Christmas 2013

John, Paul, James and David

Jon and Dani

Gina

Gareth

Eliza

Miriam

Hans

Moriah

Eric and Tony

Lee

Shawn

Lots of children.  

Cody and Dani's dad 

Elina

Martha

Eliza

Miriam and Caylin

I had Dani for my secret Santa.  I made her this blanket and gave her essential oil and homemade mint balm.  I had so much fun making her a present that she loved!

Martha had Monica for her secret santa.  In this box was a mat to cut fabric on.  Monica loves to sew!

Miriam

Mishael

Paul and James

Mishael with her homemade organizing board.

Mishael and Cody got Gina this roll top desk.  

Fred

Raelee

Raelee and Shawn

Nic and Maria

 I love this picture.  They were just all standing watching someone open a present.

James, Paul, Lynette, Hans, Kendra  (notice Mark stays out of pictures?  LOL)

Kendra, Cody and James

Thanksgiving 2013

Kendra, Martha and Mishael

Kitchen before we started cooking!

These are notes for dinner so we can adjust for next year.
2013 thanksgiving:  32  people
2 turkey’s 20 lbs, ate one for dinner, 2nd one for leftovers, by the time everyone took some home it was barely enough
Stuffing, quite a bit left over
30 lbs of Potatoes
Yams: baked about 12 (like darker ones better) till tender, then take off skins.  Continued backing for 3 hours or more at 250.  When ready mashed with a little heavy cream.  Very sweet, so good.
Green beans need 2 gallon cans
Only Martha and Moriah ate salad.   Maybe  veggies and dip instead.
Mishael made Hala bread 4-5 loaves, only ate one or 2
Opened about 7-8 cans of cranberry sauce had half left over
Opened 8 cans of olive, just right
Plus green olives about 4 small jars
2 quarts of whipping cream
Ice cream
Half and half to add to gravy and  potatoes
Ice cream
2 lbs of butter needed
Martha’s cranberry relish,  needed more,
Made 26 pies, LOL.  Every one was able to take home whole pie.  Very nice.  Still too many
Too many snacks, but so good.  Pretzels, dip, crackers and cheese.   Do not need meat and cheese so much as veggies and dip.  Lighter snacks with so much food.
Everyone enjoyed breakfast casserole, tried to get everyone to eat before 10 am
Wed at dinner at youth group, came home to clean house and no baking at home.
Nice to have extra table in living room.
Lots of tea and need coffee too.

Mark's 16th Birthday

For Mark's birthday we got to go to see Mark Schultz.  

Miriam, Shawn and Eric

His sisters made him a guitar cake.