Merry Christmas

sNoW DaY

The other day we got dumped with snow. This did NOT put a smile on my face as I forecasted the hassle the snow would bring us. So we shoveled our car out and made it safely to church with only a couple brodys in the parking lot....I still have my suspicions on how necessary these were. I envied our fellow church goers who were clad in snow boots under their dresses and over their suit pants as that cold water jumped right into my black wedges. I chased the 2 year old (who refuses to wear a coat) but couldn't stop him in time from stomping into the big piles of snow the snowplow left us. Somehow we got in the building and made it through the 3 hours. It was the same story on the way home..."Momma, I'm SO cold"...wet wet feet....shovel shovel....stomp stomp...wet carpet....coat, gloves, hats, bags, boots strewn all over the entry way. Don't we love snow?

But the next day baby number two was asleep and I had a burst of energy. Noah and I bundled up (snowpants, gloves, hat, snowboots, and YES! a coat) and went outside. We rode the sled down to the mail box, fell backwards into untouched snow to make angels, made a snowman and even rode the sled down the little hill a few times. This time when we were done the story went like this.... "Momma, will you help me take off my coat please?"....wet wet feet...stomp stomp stomp...wet carpet...coat, gloves, hats, boots strewn all over the entry way. But this time WE LOVE SNOW! It always amazes me that when I embrace something instead of gloomily anticipate something...I find joy. The snow is still snow, but I can love it.

"There seems to be magic in the very name of Christmas" ~Charles Dickens

Busy busy week. Lots of Christmas. Here's a peek at our Christmas fun....

Christmas tradition #1 We love fresh cut Christmas trees.

Christmas tradition #2 Creme Brulee with Cherice. There is one more sitting in my fridge and I'm thinking if my husband isn't home by the time I finish this post its all mine...

Christmas tradition #3 Treats treats and more treats. Kate M. taught me how to make these little guys. Perfect to make with kids. (Step 1 Place caramel hershey kisses on baking sheet. Step 2 Place round pretzel over top of kisses. Step 3 Bake at 200 for 2 min. Step 4 Squish melty kiss down with m&m. Done!)

Christmas tradition #4 Oh the advent calendar.... There's a really fun one I want to make out of burlap, twine, some red paint... but during my unambitious days I borrowed this idea from Mrs. S. A muffin tin filled with candy and wrapped with wrapping paper. Every day until Christmas Noah gets to punch through the paper and eat a candy. Today was the first day, he says "I want to poke holes, eat the candy all gone, and then it will be Christmas!" We might need to work on this advent concept a little more.

Christmas tradition #5 More Treats! For neighbors and friends. My VTs helped me do the tags today (and my dishes).

Christmas tradition #6 24 chapters in Luke, one for every day until Christmas.

Christmas tradition #7 Play Nativity

There have been other things and there will be more things. But I'm trying not to make it about things. It's about LOVE. Love for my friends and family. Love with my Noah. Love of, for and from the Savior. Do you feel it?

PS Dave is eating his creme brulee. Lucky man. He did let me have a bite though :)

Gagey has found his toes