Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve started out so differently from the previous days before. Dave was home, and we were hoping to get much accomplished before heading down to my parents for Christmas Eve.

Dave woke with the birds, and had the front tires off the van by 5:30am. His goal for the day was to get the brakes done on the van for our trip to Utah. BY mid-morning the tires and rotors were off, and he was ready to make a trip to the auto parts stor to have thme turned, and swing by the dealership to pick up some replacement screws. He finished before 11:00am, an hour earlier than his goal of noon. He was very proud of himself, the nice tight brakes, and the money he'd saved by doing it himself. Way to go babe!!

I started in on laundry in preparation for the trip. Somehow I'd fallen behind, and seemed to do the same loads of laundry week after week. My goal was to have all clothes in the house clean. This would make packing easier, and start off my new year on the right foot.

After his stellar job on the brakes, Dave attcked the yard, while I continued washing, and putting away load after load of laundry. We flet good about our morning progress, and began dressing and getting ready for our Christmas Eve with family.

We enjoyed a wonderful turkey dinner at my parents and enjoyed family and conversation. The kids were antsy to open presents, and dove into their presents like they were at a glorious feast. They came away with Disney dollars from both Great-Gram and my brother and his wife, and fun gifts from Grandma & Grandpa. Daniel is now well stocked with books for the trip and the new year, Josh has a fun fuzzy Remy (Ratatouille) to cuddle with, Caleb enjoys his new GeoTrax airport, and Natalie is loving her baby doll and stroller.

After the festivities were over, and our bellies were full of peppermint ice cream, we packed up the kiddos and headed home. They were ready for bed with jammies on and sadly only two of the four fell asleep in the car. The two oldest did a last minute tracking of Santa's position on the internet, before promising to stay in their beds the entire night, and maybe sleeping in a bit for mommy & daddy. (one can only hope). Caleb was another story, as he most often is, and we spent the evening settling him down and trying to get him to sleep. Even after he was asleep he managed to wake up numerous times through the night, maybe that's why I'm so tired.

After they were all snuggled in their beds, we began our preparations for Christmas morning. I had lots of little things to wrap for the kids and Dave had a few things to assemble nad recover from the depths of our garage. We finally headed to bed around 1:30am, and I so hoped they would let me sleep in, did they, oh no...

Happy Anniversary..

On Saturday, we celebrated our 11 year Anniversary. 11 years!! Really. We were very fortunate to clebrate this year in style on our actual day, which of course is definitley not the norm. We drove up to LA and saw the musical WICKED at the Pantages Theatre.

We have been listening to the music for months, and our eager anticipation to see it, and figure out babysitting all came together perfectly. We took the kids down to my parents early Saturday morning, and swapped cars with them so they could bus our kids around for the afternoon. They had plans that afternoon at my Dad's club for a holiday family party. The kids bounced in a jumpy house, and sat on Santa's lap, while almost two hours to the north we celebrated just the two of us.

The musical was fantastic. It was a combination of an amazing theatre, where I thouroughly doubt there is a bad seat in the house. The amazing architecture of this grand building, and the attention to detail wowed us. The score to this musical is amazing, and to sit awe struck for three hours and listen to well trained voices blending in perfect harmony was such a treat. We felt so blessed to enjoy this indulgence, and how grateful I am to have a guy that loves this stuff like I do.

On our way home we did the math. 11 years, 4 kids, a total of 6 different jobs between the two of us, 5 cars (two of which we still have), 4 different cities we've lived in, countless blessings, and all because two teenagers locked eyes in freshman typing class. We've known each other for over 18 years, and it still seems like yesterday that I got butterflies just thinking of him. We both feel so grateful to be married to our best friend, and our marriage and our children are my best and greatest accomplishments.

Thank you sweetheart for being my better half in every way.

Happy Birthday Joshua!!

Today Josh turned 6 years old!!

In true "joshie fashion" as he woke up and started getting ready for school, he said "Hey guys, today is a special day!" And that it is.

My sweet boy is growing into such an amazing person. He as an amazing light that shines in his big bright smile. His witty and unusual comments can always bring a smile to my face. I had no idea I would be having such intellectual conversations with him, when he was only three. He has always been interested, in well, everything. How things work, why things are the way they are. Always asking questions, and better yet insight as well.

