4 AM Christmas Morning!

Christmas day started early for us at our house this year.  Kolby and Mallorie woke us up at 4 AM!  Kolby's first words were, "Mom, Santa didn't leave me a lump of coal.  I must have been good!"  I guess he must have really been worried.  We opened presents and then went back to bed at about 5:30.  Mal Mal got an Easy Bake Oven and a Tini Puppini (dog that wears clothes and bling) from Santa, and Kolby got a Game Boy and Road Ripper (monster truck).    The kids watched Wall -E twice, which I'm not sure why.  I didn't think it was THAT good.  Later we went over to the Sutherlands for some amazing turkey, stuffing, ham, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and all the fixins'.  Eric is such a good cook!  They got a Wii, so the kids played that while Staci and I watched Mamma Mia.  It was a lot of fun.

The First Time Sledding

We had such a good time sledding on Christmas Eve, that I think it should be a new tradition.  Kolby and Mal loved it, and weren't the least bit scared.  They even went off some big jumps and crashed, but they laughed so hard when it happened, and then immediately wanted to do it again.  Afterwards we went back home and opened their Christmas pajamas, and changed into those, then ate our Christmas Eve, candlelight dinner, and read scriptures.  Although, we longed for our family this year, it was very relaxing, and low-key.  We tried to keep things very simple this year, and not go overboard.  It seems like we always over do it.  But, this year was so peaceful and Jeremy seemed to agree too that we felt closer to the true meaning of Christmas this year by keeping it simple. 

Random Pictures in front of the tree

Kindergarten Class Christmas Party

Here are some of the pictures I took from Kolby and Mal's class party.  The kids made two ornaments and played a couple of games.  For treats they had raspberry sorbet and 7-up with a candy cane in it.  I forgot to get a picture of Mrs. Raish.  I'll have to remember to do that at the Valentine's Day party.  All of the kids seemed to have a really good time.  One boy in the class, even said that this was the best day of his life.

After Church

I was really disappointed that these were a little blurry.  I'm not sure what's wrong with my camera.  For some reason my pictures have been turning out blurry.

These were the only pictures I got of them, though, so they'll have to do.

Amish Sugar Cookies

Laurel's Amish Sugar Cookies

1 - 1/2 C. Butter (3 sticks)

1 - 1/2 C. Sugar

1 C. sour cream

3 eggs

6 C. Flour

1/2 t. soda

1 t. baking powder

1/4 t. salt

1 - 1/2 t. vanilla

Cream butter & sugar, add sour cream in which you have mixed the soda.  Add eggs & beat.  Add flour, baking powder & salt.  Mix well.  Add vanilla and chill overnight.  

Roll out 1/2" thick.  Bake at 350 for about 7 min.  (For best results do not overcook) or until light brown on bottom.  Frost and enjoy!

We had a good time making cookies for Santa.  This recipe made a TON of cookies and they were really good.  Mal had a good time making her gingerbread women anatomically correct.  It was all her idea.  We decided,  however that we would  not be leaving those ones for the man in red.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Just thought I'd post a picture of what a white Christmas looks like for some of you people who live in warmer weather.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I know I haven't updated in a while, but it's been really, really busy lately.  So, now I'll catch up. My birthday has come and gone, and I had a really nice one.  My friends took me out for breakfast Saturday morning and then Jeremy made me dinner AND dessert (from scratch)!   This is a picture of what my mom got for me this year.  It's my favorite gift I think.  I was so excited, and surprised.  I have loved the Willow Tree nativity set for so long, and I love how beautiful and simple they are.  But, I also know how really expensive they are.  When my mom asked me what I wanted for my b-day, I had told her that I needed new g.'s, so when the package was delivered to me, and it said Deseret, I assumed that's what they were (even though it really would've said Distribution Center).  To my surprise this is what was inside.  Thanks mom!  I love them.

Trick or Treat

Pumpkin Carving/Painting

Mal is concentrating really hard on

painting her ghost pumpkin.

This year we decided to not only carve pumpkins, but to paint some as well.   Kolby and Mallorie had their own to paint, and Jeremy and I carved a couple.  Jeremy carved The Headless Horseman, and I carved a witch.  They turned out pretty good, except that my witch's tooth fell off and I had to fix it with a toothpick.  After we were done carving our pumpkins, we made pumpkin seeds.  They were so good.  Our friends, Dave and Jessica, gave us their pumpkin seed recipe, which you boil and then bake.

 

 

Kolby painted a bat on his.

The finished products.

Pumpkin Patch

I love going to pumpkin patches!  We first started going while we were in Arizona, when the kids were just little.  My sister Kodi and I would take the kids up to Prescott, and we had so much fun that we made it a new tradition.  The one in AZ had hay-rides, mazes, barn swings and slide, animals, little John Deer Tractor tricycles, and lots of delicious pumpkin goodies and treats.  But, then they closed that one down.  Since moving here a couple of years ago, we hadn't gone to one.  I didn't know that we had any up here.  So, I was very excited to learn from my friend Jill, that we had one here.  It wasn't quite as grand, and it made me miss my sister and nephew, but it was still fun all the same.  The kids loved it and I was able to take a few cute pictures.  I love all of the fall colors. 

This is one of the few moments that Jeremy was 

actually a good sport.

Miss Mal and Kolby with his cheesy grin.

They wanted to stay and play in this 

maze ALL DAY.

Kolby picked the biggest pumpkin that he could still manage to carry, while Mallorie picked 

the tiniest one she could find.  But apparently I didn't get a picture of her with her pumpkin.

Happy Belated Birthday to Aubrey!

It was my niece Aubrey's birthday on Oct. 29th, but I just haven't had any time lately, so this is a little late.  Aubrey is such a beautiful girl, and I love her curly, curly hair.   (I wish I had her hair)  I can't believe how big she is getting.  It seems like it was just the other day, that we were in MO for her blessing.  We miss her so much, and hope to see her, and her new baby sister soon.