Come on in!

Boys! Hurry up and let's get the house ready for all the bloggers on the Christmas Tour of Homes. I'll need your muscles! Okay, bring the Lego Advent calendar into the hallway. Set it up next to the Advent banner and our little nativity scene from Grandma. Who is going to open the little window? Okay. Now that Dad has the tree in the stand, how 'bout some Decorating Super Heroes? While you guys do that I am going to put my little Santa on the piano.

I'm going to look for the tree skirt while you get the new train going, Sam.

The tree skirt is under the tree and I put a little snowflake ribbon on the tree. I think the tree is ready! Aaron, will you set up the kids' nativity scene in the living room?

Here is the North Pole scene for you to put up, Dave and Sam.

Hey, kinda looks like Santa and the Baby Jesus were neighbors...

Sam, I brought this new Playmobile nativity from my classroom. Will you put it on the lamp table in the living room?

Aaron, will you add these cards to the card holder? Here are a few new signs to hang.
Aaron, when you are done with that book please put it in the Christmas book bin.

Dave, put the Christmas stuffed animals in the basket.

Sam, let's find a place to put your Jesus candy cane. And how 'bout Aaron putting the wreath on the door? Everybody outta the dining room... breakables!
We're going to need some treats on that new Santa plate, Dave.

Our guests might enjoy a chocolate cupcake with chocolate ganache and white chocolate cream cheese peppermint frosting. Okay, I think we are ready. Honey, will you turn on the outside lights? Let's welcome our guests. Smile, boys!

Merry Christmas, Friends.
May the love of Christ warm your hearts

this Christmas and all year!

Christmas Tours Past...

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Post-Christmas 2008

Christmas Tour of Homes

The boys are busy decorating for Christmas. Come back later and I'll show you around!

Start Your Engines!

Sam is home from school today with a fever. His fever broke early in the day, so we've had a relaxing afternoon. I knew he was feeling better when he asked for a lunch and some XBox. I even offered to play. Now, how come I am the one with the driver's license, but he wins every racing game?! The last game I was having such difficulty even keeping the car on the track that he offered to wait at the finish line for me. After a few minutes he politely suggested that he finish the race for me!

Decorating...

This is the way we clean the house,
Clean the house, clean the house.
This is the way we clean the house,
So we can decorate for Christmas!

The Turkey Pokey

You put your right wing in. You take your right wing out. You put your right wing in and you shake it all about. You do the turkey pokey and you turn yourself around. That's what it's all about!

Left wing...
Right drumstick...
Left drumstick...
Wattle...
Stuffing...
Tail feathers...
Whole turkey body...

Enjoy the day! May God continue to bless you. He has blessed me. :)

Is This Thing On?

Tap, tap, tap. Is this thing on?
Phew... life has been zipping along and where have I been?
A few days ago I was thinking about my sweet friend that lives in Ohio, Janet. Janet and Peter lived across the street from us when we lived in Ohio and they were the Best Neighbors Ever. In last year's Chirstmas card she told me how she kept up with us on our blog. And it occurred to me that she must think we have fallen off the edge of the earth! Janet, we are still here and I will give you a quick update! I hope all is well with you.

Chris is still loving the life of pastor. Nothing really new there, but he is a steady and sure kinda guy. And a great pastor. :)

Aaron is 9. He is in the fourth grade. I have decided that fourth grade is the year of more homework. He loves Lego and has started to listen to music like a teenager. "Country music," he says.

David is almost 8. His newest thing is that he loves science experiements. He even has refused a hair cut so that he can look like a mad scientist. A few weeks ago he was making his own toast (I was folding laundry) when he tells me, "Mom, the toast didn't pop, so I used two forks to get it out." AGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH! Don't do that or you will have mad scientist hair!!

Sam is 6 and he is loving sports. The boys just finished a season of basketball today. Of all the boys, he loved it the most.

I'm doing just fine. I've gone back to work. I'm teaching k-4 at the Lutheran school where the two older boys go.

Pretty busy, if you ask me. I'm really tired, and our house is a zoo, but we are good!

Kitchen Meme

I've been doing a lot of baking lately. Bake sales, parties, company. Whatever the occasion I have been digging for a recipe to try or to whip up. Lately my favorite thing to bake is cupcakes. As in just about everything, there are whole blogs devoted to Cupcake Love. On one blog, The Busty Baker (ladolvicita.com) I found this Getting to Know Me Quiz and I knew I'd have to copy it here! David with a chocolate marshmallow cupcake.

Getting to Know Me!

Metal or Non-stick? Metal and I love parchmant paper when making cookies.
Cast iron or Stainless? Stainless.
Cutting board: Wood or Plastic? I have one of each.
Knife: Carbon Steel or Stainless? I don't even know.
Kitchen Aid or Hand Mixer? I love my Kitchen Aid! I've even given her a name, Matilda. Matilda the Mixer.
Cooktop: Gas, Electric, or Induction? Currently I have electric. Now if only I could go back to a smooth top...
Side-by-side, Freezer on top, Fridge on top? A side-by-side that I am constantly struggling to get all of my stuff into.
Apron or Whoops? I'd love to be an apron girl. I really want one. Hey, my birthday is coming...
Mashed Potatoes: By Hand, Ricer, or Mixer? Usually I mash potatoes by hand, but I have been known to use the mixer once in a while.
Sandwich or Wrap? I like a good wrap, but I'm good with a sandwich usually. And I love subs.
PB& _____? Whatever kinda jelly is in the fridge. Usually some strawberry preserves.
Pancakes: Syrup or Applesauce? Syrup! Ever put syrup and brown sugar on your pancakes? My friend Jen taught me that. Pretty indulgent, but I'm worth it!
Cakes: Scratch or Mix? Usually by scratch, but I keep a good stash of mixes. There are lots of cupcake recipes that start with a mix.
Chili: Beans or No Beans? I'm okay either way.
Napkin: Cloth or Paper? Lots of paper, but I'm thinking about buying some white cloth ones and keeping them out in a pretty rectangular basket. Anyone know where I can buy a bunch of them for cheap?
BBQ: Takes the whole weekend to make or Take Out? Take out.
Chicken: White or Dark? WHITE. I'm pretty adamant about not wanting any part of the chicken other than the breast.
Ice Cream: Cone or Dish? Waffle cones or a dish. Bring it on!! Aaron with a chocolate chip cookie cupcake. (Yellow cupcake with a cookie baked in the bottom and chocolate chip buttercream.)