Sicily's Famous Apple Pie

Aunt Marlene did a wonderful job teaching my girls how to cook while she was here for Christmas.

Sicily's greatest creation was her beautiful Apple Pie. SOOOOO GOOOOOOD!! The best part was mixing the apples, "Scoop aaaaaand Flip, scoop aaaaaaand flip, scoop aaaaaaand flip." She was so cute and those little apples were all very evenly coated with their sugar and cinnamon. Add a few beautifully cut hearts and you have one scrumptious apple pie.

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate

Christmas time means Chocolate time in our house. I typically have a Chocolate Dipping Party with some friends, but every one's on a diet so I made them all myself this year. Marlene was here too to lend a hand keeping kids out of the Chocolate, which is much needed. :) Yummy Gheradelli's Milk Chocolate gooeyness. Mix this with a bit of Whipping Cream and Peppermint Oil and you have the best Truffles known to man. Recipe credit goes to my amazing Aunt Kathy. We made some Raspberry Truffles too this year which were also a big hit.

I never had to worry about taking in too many extra calories during the process. As soon as I was done with a bowl there was a child waiting a willing to lick it clean.

And the end results!! Of course with a child unwilling to give me 2 seconds to take a picture before she snitched a few.

And though we did keep quite a bit for ourselves we were very happy to share with our neighbors and friends. Yum, Yum, Yum!!!

The Lion and the Lamb

He's not the sweetest lion in the world. And don't worry this was his stuffed animal not the kids. Every Saturday my boys have a job to clean up after the dog. London cleans up the poop, and Phoenix cleans up the fluff. Not a week goes by that Beaux doesn't rip up at least one stuffed animal. The best part is he just keeps playing with it even though it's flat.

New Chapel

We are lucky enough to be blessed with our new Chapel. Isn't it beautiful!!! It's lay out is just like Jared's parents church in Idaho. It always amazes me how the church can build the same building and teach the same things no matter where you are in the world.

Before:

After:

Let's See Santa

Santa came to the Big Bass Pro Shop just before Christmas and we had to go see him. Phoenix and London were both sick when Santa came to the Ward Christmas Party so this was our chance. But of course we had to have a look around while we were waiting in line. Not all of Santa's animals are sweet and kindly. :)

This guy was giving a fly fishing demonstration and feeding the fish in the tank. Sicily was enthralled. And those dumb fish just kept taking the bait.

Phoenix found the perfect gift for Aunt Marlene, remote controlled even. But we wouldn't let him buy it even though he really, really wanted to.

Had to look at the guns of course. And a quick glance at the bows.

And the Grand Finale. He was a really sweet Santa. Even asked Sicily what she wanted. We love Santa.

Houston Rockets

Jared took the boys to the game. That had such a good night eating anything and everything. Jared said the game was good too. I'm glad they had a good time.

A Childs Prayer

Phoenix and Sicily don't always get along with each other, but every now and then something happens to remind me that they really do love one another.

Sicily was going to a friends house to be babysat while we took the other kids to the movies. The night before Phoenix was just overwhelmed by this and so concerned for her. So this was his prayer: "Please bless Sicily that she will have fun at Bailey's. That she'll get to play with Baby Dolls and go in Bailey's room. Bless that Parker will be nice to her...." (he is always nice by the way), just things Phoenix was concerned about. And how thoughtful to remember to put in a bonus wish for her favorite toys for her.

That same night as Sicily said her prayers, "Please bless Phoenix not cry, and his tummy not hurt." He had had a few time-outs that day and the fake tummy aches tend to follow.

We have had a child lock on the inside of Sicily's door for the longest time. But we just took it off, much to her delight. Though now she is, once again, coming out many times to go "potty." Jared threatened to put it back on her door and when she prayed that night, "Please bless me stay in my bed so Daddy no lock door." :) It's hard not to smile when they say stuff like that.

I'm sure glad Heavenly Father understands and listens to all of our concerns. Even children get worried sometimes and need the comfort of prayer.

Girls Night

Jared took the boys out to a Houston Rockets game so me and the girls had some fun. Bubble baths, movies and curlers. Aren't they just cuties.

Class Parties

I got roped into being London's Room Mom this year and it's actually been fun. We had our first Field Trip, which I wasn't able to go on, followed by our Holiday (Christmas) Party. We decorated the room all red and green with balloons and create paper.

The kids brought all the food and we played a few little games. One of which was opening Hershey Kisses while wearing gloves. I'm not really sure how many kids ate the tinfoil, but there were quite a few. The bows were originally stuck on all their chairs. But by the end of the party Jordan had them all on him.

And with enough help from other Moms I was able to sneak out and make an appearance in Aspen and Phoenix's classes. Kindergarten parties are the best; Gingerbread Men, Hershey Kiss Bingo and a little craft. Aspen had fun helping her teacher open her presents. Aspen gave her 2 little matching sweaters for her little Yorkies. Her teacher was very happy.

