Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Eggs

 As we were setting up our Christmas Decorations, Roo was asking where were the "eggs" It took me a few minutes to realize what he was taking about.  We have some plastic Easter Eggs that have scriptures in them, and little items to help remind us what Easter is all about.  I told him those were put away with the Easter Decorations.  Roo told me we should make some for Christmas, to remind us what Christmas is all about. 
As we read the Christmas story over and over again, Roo kept coming up with ideas to go along with each scripture or set of scriptures-  some items he made with melty beads (thanks Raellen for the inspiration!), and others we found laying around.  Today, he reminded me that we forgot Samuel the Lamanite- a Nephite prophet from the Book of Mormon who prophesied of Christ's birth- and thus he was added at the very beginning, and the gift at the very end to remind us that Jesus has given us the ultimate gift- Eternal Life.


So here it is:  Roo's version of "Christmas Eggs" (I think we're going to find some cheap stockings or boxes to put each item in, but we haven't found anything yet.
My little photographer-Roo
1- Helaman 14:1-4 And now it came to pass that Samuel, the Lamanite, did prophesy a great many more things which cannot be written. And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five‍ years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign‍ at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. Therefore, there shall be one day‍ and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born. (sun)
2 - Luke 2:1-5 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the‍ world should be taxed. (And‍ this taxing‍ was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused‍ wife, being great with child. (tax- coin)
3- Luke 2:6-7 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn‍ son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (manger)
4- Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (sheep)
5- Luke 2: 9-11 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory‍ of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good‍ tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born‍ this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (angel)

6- Luke 2: 12 And this shall be‍ a sign‍ unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (swaddling cloth)
7- Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory‍ to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (music note)

8- Luke 2:15-16 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (heart-,Mary, Hammer- Joseph)

9- Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born‍ in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. (king’s crown)

10- Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where‍ is he that is born King‍ of the Jews? for we have seen his star‍ in the east, and are come to worship‍ him. (star)


11- Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (treasures)
12- Doctrine and Covenants 14:7 And, if you keep‍ my commandments and endure‍ to the end you shall have eternal‍ life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God. (gift)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Moon Party

For the past year we've studied astronomy together as a family.  We finished the book in August, but we had an amazing culmination to our studies.  Bug has been trying to earn the Astronomy merit badge.  For one of his requirements he needed to visit a planetarium, and do a presentation or something on it.  So yesterday, Bug, Roo and I went on a field trip to the Planetarium in SLC.--Doodle's in public school this year- so he didn't get to join us :(-- 

Here's a few pics from the Planetarium. 
 studying how telescopes work
Bug the photographer took this one
Bug on the moon

Roo- on Mars

 THEN this morning- there was a total lunar eclipse, We woke up early (5:45 was when it was supposed to start) and snuggled up. We sat outside on a blanket for a little while, then we decided to get in the car and turn on the heater and drive for a few minutes to where we could see it better. We drove just down our road and parked the car to watch. What an amazing sight! We had hot chocolate as we sat and watched the moon disappear. (we couldn't watch it re-appear, as the sun was rising and it got too light and hazy to see anymore)
Watching the eclipse from the backyard
Just beginning
 In the nice warm car!
 
My camera isn't the best- but mid-eclipse
Almost total eclipse

What a beautiful sight!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

"Gingerbread" Houses-

Ok- so they are really Graham cracker houses- lol- but we had a fun Family Home Evening last night making and decorating our houses.  I found the secret to getting them to STICK together- Royal Icing- I've tried just regular old frosting in the past- but this stuff really works!
 Ben and Roo decorating their houses
 Bug and Doodle putting roofs on their houses.
 Bug with his finished project- he made a Temple
 Doodle and his cool house- check out the snowman
 Roo with his house- who only decorated with things that he liked to EAT
The finished villiage- back row- Ben's and Roo's, front row, Doodle,'s Roo's and Mine.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

It's CHRISTMAS time! :D

 Slacker that I am, I haven't updated the blog lately. 

We had a wonderful weekend up at the cabin before Thanksgiving- and brought home a Christmas Tree with us! We've always wanted to get one from the cabin.   Yes- it's a huge tree again this year- 20 feet!
Bringing in the Tree

 Doodle putting the Angel on the top of the tree.
Picture of the finished version-  We decorated with Stuffed animals again this year- Bug's bunny earned a prime spot.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Fall is in the Air- Pumpkin time!

We went to a friend's house and he let us each pick a pumpkin from his LARGE pumpkin patch- Thanks again!  We have had terrible luck with pumpkins- they grow about as big as baseballs, then the whole plant shrivels and dies. :/

Roo, carrying his pumpkin, with Dad's help
Doodle- scooping out the guts
Roo- by his finished pumpkin
Bug with his Pumpkin

Ben and his pumpkin
Doodle with his- he was pretty proud of this huge thing
The whole gang- Left to Right- Doodle's, Ben's, Roo's, Bug's, and mine

Friday, October 14, 2011

What we've been up to....

Canning, Canning and more canning
Tomatoes- I LOVE the way the yellow tomatoes look in the jars along with the reds- it looks so pretty!

Peaches
 
V-8 (err rather I think it was only V-5) lol- no beets, watercress or spinach
And  also some Chili con Carne
Salsa
Elderberry Jelly- yum!

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly (I LOVE this on cream cheese with crackers- my favorite snack!)

What's up next- Applesauce!
 My Favorite Canning resource- http://pickyourown.org/allaboutcanning.htm  They have "how to's" on everything- complete with pictures.   

Monday, September 26, 2011

Triathamom

Ben's Sister, Amber and I decided we needed to do another Triathlon (ok- I think I might have pulled her leg a little, and convinced her this time)

Amber and I before the race
Me getting ready for the swim (my favorite part of the race!)  I didn't want to post this embarrasing pic of me in my swimsuit- but if I was going to post the one of Amber below- I thought it only fair. lol
In the pool waiting.  They had us line up by how good of swimmers we were, and then started us about every 10 seconds or so.  It takes forever for those at the back of the line, but I'm not so sure I could do an open body of water swim- yikes- something about fish nibbling at my toes! lol

Swim/bike transition
Amber getting ready for her swim leg
Amber's swim/bike transition
Bike/Run transition
Awww The Finish Line!  What a rush!  THAT is the reason I do these silly things- I just love the feeling of accomplishment when I'm done.  To be able to say "Yah- I did that!"
 Results:
Swim time:  6:54
T1 2:14
Bike Time   54:42
T2   0:58
Run time  42:34
Overall-  1:47:19.6
 
My last race was 1:59 something or other- so I shaved 12 minutes off my time.  :D My only goal was to do better than last time.  So I was pleased!  Amber did wonderful as well, she didn't get to do the run- as we had to hurry and get to the temple for Ben and Amber's cousin Mike's wedding. 
 
I have to put in a few good words about the wonderful things they had for families at this race- they had a bounce house, free cotton candy, free popcorn, sign making activities, face painting, and so much more!  As Ben told the boys mom was done- Roo's answer was "ALREADY?"  He was having too much fun!
 
Soo.....Who's with us next year!?  We are definately doing the Triathamom again next year.