December started out all crafty ambitious. Eden found and LOVED this little cart at the local health food store. I was in search of peppermint essential oil to infuse into my latest craft idea...candy cane playdough!
I didn't take a picture of my finished creations, but here's the one I was copying. Except, since I have an abundance of baby food jars and an abundance of recipients, we made a smaller version! I gave them to the preschoolers as well as a laminated name mat so they could practice making their name over Christmas break. I also made them for all the YW - so they could revert to childhood over Christmas break. All the local cousins and all the kids school friends got a jar as well! Good thing I accidentally made WAY too much! I still have 2 gallon ziplock bags full - one red, one white! We've been doing a lot of playdough lately! The girls (and preschool) got some new textured rollers and shape blocks.
Our other crafty endeavor was making cinnamon/applesauce Christmas ornaments. Emily and Ella LOVED this craft. We had a great time painting them as well and we added these to all the gifts we gave family, teachers and friends. I had the preschoolers do the same...might be an annual tradition!Our ward's big event for the year is our annual Christmas breakfast. Santa always comes...and then we don't have to go find a mall Santa. That's called WIN - WIN!
Eden's still not too keen on the whole Santa thing!
We went straight from the party to Emily's piano recital. It was called "Christmas all together" so everyone had to perform a duet. So I got to have my first recital in many, many years as well! We played Jingle Bells.
Eden is so photogenic...this is STILL my screen on my new phone!
For Paige's 30th birthday, Dan planned a Back-to-Childhood surprise party at Chuck E. Cheese. You know all the cousins loved that idea!
Paige was a good sport too!
Emily and Tanna dressed as twins!
Chuck E. came over to help us with the surprise, but got bored after a few false alarms!
I really think I NEED one of these at home!
Emily has learned how to rake in the tickets!!
Natalia loved all the fancy dressups!
I was a busy room mom in December as well. I had to find volunteers for the gingerbread making party and for the Polar Express Class party. I was able to go help make the houses with the kids. (Not as horribly hard as I thought it was going to be! The kids were patient and except for icing the houses together, they really did do most of it themselves!)
Here was Ella's fancy hairdo for the day!
I also did a guest presentation in Ella's class on Christmas in Germany. After telling them some of the Christmas traditions, we made a Christmas tree - complete with candles and gave everyone a piece of German chocolate...YUMMMY!Emily and Ella got involved with our stake's production of the Kirtland Pageant. It's the same that's done in Kirtland (supposedly) and was very well done. The stake put in on right after we moved here and now put it on again. The man behind the whole production got really sick during the rehearsals and actually passed away after the last performance. It was really sad, but a lot of people benefited from his talents. The girls performed one song during the performance.
One of the scenery items.
The Kirtland Temple constructed for the Pageant. Jill's family was nice enough to come watch one night. Pageants are "their thing!"
I really wanted to do something to help the girls remember to think of others during Christmas time. We were really helped out last Christmas and wanted to do something in return. We don't have the means to do much, but the girls thought it was fun to pick a toy at WalMart to put in the Toys for Tots box.
Cute Eden has really developed her imagination lately. She's always taking care of some doll or animal!
We tried to stay REALLY busy over Christmas break! They had over 2 weeks off! The kids loved having sleepovers...in each other's beds, in the living room or with their beds all pushed together. (It was a great way for me to get some sleep-in time the next day!)
The annual sorting of the presents!
We spent a day at our favorite place - Jungle Jims!
Just a cute pic!!
I surprised the family with a picnic dinner one night!
Lots of playtime in the playroom!
They spent an afternoon making fuse beads figures.
The Zoo had a free day, and it turned out to be a beautiful day!
Emily has a love for all things giraffes!
Yup, she loves giraffes!
After a fun lunch date with Daddy another day, we headed over to the new Provo Beach Resort and got to ride the Merry-go-Round a few times.
We kind of lucked out because there was a wild animal show going on right when we got there.
Ella wanted to pet the pig when it was over!
From there we went to a new frozen yogurt place called Menchies. It was super cute! The kids loved making their own mixes, then drawing on the giant chalkboard. They even gave us water color pictures to take home.
We also had a fun afternoon with Jill, Lynn and Mark's families at IKEA. Mark came down just for the day. IKEA turned out to be the perfect place to meet because it was kids eat free day and we could unload the kids in the play center for an hour and have time to browse/talk with just the adults and Holly and Kayla!I got another scheme in my head to make some money AND get rid of my excess bow making supplies at the same time! I planned a Saturday afternoon Make and Take Hair Bow day. I had a great turnout. There were people there from the minute it started until an hour after the planned time and everywhere in between. I made a lot more money than I was shooting for!
Ella lost her first tooth! She was SO excited for the tooth fairy to come, but she decided to put it off a day, so she could take her tooth to school to show her teacher!
Eden's a BIG helper!
I think this kid has too many Hello Kittys!
This kid has too many giraffes! Daddy even found her the giraffe shirt she's wearing!
I got to open a present on Christmas Eve from Ella. A new cookie for Santa plate!
Christmas Eve. Steve was thoroughly enjoying the party at Lynn's house!
Eden's having fun with her scratch art from Jill.
They looked adorable in the Nativity play!
Cookies are ready for Santa!
Reading The Night Before Christmas!
The haul!
Emily got a dress-up that will actually fit her!
