Sunday, December 20, 2009

Kaylas yule log




Snow, yule logs, and a-slippin' and a-slidin'

December 20, 2009
More snow fell today during church. It was the most beautiful snow I have ever seen. It looked like powdered sugar falling from the sky. It was pretty beautiful until we started the drive home and were sliding all over the road. And then I had 2 teenagers making fun of me for going too slow and for my “gasping” as I lost control of the car and almost ended up in a ditch. Giant geeky teenagers!

We were very involved in church today. Bob and I sang in a quartet and then our entire family sang in the choir for the Christmas Program (even Alayna!) Our choir is big and probably 75% of it is made up of children. I looked like Godzilla in the soprano section surrounded by millions of tony elves! But their voices are so pure and beautiful. It was a beautiful program.

I can hardly believe Christmas is almost here but we are SO ready for the break. I am dying to start my new puzzle, sleep in until noon and do NO work whatsoever. I know, it may just be a dream, but it could come true. Apparently we WILL be having a white Christmas considering the snow is STILL here from the storm 2 weeks ago, we got some today, and it looks like we will be pounded on Christmas Eve. Sounds like a good night to hunker down, drink hot chocolate and watch movies (while wrapping presents!) I wonder why snow NEVER melts in Iowa. You wouldn’t believe how many times Tyler has biffed it on the ice this week. I am surprised he hasn’t broken bones yet. He always pops up saying, “I’m all right…I’m all right!”

Kayla had to make a Yule log for her French class too. So, we made a chocolate one, with frosting, which was to die for. I gave her some ideas and she took off! She has some real talent for anything decorative or creative. I will post a picture so you can see what I mean. Maybe she needs to do the birthday cakes from now on?

Yesterday Tyler went to his friends house for a birthday slumber party and they got to go see Avatar in 3D and he thought it was pretty amazing! The rest of us had some friends over to watch the SYTYCD finale (So you think you can dance). I was so bummed Jacob didn’t win. The funniest thing is most of you who will read this probably have no idea what I am talking about We are having a Survivor Party tonight (Go Brett and Mick!!) after HT, BYC, and SED. Its been a very busy day.

We hope all of you were able to access our first ever Christmas e-newsletter. We also hope you all have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! And a special happy birthday to my dad on Tuesday. Have a great week!!

Look what showed up on my porch!







The absolutely best part of this week was when I woke up to find something very interesting on my porch. At first, I thought some guy was peering through the window. So, I went and opened the front door (brave of me, I know!) and I found 6 snowmen staring right back at me. Granted it scared me to death, but it was the funniest thing I have EVER seen!



Sunday, December 13, 2009

Braving the cold...again!



Finally finished!

Yule Log

Braving the cold




Alayna and Neesa



Thanksgiving puzzle (1000pieces)

Winter is here...

December 13, 2009
Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together.
- Verna M. Kelly

What a crazy week!! We had a storm come in on Tuesday and just pound us until Thursday. I think it ended up being 15 inches of snow. Then the temperature dropped and wind chill dropped the temp to -29. So, school was cancelled T/W/TH! It was heaven! We got a ton done, including our Thanksgiving puzzle. We needed the break so bad, but we still wish we had more. We are counting down the days to Christmas break. It cant come soon enough.

Pathetically enough we JUST got the tree up this week. We are so slow this year. AND we had to put it up without Bob because he was really sick all last weekend. It wasn’t the same without him. As I sat untangling lights for a good 30 minutes I was reminded of when we used to help my dad “untangle” the lights. Oh, the memories. The kids did a great job. We finally had to move all the ornaments up since Neesa kept running off with the ornaments she could reach.

We babysat the dogs again for 2 weeks. We had Whitney (grandma), Taylor (mom), and baby Neesa. She is like a tiny white fluff ball. I was glad they were here to entertain and play with Alayna the 3 days we were cooped up inside  Alayna carried Neesa around snuggled in her arms like a baby and Neesa loved it.

We had the big ward Christmas party last night. Our family sang “Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas/Pine Cones and Holly Berries”. We sang it acapella and it was a huge hit!! This weekend I had to help Marisa make a yule log for her French class. It was the first time trying this recipe. I hope it turned out ok.

We have a busy week ahead. Poor Marisa has 2 concerts and her big history exam. Tyler’s musical has been rescheduled because of the snow days. Heres to hoping we make it through the week.

We miss our Grandpa C!

December 13, 2009

Love doesn't end with dying
Love doesn't end with dying
Or leave with the last breath.
For someone you've loved deeply,
Love doesn't end with death. --John Addey

This week was a tough one. Our Grandpa Cunningham passed away this weekend and we are just heart-broken. We are so sorry we wont be able to make it out to Utah for the funeral. The weather here didn’t cooperate. You will all be in our hearts and prayers. We love Grandpa very much and will miss him, but we look forward to the day that we will see him again!
http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20091213/OBITUARIES/91213007/1023/John%20James%20Cunningham%20

Utah- Part 4