An Afternoon Making GIngerbread Houses

Oh, what fun we had making our gingerbread houses!  The kids were super creative. We pulled out the glue guns for the foundational work and then used royal icing for the other work. I loved how each one of them turned out.  What a fun, new tradition for our family!

 

The Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter: December 21st!

What happens when Saturn and Jupiter align perfectly?  A bright, Christmas-like star!  This proximity in the sky hasn't happened in about 400 years, and it hasn't been visible in the evening sky (when the sunlight doesn't obstruct viewing) in about 800 years.  Therefore, we made certain we were looking for it!

I was mesmerized by the entire experience. The effect of the conjuction of the two gas planets looked like what I thought the star of Bethlehem would have looked like more than 2000 years ago. I had to snap some pictures and send them to family

I am grateful for this tender mercy that brought so much joy, light, and hope at the close of a difficult year for our world family.  

 

Covid, Christmas Lights, and Carolers

Our sweet Austin was hit (again) with a positive Covid test. This is twice for him. It put the rest of us into quarantine for 10 days. Since all of our soccer, basketball, and Christmas-related parties were all immediately removed from the calendar, we took the time to do other things like driving around to see Christmas lights, playing board games, and watching TONS of Christmas movies!  We were also so blessed to have many ward members drop gifts, gift cards, and goodies by our home.  My ministering sister, Merle, gave us a darling tree ornament and $75.00 to Olive Garden.  

 

Alyssa Graduates from NOVA

Alyssa is having all sorts of "last" experiences in 6th grade this year.  Today was her graduation from NOVA, a program created by the Lone Peak police and ASD schools where students commit to living with integrity.  It was all online. I loved watching Alyssa and our cute neighbor, Tessa, walk for graduation.

 

Christmas Cookies and Best Friend Jammies!

Moving into December, we decided it was time to make Christmas cookies!  The kids and I had so much fun making and decorating each one.  Alyssa and Clara spent a little time Christmas shopping and came home with matching PJs!  They are so darling.  It's going to be a great Christmas season!

 

Celebrating Thanksgiving in 2020!

Just like the most of the 2020 year, our Thanksgiving break and was spent together, with just our family.  Gratefully, we get along pretty well (most of the time, that is) so we enjoyed being home from school, work, and sports for a few days. We nestled in to our Thanksgiving preparations early in the week with Dave finding a brine recipe for the turkey and Jody making pies.  Taylor and Alyssa made the turkey cups and the boys helped put up our Christmas lights.  

We ended up having a great day together with great food, board games, and some football.  I love that we can be together as the days get shorter and cooler as we inch toward winter.  Happy Thanksgiving 2020! 

 

November: Apfelkuchen, Heller Cousins, and a Short Visit from the Johnstons