Christmas in Kentucky

We went to Kentucky the week before Christmas.
We have not seen some of my family members up there for almost 5 years.

It was about a 6 hour drive up to Louisville.

Ali did some interesting reading while we were driving.

Reading the back of the book....

Reading the book upside down.

Then she got to read a lot with her great grandmother.

(My father's mother, Romilda Westenhofer)

We also went to Great-Grandma Westenhofer's Christmas bowling event.

Here she is with her team.

There was also a table of food that all of the bowlers brought.
Ali liked all the food.
So did mommy and daddy.

We also went to my brother's house, Andrew Westenhofer.

Ali got to play with her cousins, Hunter & Hayden.

(I forgot to take pictures with them all.)

Then we went to my Aunt Jackie's house.

Ali got to see her big dogs.

She liked playing with Rufus.

While we were visiting we also had dinner at my other aunt's house as well (Aunt Phillis).

She and her daughter had fun with Ali.
Ali liked being tickled by both of them too...

We went back to Louisville when my dad got in from New Mexico.

Below, Ali is sitting with him and Hayden.

We had a lot of fun visiting with them since it has been so long,
and Ali enjoyed bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

Christmas at Home

Christmas at home, the Glenn's house, and Mimi's house.

On Christmas Eve we went to Grandpa & Grandma Glenn's house.
We reenacted the Christmas story, and sang songs.

We also got to exchange gifts.

Ali got a pin-wheel.

She is carrying it in the picture below just before opening it.

She likes to ask Daddy to blow it to make it go around.

Christmas morning we opened presents at home.

Ali has become very proficient at opening presents.

She says presents, but is sounds like "peasants".

Here she was pulling hard to open the gifts and was making a funny face.

Ali got a vacuum cleaner too.

You can see her using it in the video at end of the blog.

Ali in her snowman sweater

just before going to Mimi's house for more Christmas cheer.

Mimi had blue ornaments, snowmen, and other decorations on the table for lunch.

You can see more decorations in the video too.

It was beautiful.

Ali with a Santa hat on.

Oh Christmas Tree....

We made room in our apartment to put up the Christmas tree.

Ali was very very very very excited.

Here is Ali's Christmas ornament that we bought her when she was born.

And here is the ornament we got for the

little boy that's on the way.

As always, cookies are required while decorating...

And here is the Christmas wreath we made.

We also went to a Christmas event at our church.

Ali got in her beautiful Christmas dress.

She wasn't very thrilled about sitting on Santa's lap,
but she loves the little doll he gave her.

Ali on St. Nicholas Day

Here is Ali getting her gifts for St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th).

She was very excited.

The Story of St. Nicholas Day

All of our Christmas gifts have been 

"ordered" and "shipped"

from Santa.

Here are the gifts piled up in front of our small Christmas tree.

(We don't have room in our small apartment for a large tree this year.)

You can barely see the tree itself.

Ali has been putting the numbers up on the tree every day.

(We are missing a few, like #2.)

And tomorrow morning the stockings will be filled by

St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas Day (December 6th) is a tradition that I have always celebrated growing up.

It comes from a catholic tradition

symbolizing the charity of St. Nicholas to the children.

He would give them oranges or tangerines, candy, nuts, and other gifts on December 6th.

Both of my parents grew up knowing the story of St. Nicholas and what he symbolized,

but it wasn't until after they got married that they decided to start 

a St. Nicholas Day tradition with their children.

My brothers and I would sleep in front of the fireplace on Dec. 5th,

and on Dec. 6th we would wake up to find our stockings filled

with tangerines, candy, nuts, and small gifts.

We continue the same tradition with our family.

It is a great way to kick off the Christmas spirit in anticipation for Christmas Day.

Don't worry though. Santa Claus still comes on the 25th too.

Even though gifts are fun to receive and give,

we should remember that it should always be about

Family,

Service,

Love,

and Jesus Christ.

Snowflakes & Tiger Butter

Last night during Family Home Evening

we taught Ali about charity.

A part of the lesson included this video, which we wanted to share.

We also made snowflakes.
I cut them out.

And we all colored them.

Ali colored two snowflakes...

Then one by daddy...

I drew snowflakes on it because I didn't like how the shapes turned out on it.

And one by mommy.

We hung the snowflakes over the doorway in our living room so Ali can always see her work.

And of coarse,
we had to have refreshments to end our night with a bang.

Last night we had
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
&
Tiger Butter
(recipe below if you would like to make some for yourself)

Tiger Butter

(especially a great treat for Auburn fans)

16 oz. White chocolate, chopped

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

12 oz. chocolate morsels

Combine white chocolate and peanut butter in a microwaveable bowl.

Microwave on high 2 minutes or until melted, stirring twice.

Pour onto a wax paper lined 15"x10" pan, spreading evenly.

Microwave chocolate morsels in a bowl until melted.

Pour over white chocolate mixture.

Swirl gently with a knife.

Chill until firm.

Break into pieces.