Winter Fun!

The milder temperatures today made it easier to build snowmen.

Addie's creation:

Heather's creation:

Tassie was thoroughly annoyed with the whole process!

Our "Charlie Brown" inspired trees.

Lauchy's creation (actually, Jeff's):

Reliving My Childhood!

The girls got an Easy Bake Oven for Christmas. They have only used it once so far, but loved it. I "think" I had one when I was a kid - I can picture the old ones, but not sure if I had one or if one of my friends did. The oven has changed a lot since I was a kid. The front doesn't actually open. Now, you have to use the "slider" to slide the pan into one side and then push the pan out the other side. I guess too many kids got burned by the original ovens way back when.

It is not much to look at, but tasted quite good.

The kids also got Operation, Perfection, and Heather got a Spirograph. The Operation game is completely different from when we were kids. Why do they have to change the games? The original was better!

Hmmm, do you think I am trying to relive my childhood though my kids?

Christmas Day

Christmas day:

There was lots of presents...

Lots of visiting doggies...

And a whole lotta SingStar!

We had a captive audience for a lot of the singing.

Even Maggie wanted a turn!

I don't have any photos of me singing, but I have to say that I kinda rocked the place!

They're Ready!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve So Far...

Here are the kids as I got dinner ready:

Heather - working away on her Christmas book.

Lauchy - his favourite way to be when playing trucks.

Addie - doped up on Advil & Benylin
(pharmacist recommended, I might add).

I hope she feels better by tomorrow.

Hope that your Christmas eve is full of family, laughter and joy.

Overnight Buns

My mom used to make these buns every year for Christmas. I started making them a few years ago for our Christmas dinner, too. They are a favourite and even though the recipe yields about 40 buns, they are usually gone before the end of Christmas day.

At around 4-5 PM mix:

• 1 envelope Fleischman's Yeast
• 1 tsp white sugar
• 3/4 cup lukewarm water

Let stand for 10-20 minutes.

Mix the above with:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups cold water
• 8 cups flour

Let rise until 7-8 PM. At that time, punch down and knead. Let rise again until 10-11 PM. Knead again and shape into approximately 40 balls (if dough is sticky, oil hands). Put balls into greased muffin tins and let rise overnight.

In the morning, bake buns @ 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Tell Me That Story Again, Addie

A few days ago, I took the girls to see the movie Tangled. On the way there, we had to turn onto King Street. As we turned left and continued driving we had this conversation:

Addie: Mom, I just saw a naked boy in a window.
Me (distracted): Hmmm, that's strange.
Addie: Yeah, he had a big stocking wrapped on his penis.

That piqued both my and Heather's interest!

Heather: Tell me that story again, Addie.

I suddenly realized exactly what "boy" Addie was talking about and exactly what store window the boy was in. The day before, the girls and I were on another outing and as we walked home we passed the oh-so-lovely Stag Shop, which is located in a prime spot in Uptown Waterloo. As we walked by the store, I was relieved that neither girl noticed the rather risque window display.

The "boy" Addie was talking about was a naked man clad in nothing but a long, striped stocking over his rather long penis. Addie also happened to noticed the pom-pom on the end of the stocking. I guess Addie was so fascinated by the penis that she failed to noticed the scantily clad women with huge breasts covered in "present" pasties.

It was a funny conversation, and I told them that the boy was wearing "joke" underwear. Aren't they silly? They thought it was pretty funny, and I was just glad that the conversation ended there!

The Cookie Assembly Line

I made my cookie crew work hard today. They were icing and sprinkling up a storm.

Gettin' Some Air Time

We went to the toboggan hill for the first time this year. There was a lot of time spent flying through the air. These kids have absolutely no fear.

Flying through the air.

Yee Haw!

Addie hovering over the ground.

I like the way he puts his hands in the air
as he takes the jump. No fear.

I swear, Lauchy wanted to go over the jump!

See? Hands in the air again.

It must be nice to be young and flexible!

Me and Lauchy. My back took a beating on this jump!

A crowd favourite - going down as a large group.

Ah, good times were had by all.