It seems like an eternity has happened since these were written- yet at the same time just like yesterday. I guess a lot has simply happened in 2015!
Anyway, here's the results of the predictions I make January 1, 2015
1. Broncos and Seahawks in the SuperBowl. It is a Disney Movie waiting to happen- Peyton Manning finally gets his second SuperBowl ring after defeating his nemesis Tom Brady and the team that crushed him last year, The Seahawks. (No, and let's not talk about it. Still too depressing that the Seahawks lost on the last play of the game)
2. Audra and Claire will join 4-H and have displays in the state fair (more on this later- I'm very excited about this new development) (Yes for joining, no for the stake fair. But, they did exhibit in the county fair, which I am sure is what I meant. I just didn't know anything about how 4-H works back then)/
3. Audra will do basketball again. (No)
4. Homeschool will continue-with us getting more involved in the homeschooling community and enjoying continuing on this journey. (Yes)
5. We will finally do some much needed remodeling of the basement and kitchen. Here's hoping!! (Yeah, right)
6. I will finally finish Camille's cross-stitch stocking that I have been wanting to do since before she was born. (YES!)
7. This election will suck, but we will win back some of our school board seats.(YES! YES! YES!)
8. No emergency room visits.(We barely made it, but yes- meaning, I thought we might have to go to the ER with Camille's croup, but thankfully did not)
9. Ben will get released from having to work in primary (he has an assignment at church where he is in charge of teaching little kids. He hates it) (yes)
10.Besides Bear Lake and Seattle, we will go someplace else fun for a family vacation.(Does camping in Golden count? Probably not, so that's a no)
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Right of Passage
So this happened on Tuesday:
She was a little scared, but very brave. She said it didn't really hurt.
When we were growing up, we were allowed to get our ears pierced when we turned 8. We decided to have the same rule. We were going to give her the gift of ear piercing for her Birthday, but a bike seemed more pressing at the time. So, she got it for Christmas instead- she unwrapped some Claire's pamphlets, And on Tuesday, we headed out to get her ears pierced.
She was rewarded with lunch and a milkshake at The Melt. Pretty good food, by the way.
When we were growing up, we were allowed to get our ears pierced when we turned 8. We decided to have the same rule. We were going to give her the gift of ear piercing for her Birthday, but a bike seemed more pressing at the time. So, she got it for Christmas instead- she unwrapped some Claire's pamphlets, And on Tuesday, we headed out to get her ears pierced.
And now, we need to clean her ears three times a day and hope she doesn't get an infection!
Monday, December 28, 2015
Christmas Cards Live Forever
Somebody came to our house a few weeks ago and said, "Wow. You have a lot more Christmas cards than we do."
What can I say? I love Christmas cards. I love reconnecting with friends and family with something tangible- a letter, a picture, something that took effort for somebody to send rather than just posting on FB. I do also love the pictures and letters sent via FB (my sister's Christmas video was epic), but I enjoy an old fashioned Christmas card- I admit it.
And, what do I do with all of those lovely Christmas cards? I preserve them in a Christmas book! I have been saving all of your old Christmas cards for the past 11 Christmas'- ever since Ben and I got married. Every year, we pull out the Christmas Card book and flip through the pages to see how our friends and families have changed and grown.It's a fun look into the past- and the girls and I enjoy it very, very much.
So I hope you all will keep the cards coming! At our house, they will be cherished forever!
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Christmas Day!
While I loved seeing all of the wonderful pictures of everybody's perfectly wonderful Christmas morning, we were grateful for something quite different: That we didn't end up in the ER.
Camille came down with a case of croup. Unfortunately, that meant I got maybe one hour of sleep on Christmas Eve. It was rough- made rougher because I knew I couldn't sleep in.
However, after I made breakfast I was able to go upstairs and take a three hour nap. That's the one good thing about having a sick kid on Christmas: Ben is home so we can tag team.
Regardless of the croup, we did have a nice (although exhausting) Christmas. We didn't go over to my in-laws like we usually do, but they did stop by over here for a few minutes to see the girls which was nice.
And, we didn't go to the ER- hallelujah!
I made aeberskivers again, like last year. They seem to be a good hit. Audra says she wants them 100 million times a year. Once a year seems good enough to me! I'm glad I read my notes from last year, that helped. I made chocolate ganache, lemon curd, and used raspberry jelly for fillings.
