12 Days of Christmas ~ 12 Peanut Characters

On the 12th day of Christmas my Church program had ... 12 Peanut Characters!

For this year's Christmas program our church decided to do Merry Christmas Charlie Brown. It was fun to watch. It was fun to see my daughter dance during the Lucy and Linus song. My daughter played the part of Sally. Here is my take on Sally's hair on my daughter, it was pretty cute!





"Merry Christmas Charlie Brown" has become a tradition of Christmas. I watched it when I was a little girl and now my kids get excited when it comes on T.V. I love the message of it. So, to end my 12 Days of Christmas I will leave you with this message from Linus...








11 ugly sweaters
10 dancing tomte
9 kinds of candy
8 days and counting
7 songs for singing

6 musical tickets

5 golden pancakes

4 new little buildings

3 children decorating

2 pairs of shoes

1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 11 Ugly Sweaters

On the 11th day of Christmas my family chose to wear...11 ugly sweaters!

So in honor of Christmas this year we decided that for our family Christmas party everybody had to support their local Goodwill and find the ugliest Christmas sweater they could find and wear it to our party! It was so fun to see what everybody was inspired to wear.

But the prize went to my cousin Daniel for wearing a red dickey over a white t-shirt with grey plaid pajama bottoms being held up by Christmas suspenders. It was almost too much to take...I was laughing so hard when he walked in the door!

Now to be completely honest there were more than 11 sweaters; but for the sake of my blog (and not cropping anyone out) I had to make it work. LOL Here is a picture of the whole group. It was a really great time and terribly hilarious! I love my family! Kudos to the other Dan for the idea!!!!

10 dancing tomte

9 kinds of candy

8 days and counting

7 songs for singing

6 musical tickets

5 golden pancakes

4 new little buildings

3 children decorating

2 pairs of shoes

1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 10 Dancing Tomte

On the 10th day of Christmas at a Swedish breakfast you will find...10 dancing tomte!

Ever since I was a little girl, my family has attended Faith Covenant Church's Swedish breakfast. It has been a wonderful Christmas memory. This year we even made it in the Farmington news paper which also writes beautifully about all the Swedish festivities that happen at the breakfast.

Here we are just before the program started. The girls were checking out the fun centerpieces that are at each table. I can't wait for the yummy Swedish food that will be served in a few moments.

They make most of the food from scratch. The make Lucia buns, cardamom bread, skorpor, pepparkakor cookies, fruit soup, thumbprint cookies, and syrup cookies. They also serve ham, cheese, coffee and orange juice. The cardamom bread is my favorite. I want to go make some right now just thinking about it.

During the breakfast, we are welcomed by Sankta Lucia. We hear a beautiful choir, a fantastic bell choir, see children dancing and a wonderful message by the Pastor. It is such a wonderful time remembering that we need to be light in a dark world.



They always end the breakfast with this Swedish folk song...


The coffee's now cold let us stand and drink it all
The pleasure in Christmas belongs in this hall
You've received us so kindly our thanks we do give
We now take our leave but the joy we'll relive

9 kinds of candy

8 days and counting

7 songs for singing

6 musical tickets

5 golden pancakes

4 new little buildings

3 children decorating

2 pairs of shoes

1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 9 Kinds of Candy

On the 12th day of Christmas for our gingerbread home we need...9 kinds of candy!

For the past 4 or 5 years we have built a gingerbread house. We go to our cute bulk food store and pick out some yummy candy and then the building begins. It is quite a process and takes a few hours for me but it is always fun for the kids.

I love how my kids think about things. I love what comes out of their mouths and what they do. My one daughter just couldn't get over the way the dough looked...she thought it looked like poo....I had to agree. My oldest couldn't even be in the room because she couldn't stand the smell of the molasses. My younger daughter always wants to be involved in the cooking process of anything. She reminds me of my sister and my friend Holly, she just loves baking and cooking. She is nothing like me, I can do without cooking.

Once it was cut out and cooked, then the building process began. This year for the first time, I had a roofing disaster! I have never had any problems in the building before; but this year nearly killed my love of gingerbread home making. I got a crack in the roof...which I knew was going to be trouble.

I tried fixing it many different ways....with a few little tricks up my sleeve...we got it to stay up. However, they are not allowed to eat it this year....well at least not the roof part. LOL




It turned out pretty cute! The girls love it and already have licked it several times.

