AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE

On Dec 21st I headed home from work at the normal time. I got on the Freeway like I usually do only to find it really backed up. There had been several accidents up ahead, including 2 in the tunnel. I slowly made my way to the right with a plan of exiting on 7th Street. Just after I finally got to the exit lane I felt a jolt and heard the much dreaded sound of metal scraping on metal. I looked to the left to find that someone had decided he wanted to defy physics and occupy the same space I was already occupying.
It took 2 hours with the police going over what happened and having reports written. I said he changed lanes and hit me, he said I drifted into his lane.

I wasn't hurt, my car is drivable and my insurance company investigated and decided I was not at fault. Now I just have to get the repairs done.

BUTTERSCOTCH PULL APARTS- A YUMMY TRADITION

On Christmas Morning Mom used to make Butterscotch Pull aparts as part of Christmas Morning breakfast.
They are still a tradition.

Ingredients

• 1 package Parker House Roll, thawed or 1-1/2 loaves
 frozen bread dough, cut into 24 equal pieces
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 (3 3/4 ounce) package butterscotch pudding mix (regular, not instant) (the butterscotch is wonderful)) or 3 3/4 vanilla pudding mix (regular, not instant))  mix
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup butter, melted


Directions
1. Grease a Bundt cake tube pan.
2. Srinkle 1/2 cup brown sugar in the bottom of pan.
3. Top evenly with 1/4 cup melted butter.
4. In bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar with the dry pudding mix and cinnamon. 5. With lightly floured hands (I did not bother), dip each piece of dough in the remaining butter and roll in sugar and pudding mix.
6. Layer evenly in prepared pan.
7. Let rise until double in size or until dough reaches just under top rim of pan.
8. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.
9. Turn out of pan immediately and serve warm.

Christmas Eve 2009

We always celebrate Christmas Eve with our extended family at Aunt Karen's house.
The evening starts with a dinner of Ham and sides like cheesy potatoes, pink salad, baked beans, etc supplied by the family.
After dinner we all start to gather in the living room, children & Adults alike.

Hunter

Celisse, Cindy, Rich & George (Dad)

l-r Elijah, Danny, Trevor, Kari, Jordyn, Hunter, Kaela, Lyndi

We had a short musical presentation by

Amanda & Brianna

Every year someone reads the Christmas Story from Luke 2.

This year we had the privilege of having Santa read it to us.

Most of the kids call him Papa Santa or Santa Max.

After singing Silent Night and Jingle Bells the children each got to sit on Santa's lap, where he gave them a present, a Santa Bag and a stuffed Dog.

Hunter & Santa

Jordyn & Santa

Nick was the one of the oldest kids to sit on Santa's lap this year, he was a good sport about it.

After all of the kids finished with Santa Kelsey & Tyler opened a special gift from Santa & Aunt Karen, a book written by Aunt Karen about their Dad.

Then all of the kids got to open their Santa presents and go play in the family room, while the adults exchanged gifts, and visited.

Click to see MORE PICTURES  of the party.

HANDMADE CHRISTMAS GIFTS--ANOTHER TRADITION

We get together on Christmas Eve with my Aunt Karen's family and my cousin Cindy's family. Several years ago we started making handmade gifts to exchange with each other. It is always fun to see what each family member creates.
A few of the items we created this year are:

3 more pieces to add to the Nativity Scene I started last year.

Homemade Jam

A frame- the picture is one of only 2 pictures we have of Grandma Donohoo, she is with Aunt Ella Mae, on the left, and Mom, on the right.

A christmas tree ornament.

Thanks to everyone who shared their talents.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:11-12

The Christmas Shoes

AND THE WINNER IS

Hunter & Jordyn helped me draw the name of the winner of An Angel on Main Street by Kathi Oram Peterson.

The winner is Jenny. Your book will be out tomorrow after work.

SATURDAY JORDYN'S 6TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Jordyn turned 6 on Dec 15th. We celebrated her birthday Saturday evening, starting with Pizza from Picazzo's.

Jordyn was anxious to get the important part of her birthday, the presents.

She got to sit on the princess stool to open her presents.

Jordyn got some of her favorite things for her Birthday.

My Little Pony

Snow White Barbie

Art Supplies and Sidewalk chalk and some cute girly clothes.

Hunter challenged Nick to a wrestling match

Jordyn blew out her candles and we all shared cupcakes.

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY JORDYN!

SATURDAY DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Hunter and Jordyn helped decorate  Papa's Christmas tree. They put ornaments on as high as they could.

Jordyn,reaching really high

Hunter could go even higher

The kids worked well together, and had fun learning about where some of Papa's ornaments came from.

When they couldn't reach any higher, they went and got Nick, and he finished up the top of the tree. It looks really good this year.