The girls had a lot of fun playing with their new toys- Magformers, a couple of Wii games, art supplies, books, card games, and more. The girls were spoiled, but not overly spoiled- just the right amount of spoiling. Claire's big gift was a Hello Kitty camera, Audra got a doll car seat.
I'm not sure what videos I'm getting. Blogger will only let me upload really short videos, so most of the ones I took won't work. Whatever ones will work are the ones I'm uploading for Grandma to enjoy.
Here's my Grandma High's recipe (it's not the one I used, but I think I will try it next time):
Camille came down with a case of croup. Unfortunately, that meant I got maybe one hour of sleep on Christmas Eve. It was rough- made rougher because I knew I couldn't sleep in.
However, after I made breakfast I was able to go upstairs and take a three hour nap. That's the one good thing about having a sick kid on Christmas: Ben is home so we can tag team.
Regardless of the croup, we did have a nice (although exhausting) Christmas. We didn't go over to my in-laws like we usually do, but they did stop by over here for a few minutes to see the girls which was nice.
And, we didn't go to the ER- hallelujah!
 |
| Audra wanted to make a skirt for Claire. We made one, but it was way too small. Luckily, it fit Camille- and she loves it. |
The girls had a lot of fun playing with their new toys- Magformers, a couple of Wii games, art supplies, books, card games, and more. The girls were spoiled, but not overly spoiled- just the right amount of spoiling. Claire's big gift was a Hello Kitty camera, Audra got a doll car seat.
Here's my Grandma High's recipe (it's not the one I used, but I think I will try it next time):
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Merry Christmas Eve!
The mall has a really cool Christmas gingerbread house that we took the kids to see yesterday. It was very fun and festive.
Any, Merry Christmas Eve!
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Dinner In Bethlehem
We started this tradition last year, and I hope to continue it for many years to come. We did our "Dinner In Bethlehem" last night- complete with hummus, couscous, beef jerkey (dried meat), pita bread and more. The girls got really into it, and were thrilled at the candle light and everything.
They took their costuming very seriously, and changed outfits several times. In the end, Claire was Mary, Camille was the Bethlehem Bunny, and Audra was a shepherd.
Lest you think that this night went off without a hitch, let it be known that before dinner started the Bethlehem Bunny kicked Mary in the face and caused a horrific bloody nose.
Such is the life at our crazy Bethlehem. But, hey, that's real life- what can I say?
We also talked about two things that I learned at church on Sunday that I didn't know before:
1. It is significant that the shepherds were watching over their "flock" and not the plural "flocks." Because it is singular, it means that this was a very special flock- this was the flock of sheep that were being raised to be sacrificed at the temple. The shepherds were literally watching over the sacrificial lambs- think about that for awhile. Very powerful.
2. Apparently in those days Inns were not nice and quiet like they are today. Instead of having individual rooms, inns were more like an open market- with open spaces where people slept. It most certainly would not have been an ideal place to deliver a baby. Perhaps, rather than the inn keeper being seen as a cruel man who carelessly tossed Mary into a manger, perhaps instead he was being sincere and helpful by allowing her a place alone- without the company of strangers- even if it was in a manger with animals. Just a thought, but an interesting one to ponder.
It was nice to be able to have these discussions with the kids. Hopefully some of this will sink in.
Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
They took their costuming very seriously, and changed outfits several times. In the end, Claire was Mary, Camille was the Bethlehem Bunny, and Audra was a shepherd.
Lest you think that this night went off without a hitch, let it be known that before dinner started the Bethlehem Bunny kicked Mary in the face and caused a horrific bloody nose.
Such is the life at our crazy Bethlehem. But, hey, that's real life- what can I say?
After we ate, we watched this Nativity video- it's a wonderful video that portrays the birth of our Savior:
We also talked about two things that I learned at church on Sunday that I didn't know before:
1. It is significant that the shepherds were watching over their "flock" and not the plural "flocks." Because it is singular, it means that this was a very special flock- this was the flock of sheep that were being raised to be sacrificed at the temple. The shepherds were literally watching over the sacrificial lambs- think about that for awhile. Very powerful.
