Advent: Day 9

One of the "hazards" of documenting each moment of our advent is that all of you get to see some of my kids little quirks - like being so tired when they go to bed they just sleep in their clothes. So some photos look like the same day. Morgan's hair... well she had just taken out her "gymnastics" hair when we pulled the slip so its a little crazy. What I love about this documenting is that this is real, this is how the Cheney family lives and I want to remember it - the good, the bad, the ugly!

Activity: Ice Skating!!!

I haven't been on ice skates in about 25 years (that makes me feel old), so I was a little nervous about being able to skate and help the kids but it was just like riding a bike. Morgan had been skating once a few summers ago in Sun Valley {yes, i said summer. they have an outdoor rink open in the summer - its awesome} and loved it. Let's just say the energy level in our house yesterday morning was very HIGH!

When we arrived, there were about four people on the ice but by the time we got our skates on and hit the ice we were the only ones out there. It was wonderful!

Morgan did great on skates and loved trying to do some skater moves!

Landon liked the skate mate. He used it to push himself as fast as he could across the ice and then fall - for fun! He is all boy!

My sassy little baby had NO interest in skating. I got the skates on her, she put one foot on the ice and was done. She loved playing on the bleachers. Even though she didn't skate she sure looked cute in those tiny skates.

red nosed and happy little skaters

After the skating, we had lunch at the ice rink. Our lunch table overlooked a second rink where some people were playing a pick up game of hockey. They were thoroughly entertained and ate their lunch in silence. Perfect ending to a perfect day!

Bible Verse: How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of the LORD But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:7-12

The Short Stop Christmas Cookie Exchange

I am not a huge fan of pie. or cake.

But I can't resist a great cookie or bar.

I am very excited about Sarah's cookie exchange. I love finding and trying new cookie/bar recipes. My hips will hate me but oh my mouth will be so happy!

The three recipes I am asked for the most:

1. good old fashioned chocolate chip cookie - my all time favorite!

2. Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars or I have seen them called Scotcheroos. This was the bar mom made to take everywhere. It is easy and the ingredients are things I always have in the house.

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 heaping cup of peanut butter

6 cups of rice krispies

1 bag of chocolate chips (i use milk chocolate)

1/2 bag of butterscotch chips ( i actually use about 3/4 of a bag)

Mix sugar and corn syrup on stovetop until they come to a boil. Remove from heat and mix in peanut butter. Add in the rice krispies and coat thoroughly. Pour into a jelly roll pan. Place chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a microwave safe bowl. Heat until melted (about 2 minutes) and then pour over the top of bars. Let frosting set before cutting.

3. Monster Cookies - this is like a little bit of heaven in your mouth.

1 c butter

2 c sugar

2 c brown sugar

2 tsp vanilla

2 tsp karo syrup

6 eggs

3 c peanut butter

Mix above ingredients in large bowl.

Add in 4 tsp soda

9 c quick oatmeal

1 c M & M's *

1 c chocolate chips *

* i usually add in about two cups of the M&M's and chocolate chips... who doesn't love a little chocolate.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Advent: Day 8

Four years ago we decided to sponsor a child through Compassion International. At the time Morgan was six and we thought it would be a great opportunity for her to learn about another country and be able to pray for a special friend in need. Each month we provide financial support for a little girl named Rahel in Ethiopia. Throughout the year Morgan writes to her and receives letters and updates on her life in Ethiopia. This spring when Landon turns six, we will sponsor a child for him.

Bible Verse: "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD. "Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. Zechariah 2:10-11

Activity: Write a letter to Rahel and color or draw her Christmas pictures

Advent: Day 7

Thirty five years ago, a group of people got together and had the idea of a Christmas concert called the Living Christmas Tree. There was a large tree built as the stage with lights around the tree and the choir standing in the tree.

Over those thirty five years, the concert has evolved to be an incredible light show{the original tree has since been dismantled and the choir stands on either side of the tree} and choir concert with a short skit throughout.

Morgan and I attended a concert four years ago but this was the first time for the rest of our family. Everyone loved it. I think it will be a yearly Christmas season tradition.

Bible verse: Praise the LORD.

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,

praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,

praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Psalm 150

Activity: Attend the Living Christmas Tree performance as a family.

a short video clip courtesy of Morgan :o)

The Living Christmas Tree from Kristen Cheney on Vimeo.

Backyard Football

One of the things I love most about the fall is football season, especially the games on Sunday afternoon. As much as I look forward to cheering on my team, I also know my boys are occupied which means this mama can get a much needed nap (or at least an hour or so of down time)!

This fall a new Sunday afternoon tradition was started - backyard football. Lance and Landon meet up with two other dads and their sons (between the games they all want to watch) for some good old fashioned tackle football.

These boys don't play gently. Landon has had a bruise or two show up after an afternoon of football. He loves it and looks forward to it each week.

I love how these dads are sharing their love of the sport with their boys and spending that quality time with them - teaching them the game and just enjoy their sons!

* photos courtesy of rick gibbs. thanks rick!

Advent: Day 6

Bible Verse: The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. Luke 1:19

Activity: making popsicle stick angels and coloring angel magnets

* mauryn was napping while we worked on the angels this afternoon so there are no pictures of her sweet little face. this was the only time we had to make the angels between church and our sunday night small group with our teens. she didn't seem to disappointed since she had an angel magnet to color and she got to use markers :P

* i put the angels on our mantle with the stockings. it seemed like the perfect place and the kids love looking at them there.

* i am enjoying seeing my kids artwork around the house and love their excitement over picking a slip each day.

Advent: Day 5

One night three years ago as we were driving home, we saw a large spotlight in the sky. It wasn't far from our house and we were curious so we decided to follow the light. What we found was a living nativity held outside at a church about two miles from our house. It was the first of our yearly visits.

Our kids look forward to going each year - petting the animals, watching the short skit, and getting hot chocolate and candy canes.

This year was no different - even though it was very cold and windy the kids still wanted to go and check it out. There only disappointment was that Clyde the camel was not there.

Bible Verse: John 1:5-2:2 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:5

Activity: tin can luminaries

I have been wanting to make these with the kids for the last few years but this was the first year I felt that both of the older kids could handle it on their own. They enjoyed creating and hammering the designs and were excited for evening so they could see their designs glow. Since this was too hard for Mauryn, I gave her an aluminum pie pan and pencil to punch out a design. It worked so so but she thought it was great.