Holiday Yummies

Here are all my Christmas Goodies ready to be plated and passed around to family and friends.

Here are the close up shots so if you are not close enough to me to get a plate you will be the lucky ones to not gain weight because of me, but you can imagine how wonderful they taste ;)

Greek Twist Cookies

Pressed Cookies and Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Stars)

Peanut Brittle

Million Dollar Fudge

Caramels

Ohio Buckeyes

Greek Honey Dipped Cookies

Christmas Tree Decorating Fun

We had a wonderful time as a family decorating the tree. Since Gavin is still into destorying everything we will not be putting presents under the tree until Christmas Eve.

Timber!!

I always enjoyed going as a child and cutting down our own tree. We were lucky that a neighbor of ours had a little lot of trees and we always found a great little tree from them.

The prefect Christmas tree to me is one that is about 5 feet tall with short needles and branches far enough apart that when you hang the ornaments you can still see them. I guess the perfect tree to me is what I call a "Charlie Brown" tree. This year James said he wanted his way this year. After getting to the tree farm and hearing him complain about how cold it was and that it was snowing I gave in. We cut down the tree James wanted this year and to be honest with you, I hate it. It doesn't smell, the needles are way to long and they hide the ornaments, the branches are not strong at all and not all the ornaments could be hung because they are to heavy. Have I complained enough? I gave him one year we should be good for another 12 years to have it my way, right?

The important thing is the kids had a great time going and picking out the tree and taking turns cutting it down. All this is about is making memories and hopefully they are happy ones. The reason for the season is to remember the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and not what kind of tree "I" wanted. But I still have my opinion ;)

St. Nick's Day

I had never heard of St. Nick's Day until I met and married James. It was a family tradition in their home. James said that they would put bowls on the kitchen table and in the morning St. Nick had put candy and a small toy in them. When we started having children we agreed that instead of having St. Nick and a stocking on Christmas day we would hang the stockings for St. Nick to fill and Santa would bring the big presents. It was wonderful to live in Germany where everyone celebrates St. Nick's Day. Our children enjoyed knowing that the other children in our German neighborhood was also getting things for St. Nick's Day. We are back to having other children give our children a weird look when they talk about St. Nick, but it is a fun tradition in our home and the children look forward to it every year.

Military Again

James joined the Ohio Air National Guard part time. This was is first guard weekend. It has been 4 years since he put on this uniform and it seems to be a little snug ;)

It is fun to see him in his Blues since he has always thought he looks like hot stuff in his blues. Reminds me when we were first dating and the only reason why he would go to church with me is because he would dress up in his Blues to impress me. After 13 years he does look different, but he still looks hot :)

I am happy to have base privilages again with the wonderful savings of the commissary. I can actually shop within my budget again.

I've Been Tagged

I have been tagged by my friend Bernie to do a count down to Christmas Post. I love this time of year when everything smells good and we turn our house into joy and thanksgiving for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The time to reflect on the sacrafice that was given and to admire Mother Mary for her role she played in this great plan.



We don't officially set up Christmas until December 5th in preperation for St. Nick's Day on December 6th but the Advent Calendar must go up on the 1st.



Happy Counting down, 24 days to go.

On a side note; I am thinking about making these advent calendars for a craft show next year. The advent calendar is 20 in. x 26 in. with 25 days to count down to Christmas. It would be great if you would give me feedback: Do you like it? Do you think people would buy them? How much do you think I should ask? Thanks!

Dance and 3 lbs down!!!

This week at dance it was visitors week. This is one of two weeks during dance season that family and friends can watch the dance classes. Unfortunately we forgot the camera for Ashley's dance class, but trust me, she was the cutest little girl out there.

Emily really likes Jazz dance but the class she loves is the Acrobat class. She loves twisting and turning her body and becoming stronger. I remember being just like her when I was her age. Always wishing that I could take Gymnastics and trying to do all the tricks on my own. Amazing I didn't brake my neck not having someone to spot me. I am so happy that we can give these things to our girls.

The picture of me is two fold: first, I also am taking a Tapp class. I really wanted to take Jazz but the only Adult class they had was Tapp. But after seeing myself doing tapp I am glad I am not trying to move my body in Jazz with the ripples of fat giggling as I move. second, continuing the fat discussion, after my sister called me last week excited that she lost 3 lbs I knew I had to get on the ball. I was no longer sick and things are somewhat caught up so I needed to get back on track on losing weight. So this picture also serves to show how I look. Last Sunday I weighted 150 lbs. and I am very happy to report that I am now 147 lbs. My goal is to lose at least 1 lb. a week so by June 21, 2009 I should be at my goal. Slow and Steady wins the race.

