Día de los Reyes Magos

The 3 Kings come for Christmas to our house.

Sweetheart served an LDS mission in Spain, and I served in Panamá.

Part of the countries' traditions are the 3 Reyes Magos (the 3 Wise Men.)

We decided that the 3 Kings would come to our home instead of Santa.

For the first time we celebrated on Three Kings' Day.

On January 6 is the Day of Epiphany.

The 3 Kings came to bring gifts to the Christ Child 

after Mary and Joseph left the stable.

In Mexico and Spain, children put out their shoes the night before 

in hopes that the 3 Kings will come.  

The 3 Kings showed up and brought small treats to the children in the house.

Hurricane was very eager to wake up in the morning to see if the Kings had come.

In preparation, the boys wrote a note and prepared treats 

for the Kings and their animals.

The left note reads:

Thank you Three Kings.

There is cake and choclate milk in the frige.

Have some Joe-Joe's

and the water for your camels.

The right note reads:

1. Travel

2. Open door

3. Fill shoes

4. Repeat

5. Eat

6. Go

I are grateful for the example of the 3 Kings.

In my belief, they studied, pondered, and knew that a Savior would be born. 

They took action to follow the impressions they had to go on a journey to find him.

To travel as they did, they had money, intelligence, and most likely influence.

They didn't turn away when they saw where Jesus was living and gave freely of their gifts.

 

The Kings' example shows me their willingness 

to put their talents, things, and time to bless the Christ Child regardless of the sacrifice.

I can follow their example and use my talents, things, and time to do the same.

New Year's Bowling

We bowled as is our New Year's Day tradition.

They boys remembered and reminded us  that we needed to go.

Biggest accomplishment is that EVERYONE got a STRIKE!

The other event highlights were that there was no crying, vomiting, or pooping.

Another amazing part is that we've recorded our tradition for the 7 previous years!

 Bowling 2015  

Bowling 2014

Bowling 2013 

Bowling 2012 

Bowling 2011

Bowling 2010 

Bowling 2009

Happy New Year!

We spent the evening with friends until a New York Midnight

and returned home for our own party.

 The boys were given 3 sparklers.

The first one was to think of something sad or disappointing for 2015.

As they waved their sticks around, they shouted to the wind.

The second sparkler was for a triumph for the year.

What they mentioned were current happiness.

They lived in the immediate moment.

Lastly we asked them to think of things they hoped for 2016.

They said sweet things like accomplish a goal they have together

and to have our family matched through adoption.

We are looking forward to 2016 with all of its hoped for blessings!

Christmas Eve Nativity

On Christmas Eve, two families joined us for supper, traditions, and the Nativity.

Each family shared a family tradition.

Our family shared enchiladas and Christmas pie.

The other families shared singing carols and reading a Christmas story.

Each family has 3 sons that were in Joy School together.

We thought they would be great wise men. 

They were so happy to show their wise skills.

 

Hurricane reprised his role as the Angel of the Lord.

He wasn't quite as reverent this time

and was thrilled to climb on the half wall.

He fits perfectly between the ceiling and the ledge.

Gingerbread Cookies

When we went to Nauvoo, we got gingerbread cookies at the Scovil Bakery.

They were really yummy, and I wanted to make them at home.

Every Christmas my Mom would make Gingerbread Cake 

served with applesauce and whipping cream. 

One year she decorated a wooden Christmas tree 

with Gingerbread Men as ornaments for people to eat.

We made them for the Thanksgiving feasts at school 

and then again at Aunt Jill's house when we visited.

Here is the recipe:

Gingerbread Cookies
Recipe from the Scovil Bakery, Historic Nauvoo

In a small bowl, whisk together:
2 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. cloves
2 1/4 tsp ginger

and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together:
3/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup molasses
1 1/2 cups sugar.

then,
1/2 cup hot water.

In a separate bowl, combine:
6 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
the spices mixture prepared above,

then add this mixture to the wet ingredients. Add more flour if the dough is too sticky.

Refrigerate overnight.

Roll out dough on floured surface. Use cookie cutter to cut out cookie shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes for soft cookies; 9-10 minutes for crisp cookies.

Notes: Cookies freeze well and are softer and more flavorful after freezing. Also spraying the mixing bowl with Pam before adding the ingredients help the dough not to stick.

Pie Party

 We prepared for the Pie Party this last week.

On Friday, Hurricane said he didn't feel very well. I thought he wanted to stay home and help make pies. He went to school and after school we took him temperature - 101.6. He went to bed and wasn't allowed out or around any of us. His fever broke the morning of the Pie Party and hasn't returned. He reported that he only ate 4 pieces of pie and loved running around the backyard with friends.

