It was such a great Christmas. We talked to James and watched the children play with the toys. Plus, it snowed! Every year Mom makes these amazing turnovers from scratch. They are a lot of work. I am grateful to my parents for the wonderful example of work and making holidays an elegantly beautiful and happy experience for all. I want to be just like them.
All us mom's attempted to get a good Grandchild photo but it was thwarted by low lighting conditions and Clara. She was only happy being held. Lauren and I made some more bag lanterns to put on my mom's window box and front steps. They looked great. Clara was Mary for the family Nativity. We rang the bells and sang some more. We ate soup in bread bowls and had Bree. I love Bree!
Good Hours
I had for my winter evening walk—
No one at all with whom to talk,
But I had the cottages in a row
Up to their shining eyes in snow.
And I thought I had the folk within:
I had the sound of a violin;
I had a glimpse through curtain laces
Of youthful forms and youthful faces.
I had such company outward bound.
I went till there were no cottages found.
I turned and repented, but coming back
I saw no window but that was black.
Over the snow my creaking feet
Disturbed the slumbering village street
Like profanation, by your leave,
At ten o'clock of a winter eve.
Robert Frost
|
The Monday before Christmas my parents have the tradition of going caroling with some of friends around the neighborhood. After we got back we snacked on hot chocolate and donuts and then we play with my Dad's incredible Lionel train. Then we ring bells and sing some more! It is so fun.
My sister's new baby girl. She is a sweetheart. She looks just like her sister Shawna. We are so glad for their cute little family.
I love Christmas. Robin and I have had fun making snowflakes, popcorn balls, and popcorn garlands! Kelly and I made cheese ball and he requested brownies. I love smelling the tangerines with cloves poked in them.
I thought this photo was funny thinking of the different seasons. A beautiful fall tree, the white Christmas tree and the the palm tree all out on the yard. Only in Las Vegas.
It was so fun to visit it again. I am always impressed with what the builders accomplished. They are currently building a bridge that will be incredible. 112 deaths were associated with the building of the dam and I was sad to hear that someone also just died working on the bridge. They say that the concrete in the dam is still setting! After we came back for Mediterranean pizza. It was hot but it was really good and very colorful.
Ben blessed his new baby Eli this weekend. It was so fun to see there family! We love them and wish we could see them more often.
Yesterday during lunch I gave Clara some crackers and then looked away to get her sandwich ready. I look back and they were all in her water bottle. I can see the appeal of putting them in there. It is fun to drop things, they float and they look cute but it makes bad tasting, floaty water.
Clara loves Christmas decorations. She saw Kassie's and literally oohed and ahhed. She did the same thing when I put up ours. My friend Annie had a photo like this on her blog and I thought I would try it. I think it is a cute idea for a little portrait session.
Thanksgiving was beautiful. We gather the family, dress up, use china, sing songs and have traditional food. It is truly ideal. I love watching the turkey trot but alas, the boys weren't there to show off. We each wrote what we were thankful for and then had a little guessing game trying to figure out who wrote what. Grateful to Aunt Kass and Aunt Mar for there hospitality, work and generosity.
This morning we had Laura over for playtime. She is such a happy little gal. We were glad to have company and to put Clara's younger toys to use!
These were taken at Kelly's med school Western U. Because of the fires the air has been really smokey and hazy.
My nephew Jackson is getting a new sports themed room. These photos were taken for that. His little sibling is coming soon and we are all excited for them. I think sports is a fun idea for little boys.
These Ikea finger puppets are the greatest things! It has been so fun to teach and test Clara on all the different animals. We put them all in a little box and shake it up and ask "Clara, can you find the star fish?" or "Can you find the green fish?" She looks for a little while and then reaches in and grabs it! I get so proud!
Kassie and I had a great time carving pumpkins on Tuesday. She did a cute owl and I did this funky witch. They didn't even last two days and our pumpkins were full of mold! Yuck! I asked Kelly to take ours out before it had fallen apart. Poor Kelly, he waited a day and now look as his job! Now that is a scary pumpkin!
Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees takes of his shoes.
