Aebleskivers a la Jonathan

So, Jonathan is one of four boys who was raised by a Scandanavian mother who is an amazing cook.  They have certain foods that they just love and aebleskivers would be one of them.  They always talk about them and request Sandi to make them, so Jonathan decided to take matters into his own hands this year by getting me for Christmas what I've always wanted...a super heavy cast iron aebleskiver pan. 

I passed it onto him with the recipe and Jonathan made these beauties all by himself.  The only thing I did was teach him how to whip egg whites and fold them into the batter.  No pancake mix here...the real deal!

And they were delicious!

A New Room For Sisters

A shout out of gratitude to my design-gifted friend Laurie who helped me many times over!

Old white dresser painted with love by my little brother Alex...you're the best!

Adorable growing doll collection over the past two years all made my sister Dani

Christmas Day 2011

I have a friend that does this at her house, so we started the "Christmas Morning Wrapping Paper Run Through" at our house this year.

The girls loved it!

Success!

Santa brought them American Girl dolls. 

The girls have really gotten into Littlest Pet Shop stuff the past 6 weeks or so.  I scored a steal of a deal off of ksl getting a whole bunch of stuff for a fraction of the price.  Funniest coincidence is that the person who was selling them was someone I've been going to the gym with for a couple of years.  Didn't realize it until I was standing on her doorstep and she opened the door. 

Then it was off to Gma Sans for breakfast casserole and to Gma Cozy's for presents and more food. 

For the second year, my Mom has put together a really fun Christmas game.  Every person gets $20 in quarters, so if you choose to combine as couples, you have 200 quarters. She buys various food storage items and "guilty pleasure" items that she has gotten our input on prior to Christmas.  We bid on the items with our quarters.  If you win the item, you pay the banker (my Dad) the amount of quarters you bid.  Then you get the item.  Each item has an envelope attached to it with cash inside; however, you don't know how much cash is in each envelope.  We only knew that there were 10 $10 bills, 10 $20, 5 $50, and 5 $100.   It was a lot of fun...especially because for the second year in a row Jonathan and I left with the most winnings.  While I'd like to say we are very strategic, mostly we had a lot of luck.

Thanks Mom & Dad for a very fun Christmas!

Carlson Christmas Eve

After a very delicious Christmas Eve dinner, it was time for the nativity.  My Mom wrote parts for all the grandkids and gave them to the kids in advance so they could memorize their parts.  Addy was the angel and did a great job!

How cute are these beards?  My sister crocheted them for the shepherds (girls) and wiseman (we just had 1). 

The whole cast and crew minus the donkey (London).  She fell asleep on our way to my Mom's house, so when she woke up, she wasn't too happy.  She was, however, more than happy to stay up until midnight with me that night. 

Christmas Eve Jammies

(nice face Oliver)

Christmas Eve Eve

The Eberhardts have Christmas Eve dinner on the 23rd.  I love this tradition because it spreads out all the fun of the holidays and it never disappoints!

These three girls all showed up wearing their Christmas black...pretty cute!

Enjoying a delicious dinner made by Sans.

And then one of the highlights of the night...SANTA!

London was shy, but wasn't about to refuse Santa's lap, especially because there was a present with her name on it.

Addy telling Santa she wanted an American Girl doll. 

After Santa, it was time for the nativity.  Hmm, where's London?

That happy chocolate-eating shepherd lasted about 5 minutes in her costume, then wanted it OFF!

Girls' Night Out

Grandma Sans bought all the girls tickets to see Annie.  Thanks to Sans, Addy has a new found love for plays and symphonies.  It was a great show!

Rachel and Sami, took this before Nikki and Misha showed. 

For a good week after, I would catch Addy singing various tunes from ths show.  It also sparked a real interest to be in a play; however, we will have to work on the shyness factor. 

Sans not only gets tickets to great shows, but she seems to always get the best seats!  Just a few rows back and always right in the center.  (That's how I got to see Wicked in Hollywood)

True Story

Jonathan:  So, I think that this baby is going to be our biggest one yet.

Me:  Oh ya, what makes you say that?

Jonathan:  Because you are the biggest I've ever seen you.

Hold that thought while I run and return your Christmas present.

On the phone not more than 24 hours later...

Jonathan:  So are you worried at all about losing the weight from this baby?

Me:  Uh, no...why?  Are you?

Disclaimer:  While this sounds like I'm married to a big jerk of a husband who is freaking out about his expanding wife, he's not and he knows I don't get offended about stuff like this...just like to tell people for a laugh and a good reaction.  He's never been given the Top Ten List of things to NEVER say to a pregnant woman.  He could remedy all of this by simply letting me name the baby what I want. 

