Christmas of 2013

The kids and I took off most of December for school!  It has been wonderful.  I have been able to get so much done without the stress of school.  This is our first year where we have schooled for 6 weeks and then took a week off.  This also allows us to take 2 months off out of the year.  It works beautifully because most of the kids struggle with math or reading and we have to keep chugging along so they retain what they have learned.  Cozi and Bjorn are ready to go back to school.  I think Bjorn is excited to learn the sounds the letters he has learned make.  He wants to read so bad.

We have officially been on GAPS for a full year.  It has been quite a journey.  It is really hard for so many of our friends and family to understand why we are doing this.  It if frustrating for both sides, but I honestly believe we have done well with some very needed cheats.  Most people who are on GAPS stay on it for 18-24 months.  I am hoping to slowly add some things back this month.  Maybe potatoes, reg. beans, quinoa?  I don't know.  It will be slow because I am not going to move up unless everyone can eat it.

My brother and his family are in town from Arizona and we have been enjoying seeing them.    We saw the Desolation of Smaug in the movies with everyone.  It was really good.  The kids also got to see Frozen with Momo and Papa and Spiff's family.  One of my mother-in-laws gifts to the family were tickets to The Best Ever Christmas Pageant.  It was fun to see our friends act in it.  Good Job, Laquita, Elizabeth, Micah and Noah!

Bjorn's gift to Cozi (all the kids draw names for each other)

Analise, Bjorn and Zeb received nano ipods.  Nice, now they won't be using mine.  I downloaded some really great music for them.   They love Britt Nicole, Toby Mac, Kutless, Jamie Grace....

Of Course, American girl doll paraphernalia

 for their dolls nails, they also got braces that you stick on-funny!

 This picture embodies Christmas!  I love it.

 AMG  Christmas tree

 I believe they took a thick branch from our wood pile and placed pipe cleaners for the branches...

 One day they were downstairs all day.  I found out they were making a fire place to stick the stocking they made for there dolls.  So adorable...  I love their creativity.

 Fire....

 Aunt Beki made the kids big kid blankets.  She made most of the kids baby blankets when they were born.  They love them.  In fact, they use them every night.  Thank you, Beki.

Camo

 bugs

 flowers/hearts

 Ironman

The Abrams, Christmas piano recital and Christmas preparations....

The Abrams came to Billings during Thanksgiving and we had a few fun hours with them.  I told Cozi to take a few pictures of their friends and they were mostly of my kids.... 

Kaila, sleeping?

 Grant

 Niviah sitting on Lizzy's lap

Zeb, Bjorn, Owen and Grant

 me and Becca

The old gang

 all the girls

Christmas recital at Saint Johns retirement home.  Unfortunately, we had a poor seats.  One of our friends said he was videoing it and he would give us a disc.  Very sweet of him.  Thanks Marc!

 Cozi- she played Up on the House Top

She was so cute.  When she was done, she got up and started walking to her seat.  Half way their she remembered she needed to bow and so she did. 

 Hannelora played We Three Kings

 Hannelora said she loved it.  She told me, "Mom, I didn't care how red my face was, I just wanted to keep playing!"

Baking for Christmas!  

Fudge-totally GAPS legal

 Mounds

Caramels

 I also made snickers and pecan shortbread cookies.

DONUTS!  Our neighbor Vicki let us borrow her Donut maker.  So good and moist!

 So easy Cozi made them

My mom wanted me to paint this picture of a baby Great Dane resting in his mom's paws.  It didn't turn out so bad.  I don't think I have painted on a canvas since college.  My mom cried when she received her gift.

Braces in November

One of the biggest expenses this year was 2 kids in braces.  $5,000 a piece, at least our insurance covers a thousand each.  Yikes!  The good news, Cozi has stopped sucking her thumb because I told her she wasn't going to get them unless she did. 

 Unfortunately, Cozi had to have 2 teeth pulled.  She was so brave acting like it was no big deal...  Until the gal called her name.  She stood up turned around and looked at me and started to cry.  She was so good, she actually went.  This is a miracle, I am certain a year ago she would have clung to me and would not let the dentist do the procedure.  Had that happen before.  Nothing is more frustrating when a mom makes an appointment and then has to walk out and rescheduling.  I kept telling her I was so proud of her.

 This has nothing to do with braces, but I was so proud of my bbq beef.  It was so good and tender....  mmmmmm.....

Laquita gave us some clothes from Aaron and this was in there.  Analise and I begged him to try it on.   SO funny!

Love the clip on tie!

Food and Ferments....

I actually made them!  I am so proud of myself.  Fermented food has wonderful and beneficial bacteria in them.  As much as I hate them, I have 3 kids asking for them almost daily.  So I figured I should make them myself and see what they think.  Also a friend emailed me some recipes and I thought I would try some of them.  Really good.  My kids love salad and man did they love the grapefruit in it. 

Orange Chicken and lettuce, avocado and grapefruit salad with Italian dressing.  

Yum!

Shepherd's pie with cauliflower as the potatoes.  Honestly, I had to add some extra stuff to the the meat mixture like tomato paste and cheese.  Also, I prefer the the cauliflower on top over regular potatoes. 

Dilly Carrots

Whey from my kiefer I also added dill seed, garlic and sea salt

 Ketchup also has whey

 kimchi - all of these need to sit out for 2-4 days to ferment and then I can put them in the refrigerator to eat.

December 30, 2014

PS:  My kids hated them....  Fortunately, my brother actually asked for them when he was here last week and I gave him what I had.  It was either him or the chickens....  hee, hee!