So it was our FHE activity last night. Anne and Alicia had so much fun and asked to do it again this morning. Jared even costumized a figure for each person. He is so funny with his "toys".
Wii FHE
Jared and I hit the after-Christmas-sales yesterday and picked out a Wii. Jared has wanted one for a long time for the family. We had some money left over that others had given us for gifts and said it was our valentine's and Anniversary gift too.
So it was our FHE activity last night. Anne and Alicia had so much fun and asked to do it again this morning. Jared even costumized a figure for each person. He is so funny with his "toys".
So it was our FHE activity last night. Anne and Alicia had so much fun and asked to do it again this morning. Jared even costumized a figure for each person. He is so funny with his "toys".
Christmas 2009
The girls went to bed on Christmas Eve after their first gift. The adults decided to start with the rest of their Christmas at a reasonable hour the next day.
Of course we had to get the Jensen traditional stair picture.
Santa bought these umbrelllas for the girls, so we can still walk to the preschool when it is raining to drop off Anne.
As you can see the Little Miss products we very popular in our house this year. They also got a DVD from the series.
Book we the absolute most popular gift given.
Anne picked out all the gifts she gave people by herself. The one she picked out for her daddy made me giggle. He is already moving into the stage of getting socks and ties from his kids.
This was the most hilarious gift of all.
Anne got these two dresses from different people. The cutest thing was that she so willingly let Alicia wear one so she wouldn't feel left out. I have the best girls!!!
Katie's gifts ended up being opened the next day, but she did get this doll from Anne. It is about as tall as she is. More pictures of that to come.
Of course we had to get the Jensen traditional stair picture.
Santa bought these umbrelllas for the girls, so we can still walk to the preschool when it is raining to drop off Anne.
As you can see the Little Miss products we very popular in our house this year. They also got a DVD from the series.
Book we the absolute most popular gift given.
Anne picked out all the gifts she gave people by herself. The one she picked out for her daddy made me giggle. He is already moving into the stage of getting socks and ties from his kids.
This was the most hilarious gift of all.
Anne got these two dresses from different people. The cutest thing was that she so willingly let Alicia wear one so she wouldn't feel left out. I have the best girls!!!
Katie's gifts ended up being opened the next day, but she did get this doll from Anne. It is about as tall as she is. More pictures of that to come.Christmas Eve 2009
Beate was able to spend Christmas Eve with her brother, Oliver. I think that was the best gift she got the whole night. 
The girls were so excited about them and felt like princesses.
Katie even got one on Christmas Eve night from her Gma nd Gpa. She got to wear it at church the next Sunday.
We found these dresses on a wonderful sale and Jared HAD to have them for his girls. He is such a softie when it comes to them.
The girls were so excited about them and felt like princesses.
Katie even got one on Christmas Eve night from her Gma nd Gpa. She got to wear it at church the next Sunday. Each girl got open one gift that night and the adults finished theirs. We had a friend of the family with us and Beate's brother, Oliver with us too. It was the first time in about 30 years that they celebrated Christmas together. I think that was one her favorite "gifts".
The highlight for me was something that Jared did with the help of Richy. They got me the whole Little Miss and Mr. Men book sets that my Grandparents read to me as a little girl. I couldn't believe it!
I even got Jared his motorcycle he has been wanting...just not in the size he wanted it. But it will have place of honor in he desk at work anyway.
Before we went to bed Jared and I called my family on skype to open our gifts from them. My mom had made a quilt for Jared. He had wanted a patriotic one, and since that what my mom made for all her kids she got his done first and brought it with her. He loves it.
The highlight for me was something that Jared did with the help of Richy. They got me the whole Little Miss and Mr. Men book sets that my Grandparents read to me as a little girl. I couldn't believe it!
I even got Jared his motorcycle he has been wanting...just not in the size he wanted it. But it will have place of honor in he desk at work anyway.
Before we went to bed Jared and I called my family on skype to open our gifts from them. My mom had made a quilt for Jared. He had wanted a patriotic one, and since that what my mom made for all her kids she got his done first and brought it with her. He loves it.Cookies and Caroling
There are so many fun cookies that we love to make at Christmas. This year we decided that we would take some and deliver them to people we know. We also added a little caroling into the mix.
It was so fun seeing these three putting it all together and teasing each other. It has been so fun to have everyone here again.
Uncle Richy was so nice to keep Katie warm while we were caroling. Those who were home to get the song and cookies loved it. It was fun for us to be together doing something for others.
It was so fun seeing these three putting it all together and teasing each other. It has been so fun to have everyone here again.
Uncle Richy was so nice to keep Katie warm while we were caroling. Those who were home to get the song and cookies loved it. It was fun for us to be together doing something for others.Early Christmas Gifts
This year, we decided to give mom and dad a couple of early christmas gifts! They arrived in different shapes and sizes and the reactions were incredible! See for yourself:
On Friday, this enormous box was delivered to our home:
On Friday, this enormous box was delivered to our home:
But this was not all! There was even more to come. On the following monday night mom and dad were called in the frontroom ...