I received a text earlier today that said, "You choose the baby name from this list of 3:  Ethan, Sparticus, Optimus Prime"   OP is kind of a cool name, right?

Temple Square Lights

We braved the cold and had a fun family night at Temple Square looking at all the beautiful lights. 

Loved this Japanese nativity

Addy wanted to stand on the pedastal all by herself.

Bye Bye Polka Dots...sorta

For the past 4+ years, Addy's room has been polka dots.  I painted every single one of these dots when Addy was just a few months old using a very scientific method (trace and paint).  This was her nursery and then has been her room for the past few years.  With a new baby on the way, it's time to move London and Addy into the same room and we were all wanting a little change.

So, I traded in one set of polka dots for another (bad lighting).  I couldn't find the stencil I was looking for, so I made my own to the tune of $5.  (Crazy that they sell these online for $30 to $50!)  Just call me Martha.  More pictures to come when there is actually a finished product.

Theeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnn we can start on the baby room.

Stinkers

London:  2 1/2 years old

These days London will either throw a fit to wear her swimsuit (notice Megan in the background in full winter coat) or her princess nightgown.  I can get her dressed in the morning, kicking and screaming always, take Addy to school, go workout, and as soon as we walk in the door she is asking me to "Skowa Bunny" ("skin the bunny") and won't stop screaming at me until I have taken off her shirt.  Once the shirt is off, she can do all the rest.  She will come out wearing this dang swimsuit with swim diaper and all.  (yes, I know...I created this)

So...if there ever is an impromptu swim party in the middle of December...we're ready!

London is definitely not as verbal as her older sister was at this age, but she knows how to tattle on said sister like a champ.  She loves to dance and is not shy to show off (and I gotta say has some natural booty-shaking talent).  I love to watch her high-stepping run and she loves when her Dad plays the hug monster.  She will always remind us she needs "kisses and hugs" before bed and isn't shy about asking multiple times if it means she can get out of her bed.  She has already learned to blame her "baby brudder" for breaking things that she normally would get in trouble for.  She LOVES dogs and is often caught imitating one. 

Just yesterday she ran away from me in Kohls and was gone.  Thanks to two strangers who watched the doors while another friend and I ran around looking for her, she was only lost for a few very LONG minutes.  We found her holding another lady's hand who was standing in line looking around for me.  I thanked everyone for their help and then told London how she couldn't run away from me.  She gave me a big hug and kept saying, "I sah-wee Mama...I sah-wee."

Needless to say, she is keeping her affectionate nickname "Stinkers" for a little while longer!

Testimony Builder

My parents had their Suburban stolen a couple of weeks ago out of a parking lot.  They have been through a lot the past couple of years with the economy hitting them hard like many others.  This was a 1994 Suburban, but my Dad had taken great care of this car and it would likely last them for a very long time.  My Mom also uses this car quite frequently with big catering jobs to transport coolers and other items.  To say that getting this car stolen was devastating is an understatement. 

We started praying that the police would be able to find the car.  Addy was very concerned by this happening.  She prayed every night that Grandma and Grandpa's car would be found. 

A week later, they received a call from the police that their car had, in fact, been found.  My Mom called me right after Addy's dance recital to see if I could help drive to pick it up.  I got off the phone and said to Addy, "Your prayers worked!  They found Grandma and Grandpa's car!"  She got the biggest smile on her face. 

Miracle of all miracles, the car had been deserted in a West Valley neighborhood that someone called on after not seeing it move for a few days.  It was in perfect shape...no windows broken, no parts stolen...likely just some punks out for a joy ride. 

That night when we went to say prayers Addy said, "Mom, I think we should thank Heavenly Father for helping find Grandma's car."  And that's just what we did.

Christmas Dance Recital

Addy's dance this year was to "Jingle Bell Rock"

She has thoroughly enjoyed being in the same class with her friend Megan as well as Alyssa.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the carpooling help by their mothers since their class was the same time that I taught my class.

Their friendship reminds me a lot of my best friend Audrey and I growing up.  They can play together every day and just never get sick of each other.  The funniest thing I caught them fighting about a few months ago went a little something like this:

Megan:  I'm older!

Addy:  I'm taller!

Me:  That's right girls, and it's always going to be that way, so no need to fight.

Addy did a great job with her perma-smile on her face and always a step or two ahead of the music.

Her biggest fans:  Gma Sans and Gma Cozy

And even Gma Great came!

Her favorite dancing cousin Emmy to whom we are eternally grateful for all the great costume hand-me-downs.