Winter Wildlife

This morning we bundled up and headed down to the lake.

We played at the playground . . .

. . . and had fun with the stomp rocket launcher "Daniel" gave Joy for Christmas.

We took a short hike by the lake, and saw a gopher in its natural habitat. We also saw a bald eagle, which I've never seen in the wild before. Alas, I didn't get a decent picture to share.

Daniel's obsession with doors and light switches continues. I wouldn't mind him constantly opening the front door if it weren't so dang cold outside. We eventually barricaded that door so the drafts wouldn't come in . . .

. . . and the cooties wouldn't get out.

All Sorts of Treasure

Last night . . .

. . . all our stockings were hung on the sofa with care. You may notice that we have an extra stocking in the middle.

I decided to make that "Jesus's stocking," and put in pictures representing the things we've done this month as birthday gifts to Him. From top to bottom, there are pictures of a woman studying (we donated to the PEF fund), Joy holding a toy (we donated many unused ones), and pictures of people holding a rabbit and a chicken (we donated the cost of a flock of chicks and part of a rabbit to Heifer International). We also took a side dish to USF's Christmas dinner for the homeless today, but since we hadn't done that by Christmas Eve I didn't include a picture.

It was nice to focus more on giving than getting this season, but I suppose the real test is whether we keep that spirit the rest of the year.

After we opened our presents, we headed up to Papa's cabin.

My brothers were really excited to see us.

Papa had prepared a treasure hunt for Joy, with several clues hidden around the cabin.

This time, the treasure was actually inside a treasure chest upstairs. It was a scooter and a helmet (safety first, Joy). Thanks Papa and Red Grandma. :)

Carols and Cookies

It's Christmas Eve! And of course, nothing says "Christmas" like . . .

. . . a furry, green Christmas spider. And the Annual Hendrickson Christmas Eve Party. :)

We played the mystery gift game,* . . .

. . . and Laura told the nativity story using cookies she cut out of pie crust and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. She figured Joy would pay more attention to the narration if cookies were involved.

Considering how much we all like Grandma's spritz cookies, I'd say that was a safe guess.

Caroling is always one of my favorite parts of the annual party. It is beautiful to hear everyone harmonize together, and the songs set a wonderful tone for the evening. They remind me what Christmas is really about.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

*I can't think of a better name for this game. The family sometimes calls it a white elephant game, but the gifts are new--usually ornaments purchased by Mom. We take turns choosing a wrapped gift or stealing someone else's, and after all the gifts are chosen we trade until everyone is satisfied. Good fun.

Arrows and Lights

The rain has finally let up, so this morning we decided to take a family outing to the archery range.

Phillip and I took turns shooting while the other watched the kids (who were playing well behind the firing line). Phillip is a good shot, but I'm a little rusty.

When people say "aim high," they usually don't mean so high that you hit a tree branch.

This evening we drove to the LA Temple to see the lights and soak up the Christmas spirit.

Daniel thinks anything is fun if Daddy is there.

We also visited the newly renovated visitor center. Joy liked looking at the hi-tech displays and digitally coloring pictures. Daniel liked playing with the stall doors in the bathroom.

Favorite Ornaments

Some people decorate Christmas trees with a certain theme or color scheme in mind. We are not those people. Our ornaments are a random assortment we've bought, received, inherited, won, you name it. And we love 'em.

Daddy's favorite is an olive wood nativity bell which I gave him early in our marriage. He always makes sure it's put in a prominent place.

My favorite is a blown glass, pink-striped bauble that used to belong to my parents. Ever since I was a girl, I thought it was the most beautiful ornament we owned. My sweet mom gave it to Phillip and me the first Christmas of our marriage (along with several other old favorites).

Joy claims not to have a favorite ornament, but she thinks the snowflakes make handy, multi-purpose decorations.

Daniel likes any ornaments he can pull off the lower half of our tree.

Spot says, "What's an ornament? And why is an elf sitting on my tank??"

