Odwalla, where have you been all my life?

 This is a shameless post about how yummy Odwalla apple cider is.  The fact that we are NOT an apple cider family, should tell you just how wickedly delicious this stuff is!  Fortunately for us, a neighbor dropped it off with "Merry Christmas" wishes, and we paired it with some of our other favorites foods such as crackers, cheese, and sausage for a simple weeknight meal.  The kiddies suggested we eat picnic-style on the living room floor, which of course, made everything taste that much BETTER!

Enjoy a simple meal tonight!

 

Ava's Snowmen vs. Snowbikers

I love how my daughter, in her beloved innocence, once upon a time drew happy and lighthearted pictures of joyful and smiling snowmen.

 

Then she spied our touching neighbors Christmas display which featured a plywood cutout of a biker Snowman outfitted in a black leather vest, jeans, and yes, holding a beer can.  The can, thank heavens, did NOT make it into her drawing.

I should be so grateful, right?

The One True Key to Happiness...

...is to labor in the service of others.

 

Samuel and I found that this key element was missing in our home!  We found that too often our children were at odds with one another, and that there prevailed all manner of squabbling, quarreling, and-absolutely worst of all-hoarding!

We knew this could not go on, and so we are trying to follow the example of a family spoken of in President Monson's talk,

"What Have I Done For Someone Today?".

He shares the following:

A few years ago I read an article written by Jack McConnell, MD. He grew up in the hills of southwest Virginia in the United States as one of seven children of a Methodist minister and a stay-at-home mother. Their circumstances were very humble. He recounted that during his childhood, every day as the family sat around the dinner table, his father would ask each one in turn, “And what did you do for someone today?” The children were determined to do a good turn every day so they could report to their father that they had helped someone. Dr. McConnell calls this exercise his father’s most valuable legacy, for that expectation and those words inspired him and his siblings to help others throughout their lives. As they grew and matured, their motivation for providing service changed to an inner desire to help others.

As we too have begun to ask this question around our table, we have seen a dramatic change.  Are there still squabbles?  Yes!  But with gentle reminders, there IS a greater desire for every member of our family to think less about ourselves, and think a whole lot more about others!

It truly is the key to happiness.

Our In-house New York Deli

You know how this season can be crazy!

We found ourselves at Winco late, late, late, and what was I to do since we were determined NOT to eat out again?

Answer:

A loaf of fresh baked bread, a bag of pre-shredded slaw, and some peppery pastrami.

Result:
Hot Pastrami Sandwiches, Sweet & Crisp Coleslaw, and Crunchy Sour Kosher Dills.

 

 

And I ended up with one happy family!

I'll post the recipe for this super-simple weeknight meal on our food blog...soon.

Until then, look, read, be hungry, and then invent something incredibly yummy in your own kitchen!

I can't wait to read all about it...

Homemade Butter...

Isabella's class has been reading "Little House in the Big Woods", and per tradition her class held their annual "Little House Luncheon"!

 In keeping with the theme, each student also participated in aunique Secret Santa Gift Exchange.  What made it so special, was that the gift had to be homemade and in keeping with something you would give or receive in "Little House" times.  Isabella chose to make this baby doll quilt for her friend Kayliegh!

 They dined from pie tins filled with Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, slaw, and cornbread, and drank apple cider from glass jars. 

They even made fresh homemade butter and apple sauce for the feast!

 

No meal is complete with out dessert!  And this meal was no exception with fresh fruit and cream and an assortment of sugar and gingerbread cookies!

 

 With full tummies they came together for stories and a rousing sing-a-long!

 

 We are so grateful for wonderful teachers who make learning come alive!  This was a really special activity, and it's one I know Isabella will never forget.

Now I'm anxious to make homemade butter myself...

Ice, Ice, Baby!

Being the Californians that we are, Christmas traditionally arrives with crisp weather against a backdrop of sunshine and blue skies.  We took heart though when we heard the temperature was going to drop overnight to below 30 degrees and that there may even be...snow?

Sure enough, the next morning was positively...

Magical!

 

The night prior Samuel wrote a note to the kids leaving instructions for them to look outside the back door for a surprise.  What they found was a small bowl filled with water-now frozen ice-and four quarters!

 

After some enthusiastic stabbing with forks...

 

The coins were released!

 

And the ice made for some crunchy-though extremely unsanitary-snacking!

Owen was oblivious to the ice-skapades (is that a pun?  Or even a word?), and busied himself with trying to put on stockings for socks!

It was quite the challenge, but all in all a success!

Happy Snow Day!

Merry Christmas!

 Yes, Iris isn't smiling and Gabriel is crying...

but we love you and want to wish you a...

 Merry Christmas!

Cocoa Meringues, Dark Chocolate-dipped Orange Biscotti, & Fudgy Brownies...

Every year we hold an annual cookie exchange with Samuel's side of the family.  It's very traditional, and all the classic cookies and treats are covered.  You can always count on an excellent Butter Nut Ball, a moist Peanut Butter cookie, and some amazing Toffee and Peanut Brittle.

Yum! 

Last year, we instituted the tradition with my side of the family and I love it because it's more of a wild-card affair, with everyone taking the opportunity to try new recipes.  There's tons of sampling, and because we hold it at 11:00 AM, it's basically lunch for the day!

Do you hear my kids complaining?

  

Grandma Rose & Gabriel

 

 Great-grandma Lopez surrounded by her great-grandbabies:

Clockwise from top left: Iris, Ava, Taylor, Gabriel (love that smile!), Isabella, Jacob, Lola, & Owen

What a great opportunity for our family to come together in a warm and toasty kitchen to laugh, to remember, and to love!

When was the last time you ate a cookie AND shared a hug?

Try it!

It makes all the difference!

Cookies or Santa? Santa or Cookies?

 Our girls school held it's second annual Winter Sing and I have nothing but high praises for the principal and staff!  Those kids belted out some fabulous Christmas songs and all in under 30 minutes! 

Woo hoo!

 Enjoying the view from the cheap seats

(i.e. standing and far, far away!).

 

 Isabella

 

 Ava

 

 Refreshment time!

 

 We would have been out the door in under an hour (a record as far as school functions go), but blast it all this year Santa came to visit!  I was a mean, mean momma and told the kids you either stand in the cookie line or the Santa line-but not both! 

Isabella chose Santa while the others positively gorged themselves on cookies!

 

Alright I caved!

We did hide one cookie and cup of hot chocolate from Owen so Bella could enjoy them too!  Secretly I'm thrilled she chose Santa over treats.

At eight years old she still believes...

and don't we all?

It begins...Achievement Days!

Look at the smile on this girl! 

She is loving that her first Achievement Days is only moments away.

 

 It was something to watch my baby girl kiss me good-bye to attend her first meeting.  I know it won't be long before Samuel and I will be juggling who's where and when, so this really is the beginning of...well, not the "end", but the beginning of the "beginning"!  What can I say?  It's late and I'm feeling nostalgic!

After the meeting, she was bubbling with excitement from all the fun she had.  They made chocolate dipped pretzels and a craft, and even had a white elephant gift exchange too.  Her sisters were wild with envy and can't wait to turn eight as well!

We love you Isabella!  And we are so excited to see you grow in the gospel!