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Hands down my favorite set of pictures from the day are these of my baby taking a turn as the mother. Ella gave her this little baby doll (she shopped for and bought herself) and for Josie it was love at first sight. She kissed and loved and hugged her new baby all day long. You may try to convince me that this isn't the cutest thing you've ever seen, but I'll never believe you.
The house is festive and busy and we're in the full swing of celebrating another wonderful Christmas Eve. The Roberts' family Christmas eve celebration is immersed deep in tradition and like all other families, we greatly anticipate this night each and every year. Many of these traditions come straight from my dear mother who took it upon herself to ensure each Christmas was nothing short of pure magic. As a mother now to my own little brood, I enjoy and take seriously the mantle of responsibility to make each and every Christmas festive, magical, and memorable.Each Christmas Eve begins with a dinner of delectable finger foods and hors d'oeuvres. On the menu tonight is:
Shrimp Cocktail
Baked Brie served with fruit
Beef Satay on Skewers
Spinach Artichoke DipVegetable Tray
Mini QuicheFinger Jello (for our most sophisticated food critics)After the dinner, the kids help clean up and then get to choose their present from Grammy and Paca (Bryce's parents) to unwrap. They always know its new Christmas jammies and they are always beyond excited.
After they've changed into their new jams, we get everything ready (including any needed props) for our Christmas program. Everyone is required to participate and can do anything they want as long as its Christmas related. This year Max sang Jingle Bells, Ella got a lei and hula'ed to Meli Kalikimaka, Kalli wrote and recited a poem about last year's Christmas eve (when Santa actually came by during dinner!) and I did an interpretive number (complete with pink boa) to my favorite Christmas song of the year by Lenka. (I'm quite devastated that the batteries died on the camera and Bryce wasn't able to record it; otherwise, I'd love to share it with you;)We always end the evening on a more spiritual note when Bryce reads in the Bible from Luke Chapter 2, the story of our Savior's birth. This year the children dressed in their nativity costumes and acted it out as daddy read. It was really sweet.Before they head up to Kalli's room for a sleepover (something Bryce did as a child with his siblings), we get their stockings out and hang them up and are sure to leave Santa a plate full of homemade cookies (made and frosted by us earlier that day).
Because neither Bryce nor I are from Utah, we don't always have the chance to spend the holidays with our families. And although we adore each holiday we are able to spend with our extended families, when we have finished an evening like this - with just the 6 of us - we both swell with joy and love for the own little family we have created. We thank our Father above for our great many blessings and snuggle into our bed completely satisfied that we're doing the best we can to give them memories that will last forever. (Please give me a pass on the cheese today, it is Christmas after all.) We can hardly wait to see their faces in the morning.
Wishing you all memories that will last forever and more.
*Run to the store for a few last minute things before it gets too crazy...check
*Make rolls for dinner tomorrow...check
*Make almond tart for dessert tomorrow...check
*Put Josie down for a nap and watch one of our favorite Christmas movies with the kids this afternoon...off to do that right now. (Is it just me or does Kevin look a bit like a mischievous little boy who lives at my house?)
Someday, when my remodel is finished...when I don't need new bedding, more furniture, or new Uggs - this will be the one and only item on my Christmas list.
Peppermint Puffs2 c. flour1/4 tsp. salt1 stick butter1 c. confectioners' sugar1 egg1/2 tsp. peppermint extract1/2 tsp. vanilla extract8 oz. white dipping chocolate1/2 c. finely chopped candy canesStir together flour and salt. Beat butter and sugar in large bow until smooth. Beat in egg. Beat in peppermint and vanilla. On low speed, beat in flour mixture. Shape dough into a ball and wrap in plastic and refrigerate 1 hour.Heat oven to 375 degrees. Shape dough into 1 inch balls for a total of 36 cookies. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. When cool, dip top in melted white chocolate and then in candy canes.
