We are doing the 12 Days of Christmas for a family in our ward!

1. We are your 12 Days of Christmas Elves, it's true.

For the next 12 nights, we will be bringing gifts to you.

We'd like to stay hidden, so don't look around.

We're spreading Christmas joy, and don't want to be found.

2. Jesus is the Light, we know.

Light this candle, watch it glow.

Enjoy this chocolate, yummy and sweet.

We hope you like this sugary treat.

3. Poinsettia Plants with leaves so red

are a Christmas tradition, or so it's said.

Rudolph with his nose so bright,

Please enjoy these treats tonight!

4. Sugar cookies are so much fun

Decorate them one by one

Add sprinkles after you frost,

and the Christmas spirit will never be lost

5. This chocolate gift from us to you

Is a classic, it's nothing new

Hot chocolate is a special part

Of Christmas joy that warms your heart!

6. In honor of the Star Wars Movie, 

Here are some donuts, we think they're groovy

Some will see them as balls of snow

Others will just eat them, ya know?

7. The Grinch's heart grew 3 sizes that day

When the Christmas spirit he found

Enjoy this movie with popcorn for fun,

and together your love will abound!

8. Ornaments are fun to see

Hanging on the Christmas Tree

Christmas chocolate is a fun treat

They are very tasty to eat

Eat the chocolate, start to mingle

Shake the bells, hear them jingle

9. The symbol of the Shepherd's Staff is the Candy Cane

Reminding us the Lord came once, and He will come again.

Candy Canes are loved by kids all across the nation,

But sometimes adults require treats of more sophistication.

Christmas is fast approaching, the magic's in the air

Your Christmas Elves are hoping that you feel it everywhere!

10.Cider helps us celebrate this special time of year

A time when Santa and his sleigh are quickly drawing near

Oh, how we Elves love this very delightful season

A time for which we know that Jesus is the “RIESEN.”

11. Bake some cup cakes, frost them together

You'll have fun no matter the weather!

12.Christmas Day is almost here

Such a time of joy and cheer

Christmas Eve is our last time

But don't be sad, it's been sublime!

Just remember to spread this joy

To all the other girls and boys!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

We wish you blessings and happiness, too!

Sugar Cookies

I have finally perfected the SOFT Sugar Cookie!!!! It has been years of failed attempts and hard cookies but I have finally done it! My friend Alesha's recipe, combined with advice from Alton Brown and other online sources, has proven to do the trick! Basically, you need a little extra butter, a little less flour, sour cream helps, and rolling the dough nice and THICK. Also, baking it for the least amount of time possible. Like 7-8 minutes even though it says 8-10. (We don't refrigerate the dough cause we get too impatient and we want to those cookies to get in our bellies!!!) Now my cookies stay soft for DAYS! I'm SUPER excited!

Brooke loves to bake!

Mesa Temple Lights

This was our 3rd year in a row going to the Mesa Temple lights. Daddy was out of town at a work conference in Las Vegas but we still managed to make it down there. It's always so magical and it's important to me to make sure my kids are around the Temple as much as possible. 

We all did our hair in buns (except for Ryan who is still bald. But he did put his hood on by himself several times). 

The girls looked so cute. I want to always remember them just like that-- having fun with their blossoming sense of style, and their beautiful smiles. We all went on a date just before that to Slices Pizza. Then we went to Claire's where the girls picked out gifts for each other, without the other one seeing. It was a fun night!

Our Christmas Card this year is digital so we can save a little $.

Enjoy!