Christmas Memories 2018

Although I am not a huge fan of "Christmas" because of the pagan background etc etc (I won't get into it) I am not a *total* scrooge. We still do gifts...even if we don't have a tree. We still get together with family as well. These pics aren't really in order...but that's ok. Above is from Christmas morning...the kids all hopped on their dad to kiss him and I had to get a pic! :) 

Below is one of the gifts I received....a beautiful hand-carved spoon that Chris made for me!! The pictures don't do it justice! It is so pretty in person! It feels just lovely too!!

We spent a few hours on Christmas Eve at my sister and her husband's house. We had a delicious meal (made by Cory...it was seriously so good!) and then exchanged gifts. The first pic is kinda blurry but Dusten loved his new trike!

My sister had this awesome shirt made for me! I love it!! It's some of my favorite theologians!

Me and Madelyn...

Dinah saw me taking a picture and I love how she stood up and smiled like this...

Jaxson got these fun light-up glasses!! He wore them most of the night!

Xavier and his funny duck face (being a goof) and my sweet hubby...

Dinah and Chris watching X open a gift...

Me and Jaxson...

Christmas morning...we had brunch at my parents' house and opened some gifts from them. 

Me and my honey...

My three *teen*agers! Yes...they are all teens now and I'm not sure when they all got so big and tall...but wow ~ they are such blessings to me! They are treasures and I am so thankful to be their mama!

The month has been super busy with deer processing at the meat market, me taking (and teaching) classes at the Y, housework, schooling, gift buying and wrapping, music lessons, and the normal grocery shopping/meal making etc.

My parents got us a dehydrator for Christmas! And Chris's parents got us an InstaPot! I can't wait to give them both a try!! Do you have one or both of these? If so, I would love to hear how you use them or some of your favorite things to make with them!?

Thanks so much for visiting me here! I know I don't post like I used to. This season of life is just different than previous years. I hope you each are doing well! I wish you a very blessed upcoming new year!

Joyfully,
Katy

A Sweet Tradition!

Every deer season I make caramels. The men-folk spend weeks processing the deer (at my in-loves' meat market) while a few of us women (and my children) work at wrapping the orders! It's a super busy season for our family! One year, I decided to make the men a treat. I made caramels. Ever since then...it has become a tradition! If I try *not* to make them (because I always end up eating some which is torturous) the guys are always asking where the caramels are! :)

They are not difficult to make...but you must make sure you have a candy thermometer. You definitely don't want to over cook your caramels! I made two batches this year. The first turned out perfect. This batch I have pictured turned out too hard because my thermometer wasn't giving me the right temperature and I ended up cooking them too long!

If this is a tradition you'd like to try with your family and friends (or just want to make it *once*)....you can find the recipe HERE! :)

The days have been quite busy around here lately. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is here. We're still schooling and will just take next week off for a break. I know the children are really looking forward to that! :)

We hope to have a joy-filled Christmas...enjoying time with family. We have many plans that span more than just this coming weekend! Although we don't really *do* Christmas (as I have shared in the past) we still purchase gifts and do all the Christmas traditions with family. (I am not a *total* scrooge....haha!)

It is time to officially get the day started! Breakfast is cooking (by the lovely Madelyn)...we will have prayer/catechism together and I will read aloud to the boys for a bit. Then they will start their school work! I don't know when I will post again...it may not be until after the weekend so I wish you all a beautiful season with your loved ones and most of all may Christ be exalted (not as the baby in a manger only...but as our perfect Redeemer and Savior who lived a sinless life, suffered and died in our place and rose again! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!)

Until next time, Lord willing ~
Katy :o)

A Little of Our Christmas

I didn't take any photos at home in the morning...it was nice just focusing on *us* and not taking pictures (for once in my life...haha!). Since we don't do a tree, stockings, decorations etc, it wasn't overly exciting or anything anyway...just a few simple gifts and time together was enjoyed! 