North Pole Radio Hour

London joined the 5th Grade Choir this year and had tons of fun. They've been practicing and rehearsing this hour and a half show since October and finally got to put it on. They did it twice during the day for the other students and once at night for all the parents and grandparents. It was so stinking cute and so much fun.

London even did a little Ballroom Dancing as his part in the show. Way to go London! I'll get a video on her soon.
The kids only complaint were the costumes. Not that they were funny looking but that they were HOT. At 75 degrees outside and 80 in, this is not the typical outfit you would wear.

Christmas Decorations

We finally got all or our lights up outside and I was admiring the effect during the day when I noticed our 2 front trees were decorating our house too. Notice the red and green. I just thought that was cool.Christmas light photo forthcoming.

What a wonderful year of piano we have had. Aspen and London both switched teachers half way through the year and they continue to excel and move forward in their amazing talent. Both of them love to play.

London has had the opportunity to play in Sacrament Meeting, at Church, a few times now. The Priesthood can not wait until he turns 12 and can help accompany them. Aspen is quick to plunk out a tune to anyone who walks through our front door.

We are so proud of our 2 little pianists, and hope you enjoy their Christmas Recital as much as we did.

Nutcraker

Aspen and I have attended the full showing of the Nutcracker for 3 years now, and if you count the partial shows they did in Hobbs, NM this would be our 5th year. We love it, it's so fun and Aspen adds to her Nutcracker collection every year. Isn't this years just the cutest, fattest little guy you've ever seen. Apparently a lot of folks want to buy themselves a Nutcracker.

But really we do go to see the beautiful dancing, and hear the wonderful music. One of these years I really would like to see it professionally, like the Houston Ballet. But until Aspen's old enough to not fall asleep by the end I'm not going to shell out the money for those tickets. In the mean time we'll just keep enjoying the local productions.

Chiminea

I have wanted a Chiminea for forever. We just inherited one and I love it! Jared even loves it. We made quick use of it to have Hot Dogs and Smore's for dinner. So healthy, I know. But rather tasty. If anyone out there is debating of getting one of these, do it. It's the best camp fire you'll ever own. The smoke goes strait up the chimney, instead of in your face. And if the wind is blowing, it's no worries because your fire is protected. And if you'd rather have your Hot Dog smoked instead of cooked, just hold it over the chimney. It's a win win all around. :)

Schlumberger Family Christmas Party

On Phoenix's sick day Jared took the other 3 kids to his work Christmas Party. They had such a good time. Here's a few shots that Jared took with his phone. I was rather impressed.

London and Sicily feeding the goats. I love that she's trying to make them eat straight out of the cup.We had pet chickens as a kid, so it always makes me laugh when they have these in a petting zoo.
Love, love, loved this slide. Up and down a million times. Was even brave enough to go down Superman style, head first on her belly.
But apparently not everyone liked this slide. Zoom in on this little boys face, then the adult man next to him. Stinking funny.
Train rides are the best. She was so brave to do this on her own, smiles all around.
The favorite part of the Party. "SNOW!!!" Really it's like snow cone snow shot out of a snow machine. But you can still have snow ball fights with it. The kids had a blast. That's London there in the red pants.
I think it was around 70 degrees this day. So that snow turned to ice pretty fast.

Tracfone

I just need to rant a little bit about my stupid phone. My phone died about a month ago and I have yet to get my new phone to be working. I ordered the new phone, received it, talked on the land line for ever to get it to work. It turned on but would not make or receive phone calls. So they said they'd send me a new Sim card to make it work in 3-5 business days. That was 2 weeks ago. So I called again today, was on the phone for 52 mins for them to tell me my Sim card had not been sent but that they are sending me one now. AAAAAUUUUUGH!!!

I HATE TRACFONE!! But I'm just to cheap to go another route. SO FRUSTRATING!

Ear Infections

"I'll be home from School today... just you wait and see... please have drugs and Drs with plugs to fix you and me...."

Phoenix has had a cold for a few days now and started complaining about his ear Saturday night. It faded out though by Sunday afternoon so he went off to school Monday morning with no problems. But Tuesdays school day has been cut short. We went to the HEB RediClinic and got some amoxicilin from the Nurse Practitioner.

Not contagious, I was told, so don't worry Mom's when you see him at school tomorrow. That is if he's feeling up to it. Poor little man. It's no fun being sick around Christmas.

Gingerbread Pirates

Run, run as fast as you can...you can run away from the Gingerbread Pirate.

