the good life he has blessed me with. I am especially grateful for my family. I have a wonderful mother who I consider one of my best friends. She really is more a friend to me and I look forward to the days when we get together and do our shopping and crafts. I am like her is so many ways.... one being.... we both hate shopping and so we get together to help each other get through it. I am grateful for a wonderful husband who works hard to provide for his family and who loves me unconditionally. I also have wonderful children that I am so proud of who have found excellent spouses who they have been able to go to the temple with...... So my little post about nativities led to all that I am grateful for. Merry Christmas everyone!

Halloween 2008

On Monday Jami had the stomach flu but I didn't think it was the stomach flu because she had a headache that I figured was from not getting enough sleep. Tyler got sick on Thursday and Chad was so worried all day because he didn't want to miss out on dressing up on Halloween. They had a whole group of kids that were going to school dressed in these footie pjs. So the day started out fine with the boys headed out for seminary and school but by about 10:30 I got a text from Chad saying that he needed me to come get him. I went down to the health office at the school and he was there white as a ghost. He almost passed out and we had to lay him down and give his some juice before we could get him out to the car. I was also feeling bad and by the time we got home I knew that I had it too. So Chad and I spent the day in bed. Poor Tyler had to do the pumpkin carving by himself. Craig had to help Jami get ready. I was actually going to wear a costume this year.... I guess I will have to save it for next year.

Yes on Prop 8

Nine days and counting and the supporters of traditional marriage are out in force letting our voices be heard/seen. Today is the first day of sign holding. This is definitely out of my comfort zone but it wasn't all that bad. Quoting Craig, "I only had one finger and two thumbs" so I guess that isn't too bad. There seemed to be a lot of support for the "yeses" with all the horn honking that we heard so that was encouraging. It is always a little hard to have someone giving you the finger but I guess that is just to be expected. All in all, I think it went well. Now that people know that we will be doing this we won't be surprised to find some No supporters coming to our intersections. We'll see!

Alfalfa/Tyler

Tonight the Priests and Laurels had a costume dance at church. Tyler's date suggested that they go as Alfalfa and Darla from "The Little Rascals". Very cute!

Ally and Tanner

Whenever I get the chance to go see the kids I take it. My mom and her friend Lois Haskins were going up and they invited me and Jami to go. We were there for one week and we had a good time visiting with family and spending lots of time with Mindy and the kids. I am really bad about taking pictures but the last day that I was there I took a few of the kids. I can't believe how much more talking Ally is doing. It's amazing how quickly she has picked up on the vocabulary in just the few months since I saw her last. Tanner wasn't moving around at all last time I saw him and now he is all over the place and pulling himself up to things.

Yummy Cookies!

So I was at my mom's house last week and I was looking through her Martha Stewart magazine and I came across a cookie recipe that I just had to try...... it was worth the try. They are kind of rich but very yummy! Thanks Martha!

Chocolate-Strawberry Thumbprints (Martha Stewart Magazine .. can't remember the issue it was in)

Makes about 3 dozen

3/4 cup all purpose Flour

1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup plus 6 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1 large egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 oz cream cheese, room temperature

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

4 oz strawberries (about 6 medium) stemmed and finely diced

1. Sift flour, cocoa, and salt into a bowl; set aside. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring until smooth; set aside to cool.

2. Put butter and 1/4 cup granulated sugar into bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Mix in yolk, vanilla, and chocolate. Reduce to low speed. Mix in flour mixture until just combined. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour..

3. Preheat oven to 350. Put 6 teaspoons granulated sugar into a small bowl. Form dough into 3/4-inch balls; roll in sugar to coat. Space 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment. Press center of each ball with your thumb. Bake 10 minutes. Press centers again with end of a wooden spoon, making 3/4-inch indentations. Bake until slightly cracked and set, about 5 minutes more. Cool completely on racks. Unfilled cookies can be stored in airtight containers up to 3 days.

4. Stir cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in a small bowl. Toss berries with remaining 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar in another bowl. Spoon cream cheese mixture into center of cookies; top with sugared berries, dividing evenly.

Fruity centers: you can use any sunkissed berry atop the cream cheese filling in these crisp chocolate cookies.

Tagged.... thanks Mindy!

SiX UNreMaRkaBle ThiNgs aBoUt Me

1. I have a neck phobia.... I can't stand to have anything touching my neck. You will never see me wearing a turtle neck or anything tight on my neck. I still have a hard time with a t-shirt... and if I can get away with wearing one it has to be big enough to pull it down from my neck.... dumb, I know but it is a family thing. My dad had it and several of my siblings and other family members do too.

2. I love being a stay at home mom. I don't understand it when mothers feel the need to get out when they don't have to. I get so much pleasure out of being here with the kids, even the grown up ones who don't really need me anymore (need-bath, dress, chauffeur, etc..). I have so many things that I love to do that can keep my busy. I have so many things that I hate to do that can keep me busy. Not to mention the things that I do that make me feel guilty like.... too much blogging:)

3. Mindy mentioned that she doesn't like sea food and so far none of my children like it. I never liked it and I never made it except tuna. I sometimes get talked into trying it but I still don't like it. Ashley keeps trying and she can't do it either. Sorry kids!

4. I have a half acre lot with lots of grass. I enjoy mowing the lawn. I hated it once but now I love it because I have a riding lawn mower and I enjoy the hour of alone time out there on the mower. It's fulfilling to look at the yard when I am done and see how nice it looks.

5. I love to watch old classic movies. My favorite channel is TCM (turner classic movies). I will watch anything with Cary Grant (all time # one), James Stewart, Kathrine Hepburn, Doris Day, Debbie Reynolds, Danny Kaye, etc. I just love the old black and whites.

6. I love candy.... anything chocolate. I have my favorites like: M&M's, Milk Duds, Good & Plenty, Werthers Caramels (my obsession right now). This is not a good thing right now while I am trying to drop a few pounds. Why couldn't I have an obsession for fruits or vegetables?

The very official terms & conditions:
Link the person who tagged you.
Mention the rules on your blog.
List 6 unspectacular things about you.
Tag 6 other bloggers by linking them.

I tag: Holly, Dan, Sarah, Robyn, Mom, Ashley

Entertaining 101

For a young women activity last night we had a formal dinner and talked about etiquette. We learned about the proper way to set a table, some clever ways to fold napkins, and they each did an arrangement of flowers. For our dinner we had pasta, biscuits and salad. It turned out really nice and I think that the girls all enjoyed it.

Goodbye Ashley and David

Just a few pictures before Ashley and David head back to Hawaii.