Sooo Tall - that's a first

This is from Joseph:

Avy and I went around to the neighbors giving out some holiday cookies tonight. Each house and the family inside is a bit unique....somewhat like the mission. Every house you come to is never the same...always a different story behind the door. Anyhow, one of the homes has a French flare to it. Tough to explain, but it reminds you of visiting Santa's workshop. The trees are all tiny, pointy evergreens and the window decorations remind you of old English Christmas stories you read as a kid. 

Avy and I knocked on the door and were greeted by two of the shortest adults I think I've ever met. No joke, she must be under 5 feet tall and he might be 5' 2". I felt huge for the first time in 29 years. it was so funny to feel that way I had to laugh at myself. To add to the feeling of being a "giant" in an elves winter wonderland cottage (all the furniture is tiny too) I tried to close the screen door and one of the lights was caught on the top of the door. She said, "oh your sooo tall and can reach that with no problem". HA! I've never been told that in my life. it was so funny I had to stop myself from laughing out load. Ok, so its not that funny as I type it. You probably had to be there.

Christmas Baskets

With Joseph being the Ward Mission Leader, we get to hang out/work lots with the missionaries in our area.  They are great!  Last night, we went to Costco and the grocery store with them to buy all the food for some baskets to deliver to a few families in the area.  And tonight we assembled and wrapped them up.  It was such a great Christmas season activity!  This is no better way to fill your heart with joy than to serve with friends as you serve others.  This is an activity to add to the list of traditions.  Thanks to Elder Winegar and to Elder McQueen!

Baking Time

Its becoming a tradition to bake with a very dear friend at this time of year.  We make plate of goodies to give away to our neighbors  friends, people at church, and family.  Best part about baking with Jen is that she is an experiment cook and likes to try new things just like me.  So we have lots of fun together!  This year's goodie plate includes:

- White fudge with peppermint (and I think Joseph at more than his fair share!)
- Rocky road fudge (a staple every year)
- Andes Mint Cookies
- Reindeer peanut butter cookie pops
- Peanut brittle
- Homemade oreos with green sprinkles
- Mini pecan tarts

Super yummy and lots of chocolate later!  Another successful year of baking.

Christmas Card 2012

Power Pancakes

Yep, the pancakes are green.  And as I put them on Avannie's plate, she immediately said, "Ewww."

"Avannie, these pancakes have super powers!"

"Yummy!" was her reply and shortly after asked for seconds, which I gladly gave her more because they were full of power/super foods: spinach, blueberries, and cauliflower!  Victory goes to Mom!

Ducks and Closets

 Avannie loves to name her little animals.  Most of the time they are names that are she knows because of friends or people she knows.  For example, we had two goldfish named Lizzie and Matthew, named after good family friends.  Most of her dolls are named Hazel, after a little friend who moved away last year.  Last week however, I heard two new names as we were playing with the ducks:  Brielle (named after a favorite babysitter) and Obama.  Yep, you heard it - OBAMA.  The duck you see here will always be Obama.  When as asked her where she learned that name, she looked at me and shrugged.  The things kids think of these days...

 

As I was helping Avannie clean her room two days ago, I noticed that Sadie had gotten really quiet.  When I went to go check on her, she was in my closet.  She had cleared off my shoes so that she could have a quiet place to sit and read her book.  Pretty funny!