The Polar Express

This past week I asked Kelly and Lindsey if they would rather have gifts from Santa or go to the North Pole, and see him there. They are getting older and I thought they might like to actually see him at his home at the North Pole. They decided that going to the North Pole would be a good experience. So we loaded up and headed to Durango to get on the Polor Express. Along with us, Jenny and her family, Julia, Jolyn, and their kids, along with Grandma Bills, all dared the winter roads with the help of the Polor Express Angel, to keep us safe, as we enjoyed a wonderful andventure. It was majical - with excitement in the air - and snow coming down all around us. Dave made it too - so I tip my hat to him for making it through the ticket line and surviving the rush - as we all headed out the door to bourd the train. It was fun! It was awesome! Everyone should go at least once in their life. We got hot chocolate, sang carols, laughed, and were blessed to see Santa and two elves. Santa gave the kids a bell, and one of the elf's, you can't see him in the picture, slipped one to me and Dave too. :) By the way, if you ever make it, don't forget to wear you pj's.

Polar Express Hot Chocolate Recipe:

What You Will Need
The recipe below makes one cup of hot chocolate!
1 teaspoon of Hershey's Cocoa

2 teaspoons of sugar

Approximately 12 ounces of milk

A dash of saltA dash of vanilla

Assorted mini chocolate bars

Candy canes or peppermint flavoring (optional)
How To Make It -
Mix Cocoa, sugar, milk, salt, and vanilla
Put the mixture in a microwavable mug, microwave for 1 and a half minutes or until warm
Drop a mini chocolate bar into the hot cocoa, stir as the chocolate melts
Add a touch of peppermint flavoring or put a candy cane in the hot cocoa for stirring
Top hot chocolate with whip cream and chocolate shavings, or with festive marshmallows
Enjoy!

Only In Blanding

We went for a ride tonight looking at christmas lights, and as we passed by the theather it was hard to overlook that three cars were parked the wrong way. I wasn't able to get all three in the photo but you can see the one car that is parked the right direction. After living out of state for so long and seeing this I could not stop laughing. Right after I took this photo a cop drove by. Then Dave and I started laughing even harder saying, "ONLY IN BLANDING!"

There that's better

Lindsey and I decided to put a Christmas stocking on Dave's foot, for the magic of Christmas on his cast adds a little Christmas cheer. Now we just need some good old fashioned wassail to help calm him down and keep him down. :)

Christmas Surgery

We drove to Cortez early yesterday morning for Dave's surgery. It took 45 minutes longer than expected - he will be down for 8 -10 weeks instead of the 6-8 weeks. Things didn't go quite as good as the dr. had expected, but all is well now that we have him home. I've been keeping him busy stringing popcorn and cranberries for our charlie brown tree. Dave's toes were cold, so I made a Christmas hat to cover his poor red toes up, since socks don't go over the cast. He liked it - hopefully it lifted his spirits. All of you who know Dave know that for him to be down a day is going to so hard on him. So, please keep him in your prayers and if you think of any other creative things he can do - sitting in this chair - we are open to suggestions.

Our Italian Ceppo

As I mentioned before I had read the Italian Christmas story called Old Bethana. Because it was an Italian Christmas story, and since Lindsey's Grandma was Italian, we decided to celebrate an Italian Christmas this year. Dave built it for us, more then likely the last thing he will build until he recuperates from his surgery this Friday. Here it is all decorated. There is a nativity on the bottom shelf which is what the Italians do, then they come together everyday in prayer near the Nativity.

On Christmas day they don't receive gifts,

instead they go to the Vatican and receive blessings

from the Pope. Then on Jan. 6, they do receive their

gifts from Old Bethana, and Faeries. However,

We have been celebrating it that Jesus gives us our

gifts for many years now.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

Christmas is such an awesome time of year. When I was little I would wish Christmas could last all year. I was very dissapointed when Christmas was over after waking from dreams that it had lasted all year. Here is Lindsey by our Charlie Brown tree. Michelle said we have a charlie brown tree, so I suppose that's what it is, she likes Charlie Brown trees and amazingly I guess I do too.

You are all in our thoughts and prayers this Christmas season. Have tons of fun and be at peace, in all you do. :)

The other side of us

This is a painting I did of one of the cutest fairies I know ;) This is on my art blog too but It went along with my blog today, I thought. I love fairies as all you know - that know me. This site on youtube is of a video I ordered - along with the book. I wanted to buy each of my daughters this book but money is so tight that I couldn't. So, I found the video and wanted to share it with you all. It has a good message in my opinion. ((((((HUGS))))))))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4CG18FPCj0

Souls Desire

I have a deep appreciation and love for music. As you may have figured out Robin Mark is one of my favorite artists. I want to share this song with you. I've added the words as well today, I love singing this song - I guess I love singing all of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNKUWKEXGUk&NR=1

Soul's Desire

You are my soul's desire,
I was wandering,I was wandering,
Wandering all my days from my Father's house
From the heights to the depths
Love was callingLove was calling
Calling out to me, just to bring me home.
Lord of the earth, the sea, the sky,
In glory and power
How can it be that I'm Your child
And You are my Father
So I, oh I, I will exalt Your name again
Most HighEvery way I can.
You put songs in my mouth,
I am praising,I am praising
Praising only You, for the things You've done
There's a flag in my hand and I am waving,
I am wavingWaving it for You, just to make You smile.
And in the morning find the stone was rolled away
Many will see and hear and trust,
In You our salvation
Many will turn and seek Your face,
From out of all nations
So I, oh I, I will exalt Your name again
Most HighEvery way I can.