A Very Merry Christmas

This year was a little different...Marcus had to go wake up Rob and Allie so they would come downstairs to see what Santa brought them and to get started opening their presents.

We went around opening gifts...the kids opened two presents then the adults went around and opened one. It was so nice to see what everyone was getting and who it was from. It made the whole experience last longer. I treasure these times.

Enjoying our traditional Christmas breakfast together...

After Christmas service at the church we had some appetizers and then our wonderful meal...everything turned out great! Whew!

We watched some Tim Hawkins comedy and then we all played a game we got as a Christmas gift this year called Catch Phrase. It was SO fun!!!

The next day Dianne and Josh went on a 9 1/2 mile run because they are training for the LA Marathon in March (I will gladly be a spectator at that event cheering them on). Meanwhile, the rest of us sat around eating breakfast and lounging around haha.
Then we decided to get out of the house for a change and went on a little Salt Lake City tour. First we drove by the Salt Lake, then to a records store for Matt, went by the Mormon Temple and then up to Park City. Matt and Michelle have never been to Utah so it was so much fun showing them around.

The girls with their home made scarves!

Allie made herself and Grandma matching scarves :)

Unfortunately everyone had to go back home Friday. It was a quick trip, but a very special time that we had together...

all of us and the 6 dogs and 1 cat that occupied our house for the week!

The Family Photo
Matt & Michelle with Rigby and Ellie, Dad & Dianne with Haley and Leizel, and us with Mac, Miki and Cody the cat-of whom we saw very little of this week!
A Christmas to remember!
Truly A Very Merry Christmas!

A Family Tradition

My Dad and Dianne arrived at our house on Christmas Eve afternoon, as well as my step sister, Michelle and her husband Matt. I'm so glad they decided to come spend Christmas with us in Utah!
One of the things that my Dad and I planned to do when he arrived was to make "lefsa"--its a norwegian thing. I kind of liken it to a potato tortilla, but you put butter on it, sprinkle white sugar on it, roll it up and eat it. Lefsa is something that I remember my grandma (my mom's mom) made all the time and we ate it on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I'm so glad that my dad learned how to make it over the years and has perfected the process so that he could teach me. We definitely had to make some for Christmas this year, so Josh and I made the dough the night before. We were ready to "roll" and cook it when Dad got to our house.
I was so happy Allie got involved and wanted to help make it, too. The tradition is being passed down to her now. It was her first time helping out...a very special day indeed!

Christmas Card 2013

Our Christmas Card Photo...

other family photos...

Kids Christmas Program

On Friday, Rob and Allie's school held their annual Christmas program. It was supposed to be the night before, but it was cancelled because we had a huge snow storm (and they were even let out of school early because of it)! 

Rob played an angel and an innkeeper. He was quite busy changing between his costumes! He did an amazing job memorizing his lines.

 Allie's class did a terrific job singing "We Saw Three Ship Come Sailing In On Christmas Day"

Making scarves

One night this week while Josh was preaching a men's discipleship class we made scarves!

Haley from our church came over and taught us how to do it. It is a pretty cool way to make a scarf because you don't use any needles-just your hands and arms.

Rob made one for his teacher, I made one for a Christmas gift, Allie made one for herself, and Marcus was just so happy to play with little Aliyah.

The next day Allie and I each made another scarf. She couldn't wait to make another one. Allie is pretty quick at it. She even finished hers before me! She's thinking of selling them to raise money for Africa. I love your giving heart, Allie!

Church Fellowship

On a Sunday night after service we had a special fellowship called "Coffee, Cocoa & Cookies".

We had tables set up with all the goodies, and even lots of extras to add to the hot cocoa. 

There was a cookie contest with 3 judges and Josh won 4th place with his chocolate chip cookies and Allie & I won 2nd place with my Grandma's recipe for sugar cookies.

(Liz's Snickerpoodle cookie-so cute!)