Christmas 2013

My new KitchenAid.  I like red.

I was going to make a blog with our favorite family recipes and show a picture of everything our family makes with the mixer...but, time and energy got in the way.

This was the first thing made, I think, with this mixer.  Ginger crinkles.

Andy's favorite cookies ever.

 Ginger crinkles and M&M cookies

 First year in the past 12 years, I think, that we didn't get a tree in the mountains.

We realized that Anthony's body does NOT do well with snow and cold.

He gets a fever trying to regulate his body to a normal temp.

And, my hip was having issues.

So, we bought a tree at Fred Meyer.  Perfect tree.

We had it by our front door for a week, waiting for a time when our whole family could be here to get it decorated together.

Finally one night a week before Christmas, Andy was at work, but we realized it was never gonna happen if we didn't make it happen.

Josh went out to trim the trunk with a saw.

Our great neighbor saw Josh working so hard and brought his power saw over to help.

(Josh didn't know that Andy had one downstairs)

They all helped get the tree centered and secured.

 Can't be Christmas season (or any other for that matter) without cookies being made almost daily.

 Kelly and some friends went on a triple date, ice skating then hot chocolate at our house after.

They had fun just visiting over hot chocolate.

 CHRISTMAS MORNING

 Daniel came over.

 Superman shirt

 Maze ball

This was used by almost everyone on Christmas Break.  :)

 Kelly made me hot pads in the shape of cherry pies.  :)

 Andy holding his helicopter dear.

 Daniel took a nap after all the excitement wore down.

 Flying the helicopter

 Taking Daniel's glasses away

 Lilly's hot Cheetos

She loves them!

Anthony's Performance

Anthony's preschool did their Christmas performance, and he participated!

He didn't stay with the class like he was supposed to, but he knew the motions and the songs!

And, he claimed everyone's attention.  :)

Here's one of the songs they did.

More December 2013

More selfies on the web cam.

 To renew our foster care license, we had to get the dog and cat up to date on their vaccinations.

Anthony cried the whole time.

He sympathy-cries, which means when anyone else is sad or crying or he thinks they should be, he will cry just as much or more.

 We got to go help my Uncle Walt and Aunt Effie decorate their tree a couple weeks ago.

That was fun, especially since we hadn't gotten our tree yet.

It was a great way to get into the spirit of the season.

 Blurry, but I love this one.

 Giving me the camera face while having fun with Aunt Effie.

 What a cool tree!

 Andy helping Maggie string garland.

 Hanging with Uncle Walt.

 Anthony's therapy center has a yearly ice skating party.

This was our first year going.

I was too nervous about his poor circulation to let Anthony skate and get too near the ice, so he and I just watched the older kids skate.

When Anthony gets cold or just chilly, he gets a fever trying to regulate his temperature back to where it should be.

After we got home, I realized that I could've dressed him in a snowsuit.

 They all entertained Anthony through the glass each time they skated by.

He loved that.

And, some friends did the same.  :)

 Kelly saw a girl who could use some help, so she spent most of the time helping her skate.

 Maggie made some spritz cookies, and bathed them in chocolate sauce.  

We went to a Christmas dinner at church, and while I was explaining to the people at my table that Anthony is now potty trained (with the exception of when he's at school), he soaked his pants IN MY LAP.

Ironic.

Anthony and I went with my friend and two of her girls to Burger King.

They played for almost 3 hours!

At the end, they went into these high chairs because it was fun?