Holiday Goodies

We've reached that time of year: when all the good intentions and will power of the entire year give way to the plethora of holiday goodies in our home. To make matters worse, I was out-of-town all of last week, which seemed to compound Heather's baking desires, leading to a slew of fresh treats. If anything, our dentist will be having a merry January, as the season's indulgence catches up to me.

One of the better treats, though, is our annual Gingerbread House. As a child, building the house with my five siblings was a hallmark of the season. Mom would make the House, and we'd spend an evening decorating it with a wide variety of goodies, while clandestinely nicking candy from either other's allotments. Each side of the House had a unique style, and over the next few weeks, eaves, shutters, decorations and people would vanish from the House. The season finally culminated in a scene any epidemiologist would find horrific: a group "bashing session" during which my siblings and I would each get sick on stale candy and even staler gingerbread—not to mention whatever germs landed on the sticky exterior of the House during the intervening weeks.

This year, our family did our own Gingerbread House. Hannah is started to get old enough to get into the spirit of the season, and she's always game for any activity which involves a copious amount of treats. The finished product didn't turn out too bad:


Now, if Hannah can go three weeks without picking at it, I'll be seriously impressed.

Thanksgiving Fun

This year we spent the Thanksgiving holiday with Hyrum's family. It was great to see everyone that could make it. As the family gets bigger we may need to start taking our tent with us!

We enjoyed lots of good food and good company. Friday, the women folk traditionally make an early morning run to Jo-Ann Fabrics, this year it happened at 7:30 pm--it included some soul searching, I was trying to resist. Hannah loved playing with her cousin Josh. Every morning when they met in the kitchen she would exclaim, "Josh, Josh . . ." and carry on until some acknowledged his presence. It was as if she wanted to make sure he wasn't a dream. Jonathan enjoyed his bean bag throne we rigged in the kitchen so he could hang out with us with out breaking my back. He just smiled and told us stories when he could get a word in. Family is great. Things aren't always perfect but it's fun to laugh and play.

I miss my parents and sibling terribly but I'm so blessed to have in-laws that treat me as if I am a daughter. It helps so much especially at this time of year. I'm grateful for the opportunity to get to know these people that have spent so much time with my dear Hyrum. I have learned a lot about him and continue to be surprised--for the better. Happy belated Thanksgiving to all of you and I hope you have a Merry Christmas. In all we do may we remember the Lord, his miraculous life and wondrous atonement that makes it all worth while.