.

8 days and counting

7 songs for singing

6 musical tickets

5 golden pancakes

4 new little buildings

3 children decorating

2 pairs of shoes

1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 8 Days and Counting!

On the 8th day of Christmas in a little pocket you'll find...8 days and counting!

On of my favorite Christmas traditions' growing up was my mom's advent calendar she made. I loved picking out the cute little ornament out of the pocket and placing it on the tree. My sister and I would always fight over who would get to put the star up. I would also try and sneak my favorite felt ornaments into the pockets that were going to be mine.

My wonderful mother made me a replica for my children. They are just like me and my sister, it's really kind of funny. I never have to remind them to do it...they always make sure it gets done. Ilove the anticipation it brings for Christmas day!

I just love Christmas time....

Have you ever started doing something and it turned into something quite different? I had to make 3 dozen cookies for my daughters Christmas party and I thought to my self..."Since I am already making a mess I might as well make some more for presents"....

more than 16 dozen cookies later....I decided something is terribly wrong with me! I am considering making more this morning .....something is wrong with me.

7 songs for singing

6 musical tickets

5 golden pancakes

4 new little buildings

3 children decorating

2 pairs of shoes

1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 7 Songs for Singing

On the 7th day of Christmas choir is where I find...7 songs for singing.

I joined our community Christian choir last year at Christmas time. Our church is too small to have one of our own. I love being in a choir it is fun learning your parts, singing with others and putting on a performance. I love going to church Christmas programs; they are just so much apart of the Christmas experience.


Here is the song I sang this year. I really love the words...

I love freedom. I love peace. I love joy in the world. I love knowing tomorrow holds hope for every boy and girl.

I love songs that fill the night and time with my family. Churches praying for peace on earth and loves generosity. It's very clear to me that is all because He came to set us free.

That's why I love Christmas and the hope it brings. Celebrating Jesus King of Kings. Jesus came bringing love...bringing peace... and bringing joy to us. I love Christmas.

It's not about the carols or presents around the Christmas tree. It's all about the promise His coming brought for you and me.

That's why I love Christmas and the hope it brings. Celebrating Jesus King of Kings. Jesus came bringing love...bringing peace... and bringing joy to us. I love Christmas.

6 musical tickets

5 golden pancakes

4 new little buildings

3 children decorating

2 pairs of shoes

1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 6 Musical Tickets

On the 6th day of Christmas my sister gave to us....

6 Musical Tickets!

Going to a Broadway musical is quickly becoming one of my favorite things at Christmas time. The last four years my sister has given us tickets to see a show for our Christmas present. We get all dressed up and have a wonderful time together. It is so much fun and my girls love it. We have seen White Christmas, The Lion King, Wicked and this year, Little House on the Prairie!


I was noticing something happening at Christmas time, my children were getting a lot of things that would end up buried in a closet somewhere...never to be played with much at all. We don't have much room in our house anyway. So, it made me think about the presents and things and what really is the point behind it all. Sure it is fun to receive a toy; but what will they remember most a gazillion toys or wonderful moments spent with family or learning something that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.


I asked my family if it would be okay to do something different than just giving my kids more stuff. My parents decided on lessons for the kids. The girls for the past three years have been taking ice skating lessons. My sister's choice was the musical thing. We have loved these gifts so much. The time spent with family and learning something new is priceless. Life is really more about wonderful moments than wonderful things. Thanks Family!


I love rethinking the holidays and discovering new ways to make it more rich, more about family...more about what God intended it to be all along.


Don't you just love my daughters face! She was tired of taking pictures. It was the best we could get out of her. LOL John took a nice picture...good job hubby!

5 golden pancakes

4 new little buildings
3 children decorating
2 pairs of shoes
1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 5 Golden Pancakes

On the fifth day of Christmas I always try to make five golden pancakes!

During the holiday season I always try to celebrate St. Lucia day, Dec. 13th. My family and John's family are part Swedish. My great, great grandparents came to America from Sweden. I love celebrating our heritage. The Swedish have a wonderful holiday celebration. You can check it out here if you are interested.

