Re-Creations...

This appears to be the month of re-creations. Recipes, that is. Natalie had a genius idea to re-create peppermint bark. You know, the yummy stuff from Williams-Sonoma. It turned out awesome. Next up, Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate. Our version tasted great, until we mixed up a batch actually made by Serendipity in a little pouch Natalie had reserved for a special occasion. Ours just wasn't chocolate-y enough. It still looked great, and nobody stopped drinking it. Just means we'll have to give it another go. I'm sure Katherine's culinary mind will figure out someway to revamp our version to make it taste unbelievable.

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Santa made his debut at the local medical school. We ventured out to see him of course. We were second in a long line of excited children.

Jackson eagerly sat on his lap and was intent to listen to everything Santa might have to say.

This is as close as Landon would get to sitting on the old fella's lap.

Santa gave each child a gift which prompted Jack to say, "That is the best Santa I ever saw because he didn't even wait until Christmas to give me a present!"

Jackson and Landon showing off their gifts.

Then showing off their girlfriends.

I'm sure we'll visit Santa again before the holiday season comes to an end. I wonder if Landon will be less frightened the second time around. Or, if Jack won't like him anymore if he doesn't get a gift on the spot.

Programs....

The entire 2nd grade put on a Christmas performance. Or, rather, a Holiday performance, which is currently the politically correct terminology. Either way, it was fabulous. I'm still in awe at the music teacher for being able to convince 100 or so 8 year olds that it is cool to sing in public. All of them used hand motions and their best singing voices. I was impressed. There were speaking parts and even a little boy Elvis swinging his hips on his own stage. What a fun program to see.

Weighty games.....

When Shawn and I were first married, I liked to play this game with him. I'd pick a random woman out of a crowd and say "Is my butt as big as hers?" Or, "Am I as big as her?" Sometimes, "Am I the same size as her, or am I bigger?". As we all know, this was a lose-lose situation for the innocent man I married. Shawn always answered honestly, thinking I was asking a question I actually wanted answered. Sometimes this got him in a lot of hot water. After 2 1/2 years of answering incorrectly, he got fed up and started answering his own way. "Oh, no, your butt is WAY bigger than hers." Or, "Two of her could fit in one pair of your pants." Mind you, I was choosing rather large women, so it was obviously sarcasm at play. (I think). I tired of his sarcasm and quit playing the game. I couldn't train him to answer the way I wanted him too, so I gave up. I'm sure he was elated. However, this past few months he's started a game of his own. It happened while we were watching the "Real World" together.
Shawn: Do you think that girl is big or small?
Me: Kind of big. I think the other one has a cuter figure.
Shawn: Well, you are shaped like that one girl, but you have smaller proportions.
I brushed this off and called it casual conversation. But, this happened a few more times during a variety of television shows. It all became clear to me this morning as we were lying in bed watching the Today show. A lady was on talking about holiday pet safety.
Shawn: Do you think that lady is big or small?
Me: She is small. She is a cute size.
Shawn: You guys have the same shape and size. Only your chest is bigger.
Me: I'm not her size. Right. What do you want?
Shawn: For you to know that you are her size. That's all.
I've come to the conclusion that it is possible to actually train men to say what we want to hear, and to say it at a time when it comes across as sincere. It just takes close to 13 years, and a lot of patience. Shawn's game will now have to come to end I'm afraid. Even though it's an innocent-husband-trying-to-tell-his-wife-she's-hot game, it is now faulty. I've caught on. Now whenever we watch TV I'll somehow turn it into the game I played years ago where I'm asking the questions and every answer he gives will somehow be wrong. The circle has begun again. Maybe in 26 years he'll be able to once again win at this game. Too bad my winning streak lasts longer than his. I'd really prefer him to win.

Winter Wonderland at it's finest.......

We have been covered in ice for the past 2 days. It is such a beautiful sight I wish I could put it into words. It truly is a winter wonderland. I snapped a few pictures by leaning out of my back door, but didn't want to bundle up to snap the beauty up close. For the close up I just stole a shot from Heidi's blog---without her knowledge. (Is this where Jackson's honesty issues come into play?)


(for close-ups just click on the picture to enlarge. It's unbelievable how an inch of ice can freeze over everything.)

Early presents...

Shawn's parents came out for Ethan's baptism, as mentioned earlier. Because they are never actually around to see the thoughtful presents they send for Christmas, we decided it would be okay to open them early. The kids were thrilled and Grandma & Grandpa got to see the excitement caused by the money they spent. Everyone is happy.

We sure enjoyed your visit. You are welcome in our home anytime. Drive home safe, despite the icy conditions.

Christmas Time.....

I finally convinced Shawn to pull the tree down from high up in the garage so we could cover it in lights and decorations. This was going to be the year I made beautiful bows (directions courtesy of Abby) and did away with all the school-homemade-cheap ornaments. I wanted a glorious tree that defined the beauty of Christmas. After the tree was up, and the lights were wrapped around the branches, the kids found the plastic tub containing all the ornaments I was to do away with. Before I could stop them, the lid was off and conversation was taking place that caused me to change my mind entirely.

Ethan: "I remember when I made this angel! I think I was only 3."

Kennedy:"Oh, remember when we made these for the primary activity? I love this one!"

Jackson: "Ethan look how little you used to be in this picture! You look like Landon!"

Kennedy:"This one is my MOST favorite out of all the ornaments! Don't worry mom, I won't hide it in my room this year like I did last year. Remember how you looked all over for it because you thought it was lost and I really just hid it under my dresser?"

How could I deny my children the satisfaction of hanging these treasures for the world to see? (really just people that come to our house). I admit that I too got caught up in the memories. Turns out I do have a tree that defines the beauty of Christmas.

(Ethan chose a chair to load ornaments on high branches, Jackson chose the unconventional method of his car)

(You can't hear the sound on this video even if you turn off the music. Kennedy was just talking too quietly to be picked up by my camera mic.)