Food in Jars

I thought it would be fun to make soup in a jar for Christmas gifts this year, so searched long and hard for good recipes. When I finally found one that looked good I decided to do a trial run before I gave it out to all my friends. Well it's a good thing I did, because it was awful!

So then I decided to do cookies in a jar. They are not as healthy as soup, but that failed, so I had to move on. When I finally found one that looked good I didn't have time to try it out. So I only gave a few jars out and crossed my fingers that they would be good. Fast forward a few weeks and the reviews came in: they were fantastic! So I had to try them myself, and sure enough, they are wonderfully delicious! So here is the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cowboy-cookie-mix-in-a-jar/detail.aspx .

Try them and see what you think.

A Little Reminiscing...

This is how big my sweet Olivia was when we moved to Oregon in July 2007! She was just a little baby!

I also found this absolutely delicious little jem of her sleeping on the stairs, of our then brand-new house.

And this is her now... Happy 8th Birthday Olivia! I CANNOT believe how time has flown in the past 5 five years!

Here's a bonus pic of the 3 kids in 2007. Why, oh why, do they have to grow up soooooo fast! It's really one of the great cruelties of life. But, I guess I do want them to grow and learn and be the fantastic people that they are. I LOVE MY KIDS!

Christmas Fun

We love to swim in the morass of wrapping paper and bows (that always get chucked across the room, as tradition).

This was the first year that Daphne got into the excitement, and took her turn opening presents with pure joy. We all take turns so everyone gets to see what everyone else gets (and so it lasts longer).

Olivia was so excited to get a Fijit Friend from Santa!

Best of all was the last 2 presents, one for Savannah and one for Liam. They were each wrapped in 4 different boxes, and when they got to the last one it was an iTouch! They were obviously thrilled!

The very last gift was marked "From Jesus". Inside was a sheet of paper that said, "Eternal Life". This is the greatest of all the gifts of God. I am so thankful for my Savior and His humble birth. Because of His life we can return to live with our Father again. Mery Christmas!