Since the girls spent all last week at Holiday Ski Camp, we decided to take a day off skiing and spend it at home taking it easy. The roads are covered with snow from last week's big blizzard, so we had some fun on new sleds from Grandma.
Kirk pulled us down to the lake with the quad. What a beautiful day!
The lake has frozen over and is amazingly clear and smooth. It's like walking on a very large sheet of glass. I wish I had ice skates!
The ice is so clear that you can see everything underneath. The girls found plenty of interesting things, including a fish head and a barrel. It was so amazing!
We spent Christmas Eve on the slopes of Schweitzer. It was a beautiful day and we even saw Santa & Mrs. Claus. Izzy is a little unsure if she wants gifts from this guy.
We tried out a harness on Izzy (thanks Keith & Jenny!) and it worked great. It satisfied her need for independence (‘Do it by MYSELF!’) and our need to keep her from tearing down the hill out of control. She had so much fun, that after a whole day of skiing and no nap, she staged a protest. She laid down right in the middle of the parking lot and refused to go any closer to the car (and thus the end of skiing for the day). I have a great video, but for some reason it won't load.
The older girls all had fun skiing with friends and even skied Jack's dream - a black diamond run they are fond of. All in all, a great way to start the Christmas celebrations!
Several years ago, during the Christmas season, President and Sister Hinckley came to BYU for a musical event. Before the program, there was buffet dinner, and at one point while the men were away from our table, the women began to talk about the frustrations of getting ready for Christmas. Our conversation focused on the fact that everything about the season was becoming a burden for women. We bear the responsibility of selecting gifts, organizing social events, preparing everyone’s favorite food, and making certain that family, guests, and even the less fortunate have a merry Christmas. We felt overwhelmed if not resentful.
Sister Hinckley listened patiently, and then without the slightest edge of criticism in her voice said, “I love Christmas. It is the most joyful of all seasons. I love seeing the eyes of little children light up on Christmas morning. I love giving gifts. I love being with my family. We just need to simplify and remember what we are celebrating.”
After she had spoken, something magical happened. Our attitudes shifted, and we began to talk about the birth of our Savior and the spirit of giving. In the years that have passed since those words were spoken, a burden has been lifted for me during the holidays. As I shop, prepare food, and join with friends and family to celebrate the birth of our Savior, her words nurture and calm me. “I love Christmas,” I hear her say, and I let her teach me to relax and enjoy the season.
This story reminded me how much I love Christmas and how much I enjoy doing all of those things that make it special. It also reminded me that I need to stop getting overwhelmed, keep things simple, be more patient and enjoy the small moments. I love wrapping gifts. I love decorating the tree and the house and putting up our Nativities.
I love the Christmas lights in the windows and the traditions that we have started in our family. I love that my girls spend more time trying to decide what to buy for their sisters than they spend making their own Christmas lists. I love reflecting on the birth of our Savior.
We had lots of great plans to travel to Utah for the Thanksgiving weekend. We were all looking forward to dinner with most of my siblings and their kids, tickets to the Nutcracker, cousin sleepovers, putting together care packages for cousins on missions, humanitarian aid projects, bingo games and probably a late night game of Canasta.
Instead, we found ourselves in the middle of freezing temperatures, closed roads and six days worth of snowstorms in the forecast. We decided to stay home instead of chancing a possibly long and dangerous drive.
We were sad, we were blue, but we found lots to be grateful for. We were invited to Thanksgiving dinner with friends who also changed plans because of the weather. My refrigerator was empty, so I had to do some last minute scrambling to come up with some things to contribute to the dinner. I searched some of my favorite blogs and found some great recipes. We had a really yummy meal. Dawn's turkey was amazingly moist and tasty. Rosalie's rolls were delicious. Here's what I brought (can you tell which part of the Thanksgiving meal I like best?)...
This delicious candied walnut salad from Our Best Bites…
An amazing Key-lime coconut pie from Everyday Food…
This wonderful White Pumpkin Cheesecake turned out creamy and smooth and looked beautiful (also from Our Best Bites)!
From The Pioneer Woman came this great recipe for Pecan Pie. I think it’ll replace that recipe from the Karo Syrup bottle that I have used in the past.
I have always struggled with pie crusts. I have never found a recipe that works consistently for me. Recently a friend recommended this Pie Crust recipe from Martha Stewart. It uses a food processor. I have made it three times now - and each time it has come out well. This recipe may change my pie crust luck.
But the kids always have a good time - despite the spring weather. We have great neighbors who let us use their large yard as the neighborhood Easter egg hunt headquarters. All of the kids' friends come with empty baskets and leave with plenty of candy.
Who knows? Maybe someday we'll actually have some sunshine and get to have a BBQ with our egg hunt!
This Mama says... nativity collection came from my Mom. Each person received a different piece for their Christmas gift. I thought it was a great gift idea and we all love our own special part of the nativity. 
This special nativity was a gift from Aunt Betsy back when Hannah was a baby. It is hand made and so special. The figures have seen lots of love over the years. That's why the shepherd girl doesn't have any hair, the baby Jesus isn't wrapped up quite right and bits and pieces of the clothing has gone missing or been interchanged. It has been well loved and well used. Thank you Betsy!
And finally, the classic Willow Tree nativity. This was our first real nativity set and I still love it.
Wasn't it thoughtful for Santa to bring this gift for Izzy? Pretty soon, I'll have her trained to do all of the housework.
There is always that one gift that takes a minute to appreciate...
And then there were the panties from Mom & Dad. Izzy talked Kirk into putting on four pair before he finally said no (the phrase 'wrapped around her finger' comes to mind). She wouldn't take them off for most of the morning. Maybe someday she'll wear them on the inside (we hope before kindergarten).
We began and ended Christmas with a little sugar. My favorite cake - Chocolate Peppermint Torte. Delicious (if I do say so myself).
Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!
...and some whipped cream (thanks Kirk!).
Just two days till Christmas!