Well, we are excited to have these wonderful gifts with us this christmas!
And we don't think that mom will forget this christmas for a while!
Pets
Jared and I decided when we were engaged that would never have any pets. I know that for those who have pets, they are a vital part of their lives. I love animals, but from a distance. The expence, mess and maintanance is just not worth it for us.
We went to a fabulous pet store near us the other day. They have absolutely everything (we may never pay for the zoo again). Anne and Alicia were running around and loving it. I skipped the spider part and looked away at the snake part.
I did love all the furry and cute animals though. Especially the mice. The girls' enthusiam was contageous and they are still talking about it. Thanks Bahnka!!!
We went to a fabulous pet store near us the other day. They have absolutely everything (we may never pay for the zoo again). Anne and Alicia were running around and loving it. I skipped the spider part and looked away at the snake part.
I did love all the furry and cute animals though. Especially the mice. The girls' enthusiam was contageous and they are still talking about it. Thanks Bahnka!!!Christmas Fever
This has been quite a fun December for us. I thought a little entry to sum it up so far would be nice.
We are getting into the Christmas spirit in lots of different ways. This was such a pretty display in the mall.
My wonderful hubby came home from work the other day with an early Christmas present for me...a new Dishwasher!!!!!! Oh, life is GOOD!
Anne and Alicia even made paper chains to count down the days. I forget to have them take one off each day, so they have just become a festive doorframe decoration. I ran out of red paper so half of the link are orange. But luckily they don't know the difference yet. Maybe I'll be better prepared next year. The point is that they loved making them.
Jared got the Muppet Christmas Carol for the girls. So we saved it for 3rd Advent to watch with them. We had the "brilliant" idea to do it all in our room. Here we all are, with our bowls of popcorn, candies, water and tangerines. Well, the girls spent the whole time asking for more food. So after about a half our we kicked them out of our room, put Katie to bed, closed the dooor and finished it ourselves. Oh well. Never doing that again.
We are getting into the Christmas spirit in lots of different ways. This was such a pretty display in the mall.
My wonderful hubby came home from work the other day with an early Christmas present for me...a new Dishwasher!!!!!! Oh, life is GOOD!
Anne and Alicia even made paper chains to count down the days. I forget to have them take one off each day, so they have just become a festive doorframe decoration. I ran out of red paper so half of the link are orange. But luckily they don't know the difference yet. Maybe I'll be better prepared next year. The point is that they loved making them.
Jared got the Muppet Christmas Carol for the girls. So we saved it for 3rd Advent to watch with them. We had the "brilliant" idea to do it all in our room. Here we all are, with our bowls of popcorn, candies, water and tangerines. Well, the girls spent the whole time asking for more food. So after about a half our we kicked them out of our room, put Katie to bed, closed the dooor and finished it ourselves. Oh well. Never doing that again.Saying Good-bye
Becasue we took my mom to the airport a day later, Ray went with me. Jared needed to work. We took Alicia and Katie with us. Alicia didn't enjoy it much. She got bored. I am not sure I will take her on a long drive like that again, without a working DVD player.
It took several tries to get this picture. My camera was acting up.
Katie loved riding in the luggage cart.
I think this was was really the only part about the whole thing that Alicia enjoyed.
I found this one and had to stick it in here. I love how my parents think of Jared as one of their own, not an in-law. He feels the same about them.
It took several tries to get this picture. My camera was acting up.
Katie loved riding in the luggage cart.
I think this was was really the only part about the whole thing that Alicia enjoyed.
I found this one and had to stick it in here. I love how my parents think of Jared as one of their own, not an in-law. He feels the same about them.St. Nikolaus Day
We try to celebrate both the German and American holidays and traditions. This means that December is quite the festive month. On December 6th we had St. Nikolause Tag. This is when the kids put their boots outside the night before and St. Nikolaus comes and put treats in the boots of the good kids and sticks in the ones for the kids that were bad. It was fun to have my mom there that extra day so she could see it. St. Nikolaus came a bit late to us this time. He came while we were eating dinner.
Here is Jared explaining it to the girls before they put their boots out.
We actually used Alicia's boots because Anne doesn't have any yet.
They got these fun hats and a game. Also some chocolate and tangerines. They loved it all. The game is the favorite. It is a great way to teach them the names of all the baby animals.
Grandpa had fun too! We took about 20 pictures of him with these hats, just doing one goofy thing after another.
Here is Jared explaining it to the girls before they put their boots out.
We actually used Alicia's boots because Anne doesn't have any yet.
They got these fun hats and a game. Also some chocolate and tangerines. They loved it all. The game is the favorite. It is a great way to teach them the names of all the baby animals.
Grandpa had fun too! We took about 20 pictures of him with these hats, just doing one goofy thing after another.This is a conversation at the dinner table while we waited for St. Nikolaus to come.
