Family Christmas

We are going to alternate Christmas each year.  It was tough.  This is the first time since HH and I have been together we won't be seeing BOTH families.  (OK, last year we split up, but that is not a real solution to our problem.)  We got to my MIL's house at 8:30 on Christmas Eve, and were able to stay until Saturday.  I loved seeing how happy my husband was.  There was a light in his eyes that only his family could bring, and that was precious.
I made: Almond Maraschino Pound Cake

Friday

Cottage Cheese Cookies

Cracked Out Rice Krispies Treats

Hot Chocolate 3 Musketeer Krispie Treats

I made this for the piano player at our church:

Friday I Read:

HH and I delivered some cookies together, and I went and gave some individual presents out.  I got a Christmas card from the family of one of my students.

Christmas Brunch

We had my best friend and her parents over this morning for an early Christmas Brunch.
Gingerbread Scones with Maple Glaze

This was my first time making scones.  I was so happy to see how well they had turned out.  Then I looked at the bottom of them.  They were burned.  HH scraped off the burned part.  They tasted fine.  

Orange-Cinnamon French Toast

Maple Sausage Overnight Bagel Casserole

The Decor:

HH hamming it up opening one of his gifts...

I spent the afternoon reading this book.....I'm on break, and back into reading chunks of books.

Wednesday Night Church Supper

Taco Pie
I don't have a picture of the TWO Taco Pies I made for Church, because they were AWESOME!!!!  They were gone before I had a chance to snap a photo. Iced Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

When all else fails, READ THE DIRECTIONS.  When I made these cookies, I DOUBLED the butter.  I couldn't figure out why they melted on the pan, and looked like lattice cookies.  They still tasted amazing, but it was hard to clean my silapats.  

Counting Box Tops

HH got the pleasure of counting all the box tops in the fifth and sixth grade while I was at a meeting Monday after school.  The winning class got baked treats.
Oreo White Chocolate Pudding Cookies

Lemon Crunch Cookies

My students had a Christmas program yesterday afternoon.  Where they had the sixth grade classes sit was the worst possible spot for pictures.  I took my camera, but didn't even attempt to take pictures.  
Most Memorable Part of Yesterday?  
I'm sure you were thinking I'd say something about the kids performing.....well, no.  HH brought me lunch yesterday because I forgot mine.  He comes walking into my classroom with jeans, a polo shirt, and a BATH ROBE.  I ask him if he lost his coat.  He said no.  He was going to play practice at the Christian school immediately following giving this to me.  I started laughing at what he was wearing, and he looks at me and says, "As if YOU have any right to say anything."  I was wearing my ugly Christmas sweater dress.
After work, we went to the Christmas party (at Subway) for the local Christian school.  
Today is early release at 1:00.  My grades are posted, and I feel the break coming on.  I will miss my kiddos, but it will be good to be away for a few days.

Monday Morning

Friday Night Love

Sometimes we squeeze in lovey dovey moments even with 40 kids ages 10-14.  We were not looking for a photo op, but one of the girl's Serenity said that we should take a photo.
Hershey's Decadent Dark Chocolate Cake

This is the recipe on the back of the Hershey's box.  It is an amazing cake!
Lemon Chess Pie with Berry Sauce

My sister sent us some presents wrapped, and HH and I opened them on Saturday night.  I really enjoyed her thoughtfulness.  
I got to spend all day Saturday shopping with some friends.  
Two and a half more days at work.  What happened in CT has rocked me.  I love my students so.  

Christmas Tights and Good Eats

For potluck last night I made 
Crockpot Swiss Chicken Casserole  (I already had the ingredients because Sunday's Women's group was cancelled.)

We also had Gingerbread Oreo Cheesecake Bars

The temperature on Sunday was: (It actually got to -4)

The temperature being this low will result in:

Yes, that is a crack that is running ALL THE WAY across our new car windshield!  I've tried to stay on top of the cracks, and we've had two repairs on the windshield.  I didn't see any knicks, but this started out small, and by the time we had driven one mile it was all the way across the windshield.  I was talking with a lady at work about it, and she says, "Oh, it's ok, you live on the rez, you won't get in trouble."  I'm thinking to myself, I'm not worried about getting in trouble, I'm worried about the windshield falling in my lap!

We have five more days until break, and the kids are getting pretty restless and jittery.  I wore my new Christmas tights the other day, because tights like these have to make your day brighter. :)

I think I need to add some more colorful tights to my wardrobe.  

Last night, HH and I baked eight dozen cookies for the annual cookie swap at my school.  We made some really awesome cookies:

Chocolate-Orange Chocolate Chip Cookies

Doesn't everyone package their cookies on their bed?  This is the only cat free zone in our house, and we were out of counter space, so we did what we needed to do!