Christmas 2012

This year, Christmas Eve was quieter than expected.  Caleb, Kacey and Reyna were expected to fly into Boise on 12/20/2012, however due to issues with the flights, they did not make it as scheduled.  That meant we only ended up with Chase with year.  We ventured to Mark's parent's home for our traditional Christmas Eve festivities.  We had dinner, then this year due to all the changes in plans and only having Chase we decided to stay for the live nativity put on by kids, the talent show and the visit from a special someone.  We didn't do our traditional opening of one present on Christmas Eve (it is always pajamas and Chase found and opened them the day we bought them and has been wearing them for weeks and we weren't going to buy him another pair) and we didn't drive around looking at lights, as we had done it a few times this past month. It was one of Chase's favorite things to do this season (he also discovered his love for hot chocolate)

Than it was off for home to go to bed.  It was an early night and a late morning, as Chase was not completely aware of how things work (thank goodness for one more year of sleep).  He went downstairs finally to get a cookie for breakfast and had quiet a surprise when he saw what he had been asking for for months...slinky dog.  He yelled out, "I told you so".  He just knew he was good enough that Santa would bring him what he wanted.  Then it was off to pick up the girls to bring them back and start opening presents.  Everyone got quite a loot this year.

(Chase wanted me to take a picture of his "family")

After a lovely day, we had a nice Christmas dinner with ham, asparagus, rolls, twice baked potato casserole and chocolate cake for dessert.  We played for family games awaiting the arrival of Kacey, Caleb, and Reyna.  Unfortunately we soon learned that yet again there were issues with their tickets and they would not arrive to us until December 27, 2012...a whole week later than expected.  As a result, we have changed all our plans for this winter break and instead of traveling to Seattle for the New Year, we will be celebrating with all 8 of us with fondue, family and fun.  Stay tuned for more info on that.
Lucky for us, Christmas did turn out to be a white one, so it ended with some snow fun...

Snow day

On Sunday we awoke to a little trace of snow outside.  Chase was beyond excited and wanted to play in it in his pajamas.  I found a pair of snow pants (that were way too big) but Chase was so excited to put them on.  then he asked if his "babies" could play outside with him and how could I say no to such a sweet request (especially when I didn't want to go outside, Mark was sicker than a dog and no other kids were with us that day).  Mark told him they would get wet and dirty and he had to leave them inside and he made it clear, "my mom said I could".  Outside he went and had a good time.  Those "babies" also known as his Yo Gabba Gabba dolls were in the snow, then on the teatherball and all over the yard until Chase was done playing.  The babies got in the bath (laundry) and things were all good for everyone.  

Gingerbread houses-tradition

Since I was a kid, our tradition was always to assemble and decorate a gingerbread house.  I have carried on this tradition to my kids and this year was no different.  We did decide to build one night and decorate the next, which allowed for drying time and less frustration.  

Madeline busy decorating

her finished product

Chase certainly had an opinion of what he wanted.  Pretty good for his first year of a house all his own.

This picture does not do justice of how many chocolate santas are plastered to the roof.  I can't even begin to tell you how many went into his mouth while he was busy doing it all by himself.  He wanted all the frosting and to just be left alone.  He is so independent these days...

 Cassandra is getting to be a professional after all these years :)

 What did I tell you...professional quality

Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims

Hearing all about the lives lost last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. is tragic.  Bad things happen in life, but people don't expect bad things to happen to young children.  I came across this picture on a friends blog and it just struck me as a little peace and comfort through hard times.  

Chase's birthday

Chase is very much into pirates, specifically Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  He requested a Jake cake a long time ago, and despite my great attempts, never changed his mind.  I searched store after store hoping someone made a Jake cake, which would let me off the hook, but no luck.  I then began searching the Internet until I found one that met little man's approval.  Then my anxiety began of how I would be able to recreate such cake.  Well, here it is.  A  pirate ship with all the characters.  He enjoyed it, but not as much as the pirate boat he opened right before the cake was brought out.  He has played (by himself) for hours since getting the pirate ship present.  I love listening to him pretend and use his imagination during play.    

 This was nap time.  He had opened a few early presents from family members and got some Cars toys.  We put them all in a container so he could play with them all in one place and he actually fell asleep playing with them.  He didn't want to stop playing or let them out of his sight.   

phone photos

 I decided it was about time I took the photos off my phone and blogged them.  They are random shots from all over.

Cassie on her first day of 7th grade-August 2012

Madeline on her first day of 4th grade-August 2012

Chase with Grandpa Palfreyman's horse, Empress.  Riding grandpa's horse is so much fun, however due to my severe allergic reaction to horses, it is a big production to allow the kids to go.  I get a reaction just by being at the farm, so we have to drive in separate cars, wrap kids in blankets so their clothes that touch the horse doesn't touch the fabric of our seats, laundry immediately, etc.  But they LOVE it!-December 2012

 Chase on the horse-December 2012

 Chase on the ferry boat in Seattle Washington.  He loves being on the boat and feeling the air-August 2012

 I just decided to go back to my natural dark hair.  Sort of a shocker, but it grew on me pretty quickly. December 2012 

Kids in line for the rocket ship ride at Disneyland-October 2012 

 More horse time with Chase, dad and grandpa-December 2012

 Cassie getting some time on the horse-December 2012

 Isn't that the life...Chase doing all the work while the girls pose for pictures-December 2012

 Madeline's horse time-December 2012

Chase thinking its party time while getting our flat tire fixed.  What is better than popcorn, soda, a dancing dog and hanging out with mom while at a tire store.-November 2012

 Navy museum in Washington-July 2012 

 Museum-July 2012

 Goofing off at the museum-July 2012

Museum-July 2012

 Pumpkin patch petting zoo-October 2012

Pumpkin patch/corn maze-October 2012 

 Pumpkin patch/Corn Maze-October 2012

Our little pirate

Chase is big times into pirates.  He watches them on TV, he plays pretend daily, he has to have his hook or his sword daily with him where ever he goes.  He tells you to "give me your gold" as he holds his sword to your back.  He wants nothing more than to live the life of a pirate.  Thought you might enjoy some pictures of our little pirate man.  

new creations

Here are a few of the things that have been taking up some of my time. 

I am not a good bread maker.  Something about me and yeast do not work well together.  it doesn't matter how easy and fool proof the recipe is, I can not seem to make good bread, rolls, etc.  IT is always so dense.  Well, I found this recipe, and although I don't do well, I always give it a try because some day I hope to conquer my aversion to yeast and bread making.  Well, this recipe says you mix yeast, flour and water together.  Then you let it sit all night long and then bake it.  It is supposed to be dense bread, so it is a perfect recipe for me.  I have made it now a few times and its my type of bread.  Well, I decided to get creative with it and I added some roasted garlic, rosemary and cheese.  

 Then I covered it and let it sit on the counter over night until I was ready to bake it.

Then I turn it out onto the counter while my pan is getting hot.  

Here is my finished product.  We ate it on Thanksgiving with our spinach dip.  It was very good if I do say so myself.  

 Here is my other Thanksgiving weekend project.  I new quilt I did.