Grandpa: So who is coming tonight?
Anne: Mickey Mouse.
Anne: Mickey Mouse.
I guess they sounds similar.
Grandma Time
This is just a combination of random pictures from my mom's trip. I love this one because it was taken on her first night here. It shows how quickly the girls warmed up to her.
Katie loved just sitting with her Gma and cuddling. Especially when she was sick, like in this picture. She looks so big in this one.
My Gma had sent some beautiful angels with my mom for the girls. She had crocheted them all for each girl. So we took some time to cover them in fabric stiffener and I am going to hang them over each girl's bed.
Katie loved just sitting with her Gma and cuddling. Especially when she was sick, like in this picture. She looks so big in this one.
My Gma had sent some beautiful angels with my mom for the girls. She had crocheted them all for each girl. So we took some time to cover them in fabric stiffener and I am going to hang them over each girl's bed.
Christmas Market
One of the things my mom wanted to see while she as here, was the local Christmas Market. Here are some fun pictures of it.
This man said his dog's name was Rudolf. It was such a fun day with just me and my mom. Can't remember the last time that has happened. Thanks to my wonderful husband.
This man said his dog's name was Rudolf. It was such a fun day with just me and my mom. Can't remember the last time that has happened. Thanks to my wonderful husband.Gingerbread House
I found a fun little gingerbread house kit and had to buy it. I thought it was a great activity for the girls to do with my mom, since we were looking for fun, inexpensive things to do at home.
I am a strong believer in couples doing creative things of any sort together. These are some of my favorite times and memories with Jared. Even when Jared was helping me prepare my last talk for sacrament meeting it was just as wonderful. There is something about it that just builds your relationship, love and appreciation for each other about doing creative things together.
Puting this house together was a simialr expericene.
We found toothpicks are the best part about building it. Such a good idea.
I tried doing the icing, but soon...
...passed it on to my oh-so strong hubby. I think he secretly had the most fun doing this.
Anne and Alicia both took turns putting the candy on as Jared instructed them. ( Almost half of the candy has since been eaten off by Alicia... she went in time-out for that.)
And here is the finished product. Fabulous, huh!!!!
Of course, we had to show it off to Aunty Kay when she was on skype. We are so proud of ourselves. I think this may become a yearly tradition.
I am a strong believer in couples doing creative things of any sort together. These are some of my favorite times and memories with Jared. Even when Jared was helping me prepare my last talk for sacrament meeting it was just as wonderful. There is something about it that just builds your relationship, love and appreciation for each other about doing creative things together.Puting this house together was a simialr expericene.
We found toothpicks are the best part about building it. Such a good idea.
I tried doing the icing, but soon...
...passed it on to my oh-so strong hubby. I think he secretly had the most fun doing this.
Anne and Alicia both took turns putting the candy on as Jared instructed them. ( Almost half of the candy has since been eaten off by Alicia... she went in time-out for that.)
And here is the finished product. Fabulous, huh!!!!
Of course, we had to show it off to Aunty Kay when she was on skype. We are so proud of ourselves. I think this may become a yearly tradition.Candy Cane Cookies
Another thing on my list to do while my mom was with us, was to make my family's traditional Christmas cookies. They are called Candy Cane cookies. When I was young we would have a huge baking day at my Gma's house with all the aunts and cousins. It would take all day and several dozen tins. We had so much fun. We would make all sorts of cookies, fudges and toffees. I have never made these since we were married. But I wanted Jared and his family to try them. Luckily they were a success.
The girls loved watching and helping Gma put the ingredients in. At one point we thought Anne had put in way to too much almond extract. But luckily someone thought about little girl helpers when they designed the bottle.
Each girl got a chance to cut out shapes in the dough.
They turned out a bit pink instead of red, but they tasted just as wonderful. I had forgotten how good they were. So I decided to share the recipe with you all.
The girls loved watching and helping Gma put the ingredients in. At one point we thought Anne had put in way to too much almond extract. But luckily someone thought about little girl helpers when they designed the bottle.
Each girl got a chance to cut out shapes in the dough.
They turned out a bit pink instead of red, but they tasted just as wonderful. I had forgotten how good they were. So I decided to share the recipe with you all.Candy Cane Cookies:
1 Cup Shortening
1 Egg
1 t. Vanilla
1 cup Powerdered Sugar
1 1/2 t. Almond Extract
2 1/2 cup Flour
1 t. Salt
Red Food Coloring
Sugar, crushed candy canes, or peppermints
Mix together 1st five ingredients. Sift together flour, salt and mix with other ingredients. Divide dough in half and color half red. Roll into strips and then intertwine to make small striped canes. Bake at 375° F for 9 minutes. Cover wtih the peppermints or sugar.
Note: Bring them out of the oven just before they start to brown, so they don't get dry. We found that the canes are very fragile. So we just roll the dough out and use cookies cutters. The kids love helping with that.
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