Christ is in our midst...

Although we have celebrated Christmas this past week with some, we will really celebrate Christ's Nativity on Dec 25th (old calendar) or Jan 7th (new calendar)....so just 10 more days.It's my cute little nephew Isaac's first Christmas...my sister got him some sweaters at H & M (a Swedish clothing company).
We met up with my parents, sisters and cousin's family at Krohn's conservatory. They have a manger with sheep, a donkey and cow...and a sign that says "Keep Christ in Christmas." We went to Andy's Mediterranean Grill for lunch after. My dad used to work for Old World Bakery and deliver pita there. What an awesome place...their homemade pitas are SO good. As we left I saw a shelf of hookahs...glass smoking thingies...all kinds of pretty glass colors: purple, blue, yellow, red. I wish I'd taken a photo of it.
My sister-in-law and I sat and crocheted together, while the kids played. Hannah got Apples to Apples (the kids version)...we ALL like playing it! Olivia got Sorry, which I've played a lot over the past few days. We just completed a snowman puzzle together.

* One more week off work for me, so I'm sewing, baking, scrapbooking, etc. Just enjoying making things. I wish we'd get some good snow...I want to go sledding!

Galya the ballerina

Yesterday after church, we went to see our friend, Galina, who goes by Galya, in the Nutcracker. She was the maid in the beginning, a snowflake, a Spanish dancer, a Chinese dancer, a turquoise flower and one of the pink candy girls. She did a beautiful job! Since she doesn't have any family in town, she gave us tickets...free!

Our front yard...

Some happy snowmen came...it's the perfect packing snow!

Hannah practicing "The First Noel" on Thursday. She's getting better and better.
Have you ever seen an orange butterfly like this?

Festival of Lights

There's a huge Christmas tree at the zoo...Olivia went to take a look at her reflection in one of the bulbs. When I showed her this photo, she was confused "Where are you? I could see YOU" she said to me. Just found this recipe and am hoping to try it out later on today. Those almonds for sale at the zoo were so good $5 (for about a cup) and I didn't have enough cash. Abby, Bethany and Susanna shared with me, though...that was so sweet. We had so much fun with friends from church at the zoo's Festival of Lights!
I'm baking biscotti to give away to people I work with as a Christmas gift. Friday is my last day, then 2 full weeks off. It's nice to work in a school. I do enjoy my job...instilling a love of learning in young minds.

Golden Cornbread {recipe}

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup white flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix together well, then add:

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup oil

Pour into 9 inch square pan and bake at 425 for 20-30 minutes. I like to drizzle honey on top of my piece. It's good with beans or chili. Perfect for a cozy day indoors, when it's cold out.

{first snow}

I was so happy to wake this morning to see a dusting of snow...we put on our boots, hat, mittens, jackets, etc on top of our pajamas and went outside to enjoy the first snow of the season! Before 7am, we had a joyful snowball fight...everyday should start like that.
I'm making some simple ornaments as gifts. Some ice skates with paperclips, too.Making Christmas cards, some with a family photo (to those people who don't do email, mostly, like Aunt Val and Joanne), some just with sparkly gems on felt trees. I like the pink and green together.That's my crocheted version of Sheldon the turtle below...a Christmas gift for someone. I've been working on it while the girls are in karate class. Two 45 minute classes back to back = an hour and a half of crochet time.
Just a few days ago it was sunny and pretty warm...but it's gotten chilly again! I took this photo of Olivia, who last December had baby teeth, lost them in May, was toothless all summer long and finally has her adult teeth...such a sweet smile.Tomorrow we plan to go to see the Egyptian exhibit...the girls are so interested in pyramids and mummies.