Gingerbread House.... Nope, Pop Tart Manger Scene!

I love the idea of making gingerbread houses, however I don't like how hard they seem to be to make.  I saw this idea online about pop tart manger scenes and I thought it was a better fit for us!  I just had to be able to get the pop tarts to stay looking like a manger.  I made the icing and spent time constructing the mangers.  The kids had a blast creating the people and putting it all together.  I love all of the little details and differences for everyone's scene!  It was a fun evening and I can see us keeping this as a holiday tradition.  I love creating things that focus on Jesus during Christmas.  This was a win!

Hull Time!

It feels like forever since we've hung out with the Hull family, but it's only been 7 months.  In that time Savanah came home from her mission from Provo, UT and Jake got his mission call to South Korea and is about to leave!  Since Sandra and Grant were in town, we made it a big family trip.  It was so fun to see the kids playing together!  The playground was super fun, until too many small kids showed up.  The kids then went to play in the grass field and Amanda and I walked.  It was so great to catch up and amazing to see the kids all together.  Having lifelong friends is priceless!  

Two Decades!

Grant and Sandra came home for Christmas!  That means we get to celebrate Sandra, even if it is a week late.  It's crazy that she is already 20!  Sandra is a great person!  She loves her family and loves learning new things.  School is progressing well and she will graduate with her Bachelor's degree in 2026!  This year she got a boyfriend, Nathan Aldridge.  They were both campus country dance instructors and have built a friendship over time.  Their relationship is going well and it could get very serious in 2026!  There are many great things ahead for you, Sandra!  We love you and are so proud of the great person you are!  

 

Another Calf!

Mary was hanging out off by herself.  I was thinking she might have had her calf!  Well, I was right.  I drove out to check her out and got as close as I felt comfortable.  The photo isn't that great, but in front of her is her calf lying down!  Good job Mary!

 

New Piglets

Our friends have piglets... and we bought 2 for some more pork!  Clark and Lorna got in there and picked 2 piglets.  We have a girl, Samatha Hergebacon and boy, Parly P. Chops.  The kids had too much fun naming them this time (mostly Lorna).  We put together a super quick pig pen that we will expand in a few weeks.  Either way we sure love feeding them our scraps!  Happy Piglet day!

 

Permit!

Clark got his permit today!  Way to go Clark!  The DPS office was so fast we were out of there before our actual appointment time!  Now comes the fun part... learning to drive!  I'm sure he'll do great, even if my nerves might not agree. 

 

Christmas Tree Farm

Jeff offered for his brother, Nathan, and family to come cut down their own Christmas tree.  They were able to come out and spend some family time hunting for trees.  They ended up choosing several, which is great for us ;).  It was fun to spend the afternoon together!  So happy to share our saplings with anyone who wants them ;)