Family Christmas Party

My family's Christmas party was on December 18th down at Mom and Dad's house.

The evening started with me locking the keys in the car. I only mention this because I know it will come up. I went out to get a bottle for Ben from the trunk. I was mixing stuff together and put the keys down. Kevin drove up, I got distracted, and closed the trunk. It was about halfway down when I realized what was happening. I blame Kevin for the whole thing.

Being 30 minutes from home and the spare set of keys, Jill and RaShelle suggested we just call the police. Since Mom & Dad live in a smaller town, so it was kind of an ordeal to even contact the police. RaShelle took the lead and got ahold of someone for us. Joel went out to wait for them in the cold. When the police officer got there he was a little dissappointed. Apparently there was another Joel Harrison that had several warrants outstanding. He was hoping he had caught his man. Really, would a guy that has warrants out for his arrest call to have the police break in to his car?

Anyway, while Joel was out waiting in the cold, the rest of us started eating. We had a yummy lasagna dinner with salad and bread. There's nothing that says Christmas more than lasagna.

After dinner we sat around and talked for a little while the kids played. For the last two years, RaShelle has given all of us questions to answer throughout the year, for example, What is your favorite movie; Did you have a hideout as a child, etc. At Christmas she compiles everyone's answers and prints us all off a copy. It's really fun to read through. It was really interesting to hear that both Mom and Grandma wanted to be opera singers when they grew up. It was fun to sit around and elaborate on some of the answers--especially Dad's. Mom said that she had to edit some of his answers :) This is what happens when we leave the kids alone to play. I guess they weren't alone--Joel helped Jenna put Ben in the doll stroller.

There was only one family missing from the party and that was Jill's so we called her and talked to her through Skype. We were able to talk to her and Caitlyn. We saw Caleb really quick, but he must have been too busy for us. We didn't talk long but it was sure nice to see Jill.

Next we went and acted out the nativity. We read it out of a pop up book that we used to read every year growing up. It is really beat up but it really brings back memories.

The narrator

Kevin really gets into it. Here he is helping the angels with their part

Next was the part that all the kids were waiting for--PRESENTS! Mom & Dad spoiled everyone. The kids all got warm clothes and the parents got gift cards. We drew Kyle's name and got him a gift card to Famous Dave's. We thought it was kind of boring so Jenna drew him a picture. She spent about an hour on it as well as 1/2 a package of googly eyes and a bottle of glue. She was so excited to give it to Kyle. It was all wrapped up and she could hardly contain himself. Kyle was nice enough to let her help him open it.

Ben opening presents

He was more interested in his socks than the presents

Brian won an iTouch the night before and was playing with Kevin's all during the party.

We finished the night with tons of yummy desserts. We had a lot of fun! Thanks Mom & Dad for letting us crash your house!

Sister loves Brother

Jenna loves to play with Ben. Her favorite place to do this is in his crib. She will have me put him in his crib while she puts every toy he owns in there with him. When she has fully surrounded him with toys, she will climb in herself. Most of the time they will sit there and play side by side, but sometimes she will just sit there and smother him with hugs and kisses. I have to put Ben in his boppy so she doesn't keep knocking him over with her love.

Yes, Ben's boppy has a girl cover on it. Do you have a problem with that?

I love my munchkins.

Ben chewing on his fingers--his favorite "toy" by far!

Snow Fun!

Jenna was so excited when we had our first big snow storm back in December. She loves playing in the snow. It helps when Daddy gets really excited to go out and play with her. I am glad he does because I just hate the cold. I tend to use Ben as my excuse as to why I don't go out and play much.


This one Saturday was perfect. We got a lot of snow that was perfect for any type of snow activity--including shoveling.
We all went out and played for awhile, even Ben.
I felt sorry for him after a few minutes. We didn't have a hat that would go over his ears so we just bundled a blanket around him.