SATURDAY Part 3 TIME TO READ, REST AND BOND

After decorating cookies and some running and playing in the back yard, the kids came in and decided to read for a while.

Hunter brought 2 books to read this weekend

Nick read Jordyn a Dr Suess book. She loved his attention.

Hunter and Nick resting on the couch

Aunt Leanne can sleep through anything

Hunter & Jordyn are really loving having their big cousin Nick here for a visit.

Nick finally got his nap.

SATURDAY PART 2 COOKIES

Nick came for Christmas this Morning, he got out of New York before the Blizzard hit.
Tom and the kids picked him up and everyone converged on Dad's house.
I have been telling the kids one day soon we would decorate cookies. Today we baked sugar cookies and decorated them.

Hunter's style was very little frosting and a lot of sprinkles.

Jordyn liked lots of both

Jordyn with one of her creations

Hunter with one of his

Some of our efforts

Leanne and I decorated cookies for our Primary Classes.

SATURDAY Part 1 WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY

We started the day early, with our annual Ward Christmas Party. This year we had a Pancake Breakfast. On the menu were Pancakes with syrup or strawberries, Eggs with sausage cooked into them. Bananas and grapes. It was very good.
We had a nice program. The Bishopric did a Comedy routine.

The Primary Children did a live Nativity

It was a fun party and a good way to start the day.

FUDGE--A CHRISTMAS TRADITION

When I was growing up, Mom would start making all kinds of candy in Mid-December. She would make Divinity, penuche , butterscotch rolls and fudge. Dad would make fruit bread, like fruit cake, but lighter and baked in empty coffee cans.
Over the years everything but the fudge has fallen by the wayside.

This is all you need for a great batch of fudge, some times I add mint or Peanut Butter chips.
It became a tradition over the years to take a plate of fudge to work the week before Christmas.
This year will be no exception. I have made 2 batches with 1 or maybe 2 to go.

Milk Chocolate

Chocolate Mint

Million Dollar Fudge

6 C sugar

1 can evaporated milk

heat to a boil and simmer until it is soft ball stage.

take off the heat and add

1 small bottle of Marshmallow Creme

2 sticks Margarine

2 or 3 large packages of chips, any flavor combination that sounds good. (My favorites are milk chocolate, mint chocolate and peanut butter chocolate)

Mix until everything is melted and well mixed.

Add nuts, raisons, coconut if desired.

Pour into a buttered cookie sheet. Makes about 7 pounds.

Noel - Merry Christmas Slideshow

Santa Claus (I Still Believe In You)

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVE AWAY

AN ANGEL ON MAIN STREET by KATHI ORAM PETRSON

                                From the back of the book:

Micah Connors promised his mother he would be good in their new town. But with Christmas only three days away, being escorted home by the sheriff does not bode well. Can the towering officer be trusted not to tell what happened? Perhaps the ramshackle stable that has appeared on Main Street will sidetrack him from spilling the day's events-or maybe his interest in Micah's widowed mother will do the trick. The last thing Dawn Connors needs is to hear her son is in trouble. She has enough to worry about with her husband gone and her daughter, Annie, ill. Even though Micah has told his sister the rustic structure in the middle of town is simply part of the town's holiday decorations, Annie is sure that unseen angels are building the crude stable-which means baby Jesus is coming, and he can make her better. Terrified that his little sister might die, Micah vows to find the baby Jesus for Annie, even if it is only a plastic doll. But as Micah gets nearer to his goal he finds angels are closer than he ever would have believed.
This is a wonderful Christmas story about love, service and faith in God. It is a quick read, I read it in one afternoon.
Micah wants to be good, he wants to take care of his mother and little sister who is sick. He wants to stay out of trouble as he promised his Mother he would, but trouble seems to follow him.
When he tells his sister about the Nativity that is slowly being put in the middle of town, she becomes convinced that the baby Jesus wil be able to make her well. It becomes Micah's goal to bring the Baby Jesus to Annie.
During his quest Micah learns that angels come in all shapes and sizes.
If you can only add one new Christmas Book to your collection this year I would recommend this be the one you add.
I will send a copy to one person, next week. Leave a comment here about an Angel in your life, by Dec 18. I will draw a name on the 19th and get your book out. Please include an email address so I can contact you if you win.
An Angel on Main Street is available through http://www.deseretbook.com/, http://www.seagullbook.com/ or http://www.amazon.com/.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Kathi Oram Peterson

SILENT NIGHT

WHO STARTED CHRISTMAS??

I got this from my cousin Sue Ellen Ash, Thanks Sue Ellen.
This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."
From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.
-- Author Unknown

A BABY JUST LIKE YOU