Just Fondue it

After the present frenzy of Christmas morning, we got to talk to my brother, Riley, who is on a mission in North Carolina. While he was talking, DH and I prepared a fondue feast. It was very good! We did a traditional swiss for the cheese, then an oil. We had marinated chicken, steak, ham, shrimp, peppers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, apples, bread, and a few sauces to dip. We also had a beer batter for the oil, which I thought was really good on the broccoli and carrots. It was fun to try a few new things out of our fondue cookbook and fun to host Christmas dinner as well!

We were too full for the dessert right then, so we waited a while. We ended up going to a movie later on, so we never did do the chocolate fondue.




We found an opportunity on Tuesday night, for my dad's birthday. It was chocolate orange cream, and it was delicious! We had the usuals like bananas, apples, and angel food cake, and a few exotics: mangoes and kiwis. We had graham cracker crumbs and chopped pecans to roll it in after it was dipped as well.




Hungry yet?

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas morning at our house began sometime between 5:30 and six when M got up to go potty. I think he kind of forgot it was Christmas but got a glimpse when he was on the way to the bathroom. He came in and we spent about 20 minutes trying to wake up E. M sang "Do fish know that it's Christmas?" from the Curious George Christmas special over and over.

We sang Happy Birthday to our brother Jesus and it was off to the family room to check it out! There were definitely some surprises this year and I think we all had a good morning.

This is what E saw when he got out there. A woody with a hat and real boots and belt, a dream come true for this little boy.

And the elves were very good with the instructions M had sent on making him an Obi-Wan suit. They even threw in a new lightsaber that glows!

Somehow this stocking stuffer has been a favorite with E. It's a retractable cowboy knife and is in his hand (or sometimes nose) 24-7 now.

Surprised, babe? Totally. Didn't. See. That. Coming!
A "spinx!" I've always wanted a spinx!

Coolest spinbrushes ever!

He saw one of these at a friend's house and has wanted one ever since. Thanks Grammy & Pops!

A sickeningly-full-of-pictures-of-grandkids-calendar-only-a-grandma-could-love.

Cutest little cowboy ever in his new "real boots" and "real belt" Don't think he'll ever get over his love of all things cowboy.

Surprised? Yes! A new (to me) 12-string! Now to clip the nails off and build some calluses.

Monster Truck and Hummer RC's from Uncle Che and Aunt Whit!
Just call him Dr. E. I now have my "blood fresser" taken several times a day.
Enjoying pirates how they were meant to be enjoyed.

New sweater/scarf/gloves from my favorite sister

Look mom! Now we can read "mouse a cookie" every day!

Someone else was let in on the secret- thanks to Colin/Sam/Max for the Wiimotes!

The boys were excited that Santa had remembered Nolan as well and left a few things in his stocking.

Grow frogs, pretties, and a rodeo

We did some fun things on the final days of the advent, like:

made our gingerbread counterparts

Me and the kiddos went to the new display at the Treehouse Museum- a rodeo/cowboy area!

Visit the elves at Gardner Village

This part is not fun- the kids and I were sick a whole lot these past few weeks- M was trying to cool his head, which was burning up, so he could try and enjoy Christmas Eve dinner

The boys talked me into buying some fancy barrettes at the grocery store (which they call "pretties") to wear for Christmas Eve, so here I am


We had a program featuring many characters played by the same 3 people. Here are a few wise men with Mary and Jesus. One is presenting a bottle of Pepto wrapped in tinfoil.

We got the customary special delivery by our elf later that night- it was cowboy jammies! Then Grandma and Grandpa let the boys open one gift each- they were grow frogs, you put them in water and they "grow."

And Grammy & Pops had the traditional ornament for the kids to unwrap on Christmas Eve- Bell Santas!

And don't forget the treats for Santa, note, and carrots for the reindeer. Then off to bed.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. We are happy to have our first Christmas in our new home and hope Santa finds the right house.


I hope you are all spending time with family and friends and having a great time!

Happy Solstice!

The days only get longer from here, so that's got to be a good thing, right?

We are celebrating today by making "solstice bread men." (if I can make it to the store for more molasses) That doesn't sound made up at all, does it?

We've been dutifully completing each advent activity our elf leaves for us in the calendar each night when we're asleep. Here are some highlights:

Trimming the treeVisiting Santa Claus at the mall (illegal picture compliments of Grandma)

Going to see lights at or local park with the cub scouts

The Christmas villages in Ogden

Painting nutcrackers (and me and M going to the ballet)

Handmade cards
Finger painting with pudding

Children's ornament exchange wizards (from over at the Crafty Crow)


And of course the kids look forward eagerly to what showed up on the doorstep the night before- along with opening a wrapped surprise from Grammy every day starting 10 days before Christmas. We are crazy spoiled this year, and of course it won't ever make up for the loss of our little boy- but it sure does make things easier to know we are so loved and cared for.

Let the winter begin!

Thankful, and also purses

When we say family prayers at night, we continually have people to thank but can't always do so by name, so I'm putting it out there.................

We are thankful for the anonymous driveway shovellers.

We are thankful for the fun gifts we have gotten every night on our doorstep for the past 4 nights, it is so fun!

We are thankful for the sweet poem we got in the mail entitled "My first Christmas in Heaven."

I am sure there are so many more- that is just THIS week. We are truly blessed.



And just because I am apparently so picture happy lately- here are some pictures of a few new purses I made myself last month since I will be diaperbagless for at least another while. The best about making your own (other than having your own style) is that you can customize the pockets to whatever you need- wallet, phone, keys, even my inhaler has a custom-sized pocket!

Gathered sling bag
Pleated purse
Closeup of pleats- can anyone tell me what these kind are called- I don't know, how embarrassing!

Some memories......

DH just installed an iphoto library manager, so I am looking through some old photos, and wanted to put a few on.My cute bridesmaids at my wedding

Here is my friend Mariam's son, D, eating a raw potato at our apartment. He looks just like his dad in this picture!
Water balloon slingshot at Bear lake, DH in the white shirt
My 9th grade Geography students on my last day
Me and my American History class on my last day
Our second apartment in Logan
Our first apartment in Logan (above the bookstore)
DH with 4 of his siblings- he is the little one posing like he knows he's SOOOOO adorable!M at 2 mos. old- I thought this was funny because that's the look he gives me (still) when he's upset at me.