My parents had brunch and gifts awaiting us at their house...so after our time together in the morning, Chris, the children and I got ready and headed to their house. Since I don't *do* Christmas in the normal way, my mom fills the stockings for the children...

Jaxson, my Dr. Who fan, was excited to get a TARDIS lock box...

Chris got a dutch oven!

After a nice time with my parents, opening gifts and full bellies (french toast casserole and egg casserole...yum!)...we headed home...

I was in the car too! Here are my knees to prove it! Ha!

Christmas evening we had Chris's parents and brother over for supper. It was a nice time...I was busy with prep and such and didn't take any photos then either! Last night (Sunday) we had Christmas with Chris's family at his sister's house. The table all set...

Madelyn and a couple of my nephews...

That's Xavier there on the couch (below) to the left (leaning on his elbows). Goodness, my boy is growing! I feel like that picture makes him look so long and *old*! You know that saying about in motherhood the "days are long but the years are short"? It is *so* true! Although I am noticing that as my children get older, the days even seem to be getting shorter! Everything is just flying by much-too-quickly for this mama!

Jaxson and my niece...

Jaxson loves keys and volkswagens...so his cousin made him a VW sign out of keys!!

Yep...I was there! Although usually behind the camera...I was there, with my love...

We have Christmas with Chris's dad's side of the family on Tuesday evening of this week and with my dad's side of the family on Saturday! I teach spin tonight (subbing for another instructor) and then on Wed. night. I have a bible study I am attending this afternoon and things to do on Tuesday and Wednesday as well (not to mention all the normal housework/tasks/errands that need done)....I'm glad we are taking this week off from schooling! :) Busy, busy!

I hope you were able to enjoy time with loved ones. I pray you aren't just celebrating Christ on Christmas but each and every day. What a blessing His birth, life, death and resurrection were for us!

Thanks for visiting! I hope your week ahead is Christ-honoring and joy-filled! :)

Warmly,
Katy

Christmas Memories 2014 Part 2

Christmas morning at our house...

We don't have a fireplace...so we had to improvise...

Chris got to open the first gift...

It was a blanket I had made with pictures of our family on it! He loved it!

Before the children could open any gifts...*I* had to open one from Chris. He bought me a new camera! It is fantastic and I am so excited to have it! So all the previous pictures in this post are from my older camera and the following were taken with my new camera...

Madelyn has wanted the movie "The Princess Bride" for a long time. I thought she would be quite happy to receive it for Christmas....and I was right!

The pictures are a bit blurry because I am not a fan of the flash.

Xavier got Madelyn a bear...

For this photo, I used the flash...

We had Christmas brunch at my parents' house...

We don't do stockings at home...so my mom (who made each of the children a stocking) enjoys filling them up for the kids...

Jaxson wanted a Kazoo (after seeing Tim Hawkins playing one in a comedy video) and he got one!

Xavier got one too!

Christmas evening was spent eating and in fellowship with Chris's dad's extended family. I don't have permission to post a bunch of photos from that side of the family so I am careful about what I post. The boys got to play a bit to entertain...

My beautiful Madelyn was there too!

Chris and me...

Madelyn played while some of the men-folk sang along (here with Madelyn is Chris's brother and uncle!)!

It was a busy but enjoyable day! I was quite thrilled, though, as I got to take a nap! Yay! Friday (which I keep thinking is Monday) is going to be a day of cleaning and getting things back in order 'round here! We may even do a bit of schoolwork...we'll see how it goes! ;) If you missed the Part 1 of our Christmas Memories, you can see them HERE!

Along with the new camera, Chris got me (as he does every year) a new pair of slippers (which are soft and fabulous!). He also gave me a beautiful card. He wrote "Proverbs 31:29" on the card. Although I have read it many times, I must admit I don't have it memorized so I had to look it up. Instead of telling you what it is...I'll let you look it up too (if you want to). Nothing could have blessed me more than that verse he left me. My cup runneth over!

Cheerfully,
Katy