Christmas Quilt, Ornaments, Paleontology, and Progressive Dinner

First I thought I'd show you the photos of this year's quilt. Probably my least favorite of them all. I wasn't even going to do a quilt and then thought twice about it.  Although the tradition was very difficult to do this year, the kids still loved having it rotate from bed to bed.  I feel as though this tradition is going to have to morph into something different.

Alleah's Birthday Party:
Another tradition we have each year is to celebrate Alleah's birthday.  Her birthday falls on the First day of Christmas.  Unfortunately schedules as they were this year, the party was delayed.   We still have a good time gathering, talking and preparing for our annual Progressive Dinner.

I couldn't resist this cute face squished by 

ridiculously large headphones.

It's Tradition:

All the cousins hold up Alleah. 

Making and Delivering Ornaments:

Another one of our fun 12 Days of Christmas traditions is to make home made ornaments.  We started out just making them for Grandma Donna, since she makes so many for us we thought we'd return the favor and help decorate her tree. This year her tree was extra bare since Aunt Brooke decided to take her ornaments with her this year.  The ornaments we made this year were ribbon candy.  Special thanks goes out to Snefalie.  She called the day I was to do this craft, and I needed her help.  Even when the kids get older, it's hard to be a helper to 6.  Thanks Snefalie for making this craft a success.

Photo with Grandma Penny

I neglected to get a photo with Grandma Donna.  I was a hot mess emotionally and was trying to keep everything inside.  The result was a Mother whose anxiety was shooting through the roof and worried about the kids touching both Grandma's work desks, and things, and asking question after question.  When we got to Grandma Donna's work, the recreceptionist told her that a small crowd was there to see her.  In my worrying about the kids I completely forgot to get a photo.  My apologies to Grandma Donna.  

View from my Mom's office.  

BREATHTAKING!!

Meseum of Paleontology :

After we were done making our special deliveries, Grace requested to go to the Dinosaur Museum.  My heart went out to her.  When my older kids were younger we were frequent patrons of the Museums on BYU Campus.  To protests from the other kids, I battled my inner hot mess and drove to honor Grace's request.  Once inside the other kids remembered how much they love this Museum.  In fact they didn't want to leave when I said it was finally time to go.  

  

Wood Family Progressive Dinner:
We started this tradition before I had Grace and Kelli had Alleah.  In fact I think we had our first or second dinner just days before Kelli had Alleah.  This year we started at Kelli's.  She made(Cory) made salsa and bean dip with chips as an appetizer.  Next stop was our house.  I made a soup that everyone could enjoy, even Grandma Donna being allergic to wheat.  I came up with a recipe that morning and it was a big hit.  I made a sausage, potato and leek soup.  It really was good.  I almade home made french bread.  I found the recipe for it here on Pinterest.  It's never failed me.  People, I'm not a baker.  So for me to be success with this recipe 3 out of 3 times, is saying something.  For my family here is the recipe for the fabulous soup I made:

 Sausage, Potato and Leek Soup
1 package jimmy dean mild italian sausage
1  package jimmy dean lite sausage
1 onion finely diced
1 cup chopped carrots
3 leeks, rinsed, halved and thinly sliced
4 potatos cleaned and diced
12 cups chicken broth
8 tablespoon butter
1 small container of heavy whipping cream  
salt and pepper to taste
1. Over medium heat place a large dutch oven.  Cook sausage until fully cooked.  Remove from the pan.
2. Melt butter in same pan, add carrots, onion and leeks.  Cook until just softened.  
3. Over with 12 cups of chicken broth(I just used better then boullion and water)
4. Add Sausage and potatoes, bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer until potatoes are tender.
5. Add cream. Serve when ready.  

The last stop was at Mike and Donna's for dessert.  Hannah mentioned that Grandma was going to have hot chocolate and maybe one other item.  I told her, knowing Grandma Donna it's not just going to be one other item.  Let's see?  She and Brooke made a chocolate bundt cake, tapioca pudding, chocolate chip cookies, I know I'm forgetting something(or maybe two).  It was a sugary feast.
   

I love watching Brent with Babies.

Cory, Alleah, Kelli and Elsie
I think Cory hates taking pictures even more then his brothers.

My Small Crowd.

Notice all the teeth showing!! 

Sean, Brook , Mike and Donna

Our Babies:

5 years ago Kelli and I were preggers at the same time in December.  We got photos of us and our big bulbous bellies.  I thought it would be fun to continue to see how our babies grow each year.  It' been fun to see how much they've changed from year to year.