Ugly Sweaters!

The Third Annual Ugly Sweater party was a success. We enjoyed a night of clam chowder, sausage tortellini soup, cider, numerous appetizers, and lots of sweets. We enjoyed everyone's ugly Christmas Sweaters... they were great and there was so much creativity. This year we did Sweater cookie decorating, Bling My Stocking, and Christmas Bunko! We had a lot of fun... here is a small sampling of the pictures.

Ugly Sweater Couples winner went to the Smiths who spent the entire night in a snowman hug.
Host and hostess.
Josh was trying to make the same face as his cats.
The winner of the contest this year was Carson with his not very Christmasy, but oh so complete look... he was very sparkly and tight and the hair and mustache were special for the occasion.

An Awkward Conversation

Jacob and Claire made these really cute nativities out of milk cartons at preschool. They brought them home today and were talking about the differences between them. Here is how the conversation went.

Claire: "Jacob, and look, your Mary is awkward."

Jacob: "huh?"

Claire: "your Mary is awkward."

Jacob: (whining) "Mom, what is awkward? what is awkward?"

Me: "uhhhh"

Claire: "Jacob, it is just like a lighter than blue."

Me: "Ohhhhh... Aqua Claire, that color is aqua"

Claire: "oh... awkard!"

Jacob's is on the right... you can tell by Mary's awkward dress.

Thanksgiving

We had another very successful Thanksgiving (I am pretty sure I have a couple pounds to prove it). Claire and Jacob helped us remember the first Thanksgiving.

Amber took some great pictures to show off the table and the food.







We enjoyed having Amber come to visit for another Thanksgiving (I think this should be a yearly thing). Chris, Jim and Mel, Ben and Ashley and their families also joined us for dinner.
We had plenty of yummy desserts as well. Wyatt and Brittany and Carson and Paige also came to join the rest of us for dessert.
For my reference, here is the menu:

Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread stuffing, cranberry grape pomegranate salad, green beans with roasted red peppers and almonds, Chris's Mac and Cheese, Mel's delicious rolls, cranberry sauce, veggie tray. Chocolate Mousse Cake, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Apple Pie, Pumpkin Pie, and Bread Pudding. Thank you everyone for helping out.
While Amber was here we did some crazy late night after Thanksgiving shopping. We both found a lot of stuff. We also went to the Portland Saturday Market and Powell's Books (2 things Amber loves in our city).
We love the food at Saturday Market.
I am so grateful for my beautiful healthy family, our warm home, and especially my Savior Jesus Christ.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone... Christmas is underway!