Christmas pictures. Hooray!

The Christensen family party every year consists of lost of yummy appetizers, kids decorating Gingerbread houses, exchanging books with their cousins, opening Jammie's from Grandma, and the adults fighting over porta potties. (yeah, I won it!) It was an awesome, fun filled evening and I'm so glad to be family with these wonderful people.

Morgan with her Papa Christensen. All the girls and one Clayton climbed on Papa for a photo op. Aren't they so cute?

Gabe contemplates his next move.

The craziness of having 10 kids 10 and under decorate Gingerbread houses under one roof. I'm just glad it wasn't my roof. Thanks Jeremy and Renae for hosting the Family Party!

Morgan and I made quite the Gingerbread house decorating team.

Chandler's house was moderately decorated. Mostly because I think it all ended up in his mouth. :)

Morgan was very proud of her house. I think she and I got the award for using absolutely ALL of the candy on our plate. I mean it. We were literally throwing it on the house so we could be done.

We spent Christmas Eve with some great friends in our ward. We had delicious Turducken, and a spread the likes of which few have seen. Then the kids exchanged gifts that we had pre-drawn for, and the adults did a Chinese Gift exchange. I walked away with a blow torch. (yeah! I have so been wanting one) and Matt got a gift card to Blockbuster. (sorry Cam and Rosie for stealing from ya!) All in all, it was a wonderful evening. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives.

The kids loved swapping presents with each other. Morgan got a bunch of make-up from Kassidy. And she was so excited!

For the past several months, anytime anyone asked Morgan what she wanted for Christmas, she would answer "a motorcycle, just like Uncle Jeremy!" So when I found this at Walmart the day after Thanksgiving, I knew she just had to have it. Turns out, I'm pretty smart some days. And don't worry, Uncle Jeremy doesn't have a pink motorcycle....Its red.

After the 'motorcycle', everything else was kind of a let down I think. We could've saved a bundle, and just not bought anything else. I don't think she's even noticed her other toys.

Quick treats.

Here's what I made for the kids to give their friends at school today.
REINDEER POOP which was just rasinets. And Melted Snowman with this story attached.

I made myself a snowman
as perfect as can be.
I thought I'd keep it as a pet
and let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas
and a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away,
But first it wet the bed!

Chocolate Covered Cherries and more OH MY!

One of the perks to my mother teaching classes at A&P and my husband being the store's manager? I sometimes get to assist during classes. I assisted mom the other day, and she taught how to make chocolates, caramels, and other sweets. So I came home and totally got into making Chocolate Covered Cherries. Chandler was kind enough to take these shots of me making some, since my hands were all gooped up. It was actually pretty easy, and they taste so yummy. (I've been very grateful for the constant snowfall so I can go out and shovel snow to burn off the sampling you just have to do when your making sweets for others)

So first you make a fondant, roll it into a ball, smash it flat, and then put your cherry in the middle.

Wrap it around the cherry, and seal it up.

I let mine sit overnight in the fridge, so they were good and set, and it also gives the cherry juice time to seep into the fondant, making it soft and gooey on the inside.

After I dip mine in chocolate, I like to drizzle with another chocolate, covering any mistakes I may have made.

Aren't they just calling your name?

These are the plates I made up for my Achievement Day girls and their families. (lucky ducks)

On my plates? Rocky Road, White dipped cherries, Chocolate covered cherries, fake Turtles, and Peppermint Meringue Kisses.

Dear Santa...

The kids wrote their letters to Santa last week. If you look close, you can probably see what they each wrote. I thought it would be fun to capture these shots for the future, so the kids can look back at what they had wanted Santa to bring them for Christmas.

Ballet with Morgan

Morgan's dance studio allows visitors during the first week of each month. The whole family was able to make it in December, so here are the shots from her dancing to a Cinderella story the instructor told as they danced.

This one is Morgan during their stretching. (if you work out at all, you'll recognize the airplane move, which strengthens your core) For 5 and 6 year olds, its just fun to do.

