Merry Christmas

We want to wish our friends and family (and all you other people :) a very merry Christmas.

"Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given--when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes."
~ Joan Winmill Brown, American author and editor

"To the American People: Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world."
~ Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), American president. Presidential message (December 25, 1927)

"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves."
~ Eric Sevareid (1912-1992), American newscaster

Christmas Celebrations

Christmas really lasts all December with the parties and gift buying and all that. Here are some pictures from recent Christmas Celebrations.
Last day of school for 5 weeks (we're off track after the Christmas break) Christmas celebration. Rachel loved joining Elizabeth in class.

Christmas dresses at church. Thanks mom for the beautiful dresses.

Christmas Eve with Aunt Lynne, Lisa & families.
I don't know, Aunt Lynne may be the favorite.

We did the nativity and then some musical presentations. Elizabeth came up with this idea all by herself. As soon as I can find a class that will work with our schedule, Elizabeth's going to acting school.

6 going on 16

For unto us a child was born six years ago and her name was Elizabeth Anne. Wow, I can't believe six years ago I woke up to my water breaking and thinking, I'm going to have a baby today. We love our Christmas Eve baby and all the energy she brings to our home--never a dull moment with her around.
Last week I took Elizabeth to see Little House on the Prairie the Musical for her birthday and she loved it. We've been reading the books so she got the set for her birthday and we went to the play. Ahh for the simpler times of life but I'm grateful for carpet, indoor heating/cooling/water, and all the other luxuries we enjoy.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Birthday Party

I'm probably a scrooge when it comes to birthday parties as this is the first for Elizabeth and she's almost 6. Part of the reason is we've been invited to so many parties so maybe I'm partied out but then I'm also not one to pay the big bucks to go to the hundreds of different party places around. Another part of the reason is she's a Christmas Eve baby and this time of year is so busy to begin with. I think I'll start the birthday parties at 6 for the younger girls too and do them every other year like I remember doing as a kid.

Anyway, I asked Elizabeth what she wanted to do for a party this year and she came up with the idea of watching a movie with some friends. We chose Princess and the Frog and went this past Saturday to the movie theater with six of her friends from school and church. They were so well behaved and excited for the movie. I didn't know six-year olds could eat so much popcorn.
We went across the street to Old Chicago and had some yummy pizza and cupcakes afterward.It was a pretty easy party to plan and carry out but Eric still can't get past the fact that you have to give party favors. Where did that tradition come from anyway?

Happy (almost) Birthday to my big 6 year old!

Make the Screaming Stop!

For all you mothers out there with girls, I'm sure you've run into the same thing--your child screaming while you try to do their hair. This past Saturday as I was getting the girls ready, I had enough of the screaming and crying and finally pulled out the scissors and cut Elizabeth's hair. Then to be fair, I cut Rachel's hair too. My hair cutting kit was probably the most money saving wedding present we received, who would have thought? I still get some screaming but it's mitigated as I wasn't going to cut any shorter.

Five Guys vs. In-N-Out

We've got it all here in Denver. Beautiful scenery, lots of sunlight, the Rocky Mountains, snow sports close-by, it's perfect. Except...no In-N-Out. Please, please, pretty please open one out here in Denver! Is anyone listening???!!!

Sorry, let me regain my composure. Anyhow, someone told us that a Five Guys was opening nearby, which is supposedly the In-N-Out of the East coast. Some of you who know me would say it's good I have an actual religion, because it keeps me from all-out worshiping the Double Double. Mmmm....double double. Even so, since we don't have one here in Denver I was really routing for Five Guys to be a decent replacement. After going there tonight I have to say it's no comparison, In-N-Out kills it by a long shot. I think Carl's Jr. is better than Five Guys. Here is my play by play analysis.

Buns

Big +1 to In-N-Out. The Five Guys buns just felt like the cheap white buns you'd buy at Walmart. Alicia's fell apart on her.

Patty

I will admit Five Guys did have a bigger patty than In-N-Out, and I usually like bigger patties. But there's something about a double double that is just the right proportion. The meat on In-N-Out is more flavorful.

Cheese

Big +1 to In-N-Out. The Five Guys cheese wasn't even warm, it looked just like a Kraft fake cheese square. Yuck!

Toppings

I do like that Five Guys has more options. It's nice to get a bacon-mushroom cheeseburger. But the secret sauce on In-N-Out takes the cake. DON'T YOU DARE SAY IT'S JUST THOUSAND ISLANDS DRESSING! I heard that...I'm warning you...take it back!

Fries

This one was actually pretty close. The Five Guys fries were good, and VERY plentiful. They were thick but not too soggy. Even so, I just like the taste of the In-N-Out fries. They're a little thinner, crispier, saltier, and blessed. Blessed? Yes, blessed (have you read the bottom of the fries and cups at In-N-Out?). Plus, put animal style fries in the mix and it's a no-brainer.

Shakes

Five Guys doesn't make shakes. Not like it matters though, they wouldn't be able to compete with a good In-N-Out vanilla shake. Liquid cocaine!

Variety

I love the simplicity of the In-N-Out menu, but Five Guys has more variety. It was nice to get cheese sandwiches for the girls since they don't eat hamburgers. No, they must not really be my daughters. Yes, they will be punished every day for the rest of their lives until they can eat a full hamburger. And like it!

Atmosphere

In-N-Out. The music was way too loud at Five Guys. We couldn't even talk. Plus the tables were too small. The peanuts were a nice touch, but not very good.

Family Pictures

Here are this year's family pictures. Thanks Kelly!