Jenna and I played for a little while. I pulled her around on her sled until I realized how out of shape I am. Good thing Joel came to the rescue and wanted to build a snowman.

I love this picture of Joel, Jenna, and their snow martian. They look so serious.

We all had a great time, but no one as much as Jenna. I love her excitement about everything!

Mrs. Santa

The day after Santa came to the library, Mrs. Santa came to read stories. I always thought her name was Mrs. Claus, not Mrs. Santa, but that's a discussion for another day.

We showed up a few minutes early and got all snuggled in to our seats when we saw Grandma come in. She was there working, but Jenna couldn't take her eyes off of her. She was constantly pointing and saying, "There's Grandma!". I am sure Grandma got annoyed, but she was nice enough not to show it :)

It turns out that Amanda and Kayleigh were coming, too, so they were able to sit by us. I am sure they regretted it because Jenna talked the whole time. I think I heard about one word of the several stories Mrs. Santa read.

After the stories were done, Mrs Santa took time to talk to all of the kids. Jenna did a little better with her than she did with Santa. I think Kayleigh being there really helped. She was so brave. She had even colored a picture to give to Mrs. Santa! She is so cute.

I love how the library does things like this. I wish we would go to more of these activities. I think I am just too lazy. In my defense, it's hard when I work all day.

Waiting patiently
Watching with Grandma.
The kids with cute Mrs. Santa

Jenna and Kayleigh afterward. We sure do miss Kayleigh!
After she visited with Mrs. Santa, Jenna got a gift bag with a pad of paper and some candy in it. She was so excited!

Library Santa

When we were at the library for Thanksgiving, we saw a sign saying that Santa would be there in a few days. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go, but when the time came around I figured what the heck. We got there a few minutes early and boy, was I glad. We were about the 50th people in line and by the time we got settled in line, there were about 100 people behind us.

It took awhile to wind around and get in the same room as Santa. Jenna was so excited until she could actually see Santa. Then she wanted to leave. If we had only been there for a few minutes I would have said sure, but it had been like half an hour. I wasn't giving up that easily. Plus, Ben was having too much fun flirting with all the girls. Every girl he saw he would smile big and giggle. Anyway, back to the story. Jenna was starting to get really nervous so I had to keep her occupied talking about Santa and what he was going to bring to her. I told her that she needed to tell him what she wanted. She thought for a minute and said "Presents" (her standard answer) "...and toys for Ben." I thought that was really sweet.

When it was finally her turn, she slowly walked up to him and gave him a couple of one word answers. She told him she wanted a tree and some presents. I had her get on his lap for a couple of quick pictures and that was the end. She talked about the whole thing for days later. I just love having a kid old enough to enjoy Christmas!

Waiting patiently
Hesitant
She did it!
I love the look on Jenna's face!

Molten Chocolate Cakes

This is the recipe for the cakes Joel and I made for the family Christmas parties:

*Unsweetened baking cocoa
*6 oz semisweet baking chocolate, chopped (we used chocolate chips)
*1/2 cup plus 2T butter or margerine
*3 whole eggs
*3 egg yolks
*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
*1/2 cup all purpose flour

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Grease bottoms and sides of 6 (6oz) custard cups with shortening; dust with cocoa. In 2 qt saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring frequently. Cool slightly.

In large bowl, beat whole eggs and egg yolks with wire whisk or eggbeater until well blended. Beat in 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar. Beat in melted chocolate mixture and flour. Divide batter evenly among custard cups. Place cups on cookie sheet.

Bake 12-14 minutes or until sides are set and centers are still soft (tops will be puffed and cracked). Let stand 3 minutes. Run small knife or metal spatula along sides of cakes to loosen. Immediately place heatproof serving plate upside down over each cup; turn plate and cup over. Remove cup. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar. Serve warm

My notes--must eat with vanilla ice cream! Also, have a large drink near by because it is very rich! We have custard cups if any of you would like to make it but don't have the cups. We are more than willing to help you eat them, too!