Ricker Halloween 2008

This week we had nothing but a Pooh, Jesse the Cowgirl, the Devil, and an Elf named Link running around the house. As soon as we had all of their costumes finished on Wednesday every morning they would come down from getting dressed in their Halloween costumes. I wonder how long it will last. One joy of home schooling, they can wear them as long as they want.

Thursday was the big day. We started by carving the pumpkins we got the weekend before. Joel picked out a hard design as always, but I think he did a good job trying to make all those twists and turns. It was a monster with a trick-or-treat bag. Emily as always with her creative mind didn't need a pattern to follow. Emily made her own design on a piece of paper and then transfered it onto her pumpkin for carving. Ashley not wanting to be different from her sister did the same. She said it was a wolf throwing a boomerang that if it touched you you would die. I had to trust her on that one. Gavin really did help me with a lot of his carving. If I tried to do any carving without his hand on the tool too it would be, "Mom, Mom, Mom", as he was pushing my hand out of the way. If Gavin sees the other doing something he knows he can do it too.

That night was beggers night in our town. The kids had a great time going around with dad and friend Nate getting as much candy as possible in only two hours. I remember going out as long as there were porch lights on and getting back home between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Those were the days. Gavin and I handled the door at home. I am sure by next year Gavin will be able to say "Trick-or-Treat" and will be running along with the other kids.

As soon as they returned home and we checked their candy it was like we were on Wall Street, let the trading begin. Somehow Emily ended up with all the "big" candy bars. Needless to say after a late night the next day school started late, sugar high kids slowly did their school work and we finally finished around 4:00 p.m. I was thankful to see the weekend.

What Year Do You Belong In?

You Belong in 1983

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Pumpkin Patch Fun

The Ricker Gang enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at a local farm searching for pumpkins. The children enjoyed themselves in a corn maze, straw maze, looking at all the animals, and climbing the piles of straw bales. The best part was the hay ride to the pumpkin patch to pick our own pumpkins. The only rule we gave the children is they had to be able to carry it all by themselves. It was a great afternoon with everyone finding the "just right" pumpkin for them.

Thursday is all art day in school with carving the pumpkins before a night of trick-or-treating. The children are counting down the days for all that candy. I remember the anticipation of Halloween as a child. I love reliving these moments with my children.

Happy Halloween!!

Vacation, Sickness, Catch-up!

We enjoyed a wonderful road trip to South Dakota. Camping in the wonderful Black Hills and enjoying the peace and quite that surrounded us.

As soon as we returned I got hit with a Sinus Infections that quickly turned into a double ear infection. I ended up with two weeks of two different antibiotics. I enjoyed about 3 weeks of part or no hearing. The kids enjoyed having a couple more weeks off of school.

I am still trying to play catch-up with the house, school, church calling, etc...

I will try and post more later but for now I will post a few pictures from our trip.

Headless Horseman, Construction, & Jelly

Gavin loves to put Emily's "Blankie" over his head. He became the Headless Horseman. This is fitting since he likes to destroy all he comes in contact with.

Our family Labor Day project was making Sally a new house. It always seems that whenever I want to do wood working the temperature and humidity are awful. I had to take a brake after cutting all the pieces out because of heat stroke.

Joel is becoming a great help as he is growing up. All the kids had a fantastic time painting the house. I had to grit my teeth and close my eyes when they said they wanted to put spots all over it. I am the kind of person that like things to look uniform. But I know this is for the kids and it was their painting so it had to be their ideas and work.

Even though I want to go out and make it uniform I am restraining myself. James thinks it looks really cool. The important thing is the kids think it is really cool and Sally seems to like it.

Here is the finished product. It was a great family project and I hope it is something the kids will always remember doing together.

James went up to the house in Sidney and brought back the Concord Grapes from our Grapevine. Since it has been neglected for 4 years it didn't produce as much as it did before we went to Germany, but I did get enough juice for one batch of Jelly. I never liked grape jelly as a child but this homemade stuff is wonderful. It will be yummy to enjoy this jelly on our PB&J on Tuesdays.

We are planning on going on a trip next week to Mount Rushmore. I am excited and so are the kids. We have a lot of thing planned to do while we are there and I have always wanted to see Mount Rushmore. Since we traveled so much in Europe we said we would continue to travel and see our own country.

Then after we get back I get on the ball and work my butt off, for real, to lose weight with The Biggest Loser. I am happy that there are wonderful people out there working with me and cheering me on. Cheers out to all of you too!!