My Xmas list ~

I found this note for Santa in Jordyn's room and wanted to share...

My Xmas list

1. A real TARDIS. 

2. I would like the doctor to crash land the TARDIS in my backyard.  

3. I would like a real mustash.

4. I would like a new couch to replace our old one.  

5. I would like a box of five real chiks.  

6. I dont want my teacher Mrs. Jayroe to have the flw on Christmas  (apparently this one she changed tonight when she heard her teacher had the flu...originally she was asking for a calico kitten).

7. a male leporde geko.  p.s. just put him in toothlesses cage.

8. My very own baby owl to take care of. not vicos (vicious).

9. Let one of my cats have a litter of kittens. 

P.S. Just put all the living animals in my room exept for the lepord gecos.

On the back she wrote, Your pichur here and reindeer   :)

May you all have a wonderful holiday!

Ten Bears Winery ~

I took a break today from the hustle and bustle of the holidays to enjoy some wine tasting with good friends.  Christy and i have been here before...so we were excited to come back and try some of their new wines.  We ended up splitting a case that should make for some nice gifts.  We need to do this more often ladies!  Cheers~

Bruen Christmas Party ~

The Bruen family Christmas party was hosted by Cori this year...her first time...and she did a great job! 

As with any holiday, the family ended up gathering in the kitchen...isnt that where all the fun usually begins!

We had a delicious feast of turkey, pork loin, chicken casserole, cranberry casserole, bacon maple brussel sprouts, green bean casserole and of course, mashed potatoes and gravy!  YUM!

Then it was time for the grab bag!  Jordyn and Melody prepped the table...but more than likely they were scoping out what they wanted to open first.

The grab bag is filled with fun, silly, cool, ridiculous and gross gifts.  We each take turns opening a gift and then the next person can steal a gift or open a new one from the table. 

By the end of the game the entire family is hysterical with laughter!  A great time indeed!

 We drove Great Grandma Anita home and took the scenic route...a drive through old town to see the lights!  Old town Fort Collins is so pretty at Christmastime...this photo just doesn't do it justice!

 Then we past this really festive house on the way to GG's...and naturally i had to shoot a few pictures.  I love that the car was decorated as well! 

The lights are always a welcome touch during these long winter nights! 

Tis the Season ~

 I love the way our house glows from the lights on the tree...it makes everything magical and cozy!  Im also loving my new Jack Skellington ornament I bought at Disneyland...he stares at me all day long!  Cheers~

Christmas Prep for Preschool

 I have been scrambling around the last few days to get ready for our preschool party at school and the teachers pot luck!  Here are some of the results...a raspberry swirl cheesecake and a black berry swirl cheesecake...moose kisses...reindeer food...and some borax snowflakes!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Oh and if you're interested, here's the cheesecake recipe!

Philadelphia New York-Style Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake

1 cup honey maid graham cracker crumbs,

3 tablespoons sugar,

3 tablespoons butter, melted,

5 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened,

1 cup sugar,

3 tablespoons flour,

1 tablespoon vanilla,

1 cup sour cream,

4 eggs,

1/3 cup seedless strawberry jam.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line 13x9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Mix cracker crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar and the butter; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 min.
2. Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, the flour and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Pour over crust. Gently drop small spoonfuls of jam over batter; cut through batter several times with knife for marble effect.
3. Bake 40 min. or until center is almost set. (when i cooked two at a time, the cooking time took about 30 minutes longer).  Cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Lift cheesecake from pan using foil handles. Cut into 16 pieces to serve. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

New Years Photo Shoot

 Our annual Christmas card photo shoot turned into a New Years photo card shoot instead!  When we got back from vacation there was no snow on the ground to make for a good picture...so we waited...and waited and waited!  Finally we got a dusting yesterday...so today we took our pictures and here are some of the fun ones...

 

I did make a virtual Christmas card for all our friends on Facebook, and here is the result!

 

and this is our New Years card which should arrive in the mail next week!

Happy Holidays!!!

Winter Music Program ~

 Our Christmas Program was last night, and all the kids did a terrific job!  Jordyn looked beautiful in her Christmas dress from Grandma Barbara...and her hair sparkled with the clips we bought in Solvang!

 I love this photo of Jordyn and her friend Blake on the stage!  Thank goodness for black tights!  :)

 

After the show, Santa paid the kids a visit and handed out goodie bags!  There were also cookies for snacking...and Jordyn clearly went to town on the cookies!

 Grandma and Grandpa Bruen drove up from town for the show and brought Jordyn this cute little Christmas cactus!

 And here is a shot of my preschoolers before we took the stage!  All in all a wonderful night!