Learning As We Go: December 2008

Gingerbread Houses

On Saturday my family got together and did gingerbread houses. We do it every year after Thanksgiving. It is a little chaotic but a lot of fun. In past years my houses have caved in on me and been a total frustration but this year I was patient and let the frosting set for a while before putting the candy on. Last year I blame on defective frosting. This year was finally a success!

I think the kids enjoy eating the candy more than anything. I think maybe next year I will just make gingerbread people and they can decorate them and eat. Needless to say our house is now lacking all the candy. At one point it looked pretty cute. But I guess eating it is what it is all about.

The finished village or as my sister said gingerbread "track housing". That made me laugh.

Here is all the grandkids minus Marci's. If you look closely at the roof you will see an elf who happened to be peeking in on the kids. He has visited in the past. I think most of the kids have been good this year and will get a visit from Santa.

O Christmas Tree

Last Friday night we ventured out to pick a Christmas tree. I sometimes miss the good ol' days of hiking around Kanosh looking for a Christmas tree to cut down. Maybe someday I will tell the story of the great Christmas tree hunt of '96 when Lorin and I were engaged. Let's just say that venturing out to the Fred Parker Christmas tree lot is a lot more convenient and safe. Hiking to Cove Fort in 2 ft. of snow is not fun.

Lorin has the great honor, yes honor, of getting our tree home and cutting what needs cut and sticking the tree in the stand. Sometimes he will even put the star on. This year our star broke so we are lacking a star.

Here we are in front of the tree we picked. We have to choose one that that is somewhat skinny but we found the perfect one that was more full at the top than some years. The tree was $37 dollars. We had exactly $32 dollars. The man was kind enough to give it to us anyway. I considered it a blessing. These days small blessings are huge to me!

I have the wonderful job of putting the lights on the tree and I have to admit I do a pretty good job. It was a Christmas miracle when I just needed one more string of lights. I had three strings left which would only light half the way. I thought for sure I was going to have to make some adjustments or buy more lights which I couldn't do. So I grabbed one of the strings and the first bulb I wiggled seemed to be the one causing the problem. So I replaced that bulb and finished putting up the lights. I know kinda corny but I was thankful. The kids got to put up the ornaments. We only broke two this year.

Deck the Halls

This is my sister Shelly's house. This picture does not do it justice. I didn't stand back far enough to take a full shot and Cassidy tripped on a cord and deflated one of the blown up things. Anyway they do a great job every year they have even won awards. Ryan has put his life on the line hanging these lights in the past. =) So if you want to drive past their house just let me know and I will give you their address. You won't be disappointed.

Last Day of Horse Riding

Last Monday Cassidy had her last day of horse riding for the year. Alison took her on a trail ride up to the "P". Cassidy was so excited to report to Lorin that she had seen some deer while up there. Riding horses has truly been a wonderful thing for Cassidy. Hopefully we will be able to afford to have Cassidy do it again in the spring. Winter is hard on Cassidy so hopefully horse riding has helped strengthen her over all so we can get through it.