Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we attend candlelight service at our church then gather for a family dinner at Julie's house.  This was Stephen and Rachel's year to be up here for Christmas, so Candace, Rachel, Hannah and Susanna were able to sing at church.  It was kind of historic in that it was Susanna's first time to join in, officially making them a quartet instead of a trio, and, it could be one of the last times Rachel participates since Stephen is job hunting and they have no idea where they will end up.  It was lovely and we were so thankful they could all be together and sing during worship.

I just love the way the church looks all decorated for Christmas.  Reminds me of when we got married - the church was already decorated then, too.   :)

candlelight singing of Silent Night

After church we headed to Julie's house and enjoyed Quinoa Black Bean casserole.  I didn't know it at the time, but it was a recipe Julie found in my Christmas gift from her, The SparkPeople cookbook.   :)  Yummy recipe and wonderful cookbook!!

All the kids are big now, so Christmas Eve isn't as rushed as it used to be.  No more sitting up all night (for Marvin) to put together toys and bicycles.  :)  We lingered over a long dinner and good conversation, then headed home to bed.  Perfectly lovely day.

Jonathan and Hannah

around the table... Anna, Hannah, Susanna, Jonathan, Jackson, Stephen, Rachel, Arayna

You can see Shane (next to Arayna), Julie, and Marvin in the background in this one...

I just love these 'outtakes' from the set up time for the family photo...

this might be my favorite.   :)

Here is the 'official' one.   :)   (it includes the photographer, Jackson)
Left to Right - Jackson, Rachel, Jonathan, Stephen, Sue, Jack, Arayna,
Susanna, Hannah, Anna, Marvin, Julie, Kerry, Candace, Laura

Quinoa Black Bean Casserole

This is a tasty new recipe from The Spark People Cookbook that I got for Christmas from Julie and Anna.  I love it!!  Here is the link to the recipe at SparkPeople.com.  I am also posting it below for my own convenience.  :)

Quinoa Black Bean Casserole
1 cup cooked quinoa
2 (15 oz.) cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
2 large sweet potatoes, shredded
1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. cumin
liberal pinches sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper
I also used about 1 tbsp. of Pampered Chef Southwestern Seasoning
2 eggs
1 cup salsa (I used picante)
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish  (I skipped this)

Mix together the quinoa, black beans, sweet potato, 1/2 cup cheese and the seasonings in a large bowl.  In a small bowl mix together the eggs and the salsa.  Pour egg/salsa mixture over the vegetables and stir to mix.  Then pour the whole thing into a prepared 9x13 pan and back, uncovered, for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

1 serving equals 1 heaping cup
257.4 calories per serving

Christmas gathering

We enjoyed an evening in mid-December with friends and family celebrating the holidays.  This is typically Julie's year to host but she was swamped so we stepped in at the last minute, making a quick job of getting all the decorations put up in time for the party!  It all turned out well and it was a good thing in that it made us get on the ball or we might never have gotten the house decorated this year.  :)

Here are lots of photos from the evening.  I am afraid they aren't that great in quality... I was trying to use my new phone camera and I didn't know how to do it correctly.  :/

Hena, Sylvia, Dr. Halliday, Daddy

Megan looking lovely - ready to go to her Winter Dance

Megan, Matthew and Anna - ready to head to Winter Dance

Sylvia, Julie and Hena

the kids had their own party in the basement - Thanks to Tenea and  Aviel for babysitting!

I am quite certain that these boys were the most difficult to 'babysit'...   :D

food!

yummy food!

I love potluck (and I should have taken photos at the beginning... these are mostly empty dishes!

dessert table!

Gina and Marvin (#2!)

Todd, Kristina, Karen and Rebecca

Kelly and Gina

Elsa, Kristina, Emma, Nils, Todd and Mia

Brian, Ben, Rebecca, Karen and Stephanie

Rebecca and Marvin

Done!

Jackson finally 'paid off' his truck that he 'bought' from Grandpa.  He bought this truck with 400 hours of labor.  It was a good deal for all.  Jackson got a fantastic truck in great condition for no $ out of pocket.  Grandpa got his very own 'indentured servant' for a little over a year.   :)  ha!  Poor Grandpa said, when the card was finished, that he sure hated to lose that freedom to call anytime for Jackson to come work.  Jackson assures him that he will still work anytime, but Grandpa felt better with the card behind his request.  Now whenever Jackson mentions anything Grandpa constantly asks, "do you need a card for that?"   ha!

Filling in that last star for the final hour worked to pay off the truck.

He has worked hard to earn the truck.  

Done!   :)

Now for the (looming) 16th birthday and official driver's license.  Goodness... where did the time go?

Jackson's truck

Bringing her home

We finally got to bring home the new Jayco on December 12.  Those of you on facebook already saw these photos and the (in)famous video.  That we actually fit it into the barn was such big news I had to share it somewhere even before I could get around to updating this blog!   :D  

Just in case you haven't already seen the video, here it is in all its glory.   Then you can enjoy the photos below.   :)

at a rest stop on the way home from the dealership

Goodness, it looks big to me!

Rolling in at home.  Jackson said we looked like a semi coming up the driveway.

getting her in position to put in the barn in the morning

are you sure this is going to work?   :)

Made it!  With 4 inches to spare!

can you see where Marvin dug the floor down about a foot on the fifth wheel side?   Might have been easier to build a new barn!!   :)

Boys

The December weather was unseasonably mild for most of the month.  Jonathan and his buddy Zack took advantage of one lovely afternoon to play 'military' outside.  Jackson took to the fields with his camera.  I think a good time was had by all.   :)

All photos by Jackson...

Jonathan - carrying one of his not quite finished creations - a 'gun' made out of insulating board.  Zack is holding a complete one - covered in black duct tape.

I love this photo of the horses running toward Jackson

Moonlight Runner 

Yes, he knows he is beautiful...   :)

neat photo Jackson caught of all 6 horses on the run near the pond