Winter Wonderlights

We accidentally came across this lights display while we were out getting some gift cards to send my family. Only Heidi and Natalie were with us, but they were so excited to have a fun little excursion. It was the middle of the week, so there was hardly anyone around and we had fun walking around looking, although we were a little hurried to get our errands done.

The boys were interested in going when we got home and told them about it. We kept planning on going, but never quite found the right time. I knew New Year's was the last day it was supposed to be up, so although I wasn't really up for it that evening, (and Austin didn't want to go at all) we made hot chocolate and went.

We haven't really had any snow this year, so a little of the magic that could have been there, wasn't. But all the kids loved making hot chocolate and sipping it as we walked along. They all said their favorite part (other than hot chocolate) was the bridge (which we didn't have time to see with the girls the first time).

The rest of the park was fun too, except that the hightlight (snowflakes and a tree on a hill that flashed on and off in time with Christmas music playing nearby) wasn't on. It was still a fun little, memorable adventure.

 

Christmas Baking

Throughout December, we made lots of Christmas treats to share. We also ate plenty of them ourselves! The kids love doing sugar cookies even though they are a ton of work!

The girls also like to help make peanutbutter kiss cookies every year.

Austin's dad wanted to make candy with all of the older cousins this year. They used our kitchen because it is more spacious. They made five different kinds of candy with the five oldest kids each leading the making of a different type.

 The chocolate hazlenut candy from Italy was my personal favorite, although they were all good. Some of them didn't quite turn out as hoped, but they were all good.

We always made at least one batch of Christmas bread from the recipe that has been passed down through my family.

Trevor is 8!

 

Trevor is now 8! Trevor has always been pretty mature and independent so sometimes he seems older than he really is. He loves to cook for himself (things like scrambled eggs, toast, etc.) and also likes to help cook for other people too. Because of his allergies, he often has to have something different from everyone else, so that has helped to make him more independent. He is great at organizing and loves to draw. He is a very clever guy, is a good friend, and very fun to be around.

 

 

 

Here is Trevor's birthday interview:

Who is your favorite person? Heidi

What is your favorite color?  Blue

What is your favorite thing to watch on TV? Play Minecraft

What is your favorite outfit? anything

What song do you like the best? I Love to See the Temple

What is your favorite cereal? Grapenuts

Who is your best friend? My family

What do you want to do when your grow up? Be a farmer

What is your favorite book? Little House in the Big Woods

What are you really good at? Tricks on the trampoline

Where do you wish you could go on vacation? Oregon

What would you buy if you had a lot of money? A farm

What is your favorite dinner?  Chicken Rolls

If you could have a wish, what would it be? to have another wish

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint Cookie (Ben and Jerry's makes a great non-dairy one)

Who do you want to be like? myself

What do you like to do with your friends? Play with them

What do you hope you'll get to do before your next birthday? Have Christmas

What is your favorite thing to do? Play Legos

What are you proud of? Myself

What are you afraid of? Some stuff

What is Mom's favorite thing to do? Take naps

How strong is Dad? Very

What does Dad do best? Joke

What does Mom do best? Be my mom

What do you like best about Dad? He's fun

What do you like best about Mom? She makes cookies

O Christmas Tree!

 

For the first time ever, we cut a real Christmas tree! Heidi got a free pass for a Christmas tree along with her 4th grade National Park Pass, so we decided to give it a try this year. It was a super fun experience and everyone had fun searching for a tree and playing around in the snowy forest.

Asher brought up his RC crawler and drove it around in the snow.

Torben had the greatest time every running all over the place and waiting for anyone to throw something for him to chase.

Heidi got a little grumpy when we picked a different tree than the one she wanted- but that one was a little too big. She cheered up after a bit though.

Leif also got a little tiny tree that he originally planned to put in his room, but ended up putting under the bigger tree in the living room.

 

It was a fantastic outing and I'm glad we had the experience.