Christmas 2008

This Picture is what Adam gave to me. It is very special to me because The Mesa Arizona Temple is where we were sealed together as a family, and because 2 very good friends made this picture for me. The photo was taken by Eva Flake and the frame and assembly was done by Rachelle Oram. Thank-You Ladies and Adam, I LOVE IT!!!

Caught in the Act

I got up to get a drink in the middle of the night...

When what to my Wondering Eyes...

I saw St. Nick

He told me to SHHHHHH...and to go back to Bed... BUT.......I had to take another Look...

Again I was told to "GO BACK TO BED"!!!!!

I was so excited due to what I just saw...

I took one more look and I saw him leaving our home!!!!

Getting ready for Santa to Come

We had alot of goodies for Santa to Choose from.....

Making Hot Chocolate for Santa

Leaving out food for the Reindeer, too!!

Christmas Eve At the Laufenberg's

Getting Ready for the Short Family Christmas Party....

These pictures were taken at our house before we left for the party.

This next picture is of all the Grandkids and Grandma Falconer

in their "NEW CHRISTMAS PJ'S"

Top: Porter, Grandma Falconer, Ryan

McKenzie then Morgan

Caleb, Cody who is holding Noah, Meagan

Savannah

Brad is holding little Sydney

Front: Brooklynn

Neighbor Goodie Plates

I wasnt going to do Neighbor Plates this year due to our lack of funds...But I felt bad... I Love giving out plates of goodies...So ....At the last minute we decided that we were going to do Neighbor Goodie Plates... Here is what we made and the recipes if you would like to try them out.

On Tuesday:

We made Chocolate Chip Cookies

(Sorry forgot to take a picture of them)

Our favorite Recipe comes from Julie Turnbow

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup White Sugar

1 Cup Butter Flavored Crisco

2 Eggs

1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

2 1/4 Cup Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Salt

1 1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips

Cream Crisco, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Spoon flour into dry measuring cup. Level off and pour measured flour into seperate bowl. Add soda and salt to flour. Stir to blend.

Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Mix Well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.

We also made Monster Munch Popcorn

This is also another one of our favorite treats.

On Wednesday Morning we made....

Chocolate Mint Cookies

(Recipe is from Melody Williamson)

2 Devils Food Cake Mixes (Duncan Hines)
1 Brownie Mix (the 9x13 size)
3/4 C. Water
3/4 C. Oil
3 Eggs
Ande's Mints (the green and brown ones)

Mix all together( except for the mints) Drop into baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (I guess until they look done) Immediately place 1 Ande's Mint on top. Allow to melt a few minutes then spread it around on top of the cookie. Continue to cool. Store in air tight container. Makes 4-5 dozen.

Santa...Can I PLEASE have......

On Monday Night we took the girls to visit with SANTA...

Morgan asked for a HORSE!!!

McKenzie asked for a Gumball Machine and a Baby Alive goes Bye Bye Doll

Christmas Newsletter

Gingerbread(Graham Cracker) Houses

There are the Gingerbread houses the kids made at School.

Morgan LOST Another Tooth

Morgan lost her 3rd tooth on December 18th!!!

Snow In Queen Creek????

Snow from Grandma Norm....

When we were in Las Vegas at Cowboy Christmas my mom (aka GRANDMA NORM) found a booth that was selling SNOW. She thought it would be a great present for her Arizona Grandkids who seldom get the chance to play in the real stuff. The kids are having such a great time "playing in the snow".

Thanks Grandma Norm !!!!

Vegas Trip

On Wednesday December 10th My Mom, Jamie, Karen, and myself went to Las Vegas to go to the National Finals Rodeo. We had tickets for the Rodeo on Wednesday and Thursday Nights. We had a great time. Below are some of the pictures I took on the trip. My camera wasn't working to well, but I did get a few good pictures. Pictures you won't see are of Cowboy Christmas which is like a big Country Expo. Isles and Isles of everything country. Another thing I didn't get any pictures of was.... On Wednesday night the Rodeo theme was "Tough Enough To Wear Pink". (Breast Cancer Awareness Night) All the Cowboys and Cowgirls, along with About 80% of the audience wore PINK! Behind the shoots, the Saddlebronc Riders, Bareback Riders, Bull Riders, Pick-Up Men, Team Ropers, Calf Ropers, Barrel Racers...EVERYONE IN PINK!!!! It was so cool. There are alot of nice "PINK COWBOY SHIRTS" out there. I bet they raised alot of money for breast cancer awareness that night.

Las Vegas Strip

On the Bus getting ready to go to the Rodeo

We stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton

The Water and Fire Show at Treasure Island

M&M Factory
I brought home M&M Cups and M&M's for all my kids.

Celebrities We Saw

I didn't see John Rich, but my mom and Karen did.
They saw him in the Hotel Lobby of the Hilton as we were checking out on Friday Morning.

We saw Cowboy Troy in the Lobby of the Hilton on Friday morning as we were checking out of the Hilton. I said Hello to him, he smiled and said Hi just in passing.

Ty Murray

Ronnie Milsap who sang ( ) at Wednesday's Rodeo

Charlie Daniels who sang Ghost Riders in the sky at Thursday's Rodeo