Cake in the face.

It was Chandler's birthday on the 8th, so I made cupcakes to take into his class. Being that I usually have to make 30 or so cupcakes to cover to 5 different teachers he has throughout the day, his classmates, and the office people, I can't make just one package. Chandler wanted chocolate, but I only had one box, so here are the peppermint chocolate cupcakes I made. The frosting was minty, (in a cream cheese butter mint kind of way) and to die for! I just crushed candy canes and sprinkled them on top.For the second box, I grabbed a yellow cake mix, and added some eggnog and rum with some nutmeg for a fun flavor. I did the same with the frosting, then put it on a round plate and decorated it like a snowman head. What do ya think?

There is a third grade teacher who, if you go to her on your birthday, she'll shove your cupcake in your face. I don't get it, but the kids love it, and its tradition. So, here's Chandler's second birthday shot at Knik Elem. with icing all over his face.

Happy 10th Birthday Chandler! (yikes, he's in the double digits!)

Ok, so I am a horrible mother! No big news there. But Chandler's birthday was two days ago, and while we did celebrate, I neglected to blog about the wonderful 10 year old that is my son. So, in his honor, here are some facts about Chandler Scott Stastny that you might not know. Chandler loves zoos. (what kid doesn't, I know) But Chandler REALLY does. First thing upon entering any zoo, he requests a map from zoo workers, and then charts out our route. He knows facts about every single animal in the place. Doesn't matter if we're at the Portland zoo, Hoggle zoo, or our very own Alaska zoo, he knows the proper name for each animal, and can tell you what they eat, who their enemies are, and what color their poop is. (really, he can, but he'll use the word "dung" instead)

Chandler is very strong! Since he was a little guy, Chandler has continued to amaze me with both his physical, spiritual, and emotional strength. He is a very grounded young man, who is sure of himself, and what he wants out of life.

Chandler takes after his dad in almost every aspect of his life. He LOVES star wars, and I am constantly amazed at his comprehension of the series. We once played Star Wars Trivial Pursuit, and he gave all of us a run for our money. (even Matt!)

Chandler Loves the outdoors, in all the seasons. He recently became a big fan of hiking, and is usually the first one up any mountain we decide to hike. This summer we went hiking with some friends, and when the mother (was was pregnant) got tired and we decided to head back down before reaching the top, Chandler was very disappointed. After parting with our friends at the parking lot, Chandler talked us into heading over to another trail, and we hiked up that mountain that same day.

Chandler loves his relatives. Especially the Grandma's. And while he is almost as tall as his Grandma Stastny, and catching up to his Grandma Christensen, he is never too big, or too cool to give out hugs.

Chandler has always loved books. But learning to read was a struggle for Chandler. K-2nd grade were stressful and emotional years for our family as we tried to encourage him not to give up. We knew that once he figured out the power reading gives an individual, there would be no stopping Chandler. About a month ago, Chandler came home with a thick book from the library. White Fang. I raised an eye brow, and wondered if he'd really finish it, or just skim through. I was pleasantly surprised as I watching him skip TV, playing, and even treats in order to finish his book in a 36 hour period. Now, instead of begging him to pick up a book, I have the opposite problem, and have to beg him to come in to eat dinner, or turn off the lights for bed.

Chandler is an amazingly good big brother. He was only 17 months old when Gabe joined our family, and only 4 when Morgan came along. I can always count on his help with his brother and sister, and he has also become a great help to some of the mothers in our ward with little ones. He entertains them, coos at them, and plays with them to keep them happy.

I just put this in, because Chandler hates taking pictures, and when he finally looks at the camera, I usually get a cheesy grin like the one above.

Chandler has the most amazing blue eyes and long eye lashes. I am jealous of them often. I am also awed by the sweet spirit he is in our home, and how grateful I am to be entrusted to mother this wonderful spirit. I am sure Heavenly Father has a plan for him, and can't wait to see him continue to grow and mature into the wonderful young man he is soon becoming.