Christmas Doings

It sounds like you all had a great Christmas. I did too. I wanted to share a few things that made it so fun. We had a nice Christmas Eve Party at Josh and Stacy's. Stacy's tradition is Mexican food on Christmas Eve. She did Cafe Rio recipes and it was really yummy. The question of the night, "Black or Pinto".

Essie in the cupboard. Do you recognize that line? For you Silas Marner fans, it was actually "Eppie in the cupboard'

Enjoying the delicious chips and salsa. That is always a favorite with the kids.

Later we had a wonderful Nativity program. Samuel the Lamanite is pictured above. We did not have arrows but we had some socks that we threw at her.

We sang songs throughout the program, which made it even more special. Gabe took his role as Joseph very seriously. He held onto Mary's shoulder throughout the presentation.

Essie was supposed to play baby Jesus but she was a little too active. Here she looks like a little shepherd perhaps admiring the new baby. Actually she ripped the baby out of his manger.

The wise man "Kelsie" gave the gift of gold in the likes of a lovely gold comb that she placed in Jesus' hair. And then a lovely badge was given to the Babe.

It was most appropriate, don't you think.

We had only one animal present in our stable. Jonas made a lovely sheep.

Shelley and Alan had my name for Christmas and they gave me these lovely diamond and sapphire earrings and a few other things. I tried to take a picture with them in but it did not turn out very well. I really like them and have worn them for 2 days straight. Maybe I will give them a rest today.
Hannah and I worked hard on setting a lovely Christmas table. We even got on line and learned to fold the napkins in the crown shape. Notice the lovely centerpeice. It is still alive. Thanks Miranda.

We had a wonderful dinner. John bought the prime rib and I cooked it. With lots of instructions and help. We had lovely side dishes and lovely conversation. Actually I can't remember what we talked about but I am sure it was lovely.

It was perfection. Just the right amount of pink.

I also had a great time talking to most of you on the phone, hearing about your fun day. I was able to talk to Whitney 2 times on the phone. She has a bit of an accent. When she answered the phone the second time, she answered it in Spanish and I did not recognize her voice. I thought she was her companion. She had a good laugh. It was great to talk to her and hear her voice again. I love that girl. Hope you are all enjoying a little holiday break. At least I get a few more days off for New Years next week.

Celebrations in San Jorge

Presenting the lovely Mr. and Mrs Brooks Shurtliff
Let the shellacing begin. Miranda had Leslie and Morgan working on her. I came to see her to document the morning and her knees were just slightly shaking. I think they did a great job. She looked beautiful as usual.

Tennyson watching in amazement

Banner not so amazed

Maren after her Benadryl, induced coma

My artsy view of the temple

Sorry, these are a bit out of order. Leah was enjoying this tree. Morgan told me that she trained her not to touch Christmas trees. I guess it was just too enticing.

Look at that little face. She is so excited

This is one of my most favorite pictures of the day. I thought that this was such a fitting picture of Snow Canyon. This was the view from our dinner table.

The wedding ceremony was very nice and then we had a fun time taking pictures outside at the temple. Here is my try at being photographically creative like Madi.

Santa made an appearance at the temple. We felt very priviliged.

Little did we know that Jonas has been practicing his posing. I loved the backdrop of the temple doors for this picture. Best Friends

America's Next Top Child Model

I love this picture of all of the kids. I wish that we could have had the Bride in here.

The boys being friendly

Miranda was shivering and so cold that Santa decided to share is red cape with her. I think that it looks quite cute.

This is another one of my favorite pics of the day. Look at these cute kids. I love them all so much.

Our beautiful bride. I think that everything turned out so perfect. I am so glad that everyone could be there and I could see and spend the day with you all.

Deck the Halls

Morgan reminded me tonight that I have not blogged my house that was so kindly decorated with lots of helping hands last Monday night. This year I decided to simplify and just do 1 tree instead of 2 like I did last year. The tree is covered with not a bare branch. I really like the look. I love decorating the tree and reminiscing about each ornament. I have ornaments from many places that I have visited. I have an ornament that I got back in Primary when I was little. I have ornaments that Mom picked out for me. I have little rams that I bought last year to remind me of Dad. I have ornaments that family members have given to me and I even have ornaments with Leslie and Whitney's names on them. I suppose I will give them to the girls at some point. The tree holds many memories.

This is a project that I did last year at my ward's Super Saturday. I like the thought of the 3 wise men hanging out on top of my TV.

Morgan did a nice job with the bannister. She really got it looking cute with the added ribbon and poinsettias.

