Blackham Update (December 2007)

December 8, 2007 (Blackham Update)

I had a couple fun activities last week too. A cookie exchange party. We each brought six dozen cookies then swapped them out. I took gingersnaps. I’ve seen this done before where they tried to have each person take one dozen of each home, individually packaged and such, but that can add up to a lot of cookies, and harder to do if you don’t know exactly how many people are coming. For this we just brought everything on a platter, then started taking six of each, then we all got a chance to grab six more of whichever we wanted, then they rang a bell and it was a free for all to just load up on whatever was left. Got lots of fun cookies and shared stories behind any recipes. There was another gingersnaps there, she had rolled them in the green and red decorators sugar and that gave them a festive touch.

I also went to a baby shower. Usually these ward ones have been simple open houses, but this one actually had a starting time and a game. They had 10 diapers and inside ... was smooshed candy bars, we had to try and guess what kinds. Imagine Reeses, Rolo, 3Musketeers, M&Ms, KitKat ... You could smell them (yum!) but no tasting (as if anyone would have wanted to).

Anyway, a couple of fun ideas. We have the Christmas Party for the Blackham side of the family this Sunday. We’ll be having a pinewood derby there as part of it. Gray’s work party is on Wednesday and the ward party is Saturday. Tis the season.

Quite the snowstorm last night and this morning!  With the snowstorm last week, the kids got into all the outer wear and Landon didn’t have any boots. I had just barely picked him up some a couple days ago ... just in time. I attached a cute picture of my baby all bundled up. I took Colton and Cooper out with me this morning as I shoveled the walk. They both seemed to enjoy it, although they both got stuck a couple of times. Several neighbors have built big hills or forts.

We don’t have our Christmas Tree up yet (maybe we won’t?) but I did pull out all the boxes of stuff from the basement and went through everything, throwing lots out and making a trip to the DI. A few decorations made it out. We have the little ice skating rink Scott and Amy’s family gave us years ago, it is always a favorite. Colton keeps dismantling it. I bought a kinetic pyramid (the heat from the candles make the figures spin) ... that and several other candles have been giving us ambiance, Landon is quite the pyromaniac, actually gets that a bit from me, I have to watch him and the babies. We’re going through a lot of the little tea lights.

...and oh Christmas Candy ... Hershey’s keeps coming out with new types of kisses, I feel obligated to give most of them a try. Candy cane, hot chocolate, mint truffle ... nummy stuff. The kids like the M&M’s hidden in the Santa candy jar.  And even with all the cookies from the exchange, I’ve made coconut goodies, cookie press cookies and cinnamon rolls ... maybe I’ll start being good in January ...

That’s the update from the Blackham bunch.