Eden's modeling one of Steve's presents! A Yoda backpack!
I was wondering how we spent all of Steve's generous Christmas bonus so fast. After Christmas morning, I realized it was because Steve was as busy as me finding special gifts for everyone! Here they are with their new Princess and Prince wedding Polly dolls.
Daddy found Ella a Hello Kitty iPod case.
I framed Steve's childhood stocking (that he so lovingly caresses each year as we go through the decorations) and added some pictures of his parents on Christmas. Steve's mom embroidered the stocking for Steve, so it deserves a special place of it's own!
There's Papa Elf himself!
Ready for Church on Christmas day!
Steve took a few too many pictures in front of the tree... Eden ALWAYS lets you know how she feels. Her new favorite thing to says is "I Sad!" and then lay prostrate on the floor!
Emily got a new white fur coat and a Webkinz hippo.
Eden loves the glitter ball from her stocking!
Now they all have white fur coats again. 
But Ella lets us know she needs a new one too! She even wrote the cutest letter to Grandma telling her that "Emily and Ella are growing up and need new coats!" So I used Grandma's Christmas money to buy Ella a new coat after Christmas!
Here's my loot! I returned the dishes (Steve always goes overboard - Even HE knew it this time!), but I'm loving my new KitchenAid and knife set!
Steve's haul! He got a Nebraska Snuggie from Santa, but I think I've used it more already...I always made fun of them, but they really are a good idea! Notice the S shirts in every picture...another surprise present from daddy!
Eden's haul!
Ella's haul!
Emily's haul!
Ella loaded her loot into her sack from Grandma!
The aftermath!
Eden LOVED her new Minnie bubble blowing tea set.
Steve made us Christmas waffles (with a little idea help from me on Pinterest!)
Green Christmas tree waffles with a sausage trunk!
Santa brought all the girls Build a Bear certificates. One of their FAVORITE things to do!
My new knives from Santa! I can't believe all my knifes match now. And I can't believe all my knives cut now. All our old knives were a mix of DI or "free with microwave purchase" knives!
Model Ella showing off her new sweater/scarf combo!
My first (and so far, best) creation I've made with my new Kitchenaid. These were gobbled up so fast!! I had bad luck making English muffins (forgot to add the yeast until after all ingredients were mixed), Texas Roadhouse copycat rolls (3 time failure there) and half whole-wheat bread (yucky!). My pizza dough turned out ok though. Today Steve used it to make deep dish pizza dough! (Football playoffs are starting...pizza is required.) So I guess fancy kitchen does not a gourmet chef make. But I'll keep trying!
Happy New Year! All the sisters and fam celebrated with us. Jill's family lasted the longest and we celebrated the New Year at 10PM with NY.
Thanks for keeping up with the Asp family during 2011!
7 comments:
We LOVED your candy cane playdough! It smelled so good and was such a creative and fun gift to the nieces and nephews! Eden was so cute pushing a cart just her size. I think my kids wish they had a crafty mom like Aunt Kim! How fun that Emily had a piano recital and you got to perform a duet too! Loved the Chuck E. Cheese pics and the room mom pics. Emily and Ella were such cute pioneers! I'm sorry we had to miss the play. Hopefully we'll get to see a video of their song on the blog someday! It looks like you had such a fun Christmas break too. Love the picnic dinner idea! I didn't even know they had a Provo Beach Resort. We loved the hair bow party and think you should make it a tradition every Christmas season. Congrats to Ella for losing her first tooth! Braydon hasn't even lost one yet! I loved the Christmas pics too. We saw that Yoda backpack at Disneyland and thought of Steve! I'm glad he got one! The girls were too cute in their footsie PJs and they got such fun gifts. I'm glad you got a Kitchen Aid and new knifes. I have crappy knives right now and wish I had a nice matching set that actually cut! :) Sorry we had to leave the NY party early. It looks like the kids had fun celebrating the NY midnight! I'm glad you had a wonderful Christmas season. The girls are so adorable and you guys are such a great family.
Phew, Lynn! I can't believe you had time to write such a lengthy reply after reading my long blog! Thanks, though! It's fun to keep up with each other this way!
That took much less than 2 hours to read -- almost five minutes less! But no, I will not be able to come up with a Lynnie-length comment. Just know that it was fun to see how fun Christmas and New Year's Eve is at your home. Glad Steve spoiled you as well.
Sounds and looks like a very fun and eventful December! The girls are so cute doing all those activities. Looks like everyone got thoroughly spoiled by Santa for Christmas. The girls look adorable in their fur coats!
Wow! You had a very eventful month. January is going to be boring. I think all the crafts and creations are just amazing - so "Kimesque". You have such a creative mind and the ability to repurpose things to the delight of all who receive of your talents.
The girls do look so cute in every picture. I am so glad that Ella got a coat. She was the one who really wanted one. Emily is getting to be so grown up. And little Eden is an adorable poser.
Thanks for the effort you put into your blog. I love it!
Umm, I'm thoroughly overwhelmed. I was so excited to just stay home for the break. My poor kids - they are now banned from reading your blogs. I would hate for them to know how fun life can be.
You and Steve are great parents. You've always got something going on and memories in the making. Thanks for the update -- even if it does wear me out!
Jill
great blog kim go to my blog it has a dr. seuss game gladtobeakid.blogspot.com
Post a Comment