I wanted to have some fresh flowers around Christmas. I started most of these bulbs back in November. The Paper Whites seem to always bloom first. I cannot wait to see what the amaryllis bulbs do.

It has been a great weekend. I so enjoyed going to the temple with everyone. What a wonderful opportunity it was. I am so happy that I got to be there with Miranda and most all of you on her special day. We are truly blessed to have the temple in our lives which makes the plan of salvation complete.

Miranda's Bridal Shower Mad Lib

Pay attention and listen well as I tell you the love story of Brooks and Miranda
It was about 24 years ago that Brooks came across a chubby girl named Miranda. He was on his way to Spanish Fork when suddenly his lungs were drawn to a cheesy creature, too hairy for mere words. He was overcome with crabbiness and was sure that he had found the woman he was destined to share his tire with. She gazed at him with her bunion and lime green eyes and his elbow began to rollerblade lonely. Never before had he felt such Jubilation and he invited her to join him for a fortnight at the Wedge. She agreed and he Brooks regretted her off her feet. Miranda was smitten with Brooks. She loved his moldy upper lip and the way he referred to her as shnookums. Brooks was equally excited by Miranda’s disturbing ear lobe and wavy jump rope. He didn't even mind when she called him Randa. The couple dated for 40 centuries. Then, one crushing fall, twilight, Brooks bowed his tooth to the ground and asked for Miranda’s heel in marriage. Miranda was so seething, she responded immediately with “Holy Crap”! Brooks took this as an affirmative response and the couple are now preparing for their wedding day. After the wedding, they are off to Italy where they plan to spend a saucy honeymoon enjoying each other's split ends.

Thanksgiving Weekend

I truly cannot believe that my Thanksgiving Weekend in C.D. is nearly over. It has been a great weekend and the thoughts of returning to SLC and dealing with work and YW and getting ready for Christmas just does not sound exciting right now. It is early in the morning and I am awake and Maren is sleeping beside me. I had my best night ever with her. The only sound she made in the night was when I moved her away from me and she said "Cuddle". Other than that she has not made a peep. What is the big deal Josh and Stacy? Actually the thing about Maren's sleeping habits, is you never know what you are going to get. You have to be prepared for the worst night and then she'll pleasantly suprise you and sleep like an angel. Well enough about that. It has been a great time with everyone. The only thing I would have changed was to have had everyone here. But for those of you who were not here are some of the details.

We had a delicious turkey dinner with all of the trimmings. You may recognize all of the faces but one. Noah brought along Becky his girlfriend. She is very fun and sweet and fits right in. She seems to love our babies as much as we do.

Alan and Jim on turkey duty

Leah and Essie are ready to eatThe yams. Can't fortget the yams. Jenny always makes yams it seems like the in-laws are the only ones excited about them and that is why she makes them.

The kids table. Take a look at Jonas' face. Poor little boy. All these girls.

Good company and really good food.

Banner gearing up for something. I know not what. Miranda has taken up a new hobby. Whitney will never believe it so I had to document it so that she would. Before long she will have her own stash.

Leah and Esme found a new thing to play in.

Just being their usual cute selves.

A little post-dinner wind down entertainment.

Leah started covering her ears alot this weekend. We must be a loud bunch. Yesterday she was screaming herself and covering her ears. What is up with that Leah?

Essie is taking some hints from some of Leah's funny faces .

The wanna-be Man from Snowy River showed up this weekend in his so called Tony Llama boots. I wonder if this is why Lizzy abandoned him in the driveway at Jenny's house.

I can finally post what I have been working on. I gave Miranda this quilt for her shower gift. I really like the colors and the quilting on the machine was pretty fun too. I am excited to do something else.

Miranda's shower was well attended and we played some fun games. She got some really nice gifts and I am sure she is excited to get them loaded down to her new place and start using some of them. She got a lot of nice handmade gifts and some really handy things for the kitchen. Not to mention she has a real good start on her Christmas Decor.

We had a great Cranberry Punch made by Becky . Don't you like our ice idea. I thought it was cute.

There was quite the spread, as usual. I think that everyone enjoyed our tasty treats. Lizzy made incredible rolls for the chicken salad and she has promised to blog the recipe.

We played some fun games and even did a Miranda and Brooks mad lib. I will try and get that up in the near future.

Some of my favorite highlights of the weekend. The mafia games. They were some of the best that I have ever played. Thanksgiving Dinner. Prime Rib night. Being with the family 24/7. When Maren told me that she could not scoot over in bed because she had lost her "Super Powers". Giving Miranda her quilt and seeing her open her other gifts. And of course, not having to go to work.