Merry Christmas!

We spent Christmas in Blackfoot with my family. My entire family was together, every single brother, sister, spouse, and child. It was wonderful.

My girls were fascinated by all the presents under the tree.

They were also fascinated by my brothers dogs. They love Chihuahua dogs, thanks to the previews for Beverly Hills Chihuahua at the beginning of their favorite movie.

On Christmas Eve, my dad put on his Santa hat and read Christmas stories. My girls were fascinated again.

They were so excited, it was difficult to get them to bed. Until Amanda saved the day. She told Camryn Santa was almost to our house, and if she wasn't in bed he would pass us by. I have never seen that child so anxious to get in bed. She went right to sleep.

Christmas Morning

I hope everyone had a Christmas as wonderful as we did.

Snow

Some may have heard me complain about cold winters here in Idaho. I need to clarify a bit. I love the snow. I love a beautiful blanket of white. I love the brisk cold air. I love to play in the snow. The problem is that it snows, but the freshly fallen snow does not last. Most of the winter does not seem white, but instead seems brown, wet, cold, and windy. This I do not like.

Well, we have been lucky. It has snowed a lot this week. This is a view of some trees in our backyard from my girls bedroom window (it shows about half of our backyard). I love the white blanket of snow. It is so refreshing and beautiful.

As pretty as it is, we could not leave that snow undisturbed. Out came all of our cold weather gear.

Ryan and Camryn made a snow castle. When they were done playing in the snow, they wanted a Blizzard.

I would have thought hot chocolate, but I didn't argue. We just had both.

Snow is here. We are going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Thank You!

Someone out there is oh, so sweet, kind, and giving. I just came home to a box full of treats. Not like a shoebox, a BOX full of goodies. Inside was also a $50 gift card to Fred Meyer. I don't know who did such a sweet thing, but I hope they read my blog. Thank you so very much. I can not tell you how much your generosity means. Really.

To remember our Lord and Savoir, Jesus Christ, and to give to others, that is the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for being such a great example of this.

Christmas Tag

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, it is so much more fun to watch someone tear into, especially my little girls.
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial. I don't feel bad about taking it down and throwing it away. Less mess. I miss the scent of a real tree, but artificial scents are getting close.
3. When do you put up the tree? Early, this year I actually put it up a couple days before Thanksgiving. I LOVE decorating my tree.
4. Do you like eggnog? I probably like it too much. That rich, creamy goodness, yummy. I make an eggnog cheesecake that is hard to resist too.
5. Favorite Christmas gift received as a child? When I was in 4th grade I got a cherry red bicycle and my first porcelain doll. I still have the doll. Who knows what happened to the bike?
6. Hardest person to buy for? Dad. He is pretty simple in his wants, and has most of it. He always wants almond rocha, but my mom usually takes care of that. My brothers and sisters have started going together on a bigger, nicer gift for both of my parents, which makes it easier.
7. Easiest person to buy for? My girls, they want everything, though nothing specific.
8. Do you have a nativity scene? I bought my first set about 9 years ago. It is a ceramic set I planned on painting. It is still wrapped in newspaper in a box in my basement, unpainted.
9. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Mail, though I seem to be late getting them out each year....that reminds me, I still need to...
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Have you ever heard of people recycling wedding gifts? Well, one year at Christmas we got back a gift that we had given as a wedding gift the previous summer.
11. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life
12. When do you start shopping? Usually November
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, I know how I felt getting a recycled gift, both as the original giver and receiver (at the same time).
14. Favorite thing to eat a Christmas? eggnog
15. Lights on the tree? Lots and lots of white lights
16. Favorite Christmas song? I have lots, but O Holy Night gives me goosebumps.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Either, it's all about being with those you love.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course I can sing them, but I don't think I can spell them.
19. Angel or Star on the tree top? I've done both, but I like a star better.
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Morning? One present Christmas Eve, the rest in the morning after Santa comes.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The commercialization of Christmas.
22. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? Umm...nothing particular.
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? To relax and spend the day with those I love, and food storage.

Music at our house

I will tell you a little something about me. I love piano music. I have always wanted to know how to play, but never learned. I wanted to take lessons, but never did. I remember telling myself a few years ago that if I had not yet taken lessons, I would take them with my kids.
Lately, I have been feeling like Camryn is ready to get involved in something. I have gone back and forth between dance and music. She loves both. I have been leaning toward music. So I started looking for a piano. I found one, on craigslist.

Check out our new piano! It is an old 1930s beauty.

How much do you think a piano like this would cost?

I admit I don't know much about it, but I sure thought $100 sounded like a steal. The left pedal has come off and is inside the bench. Other than that it works beautifully.

I tried to take a picture with my girls in front of the piano with the keys closed. As you can see, my girls don't always like each other and didn't want a picture.

So now, Camryn and I are going to take piano lessons. Wish us luck in this endeavor.

My girls love music and dancing. One would try to play the piano while the other danced.

My girls!

I sure love 'em.

Too much!

My girls like our Christmas tree too much. They often rearrange the ornaments, which has only caused slight frustration. It has now gone too far. My girls were eating the ornaments. I don't know if the dried apple slices were noticable in the picture, but my girls sure know about them. I caught them eating them. "They taste yummy!" they told me. I think I will dry some more for the tree, and I guess I will have to make some to eat too.