Bits and Pieces of December

I start the month right by sharing lunch with some wonderful friends in Carol's home, something we don't get to do as often as we should.

Me (holding Natalie's beautiful baby), Debby, Jenn, Vick, Carol & Kirsten

(photo taken by Natalie)

Our Kris-Approved Christmas tree 
Before

After!

Jensen, Frausto, Harmon & Co. Christmas Party  

Great company and yummy food at Julio's!

A little bit of snow early in the day December 23rd makes it feel like Christmas is really coming!  We have laughed over the years about how everything in El Paso shuts down when there is a dusting of snow. This time it isn't so funny.....

Sonja and I are excited about being able to see the Moscow Ballet perform The Nutcracker at the Plaza Theater tonight. Sadly, the performance is cancelled because of the 
(not inclement) weather.

Christmas Eve Magic!

Sonja makes sure the luminarias are set up properly

Kris helps Sonja put her ornaments on the tree

The missionaries join us for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of tamales, rice and beans. Some people aren't willing participants when it comes to wearing the hats found in our English crackers. I wonder if Santa notices things like that.....

The tamales - representing the humble birth of our Savior, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Made by Juliet and Francine. Perfection.

Mmmmmmm, yum ~ Tres Leches Cake! 

I love the recipe Ayrel gave me - this is the first year I've made it myself, and loved how easy it was and that I didn't have to spend $27 at the Mexican bakery for it!  Elder Robison is the lucky winner of the Almond Gift - a Hickory Farm gift box. He doesn't seem to mind that one bit.

The Elders also seemed happy to share the tradition of opening one present with us on Christmas Eve. Boy, were they surprised when they received pajamas!!!

And the winner of the best pair of pajamas is:

TA DA!

Moi! 

Aren't they a hoot??! Thank you, Sonja!

Luminarias - lighting the way for the Christ Child

Christmas Morning

We are finally able to entice Kris downstairs by 8am to see what Santa has delivered ~

 

He's a pretty jolly fellow

And seems very pleased with his gifts from Santa

As well as all the other good gifts he receives!

Fancy footwear for the morning festivities:

Chia is dressed for the occasion, but sleeps through it all

Danish Puff - Before

Danish Puff - After

Well, really, "after" is just crumbs. And happy tummys.

After a low-key and relaxing morning we leave for our 11:30 Sacrament meeting. The music is divine, led by guest conductor Curtis Treadway. The talks are meaningful and interesting, and help us remember why we celebrate Christmas. The chance to mingle a while after with good friends is a treat. 

We are visited by Leah and her two kids with their Christmas presents - 2 adorable puppies, who run and tumble all over our house. Now it really feels like Christmas, with children and puppies underfoot!

We eat a simple dinner of ham, mashed potatoes and salad.

Scott & Mary Louise stop by on their way home from where they had Christmas dinner.

We get to talk to all of our children and mom during the day.

It's another perfect Christmas.

December 26

We arrive at the Hallmark store at exactly 9:30. There are a few people ahead of us, and I think they have caught on to our technique, but we still manage to find some great ornaments. The store owner recognizes us. Gee, I wonder why!

Star Trek ~ Kris' choice (well, it is chosen for him since he didn't want to come with us, but he is pretty happy about it!)

25 Days of Christmas ~ Sonja's choice

The Peanuts Gang ~ Keven & Laurie's choice


We come home and celebrate with bacon and eggs, cooked up by Keven! 
We go see the new Mission Impossible movie! 
We meet up with friends for what we hope will become a new tradition:

 A desert bonfire under a starry sky!

 Compliments of Jared & Chris Whipple

 Kenzie & Nadine get ready to roast hot dogs

 Enjoying good eats with the Whipples, Pratts & Boushkas

Cheeky Natalia cuddles with Great Grandma Vera

 Vera's famous posole - mmmmmmmm, good!

 Kris gathers firewood to add to the flames

We leave with our stomachs full of warm food, our backs warmed by the dying fire, and best of all, our hearts full of the warmth of the love of good friends.

Welcome To The Windy City

Yesterday we were amazed to see a weather report documenting outrageous winds from southern California through Nevada, Utah and Colorado. We had already heard about 80- and 90-mile per hour winds in Utah. Tanja said shingles were flying off of their roof as she left for work; Sara and Page posted awesome pictures of their neighbor's huge tree that had fallen precisely, landing on all four of their cars.

Soon after, the wind started howling. It woke me up numerous times during the night, which meant I was sleepy all through my 6 am inservice class and had to just power through at the gym. When I arrived home I was grateful to see that we just had some minor branches scattered around the yard and ALL the leaves are off the trees (big hurray, we will only have to rake once!!!). However, Keven called me and asked me to bring my camera to take some pictures at the office.

This is what the lovely wind did to our office:

The southwest corner of the building is where a group of high school kids waits for the bus. Thank goodness this happened in the wee hours of the morning!