I know that doesn't rhyme but if you know the tune to that song we are long lost soul mates. Or one of my siblings, whichever. :)

Phoenix's Kindergarten Home Work gets funner and funner. With this newest season we got to decorate us a little Gingerbread Man. And after looking through all our glitter and ribbons Phoenix decided on a Pirate. ARRRRRR!! With real treasure and everything. And his sword is made out of Popsicle sticks. He's just so cute I had to share.

First Tooth for Phoenix

If you've been with us for a while you'll know this tooth has been loose for ages and ages. Well it was finally at the stage for the string pull. You know you're there when the tooth can lay down flat in both directions.

So here's what you do, Daddy ties the string around the tooth, towards the base of the tooth. Our Daddy has mastered this technique as this is probably the dozenth tooth in our house to come out this way. Next you tie the string, dental floss in this case, to a heavy door.

Make sure the string is not too long, or it will not matter how hard you slam the door, it just will not pull the tooth.

When the string is short enough and your child really has no idea what's about to happen, tell him to slam the door and the Tooth Fairy will come.

The end result is very little blood and the cutest little holey smile you will every see.

Beauty Shop

While babysitting Kayla Fineour I came upstairs to find this. I thought for sure they were cutting each others hair, what a great babysitter I am. But come to find out they were just brushing and combing and doing ponytails and bows, they even had the spray bottle to get the fly aways down. GIRLS!!! They're never too young to be girls. Notice the blanket draped on Sicily. Just like the cape you wear at the Hair Salon. They had it on proper on Kayla, up to her neck and covering her shoulders. So funny!

Cub Scout Egg Drop

To teach the boys some basic Engineering we were asked to bring packing materials and see what would happen. We brought the hugest sack full of plastic sacks known to man, and they all got used up. Thank goodness.

This is London's 2nd drop, he made it through the 3rd but not the 4th. His raw egg was encased in packing peanuts and plastic sacks, then all stuffed into a cottage cheese carton. But alas, it did not win.
This package was made by a little sister, ironically enough this too was in the 3rd round before it exploded before hitting the ground.

And the one we all thought would win. A 2 ft tall teddy bear wrapped in packing tape with the egg in a Ziplock in the middle. It broke on the 4th round. You can see London there in the orange, ducking away from the teddy.

The winner made it through the 10 ft drop, the 20 ft drop, the 20 foot toss, the 20 foot chuck, the football Quarter Back pass and even a Kick Off and still did not break. They finally let the boy, Liam Moss from our Ward, stand up on the ladder and just break his egg for fun.

It was a good night for Scouting.

Good Friends

I love having company for the Holidays. There's always somebody to play cards with and you can't pass up the adult conversation. Somehow I missed out on pictures of Rachel from this visit, but we did get Mike and the kids.
And you can't miss out on an opportunity of a picture like this. 3 little kiddos sucking on their thumbs. So cute.

Turkey Lurkey

I just love Kindergarten Home Work. Phoenix brought home this outlined Turkey that we were to decorate as a family over the weekend before Thanksgiving. And this is what we came up with. Isn't he cute?! Phoenix was so proud.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. No family, but plenty of friends. My roommate from college, Rachel Ward Gonzales, just moved from Utah to Fort Worth, Texas, so her little cute family drove down for the event. Then we had Angie Wards family and Brooke Nelsons clan over too. I think that totaled 8 Adults and 16 kids and 2 dogs, it was awesome.

Needless to say we needed a big turkey. Now, I'll be honest, I was so caught up in the company that I didn't take hardly any pictures. So this is not actually My turkey, but it looks about the same. I bought a 21 lb turkey this year, it was HUGE. But there was plenty for eating and leftovers for everyone. We're still working our way through Turkey Noodle Soup and it's been over a week.

But I did manage a picture of pie, cobbler, carrot cake and cheese cake. That's all you need for Thanksgiving, Turkey and Pie. YUM!!!

Oh and of course...FOOTBALL!!! We Moms and kids ate at the table, these Dad's enjoyed their dinner in front of the TV. :) You gotta love those American Holidays. :)

Thanks everyone for coming. It made the weekend so much fun. And you don't miss your family so much when you have such good friends.

Rake the Leaves

I sent Aspen outside Thanksgiving morning to sweep the leaves off the front porch so they wouldn't all get tracked into the house when our company came. She was all excited and set out with such good intentions.

About 10 mins later I figured she'd be done so I went outside to check. She was not on the front porch, the broom was but she wasn't. Instead she was across the street raking the neighbors front yard.

Mom: "Aspen! You're supposed to be sweeping the porch."
Aspen: "I know, but I wanted to rake their leaves."
Mom: "Well, come sweep our porch and Then you can rake their leaves."
Aspen: "Oh...ok."

Don't you just love those random acts of service.
The raking wasn't so much to get it off their grass as it was to bury her bike.

And her partners in crime. Sam and Sophia Strathearn. These 2 with Aspen makes for an interesting afternoon.