Merry Christmas

A little child,

a shining star,

A stable, rude,

the door ajar.

Yet in that place

so crude, forlorn,

The Hope of all the

world was born.

           ~ Anonymous

christmas cats & a bowl full of gluten

Last night was the CrossFit Basic Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. I do not participate in the crazy Crossfit workouts but a lot of people near and dear to me do. This party was a potluck. A potluck?? What are you supposed to bring for a bunch of gluten free paleo health nuts i.e. my brother-in-law? I chose to bring...what I labeled "a gluten casserole" aka cheesy buttery mac and cheese filled with sugar coated caramelized onions. YUM! It was fitting since Casey gets teased that all I ever serve him for dinner is pasta, beer, and bread. The mac did get eaten...I guess everyone gives a little for the holidays. I STILL think Casey should have taken first prize for ugliest sweater...but he didn't.

Let it Snow {Old Spice}

Thanks to Amy for this fun idea. I was running out of advent activities for our calendar. Today's card was blank and so I had to come up with something fast. This was a hit to say the least. Playing in the "snow" while keeping warm...what a great idea. It lasted quite a while. We all smell like Old Spice now, as does our entire kitchen. And yes, Heidi is in a swimsuit...she's back into wearing one all the time.





pretty nails and pretty ladies

Last week the girls got a very special treat in their advent calendar...a trip to get their nails painted all fancy and Christmasy.

Nutcracker Ballerinas

Today was the last day of ballet class. The parents finally got to come in and see what these little ballerinas have been up to for the past couple of months. Usually we are banished to the lobby. That's why there have been no pictures to this point. We were lucky enough to see a three minute performance of the Nutcracker. The girls were in heaven performing for an audience...their favorite thing to do.



Cousins (1st & 2nd)

And next year there will be five more (that we know of so far).

Country Christmas

Country Christmas was Chelsea's idea. We already had the boots so why not wear them? This weekend was also Casey's big extended family Christmas party so we dressed the girls in their country attire. Last minute I threw on some red boots as well to join in the fun.

2nd Annual Progressive

We had our Second Annual Lang Cousin Christmas Progressive Dinner this weekend. Eight cousins (there are many more who were not in attendance) and their spouse/significant other....16 people in total. I wish I would have had my camera on the right setting. None of the pictures turned out very good especially of people...except this cute one of Chels.

                                             1st stop Tyler and Chelsea's for cocktail hour.

                                                                      Very festive!

2nd stop Joey and Taryn's for this delicious squash soup. YUM!

Joey made that creme sauce on top by pureeing a piece of pumpkin pie.

3rd stop- our house. Now this was A LOT of pressure. When you are used to eating Joey's gourmet style food at all family events (the guy pureed pumpkin pie and put it on top of soup for heaven sakes) it can be intimidating to say the least but I took on the challenge with the help of the Pioneer Woman. I braised 32 short ribs...that's right 32 pieces of meat layed out on the counter is A LOT. You've got to try this recipe. It's really good. Making it for two is much easier though. I would recommend trying that first. I put it on top of goat cheese polenta- sounds fancy...it's not. It's corn meal and water. I had never had it til  last week but I liked it. It doesn't look very appetizing but it was very tasty.

And last stop...Tim & Shannon's for Shannon & Melissa's bread pudding with homemade Cinnamon ice cream! Really good. At this point we were stuffed but Casey and I took home first prize playing a rather crazy form of the Newlywed game. 

Once again, a really fun night. Looking forward to it for next year...I will not be doing the main course.



10on10: December

don't forget...

10 on 10

today

I just love her.

       

All That Sparkles

That was the theme of Casey's aunt Corinne's 60th birthday party on Saturday- All That Sparkles. It truly was a sparkly affair. Everyone was dressed in their holiday glimmer to celebrate a lady with a sparkling flair for life. 

 The birthday girl (on the left) with her sisters.

Her birthday cake made by her friends...a spitting image.

Pregnant cousins in order of most pregnanat (right to left obviously).

Chelsea D. due any day

Me due Feb

Kate due April

Taryn due June

Tiffany due July

My mom won the contest for most sparkly shoes!



Seeing Santa

Translation: Dear Santa, This is Kyla. I would like a kitty.

Waiting in line.

Trying to deceiver the letter. Clarification...this is not a actual live kitty.

 Success!

No one cried. Kyla even smiled and sat on his lap this year. Heidi tried to smile and sat next to Santa.

Harper was into it. Pearson was about like Heidi.

Snow Bells.