Monday, December 19, 2011

Best Bread

really good banana bread recipe!

I have been searching for a good banana bread recipe.
Usually I don't like banana bread because it is too dry.
Matt LOVES banana bread.
To make us all happy, I tried this recipe.
It really is moist! The best I have had! 
And I am no baker that is for sure. But this bread turned out wonderful.

My other favorite bread this year is this:

It is even better when you add chocolate chips. ;)
We made it for all of Reese's teachers.....her 3 preschool teachers.....
and her two BSF teachers.....one of which stopped me at church on Sunday
and asked if I could make that bread to sell at the local market....
And I am not a baker! It is a REALLY good mix! :)



Sunday, December 18, 2011

Singing Christmas Tree

We took the girls to Life Center's "Singing Christmas Tree" performance this year. Reese's first time, well and Maleah's first time too. This was pretty much the look on their faces the whole time:


(These dogs were just some of the animals that were part of the show!)

It is quite the production. The girls seemed to enjoy it. I was surprised that I was able to say in my seat the whole time with Maleah. She did really well. She got scared from time to time and would fling herself onto Daddy's lap (who was holding Reese on his lap) for comfort. Pretty cute. Reese's favorite part was seeing baby Jesus held up high. (Literally, they held him up high.)



We are looking forward to making this a part of our Christmas time celebration each year!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A dream come true!

Reese's Sunday school class did a "three song performance" after church.

And Reese got to be Mary!

And hold baby Jesus, so carefully.

And sing LOUDLY, with great joy.

Remember, Maleah got to play baby Jesus last year......

Reese has been wanting to be Mary ever since.
And her teachers knew that and lovingly made this little girls dream come true.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

A book a day

Wrapped up our Christmas books this year
so that the girls could open one a day until Christmas Eve.
We had a few books,
we ordered a few from the class book order,
and we bought some from Bayside Books.
That is the local book store downtown, near El Pueblito.
The store owner makes wonderful recommendations.
She really knows her literature.
And their prices are perfect! Very reasonable.
So if you are looking for gifts, and some good books,
stop by Bayside books for sure!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Trying for a Christmas card picture.....



With a compliant, but moody four year old,
and a new walker who wants NOTHING to do with being still,
this is what you get:






Merry Christmas!!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Grandpa Tolar

My Grandpa (Dad's dad) passed away this week. He was a man of his word because he was a man of God. We would attend his church with our family on Easter and Christmas. They sang hymns, voices only and I loved it! And each Easter we would sing "Up from the grave", my favorite song, so well sung voices only. That is my favorite Grandpa memory. And to think we will sing it again, together, in heaven......

Grandpa was a wonderful story teller. I loved asking him questions about what my dad was like as a boy. I would always ask many questions as he told the story and Grandpa would have to slow me down.... "Now just hang on a second! I am getting to that part!"

I LOVED Grandpa's laugh! Something so comforting about hearing him laugh. And he laughed often. At his own jokes, at his wife, at his 5 kids, and with his grandkids and great-grandkids. I can still hear his laugh in my head. I hope that sound never fades.

Now he is laughing and rejoicing with Jesus, and my Grandma, who also had a wonderful laugh. How amazing that they are living with our Lord now. So looking forward to a great big hug from both of them.

To honor Grandpa, I want to live to love Jesus more and more, just as he did. I want to help others when they need help, not when I feel like it. I want to tell others plainly, lovingly about Jesus and not worry about their response. Because it is between them and Jesus. I want to laugh often and rejoice with my family. I want others to feel His love when they are with us.

Because that is what Grandpa and Grandma did. Their lives sparked my curiosity about who Jesus was. I chose to accept Him, and both of my sisters did as well. I chose to marry a man that follows Him and we are choosing to lead our girls to as well. That is a living legacy.

Love you Grandpa! Thank you for your service to our country, to your family and to Him.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Happy 13th month Maleah!

One month ago our baby turned one!
We started out by letting her open the one present from our family.
(Big sister could not wait for her to open it.)

We had a small party with friends to celebrate Maleah.



She LOVED her cake!
Maleah is a great, adventurous eater!

One month later......
Maleah is walking all over, sometimes running.
Talking! She has 20ish words.
She talks in sentences....but we have no idea what she is saying.
It is just jibberish, but she is mimicking how we talk...pretty funny!
She gets pretend play and loves to take care of baby dolls.
Maleah is not so much a baby anymore!