I was reflecting back to the morning he was born, just a week before Christmas. When we got home we took tons of pictures, even with him in a Christmas stocking. He was so little, sweet and precious. And now six years later, I still think of him, as just that, precious.

Happy Birthday sweet boy, for making us laugh, making us think, and always wanting to snuggle and offer big hugs. Exciting things are in store for you, I can't wait to be a part of it.

A

Yeah, for Christmas time, and the glorious candy cane.

I am so loving all the wonderful recipes with candy canes. Candy Cane Bark, Candy Cane Brownies, and Candy Cane Truffles.

I think I will definitley be putting off getting back into shape until after the holidays. Too many sweet minty treats to be tempted by.

Here's an amazing recipe for Peppermint Candy Cane Brownies, courtesy of the girlies at Our Best Bites

Blessings & Service

On Thursday evening we had our Christmas Enrichment for Relief Society. Usually we do a nice party for the women of the ward, with food and entertainment. This year, we decided to start of the month of December with a great Christmas message - service.

We found an amazing woman, Cynthia Martinez that lives locally and was just honored by the Pentagon with the Star of Hope (Bob Hope) award for the Marine Corps. After 9-11 she felt that she needed to do more to honor our troops and support them and their families. She wrote a book, and then started Words of Comfort Hope and Promise a non-profit organization to do just that. She does everything from pampering parties for the wives who's hubby's are deployed, to big beach parties in the summer, and Christmas Parties in the winter. Before Thanksgiving they assembled 1,000 care packages to Marines that are deployed, and over 22,000 cookies were donated.

Our goal was to raise money and assemble 50 toiletry kits that would be given to the single men in a returning squadron before Christmas. We not only raised enough money for the toiletry kits, but also for an additional snacks and goodies. It was so amazing to give service to these men and women that do so much for our country. Even if it was really a small token.

Friday afternoon, Cynthia had asked if I could set up the projector and DVD of clips of their many activities for a luncheon they were having to honor those that had donated to their efforts. It was amazing to sit their and listen to retired marines that were now serving young marines following in their footsteps, and how they wish they could do more. The spoke of hope, and the hope that we must give to those marines and their families, and the hope that is given to us by their efforts. I was really moved, and comforted to hear how much good really is going on in the world. It also reminded me of all the blessings I really have.

That evening the kids and I worked on homemade Christmas cards that will be added to those kits, and even though it's something small, I know those Marines will smile when they see those hand drawn cards of Christmas trees, and Santa. It's really the small things that many people do that make a difference.

Oatmeal Carmelitas

On the 3rd Day of Christmas we finished decorating the tree, yes it took three days for some reason, and we made the kids favorite cookies, Oatmeal Carmelitas. The little ones helped me with the dry ingredients, and the older boys helped with chocolate chips and caramel. Truly a group effort.

If you feel so inclined to make something ooey, goey caramely, and chocolatey, then here's the recipe. I usually chill them in the fridge so they're not completely impossible to eat.

Oatmeal Carmelitas
By Grandma Bennett

Description:
Chewy gooey caramel, oats and chocolate. Our absolute favorites, and they taste better the next day if you get them to last that long.

Ingredients:
2 c all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 c quick cooking oats
1 1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 c melted butter (unsalted)
12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
12 oz jar caramel ice cream topping
6 tbsp all-purpose flour
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one cookie sheet

2. Combine the 2 c. flour, baking soda, oats, brown sugar, salt and melted butter. Mix to combine, mixture will be very crumbly. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 minutes.

4. Let cool slightly then sprinkle over the crust the chocolate chips. Mix the caramel ice cream topping with the 6 tbsp of flour and drizzle over the chocolate chips.

5.Top with the remaining oatmeal mixture. You will need to break it into small pieces to cover.

6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes.

7. Let bars cool to warm temperature, and then refrigerate. Once cool cut into small bars and keep refrigerated.

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Desserts Servings: 48

Safely

Every night when the boys say their prayers, I hear the same word used in both their prayers. I'm not sure how they starting using it, I mean it is after all a real word, safely. Which means in a safe manner, or to use caution. I think it is more how it is used.

"please help be safely on our way to school, and help daddy as he goes to work to be safely"

One of these days I will correct them, but for now in their perfect child prayers, they are asking for safely travel for their loved ones and themselves, and it brings a smile to my face each evening, and makes me want to hold them closer and let that goodnight hug linger just a bit longer.

May you all have safely journeys as you go about your day today!!