Hurricane enjoyed being at the Pie Party and "set up" the table and pies at 10 am. When told he couldn't bring the pies out until 4:45, he asked how many hours until the event. We worked on telling time. He didn't report on how many pies he ate but made sure he had the first piece of Grasshopper Pie.

Previous to the Pie Party we made a list of pies we would make. The goal was to make 12 pies. Normally I make 36 pies. I made 15 different kinds of pie. We had 6 whole pies for left overs which Lance shared with people today after church.

On Veterans Day, I asked for the youth to come and help me clean our house and yard. Eight youth came and cleaned the inside and the outside of our home which took a huge burden off me to have a clean space ready for Saturday.

My college roommate traveled from Phoenix to come to the Pie Party. She has usually lived in Japan, Washington State, or Oklahoma. We are so thankful for all the people who came and shared their yummy food and friendship.

Ice Cream Tradition

We were given the idea to go for ice cream

after school on the first day.

We have continued this tradition.

The boys are thrilled every time.

We went to a new place this year - Baskin Robbins.

*****

Dairy Queen 2014

Dairy Queen 2013

Sparklers

The 4th of July is complete with sparklers.

Jilli loves sparklers. She keeps them on hand for lots of things - any celebration!

We bought some to share with the family.

The boys loves to write their names, pretend to have swords, 

and starting the sparklers themselves.

Underfoot posed for many shots. 

This one is his Obi Wan Kenobi.

This one is his dance move.

He doesn't know about Saturday Night Fever yet.

He looks pretty awesome!

Hurricane has proven how he likes to light sparklers.

He was the first one in line.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Train and Family Pictures

Grandpa, Grandma, Sweetheart, Auntie M, Beck, Noodles, CF, Uncle A Missing: Mama Jane

The family reunion had a train stop this year.

The parents and siblings gathered to pose.

The patriarch loves trains like his father before him.

The rest of the family gathered to show how the family has grown.

We have a pretty merry bunch.

And the bonus is most looked at the camera.

The train stop was scheduled to take 15 minutes.

One hour later we were climbing into the cars again to go to Hoover Dam.

Hurricane follows the tradition of loving trains.

He wanted to take pictures of everyone as well.

He settled for me taking his picture.

He then recruited to have his picture taken with others.

The boy cousins climbed all over, under, and through as many trains as they could.

They eventually tired and just sat.

The Brain wanted to find his own way.

He didn't want his picture taken

but paused long enough when his name was called.

Hurricane consented to have his picture taken with me.

We were told to make a funny face.

I insisted we have buddies for everywhere we went. 

The buddy he picked didn't stay with him so by default I was his buddy.

He didn't like it at first and warmed up to the idea.

Egg Roll

My parents started a tradition of rolling eggs.

After the eggs were dyed and the meal eaten, 

we'd go to the driveway and roll our favorite egg. 

 

The rules would change from year to year.

One year you could roll your egg

until the shell broke then you were eliminated.

One year we got really adventurous

by climbing the hill in the backyard.

All the boiled eggs blew up going down the hill.

We started last year rolling eggs.

Hurricane insisted they by colored before rolling them.

They dyed their eggs and called their cousin via FaceTime

to roll eggs with them.

I'm nostalgic and like to remember to build

from the good memories for our future.

Bowling

Bowling is on January 1.

Every year we go.

We invited the Romney family to join us.

Bowling allies don't open here until noon.

Underfoot is starting to notice that not all things are fair.

He wanted to win. He did okay and even got a strike!

Hurricane got 2 strikes.

He had a lot of fun.

After we were done,

we got flu shots and went to see

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

*****

Bowling 2014

Bowling 2013 

Bowling 2012 

Bowling 2011

Valentine's Day Etiquette Dinner

We were given a new idea to have an etiquette dinner for Valentine's Day.

We had a four course dinner - soup, salad, main course, and dessert.
 

The boys had fun with the goldware and glasses.

This way we all can practice on our table manners.

By dessert, the tired monkey hit, 

and the boys were ready to move on to bed.

We used our own asparagus that we grew.

Grandma's Cookie Tins

The film canisters remind me of cookies not movies. 

My great-Grandma Melba used them.

Then my Gamma Rae used them.

Then my Mom.

And now us!

We store cookie and muffins in the tins.

The large cookies were shared at the Pine Wood Derby for our pack.

The Cub Master shared the recipe.

The boys enjoy the cookies and here are some pictures of them.