2. Apparently in those days Inns were not nice and quiet like they are today. Instead of having individual rooms, inns were more like an open market- with open spaces where people slept. It most certainly would not have been an ideal place to deliver a baby. Perhaps, rather than the inn keeper being seen as a cruel man who carelessly tossed Mary into a manger, perhaps instead he was being sincere and helpful by allowing her a place alone- without the company of strangers- even if it was in a manger with animals. Just a thought, but an interesting one to ponder.
It was nice to be able to have these discussions with the kids. Hopefully some of this will sink in.
Anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
Seeing Santa!
The library puts on a wonderful "Visit With Santa" every year. You have to sign up a month in advance, and this year we were lucky enough to get in.
So, yesterday the girls donned their holiday best and we headed to the library.
The girls were all very excited, but in the end Camille chickened out. She clung tightly to me, but did allow me to get in the picture with her.
Santa was fabulous. Before he met with all the children (we were given a number to wait in line- it was all incredibly well organized), he sang songs with them and told them "Twas the Night Before Christmas." He also answered their questions- apparently Rudolf recently had a baby boy named Randall. I did not know that.
The library had a couple of crafts and a photo booth area to help keep the kids occupied as they waited for Santa as well. It was all very well done- we will hopefully be back again next year!
So, yesterday the girls donned their holiday best and we headed to the library.
The girls were all very excited, but in the end Camille chickened out. She clung tightly to me, but did allow me to get in the picture with her.
Santa was fabulous. Before he met with all the children (we were given a number to wait in line- it was all incredibly well organized), he sang songs with them and told them "Twas the Night Before Christmas." He also answered their questions- apparently Rudolf recently had a baby boy named Randall. I did not know that.
The library had a couple of crafts and a photo booth area to help keep the kids occupied as they waited for Santa as well. It was all very well done- we will hopefully be back again next year!
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Sledding!
I desperately needed Ben to take the girls away from the house for a couple of hours today so that I could get some work (read: wrap presents) done. The girls had all kinds of ideas- roller skating, go swimming, etc.
With all the snow, however, Ben chose sledding.
We have already had a very wintry winter, even though winter has not yet started. Along with the snow, it has been COLD. Thankfully, though, today was pretty warm. So off they went, and they had a wonderful time.
Based on the weather patterns thus far this winter, I think there will be a lot of sledding days in the months ahead.
With all the snow, however, Ben chose sledding.
We have already had a very wintry winter, even though winter has not yet started. Along with the snow, it has been COLD. Thankfully, though, today was pretty warm. So off they went, and they had a wonderful time.
Based on the weather patterns thus far this winter, I think there will be a lot of sledding days in the months ahead.
Gingerbread Houses
Last night we went over the Nieyehuis' house to decorate gingerbread houses. Audra ended up having a Birthday party to go to, but Claire and Camille loved making their houses, and they did a great job!
Update: Audra finally finished her gingerbread house:
She started out quite ambitious, but ended up in tears because it wouldn't hold together. I am pretty sure it is my fault- growing up we always used melted sugar to hold our houses together, so I don't know the recipe for good holding icing. I used regular icing, and it just didn't hold the houses together very well at all. She was very sad, but ended up liking her new house- an A-frame house with a really cool floor.
Dance Recital
The girls had their Nutcracker Recital on Thursday.
They have all loved taking dance this year. We were lucky that Audra was able to do dance this year. Normally Ms. Muffy stops teaching kids after 2nd grade because she doesn't teach in the evenings. But, since we homeschool, we were able to get both Claire and Audra into a class with all homeschooled kids, and 3 of them are in 3rd grade. It works out great for everybody!
The recital was great. I love how Ms. Muffy does her classes- she teaches in her basement, has for decades. Even the recitals are in the basement- she brings in benches and it all just works.
Without further ado, here you go:
They have all loved taking dance this year. We were lucky that Audra was able to do dance this year. Normally Ms. Muffy stops teaching kids after 2nd grade because she doesn't teach in the evenings. But, since we homeschool, we were able to get both Claire and Audra into a class with all homeschooled kids, and 3 of them are in 3rd grade. It works out great for everybody!
The recital was great. I love how Ms. Muffy does her classes- she teaches in her basement, has for decades. Even the recitals are in the basement- she brings in benches and it all just works.
Without further ado, here you go:
Here's Audra and Claire:
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