Here it is my long awaited post...

unfortunately it will be shorter than I would like because I am taking time away from packing to do this. Yep packing, tomorrow we are leaving for Mexico for 10 days with no kids! For that I have to give my sister Renee a huge thank you for coming to babysit again. So to get down to it since my last post we have been busy. December always comes in like a lion. It seems that we are constantly running around. We did manage to get to a couple of Christmas parties including one for Pat's staff and the Ward Christmas Party. They both were full of great food and good company. The kids were also able to see Santa again! I think we saw him 3 times this year!! Emmy was terrified of him so no picture this year.



We also have a family Christmas party every year at the home of a friend of Pat's parents. This year I was without Pat because he was stranded in Calgary due to a broken bus. He was at a Wrestling tournament for the high school. With all of the hustle and bustle with 3 kids plus food to bring I of course forgot the camera, but hopefully will get some copies. Every year they do a nativity and this year Rawley was Joseph and Hadley was an Angel.

Rawley stole the show at his Preschool Christmas concert. They had some great poems and songs. And don't you think he looks handsome.




Hadley's school didn't have a concert this year. The schools in our district rotate to visit Fort Whoop-up and this year was their turn. We didn't make it out to see the lights and take part in the festivities. It was much too cold for my liking.

We also took some family pictures thanks to my SIL Shauna. We were able to get one fairly good one. Which most of you hopefully got!



We decorated gingerbread houses and made cookies for Santa.




And got a couple of unexpected gifts.





This is the gift that we gave to their teachers this year. It was filled with popcorn.




We celebrated Christmas Eve at Pat's parents house and the kids all got to open their presents from Grandma and Grandpa. We also got to eat lots of yummy food.





We spent Christmas at home this year. No running between houses which was nice. We also had Grandma Reggie celebrate with us. I made Gingerbread Pancakes for breakfast which were supposed to be waffles but were still super yummy. I have to thank my friend Jamie for the recipe. I hope she doesn't mind that I give it to everyone but they are something that have to be shared.


Gingerbread Waffles (Makes 5 Belgian waffles)

1/4 C. butter, melted

1/2 C. brown sugar, packed or can substitute 1/3 C honey instead of sugar

1/2 C. molasses

2 eggs beaten well

1 C. milk

2 C. sifted flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. salt

bananas

whipping cream


Cream butter, brown sugar, molasses, eggs and milk. Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Add to molasses mix. Bake on greased waffle iron. Top with sliced bananas, buttermilk syrup and whip cream.

Buttermilk syrup recipe

1/2 C. butter

1/2 C. buttermilk

1 C. sugar

1 tsp. corn syrup

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil and boil until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add baking soda and vanilla.


Santa was good to us this year. Maybe a little too good. I think next year I will take the advice of my friend Rhonda and give my kids just 4 gifts.
1. Something they need.
2. Something to read.
3. Something they want.
4. Something to wear.

We hope everyone has a Happy New Year. I know we will!