Family Christmas party

We had a family Christmas party for my side of the family last Saturday.

We used our church building which always works nicely, did it on Saturday afternoon and had pizza, so it was an easy party!

My 2 sisters and I had been shopping the day before and saw some shirts we liked for a good price.  We decided to each get one for our husbands and suggest they wear it to the Christmas party.  I also picked one up for my brother and gave it to him when he arrived.  He was suspicious but put it on.  It didn't take long for them to figure out they were all matching and there were some good laughs.

Here they are, looking good!

We played some fun games.  In this one there is a little gift for each person that's wrapped and tied with a string. On the end of the string is a name.  The gifts get put on a platter and then wrapped. Everyone takes their string and they all pull together and all the gifts pop out.

Cassie was having a great time with Alaina and Ruby.

Playing tic tac toe with solo cups.

The whole group enjoying supper.

Connor slept through a lot of the party, but was awake during supper.

Cute girlies by the tree!

As the party was winding down, the girls were finding fun things to do with solo cups.  It was a very fun evening and always good to see family we don't get to see all the time.

After this I'm taking a blog break.  As you read this, we are traveling to Kentucky to spend a little time with our son Andy and his wife Nikki.  After that it will be busy with Christmas.
I wish you all a blessed Christmas, remembering the true reason for our celebration.  Emmanuel - it means God with us!  That baby is why we celebrate.

Cooking Thursday

We had a ladies Christmas party at church last Saturday and I was asked to bring a dessert.  I made this chocolate peppermint dessert that looked festive and was perfect for a Christmas party.  It's very pretty when cut because you can see the layers and it was tasty and refreshing!

Chocolate and Peppermint Cream Delight

36 oreo cookies, crushed (with frosting)
6 tablespoons butter, melted
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint bits, divided
2 - 5.9 ounce boxes of instant chocolate pudding mix
4 cups milk
16 ounces Cool Whip, divided

Stir together the crushed oreo's and melted butter.  Press into a 9x13 pan. Place in refrigerator while you prepare the next layer.
Mix together the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Then stir in the peppermint extract and half of the Cool Whip. Spread over the oreo crust.
Sprinkle half of the peppermint bits over the cream cheese layer and place in refrigerator while you prepare the next layer.
Stir together the chocolate pudding mix with the milk until there are no lumps.  Pour over the crushed peppermints.
Allow pudding to thicken, then spread remaining Cool Whip over top.
Place in refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight before serving.  Immediately before serving, sprinkle the remaining peppermint bits over the top.

Special Christmas Things

Today I'm sharing some of the things I put out at Christmas that are special to me.

These are old fashioned Santa ornaments that Bob carved quite a few years ago.  I enjoy seeing them on the tree every year.

My sister Terri, gave me this ornament last year, the first year without our Dad present.  It has his name, birth date and death date. The little piece hanging down has a glass piece in it, and if you look into it, his picture is there.

One of my patients' daughters gave this to me.  Her mom made these bells before she was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.  Her daughter and I are still friends, and I treasure this bell.

My sister Cheri gave me this ornament after my mom passed away. She found someone who could transfer this writing from a card from mom and put it onto fabric.  Another special ornament.

Another carving that Bob did.

Last, but not least is this nativity set that always holds a place of honor.  Laura made this out of modeling clay when she was 16. A few things have chipped over the years but it's a treasure.

Here's a close up.  It has an angels, the shepherds and wise men, cows, a camel, a donkey, sheep and even chickens.

Hope you enjoyed my sentimental Christmas favorites!

Christmas Tour

I thought it was time to give you a little tour of Christmas decorations around our house.

We'll start outside.

A wreath and some snow are decorating our gate to the back yard.

I took this photo of our porch at night so you could see the trees lit up.  I have an old sled and two little trees out there.

This is the entry from the garage with a sparkly little wreath hanging here.

This is the dining room.  We have a skinny little tree in the corner that just has white lights on it. I usually leave that one up through January since it doesn't have ornaments and brings some cheer on dark winter days.  Do you see the little star banner hanging behind the table?  It says joy and was sent to me quite a few years ago from Connie at Crafty Home Cottage. 

On the table is this stand with ornaments with words on them.  Hope, joy, peace...

Hanging over the table is this mistletoe ball. It was given to me by a patient at least 10 years ago.  I love how so many Christmas decorations bring back memories of special people.

 

Speaking of special people, our card rack is next to the dining room and filled with greetings from special people - including some of you!

Our main bathroom has some Christmas cheer too. This is on the wall behind the toilet.

This little tree is on the counter in the bathroom.

In the living room, these wooden mittens hang on the front door.  Bob's sister made them for us.

This is the table our tv sits on. You may recognize the reindeer as it's the one Bob just made with Alaina and Ruby.

This is a toddler friendly Nativity. Some years ago I was a MOPS (Mother of Pre-schoolers) leader and we made these.  

A setting on a side table.

Another setting on a side table.

We don't have a mantle, so this is where the stockings hang.  I have stockings for everyone, but it got too heavy, so now I just hang them for the grandkids. 

Poor Connor doesn't have a name tag yet.  I need to get one made for him.

And here's the tree!  It's not real big.  We chose one that's 6 1/2 feet tall, and not too wide since our living room isn't very big.  It's easier to decorate too!

Tomorrow I'll share a few special decorations and ornaments with you.

Birthday Party!

 Last weekend, we had a birthday party for Cassie. Her birthday is actually this week, the party was just a little early.

She is always most excited about having Alaina and Ruby over!

She had set the table for her "guests", here they are eating pizza with her.

Bob was enjoying some time with Connor.

The kids played stick the horn on the unicorn.

Opening presents is always fun!

And so is eating cake!

Happy Birthday sweet Cassie!

Friday Funny

 

Cooking Thursday

Today's recipe doesn't require any baking. All you have to do is melt white chocolate!  This is a Christmas mix that's so easy to make and is always a favorite.  I made a bunch this year for gifts; some for the girls I used to work with, some for the neighbors and some for our small group from church.  If you need a quick gift, this is a good one!

Christmas Mix

3 cups Cheerios
2 cups Corn Chex
3 cups Rice Chex
2 cups mini pretzels
1/2 pound Holiday M&M's
1 pound white chocolate

Stir together dry ingredients. 
Melt white chocolate and pour over cereal mix.
Stir together and pour out onto wax paper.  Let cool and break apart.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Fun times with the girls

We had Alaina and Ruby overnight on Friday.  They stayed all day Saturday because we had a birthday party that night.  So - we had time to do lots of fun things!

We spent some time Friday evening making a gingerbread house. I had picked up a kit that looked pretty easy.

It was coming along well and they were being quite artistic...

But suddenly, things started sliding...

and there was no saving it. They were ok, had a laugh and said it was fun anyway.

We then watched Rudolph, and while watching, Alaina worked on a stocking cap.  She finished it before she went to bed.

On Saturday, the girls went out to Bob's workshop to work on something Alaina had seen and thought they should make. 

Doing sanding

and staining.

Here are the finished reindeer!  They were very proud of them and Bob enjoyed having the girls out in the shop with him.

That afternoon we made slime.  A few months ago we did pumpkin slime which they loved doing and said we should do some in green at Christmas.

They love playing with this stuff!

There was a lot of handwashing needed after this project.

We added red beads and glitter to make it festive.

They decorated jars to hold the slime.

It was a few days of fun!