Only 7 Days! With only one week left, I'm disappointed that I never put together an advent for my children. I'm hoping next year I'll be better and do something like this (via Black Eiffel). I love the idea of these little cloth baggies full of surprises (think Slinkys or jacks) or special privileges just for that day (staying up an extra 30 minutes with mom). On the bright side, we've been busy doing a 12 days of Christmas service project, getting white elephants together for school parties (remember the giant clown-size sunglasses from the 80s?), practicing parts for our Nativity on Sunday night, and of course baking. I'm hosting a holiday cookie exchange at my house tonight and you're all invited! Wishing you a very merry (and snowy if you live near me!) Thursday.
This is Kalli's first year taking a classic ballet class and what a ballerina she is becoming. She is learning so much and not only accomplishing the positions, but learning the terminology as well - such as arabesque and chaines. She was fun to watch while we were waiting in the lines at Disneyland. While we were all just standing around, she just couldn't stop moving and dancing. Here's a couple of pictures taken with my iPhone from the parents' showcase last night. I'll stop gushing now.
Ahhhhh...yet another reason to MELT. 
After reading this funny post from my friend Krisitn, I mustered up the courage to go into my stylist and have her chop me off some bangs. She felt it was best to ease into them and so she gave me the "safe sideswept" bangs. In my honest opinion, I think they're pretty vanilla. They don't really give me the change I was craving. Perhaps at my next appointment in February, I'll totally go wild and crazy with the straight over the eyebrow fringe, plus a few more inches off the bottom. Oh, the sheer bravery and acute strategy involved in a simple trip to the salon!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
About two weeks ago I put up a voting station on our chalkboard wall to ensure a happy and well fed family on Christmas Day. Prime rib and almond tart were the clear winners. The menu was as follows:
I especially love this last picture...look at the sheer joy on his face. And notice all the wrapping paper and boxes behind him. This may be the only picture I'll happily post of a mess in my house. Ah, come on! Isn't this how everyone's family room looks on Christmas morning?
The children did not disappoint - and were not disappointed. They gave every possible enthusiastic and positively exuberant noise, cry, and expression. Needless to say there were four happy little (and two big!) people in our cozy brick house this morning.
*Run to the store for a few last minute things before it gets too crazy...check 
Someday, when my remodel is finished...when I don't need new bedding, more furniture, or new Uggs - this will be the one and only item on my Christmas list.
Only 7 Days! With only one week left, I'm disappointed that I never put together an advent for my children. I'm hoping next year I'll be better and do something like this (via Black Eiffel). I love the idea of these little cloth baggies full of surprises (think Slinkys or jacks) or special privileges just for that day (staying up an extra 30 minutes with mom). On the bright side, we've been busy doing a 12 days of Christmas service project, getting white elephants together for school parties (remember the giant clown-size sunglasses from the 80s?), practicing parts for our Nativity on Sunday night, and of course baking. I'm hosting a holiday cookie exchange at my house tonight and you're all invited! Wishing you a very merry (and snowy if you live near me!) Thursday.
Here are a few more shots to share (gotta do it while the house is clean:)
One of my favorite finds in the blogosphere have been the house tours and sneak peeks that many design blogs have provided into people's homes. Often they are designers, artists, or other bloggers - but a lot of the time they're just regular people who have a unique sense of style. I could pass up looking through a celebrity home anyday - but I'll jump at the chance to have a peek into an everyday home. Since I've been involved in design since my college days at the Y, I love each and every aspect of what goes into dressing a home. (Aside of course from picking the tile, granite, and hardware of my own remodeled home - that was nothing short of torture!) 
After reading this funny post from my friend Krisitn, I mustered up the courage to go into my stylist and have her chop me off some bangs. She felt it was best to ease into them and so she gave me the "safe sideswept" bangs. In my honest opinion, I think they're pretty vanilla. They don't really give me the change I was craving. Perhaps at my next appointment in February, I'll totally go wild and crazy with the straight over the eyebrow fringe, plus a few more inches off the bottom. Oh, the sheer bravery and acute strategy involved in a simple trip to the salon!
Just a few more as promised...
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