Holiday Snow Day

I love snow days.

When they happen on school days, and the kids get to sleep in, change in and out of their snow gear and we get to enjoy homemade bread and potato soup for dinner...it is wonderful.

But, when it happens during the holidays, it is a perfect time to slow down and just take it in.

This morning was just like that.

We had gotten in late last night as we travelled very slowly, and very carefully home from a wonderful evening downtown at the ballet.

So, naturally, everyone stayed snuggled in their beds for an extra amount of time enjoying the warmth before they awoke to more snow than we had all anticipated.

One by one, everyone dressed to go outside.

First, there was dad. Dressed from head to toe in Carhart ready to tackle the driveway and the walks.

Then the boys, ready to run the snowblower and shovels right beside dad.

Then the girls.

Now the girls were a little different. They showered, did their hair, watched the boys and dad finish up and then ask for pictures with the snow in the background. So funny and very cute. (Ellie did jump in there and help for a bit.)

It was a great day! We followed up the snow adventures with another great memory making day with dad. (More to come on the memory-making adventures of the holidays with dad!)

Christmas goodies

Every year we power out some serious goodies.

We love the first night we start. All the items are bought, stacked and ready for baking.

We have picked out the plates, the ornament to include for each family and have the energy to make it.

Christmas music is blaring in the background, and we are having FUN!

Everyone is ready to pitch in and do their part. Their creativity is usually in full force.

Day three of goodies...most of these things are gone, but the delivering is always fun!

2011 plates included:
GIRL SCOUT MINT COOKIES:

Ritz crackers dipped in chocolate bark with a teaspoon of mint!

These are a family favorite at Christmas time.

I think we have been doing these since the very beginning.

Tymber with crazy eyes as she watches all the little elves bake away!

Next is the exciting chore of unwrapping all the candy canes that will be crushed for the homemade Peppermint bark.

PEPPERMINT BARK:

Melted white chocolate bark spread on cookie sheet with crushed candy cane gently pressed into it.

Love this too.

Family favorite since California!

TYMBER TIME: Annie gently spinning Tymber on her back on the wood floor. Tymber was smiling the entire time!



DARK CHOCOLATE AND MINT BARK:

New this year, but seriously SO simple, it will definitely become a family favorite, so look for it next year!

Recipe here:

The girls each made a batch, all by themselves, for each of their teachers.


A little decorating on the mint cookies. The kids were so creative. We had swirls, smiley faces, "V"s for Valor, crosses for the Savior, and stars!

We also made some PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES and POPPYSEED MUFFINS! So yummy!
A very productive night with 32 plates made up! Now we just have to finish the delivering! :)

The sight that met me in the morning :(, but really worth every.single.minute!

Ponderosa Ward Christmas Party 2011

What a great Ward Christmas party 2011 was!

We had a beautiful program full of talented kids who were singing, acting and smiling big.

Amazing food prepared by amazing women!

I love when our ward comes together to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

The bishop mentioned tonight that the reason we act out the story of the Savior's birth is because no one else will, and the story is so special that we need to remember it and have this sweet reminder.

I know that there are many churches who act out the nativity each Christmas season. There are many who light up their buildings, have Christmas programs and Christmas masses. I love that ALL Christians love the Savior. HE IS the reason for the season, just like the saying says. I love the way I feel when I slow down and think about the story.

When I think about Mary and how young and sweet she must have been. She didn't have a lifetime of experience to go on when she began to raise the Son of God. She hadn't been a mother before. They grew together. It must have been humbling to witness her child grow spiritually and physically right before her eyes. As she looked at that small baby, that busy toddler and that intelligent child...what was she thinking?

Did she question herself everyday to know if she was doing a good job? Did she wonder what she was supposed to teach him and how? Did Joseph feel inadequate as his stepfather, knowing that God knew everything and could certainly excel far beyond his mortal capabilities? Did both Mary and Joseph pray continually for guidance and then follow the Spirit in even the simplest of matters? Did Mary's mind drift off to the future and picture her boy a man, who would die for everyone? Or did she push those thoughts to the deepest corners of her mind and soak in every bit of her special child?

When she mothered her other children, did she feel like she loved them just as much as her first? Did she feel like she was so blessed to have this perfect child to be an example to his half siblings?

So many questions...I would ask her tonight.

Are mine similar?

Am I raising my children the way God would want his children raised that he has entrusted to me? Am I doing everything I should?

I think the answer would be similar to what he would have told Mary.

Love them. Every one. Every moment.

Ask me for help in everything that you do. Be worthy of my Spirit everyday. Tell them, I love them, and can't wait for them to return home. The sacrifice of time, energy, and everything else is worth it if you could see what I see.

I love this season.

I love this child we honor and his sacrifice for each of us.

May each of us love a little more. Forgive a little more. And look to him a little more.

Merry Christmas!