We had our normal Christmas at home with just the 8 of us Wednesday morning. The kids got us up at 7... that is the earliest they have ever gotten us up! We generally open stockings, then eat, then open gifts. This year we just opened everything then ate afterwards.
I did have the door to the living room shut and taped closed... we had a few very anxious boys!
We left the house at noon and headed for my parents.
They served lunch and then we opened gifts there with my brother and his family.
We left around 5 to head home, eat a quick snack and go to church for a Christmas service. There were not many people there but it was a really nice way to end Christmas Day!
One more Christmas celebration to go!
Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
~Stromboli Night~
Trying to have fun with some of the mundane parts of my day... like dinner. We haven't had a "Make Your Own Stromboli Night" for awhile. Gregg is never home to make them (I normally have one of the kids make one for him.) and Christmas vacation seemed like a good time to make them again.
I had everyone's dough and all the fillings laid out on the counter.
they had to prepare their dough...
...and fill it. Arms and hands were everywhere!
holes in the dough... no problem!
The finished product.
Yumm-O
Thursday, December 26, 2013
~Prairie Primer ~ Plum Creek ~ Week 1...well, all of them~
Ok, so I fell behind in tracking this. So much to do around here. We completed the book and did a few projects. We cut back a little because the other family had some vacation time and Thanksgiving was thrown in the middle of the book.
We did make sod houses and covered them with grass seed...
they look really neat with grass on them.
We made dried apples and taste tested other dried fruits. I am still wondering why some dried fruit is called "dried _____" and other dried fruit gets a whole different name... like we don't call raisins dried grapes?!?!?
We learned how destructive grasshoppers can be. Read about Noah Webster and learned the real reason why Mary was blind.
Our big project for this book was to have a Christmas Party.
We did make sod houses and covered them with grass seed...
they look really neat with grass on them.
We made dried apples and taste tested other dried fruits. I am still wondering why some dried fruit is called "dried _____" and other dried fruit gets a whole different name... like we don't call raisins dried grapes?!?!?
We learned how destructive grasshoppers can be. Read about Noah Webster and learned the real reason why Mary was blind.
Our big project for this book was to have a Christmas Party.
The boys made apple crisp...
...and beef stew
They decorated with apples covered in cloves
my younger two were mesmerized by the train
I made the dough but they made the rolls
Here is our apple crisp and baked corn pudding. They also made baked beans and ice cream.
They did a great job but they couldn't believe how much work it was to cook all that. We used brown paper for our table cloth and oil lamps for light. They had to set the table properly too.
They strung marshmallows and cranberries. I thought popcorn would be too messy... but my girl was snatching marshmallows faster than I could stop her.
Poor Elijah fell asleep while we were there... too much partying!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
~Craft Day~
A friend of mine came over for a craft day a few weeks ago.
all my misc stuff
(I had the girls make a sign with their name on it to keep them out of trouble... but they played really well and were no trouble at all.
Our first project was making hand scrub.
It was just a mix of sugar and Dawn dish soap with Olay in it.
Next we tackled our sock snowmen. They were so much fun to make!
and then some post it note stations.
After Barlet left, Nathan asked for a snowman too. His had to have eyes on it though... because, of course, he needs to see where he is going!
We got all this done before lunch! Can't wait til next time!
Monday, December 23, 2013
~Baking Day~
Friday was baking day for me. I tried to have fun with the kids in the kitchen but they were much more interested in playing today. That suited me well... I got everything done and cleaned up.
After supper I also made some ginger cookies... and folded 3 loads of wash and matched a gazillion socks... that is what everyone does for fun on a Friday night right?!?!
Cinnamon Rolls to start off Christmas week
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Orange Macaroons
Chocolate Swirls (they kinda lost the swirl but they taste great!)
All baked and iced... yumm-o!
After supper I also made some ginger cookies... and folded 3 loads of wash and matched a gazillion socks... that is what everyone does for fun on a Friday night right?!?!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
~Christmas is Coming~
Our first Christmas party of the year is usually with my mom's side of the family. We got together yesterday and I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone today. Scrapbooking and blogging together!
