12 days of Christmas

We wanted to incorporate one of Mr. H's family traditions this year by doing 12 fun Christmas activities leading up to the big day.  

It was fun to try out!  We had some flops, but some real winners!!!

Day 1:  Made (and supposed to deliver) Christmas Card

This one caused a lot of stress! ha.  I had this grand idea to design it myself, but then could not figure it out for the life of me.  After a lot of tears, Mr. H encouraged me to keep going and we finally pulled it together.  

Day 2: Primary Party

Day 3: Make and Deliver Christmas Cookies

This worked out okay....we made a TON of cookies, but in the long run ended up not passing them all out like we were supposed too... it's the thought that counts?

Day 4: Game Night

We did end up playing games with our neighbors, which was fun!  

Day 5: Christmas Book

We got "The Polar Express" and a little jingle bell for C.  He liked it...but liked "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" better.  Oh well...it was a fun tradition to get a Christmas book for the season.

Day 6: Christmas Toast

This was surprisingly one of my favorite things we did!  We just bought some sparkling apple juice, used our fancy glasses and made toasts to each other.  C LOVED the toasting part, but gagged hard core when he tried the apple juice.  Poor kid had never had carbonation before, and I don't think he'll be trying it again anytime soon.  

Day 7: Christmas Shopping

We took C Christmas shopping to the dollar store to pick out presents for us.  He had so much fun picking something out for each of us:

-a princess puzzle for me and a race car for Mr. H.  :)

Day 8: Our City Christmas Date

Day 9: $3 dinner night

This one originated in Mr. H's family, where everyone get's $2 to spend on something at the grocery store for dinner.  I had us up it to $3, but we still couldn't really figure it out...ha.  We ended up just getting a rotisserie chicken and bread with raspberries.  Mr. H said he remembered it being a lot more fun growing up.    :)

The next couple of days I was out of town for my friend's wedding, so Mr. H and C had a ball being together.  Seriously---funnest dad ever. 

Day 11: Service Project

The day I got home, we got some people from our ward together and sang Christmas carols at a local old folk's home.  It was really fun!  

Day 12: Christmas Eve. :)

Overall, it was a very fun '12' days.  

Weekend!

So Mr. H is almost done.

One more test, one more fellowship and this semester will be OVER!

HOORAY!

By this last Friday, he was feeling much better and happier, and he was able to relax and have fun.

He was so much fun to be with!  I am so grateful for these vacations--- they are sorely needed.

Friday we were able to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert.  My dad is a really talented graphic designer and always designs their programs.

This year's theme was a "Dickens Christmas" and it was delightful as always.  There is nothing more Christmas-y than those concerts.  

Saturday we were able to sleep in and then Mr. H and went on a DATE which was exciting.  We went to "Ender's Game".  It was good--- Mr. H was a little disappointed and I was pleasantly surprised so all in all it was successful.  

In the car on the way---baby C discovered his bowl could be a hat.  It was pretty hilarious. This boy keeps us laughing. 

We did a music program for Sunday, and then we were able to nap the day away. We were able to go to Temple Square with Mr. H's family.  It was fun and baby C loved the lights.  We got home, drank some delicious hot chocolate and made sugar cookies.  Baby C was adorable helping us... until he started stuffing large chunks of dough in his face. ha.

We've been having impromptu photo shoots of baby C

His little faces kill me. 

This time of year really makes me reflect on how blessed our little family is.  Every day new blessings are given, and we are so grateful.  

We are also continually grateful for little baby C (who's not really a baby anymore). :(  I had a dr's appt. with the dermatologist this morning, and the cute medical assistant kept asking me questions about my baby, and then revealed she was expecting but hadn't told anybody except for the random patients that came through in the office.  As we talked, I got so excited for this stranger to experience the joys of having these little children in your life.  Yes, it is harder and more stressful, but I can honestly say that baby C has made my life better in ALL aspects.  

Merry 8 days till Christmas!

p.s. my friend posted this sweet picture of her daughter and baby C.  These two are seriously the cutest together.

Almond Melt-Aways

I decided to make some Christmas Cookies tonight for a family party we are attending.

They are DELICIOUS.

I wanted to try my hand at recipe blogging, so here we go :)

Almond Melt-Aways

you will need:

1 1/2 C. sugar 

1 1/3 C. butter

  2 large eggs

2 tsp. almond extract ***the best part***

3 1/2 C. flour

2 tsp. cornstarch

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

extra sugar

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Start with taking your butter and mixing it with the sugar.

Then add your eggs and almond extract.

^^The Challenge Butter is the best, but I mostly like it because of the pretty packaging.

 In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients.  

Roll the dough into little balls, and then roll in sugar.  The original recipe called for coarse sugar which would have been much prettier, but we are on a budget here, so I used regular. 

Bake for 4 minutes, and then flatten the cookies.  (Leave them in the oven and use the back of a spoon).

Bake for an additional 4 minutes.

Voila!  Cookies! 


*based on this recipe http://www.daydreamkitchen.com/2012/09/soft-almond-sugar-cookies/