Merry Christmas

Hey KGC bunch!
Merry Christmas.  We've been awake since 7:00 hearing the stirrings of little ones peeking (against orders) in the front room.  It is now 8:36 and we are finished opening presents and eating breakfast.  Wow- that always seems to go by too fast.  All that hard work over in a matter of about 40 minutes.

I think it's safe to say everyone was pretty happy with Christmas gifts this year.  Even my hardest one to please seemed satisfied.  When asked what their favorite gift was this year Eliza said her mood ring and her mini slinky (from the dollar bin).  Audrey said her DSi 3D (alas I thought it would be the cross-stitching kit).  Drew said his pocket watch (with chain!).  Evan said his nerf dart gun and Nathan said he loves his new Zelda video game.  My favorite was the fact that Nathan let me chop off his long unruly hair.  Troy said his favorite was when I came over and sat by him.  So I guess we all got just what we wanted : )

I wanted to give a little something back to all of you so I am sharing one of my favorite holiday recipes here on the blog.  I promised Paula I would do so and I always keep my promises.  We call this reindeer food and we give it to our neighbors each year.  One time a neighbor came up to me and reminded me to give it to her again this season because last year they spread it out over their lawn for Santa's reindeer.  I have to say that offended me just a tad.  It's for human consumption- not squirrels or 'reindeer'

It's awfully yummy!  Here's what you need...
1 package (10 oz) mini pretzels (aprox 6 cups)
5 cups Cheerios
5 cups Corn Chex
2 cups salted peanuts
1 lb M & Ms (aprox 2 cups)
2 packages vanilla (white) chips 12 oz or confectioners coating waffers (3 cups)
3 Tbl vegetable oil (only if using vanilla white chips)

In a very very large bowl (or 2 bowls doing half of the ingredients in each bowl), combine all the dry ingredients.  In a microwave safe bowl melt chips & oil on med/high for 2 minutes.  Stir chips.  Microwave on high for 10 seconds and stir.  Repeat until smooth.  Be careful not to burn your chocolate.  (If you have a classier way to melt your chocolate like a double boiler on the stove-top or a melt feature on your microwave, feel free to improve upon this recipe's instructions and do it your own way).

Next pour the melted chocolate over cereal mix and stir well.  I like to then spread it out over a flat surface to let it dry.  For easier clean up you can lay down wax paper first inside a few cookie sheets.  For added festiveness you can add green & red sprinkles.  Pleas don't feed this to wild life...

Merry Christmas everyone!

Kelly

Eliza said this guy's beard didn't move when he talked... so he wasn't the real Santa.  She's pretty darn savvy.

Update from Me

Well I heard you had a fun time at the Christmas party.  Too bad I couldn't be there to see your happy shiny faces.  I was sad to hear that more people couldn't make it.  Since you had a chance to catch up without me I will send my love and info here in the blog.  I encourage those who also were not able to attend to do the same.  If you need blog lessons just give me a call and I will hold your hand through the process : )

Things are pretty good here.  Life has it's usual struggles but we manage to push through.  Our oldest Nathan just applied to colleges and we are crossing our fingers that he will get in to BYU Provo.  There is a chance.  If not he may end up at BYU Idaho or Utah State.  It's weird that I have a son old enough to go to college, but there it is.

Evan is doing well in school and taking piano.  Cross country running ended well for him with a personal best at the end of the season.  Nathan ran too but mostly just for fun and sometimes he just decided to do homework or other stuff instead.  We were happy that he finished 4 years of this very difficult sport.  Evan has a fun group of friends he hangs with from church.  They have movie nights at someone's home just about every other weekend.  It's good to see him choosing good friends.  Evan is a good kid.

Drew is becoming a stellar violinist and can now play duets without trouble with his brother Nathan.  When I think about how they struggled/ fought to get some duets together this time last year for Audrey's baptism I still get sick to my stomach.  It was a gut wrenching process then but now it's easy peasy lemon squeezy.  So they played a few numbers for the ward Christmas party and have already been commissioned to play on Christmas day in sacrament meeting.  They were quite agreeable when asked too.  I had to pick up my jaw off the floor after that.  Drew continues to be a great student and hard worker.  He may end up with an ulcer one day but he'll have good grades.  He is happy most of the time though and fun to be around.

Audrey is a keeper for sure.  She is just a really good girl.  Do I sound braggy?  Well probably because I am bragging.  But we love her.  She recently cut off 10 inches of hair for Locks of Love (an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients).  She went into a bit of shock afterwards but she seems to be getting used to it.  It sure is nice not to have to brush though all those tangles now.  I can see why Mom always had me in short haircuts.  She liked to cut corners.  Here are some before and after shots for you...

ready for chopping!

still smiling here

a bit pensive...

no turning back now

It was fun for her to do.  We have found all kinds of quick hairdos for her too.  Once all the attention died down she seemed happier.  I don't know where that comes from.  I am an attention hog (as you all know).

Eliza is our little stinker.  She's a good stinker though.  She is extra good at snuggling, and she gives me lots of hugs every morning time.  It is our ritual for her to come and find me and before we start our day we have a few minutes of laughing and hugging in my big bed.  I eat it up because I know this will be my last serving.  It's awfully nice to have a loving child around when your teenagers give you so much grief.  Eliza loves gum- so if you ever get to meet her, just keep gum handy and she will be putty in your hands.  It used to be chapstick, but now it's gum- I think it's best to keep you relatives abreast of her likes/dislikes in case you ever pop in and see us.

We are hoping to make a stop out West this summer.  If anyone is daring enough to come out and see us we would be super welcoming.  There's lots to see and do and we have lots of room (well- sorta).

Lots of love and holiday wishes to you all this time of year!!!

Kelly (The Wide Mouth Frog)