Gingerbread House

Riah & Emma have both asked me about gingerbread houses this year. "Mom it's our tradition, we have to do it". Ummmm.....last year was the only year we have done it, where's the tradition in that? Oh well, it's still fun but that candy can add up. Last year I decided that buying a kit was much cheaper than buying all that candy. So I told the girls that I wasn't sure if we would make a gingerbread house this year because the candy is just so darn expensive (I know I sound like such a mean mom but gotta watch the bottom line ya know). But little did they know that I had planned all along that after Christmas I would go and find one for 1/2 off and I knew I would find it too. Two days after Christmas, Wal-mart had a TON of them 1/2 off and I bet if I go in a few more days they will have them 75% off, maybe I'll have to stock up at that price. So I surprised the kids Monday morning with a gingerbread house. They were so excited! The candy actually did end up on the house too. It was fun and now I guess the new tradition will have to be making the houses after Christmas. Although, if they go on a 75% off clearance sale, I just might have some for before Christmas next year. I'll keep you posted.

I was going to include pictures but it seems they may have been lost....darn digital cameras :(((

Update: Hey guess what, PTL, my pictures were recovered!!!! For your viewing pleasure :))

OK, eating the candy is half the fun, right?

love those little finger ;)

Christmas Eve

We have always tried to find the "perfect" Christmas Eve tradition and last year I think we finally found it. Crab & Shrimp feed. I buy an over abundance of crab and shrimp and we enjoy the best meal of the year.

On the menu this year:
Whole Dungeness
Crab Clam Chowder
Shrimp WonTons
Fried Shrimp
Baked Potatoes
And lots of memories!

This year when we went up to Seattle (I'll write about that later) we had dinner at the Crab Pot which gave us the idea to do this at home. We covered our table with butcher paper, handed out mallets and personal size boards (hand made by DH), threw the food on the table and everyone just had at the crab, hammering away. It was so fun and definitely our new Christmas Eve tradition.



Doesn't that look just delish.....

Emma doesn't care for the crab but Riah seemed to really enjoy it this year. I'm not sure about Sarah though, she just kinda picked at everything. John's mom and brother joined us this year, I think they thought we were completely out of our gourds, LOL.

After we stuffed our guts full of the best seafood we headed out to our new church, Calvary Chapel Lebanon's Christmas Eve service and celebrated our Savior's birth. What a humbling truth, our God, in the flesh, Jesus Christ came here to live amongst wretched sinners so that you and I could be saved from death and destruction. That, my friends, is.......

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Have you put your full faith and trust in Jesus?

For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Photography

New Photography pricing:

$125 for a session of approx 2 hours with a result of approx 200 pictures. You will have approx 20 pictures edited with full printing rights. You will have your photos back to you within 2 weeks of your shoot. This price is for one family, if you desire to have more families (i.e. extended families) the price will be on a case by case basis. A $50 deposit is required upon booking. The price of $125 does include a USB flash drive so if you have a flash drive you would like to use I will take $15 off the price. In Him!

Blogging vs. Facebook

I just read a blogger post about how they hate Facebook because no one ever blogs anymore. I think this might be my claim here too. I can't archive my facebook profile into a book and I think that's what I miss the most. One of Emma's Christmas presents this year was putting her blog into a book and she completely loved it. I have lost an entire year of our families lives because of Facebook. At this time in our lives (because of our church move) I'm not sure if I want to be done with facebook but I think blogging will take the priority over it.

vs.

Which one is your favorite? Where can I find you most often?

My life line

How do I get through my days??? Well #1 is my Lord and Savior Jesus (you should try Him sometime, He's great) but #2 (and a close 2nd at that) is.......


My flavor of choice is Peppermint Mocha (which I have to stock up on since it's only seasonal) and Special Dark Chocolate syrup. Oh that is so yummy. What is your flavor of choice?


I know I haven't blogged for awhile but I have missed it so much and really desire to try to get back to it. Here is my first attempt. They may be short and sweet but at least it's here.

Family Photo Sessions

It is close to the holiday season and as most of you know, I have been praying about starting my own photography business. So here is the holiday deal I have for you and your family. I will spend a morning/afternoon with your family where I usually take upwords of 200 outdoor photos and in the end you will end up with a CD with all your pictures and a few (5-10) edited for you to use as your family Christmas picture all for $35. Send me an email or call me (541) 259-4249 to make arrangements. My time is filling up fast.

I know I'm supposed to discourage it but boy is it cute.........

Leah sucking her thumb