This way I only have to load the photos once ☺
Lots of aunts, uncles and cousins to catch up with this year. I didn't get to speak with everyone individually but I did get around to many! The older I get the more I appreciate a good conversation. It is easier now then when the kids were little... now they sit in a row like wall flowers. Ha!
We have had a lot of snow this Autumn, but now that winter is here it is warm and raining. Maybe Spring will come early!
This way I only have to load the photos once ☺
Lots of aunts, uncles and cousins to catch up with this year. I didn't get to speak with everyone individually but I did get around to many! The older I get the more I appreciate a good conversation. It is easier now then when the kids were little... now they sit in a row like wall flowers. Ha!
We always finish the night off with a cookie swap. I am tempted to throw half of the cookies in the freezer... although I'm sure the family will tear through them in no time.
We have had a lot of snow this Autumn, but now that winter is here it is warm and raining. Maybe Spring will come early!
Friday, December 20, 2013
~Puppies~
Just playing with my camera again... the kids are tired of my always shooting them...so I decided to pick on the dogs for awhile.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
~Snow~
Two days of snow last week!
Plans for Tuesday were cancelled... Wednesday changed... Thursday different... Friday back to normal... only to have snow again Saturday! Here we go again... Sunday changed...
I must say I didn't mind being "snowed in"
Especially when you find these huge icicle treasures!
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
~Me and My Girl~
She was so cute lining the pretzels up in the pan... but unwrapping all the kisses was a little daunting. She had them all laid out by the time I had mixed up the chili for supper. The guys called to say they would be late so we watched a Christmas movie and ate our chili together. What a little sweetie and what a good time we had.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
~Dinner Date~
A few weeks ago, I finally took Nathan out for his birthday date. He thought he wanted to go to Dutch Wonderland, but then my parents said they would take the kids... so I just now got around to taking him out. He wanted Chinese! YUM!
I had a great time with Nathan! Such a funny guy. About half way through dinner he sat back and said, "Mom, aren't you glad you don't have to go all the way to Africa to eat Chinese food?"
I about lost it☺ He is normally a smart guy so I was confused as to why he got this confused. After asking him a few questions I realized what he was saying. Africa is really far away in his mind. He was just naming the furthest place away that he could think of. It was still too funny to not share!
This was yesterday... see his icicle!
I had a great time with Nathan! Such a funny guy. About half way through dinner he sat back and said, "Mom, aren't you glad you don't have to go all the way to Africa to eat Chinese food?"
I about lost it☺ He is normally a smart guy so I was confused as to why he got this confused. After asking him a few questions I realized what he was saying. Africa is really far away in his mind. He was just naming the furthest place away that he could think of. It was still too funny to not share!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
~Math and Cookies~
Doing math...
"Nathan, if you have zero cookies and I give you four cookies, how many cookies do you have now?"
"I have two cookies. You never let us have four cookies, so I put two of them back."
Haha! That's my boy
"Nathan, if you have zero cookies and I give you four cookies, how many cookies do you have now?"
"I have two cookies. You never let us have four cookies, so I put two of them back."
Haha! That's my boy
This happened awhile ago... I just now got around to posting it... I always like to add a photo to a post and I didn't take one of my sweet boy for awhile.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
~Snow Day~
I have several posts in my drafts... but have been too busy for the menial task of blogging :-(
But now... I knew I had to get to get online and post these from today! I just purchased a new camera and had to go outside to play with it a little.
I watched 8+ birds fight at the feeder this morning. I was able to watch this one feed quietly after the others left. Telescopic lens = happiness!
Our neighbors dog "Blue"... She is adorable and boy did she want to play!
Our dog Bullet... she loves to be outside with us. River was sleeping on the couch.
I took about 30 photos trying to figure out how to blur the background and I was also playing with the aperture. I don't totally understand it, but am learning!
Eric was "sledding"
Sledding is serious business...
and crashes are just too fun!
my girl ♥
A pretty afternoon moon
my Nathan
My neighbor's house with a regular lens...
...and now with the telescopic lens
I was skip happy when the sheep came out!!!
I certainly don't need another hobby... but this is going to be fun!
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