A Tasty But Hazardous Snack

Daddy was in charge of the activity today, and he decided we should make caramel corn. The recipe we use (from my sister Heather) requires you to pop the popcorn, microwave the caramel ingredients, then . . .

. . . pour everything into double paper bags and shake it to coat the popcorn. You then microwave and shake a couple more times, . . .

. . . then spread the caramelly goodness on wax paper to cool. Don't touch it, Joy! You may get burned . . .

. . . like Daddy, who tried to scrape a few sticky stragglers out of the bottom of the bag. He's now icing his finger on a bag of frozen pineapple (our ice pack went AWOL).

Once the caramel corn was cool enough to handle, we all polished it in about ten minutes flat. Mmmmm.

Budding Artist

Joy likes art--drawing, coloring, stamping, you name it--and she's been requesting paint for a while now. Call us crazy, but we finally got her some (washable) paint and brushes as a birthday present. She's wasted no time putting them to use.

Monet had his water lilies; Degas had his ballerinas. Joy's favorite artistic motif is a geometric framework she calls a "flying dentist" (don't ask why she chose that name--I have no clue).

Apparently Joy's an ambi-painter, because now she's holding the brush with her right hand.

"Just wait, Mama. Some day you'll see this flying dentist in the Louvre."

The Birthday Girl

Our extended family joined us to celebrate Joy's birthday last night.

Joy couldn't stop rubbing Uncle Rob's newly buzzed hair. He usually wears it a few inches long, but the clippers broke halfway through his haircut, and he had to choose between a half-&-half hairstyle or buzzing it all off. Maybe we'll get him a beanie for Christmas.

Joy put gift-opening on hold to talk with Aunt Heather, who had to work but still wanted to wish Joy a happy birthday. Considering the allure presents hold for a young child, I'd say Joy showed remarkable restraint.

Who's more excited about the present--Joy or Daniel?

Hmmm--looks like Daniel just wanted the wrapping paper. "Uncle Rob, if forehead bows are so hip, why is everyone laughing?"

After the presents were opened, we all joined some of Joy's friends at her favorite place: Menchie's! Huzzah for California, where you can enjoy frozen yogurt in December. :)

Wings and Whales

The weather has been warm lately, so the kids and I headed to the park today.

Joy had a great time.

Daniel said, "There's gotta be a way out!" (It's closer than you think, buddy.)

Joy spreading her wings.

Daniel facing his fears (then coming back for more).

Joy feeding the whales (they're on a high-fiber diet, apparently).

Thinking Outside the Ornament Box

Daddy, Joy, and I decorated our Christmas tree last night.

We made sure there were plenty of kid-friendly ornaments for Joy to hang on the lower branches, . . .

. . . but this morning she decided the tree could use a few more. If you look closely, you'll see a few toys, my striped socks, and one of Joy's red flip-flops. Some things never change.

December's Here!

It's officially December.

We've got our lights and wreath up.

Our advent Santa has our little ornaments in his pockets, . . .

. . . and five are already on our mini tree (I know it looks like just four; one of the green ones blends in really well).

And the biggest hint of all that it's December?

We saw this guy at our ward party tonight. :)

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

Phillip and a few other students in his department were in charge of planning a student forum at the National Science Foundation's annual ERC Meeting this week.

Here's Phillip moderating the debate portion of the forum (he's the cute guy in the red sweater at the podium).

Any guesses where the conference was held?

(Hint)

In their spare time, Phillip and the rest of the committee went sightseeing.

They saw Glamorous Glennis at the National Air and Space Museum, . . .

. . . then headed over to the National Museum of Natural History where Phillip spent two hours checking out some cool rocks. These dendritic crystals reminded him of the neural dendritic trees he's modeling on the lab's supercomputer. Dendrites rock. ;)

Phillip also liked seeing the Hope Diamond in its new setting to celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Smithsonian.

What I like most is having my sweetheart back in town. Welcome home, Daddy. :)