Now we do a little twist on the celebration. Usually, I wake up the girls and I make them my great grandfathers Swedish pancakes. I decorate my table with my Swedish decorations. I have all the little candles burning and we have a wonderful time. I also talk about that St. Lucia was a wonderful Christian and what a great example she was to us. We need to bring light into the dark world and that light is Jesus Christ.

It is always a fun time and the girls enjoy it very much. So, I have decided as a Christmas gift to anyone who reads my blog...here is my great Grandfather's very special pancake recipe.

Swedish Pancakes (From my great grandfather Harold Tuvee Ockerman)
2 c. flour
2 Tbl Baking Powder
1 teas salt
1/8 teas Baking Soda
3 Tbl sugar
2 eggs
2 c. Buttermilk
1/2 c. oil
1 c - 1 1/2 c. water more if needed!

1. Mix dry ingredients.
2. In anther bowl beat eggs and buttermilk real good.
3. Combine dry and egg mixture into one bowl and mix until smooth.
4. Add 1/2 cup oil...mix.
5. Add water a little at a time. Mix after you add a little. Keep adding to make the pancake batter very thin. Thin like crepes. My grandma would always stand over us and say.."Not thin enough!" LOL
6. Pour batter on griddle. We always made them on the small size about 3-4 inches in diameter.
7. To serve sprinkle with powder sugar, roll them up and eat them with your fingers.

What fun traditions are in your family heritage? Have fun checking them out and always.....


4 new little buildings

3 children decorating
2 pairs of shoes
1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas~ 4 new little buildings

On the fourth day of Christmas, I decided to display four new little buildings.

Come and enjoy the Johnson Family Village! We have a beautiful home, gorgeous church, a wood shop, and doll shop and a quaint bed and breakfast.

I remember as a small girl how much I loved little houses, churches, and stores that would glow during the Christmas season. I would peer through the tiny windows and imagine what Christmas fun would be going on inside. My little fingers would walk up the steps and my mind would wander away into Christmas bliss.

I have had the church for years. It was given to me by a boy that was in a daycare that I worked at. I love churches...surprise...surprise. Anyways, last year at the end of the season I found three building marked down by like 80%. So, I decided that my little church should not be lonely anymore. Then my Aunt found a building that she wanted to give the girls and it fits perfectly with our tiny little village.

Now, I am not totally into this because I really don't want it to get out of hand. I just don't have the room for a whole town. My mother-in-law collects Dept. 56 buildings and it is really cute and fun. I just don't have the room. But, I will enjoy my five little cozy buildings that sit on the corner of my piano.

The girls love it and they had fun placing the trees and the little characters. I hope it sparks their imaginations and add's to the joy of Christmas. I love how simple little things can bring about such warm memories.

Is there anything that was in your parents home or grandparents home that you enjoyed seeing at Christmas? Try to take sometime to remember fond memories and make some with your children this holiday season.

3 children decorating
2 pairs of shoes
1 holiday ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 3 Children Decorating

On the third day of Christmas in our home you'll find 3 children decorating!

Now that I am a mom it is very clear why we decorate....it is for the kids. LOL Well, most of you probably do it because you want to. I on the other hand find that I do it purely for the kids. They love it so much, just like how much I loved it when I was their age. When I am old and gray, I will be one of those old ladies that has a little fiber optic tree, manger scene to the left, and a wreath on my door...that's it....I know I am such a Christmas Scrooge. LOL

We have some traditions regarding the decorating of our tree as well. The girls and I put the tree together. I put the lights on. We each put up our own Christmas ornaments (check out our yearly ornaments for 2009) I then finish off the tree with my wood bead garland and bows. During all of this my hubby is making sure there is Christmas music playing. This year his job was also to keep our one year old from eating the fake pine needles sprinkled all over the floor. It leans a little to the left for some strange reason. All this makes for one fine "Kids" Christmas tree.

Oh, and yes that is a Bugs Bunny tree topper. John and I bought that the first year we were married. Bugs moves his lighted candle up and down and it has the most ridiculously loud motor. It sounds something like this WRRRrrrrrr WRRRrrrr WRRRrrr WRRRrrr. Every year when I pull it out of the box and plug it in, I secretly wish that this...just maybe... might be the year that this awful tree topper dies. Maybe, I will take my Red Ryder BB Gun to it. I will be just like Elmer Fudd..."Ooh, wait 'till I get that wabbit!" But, I would probably shoot my eye out!

I love Christmas time and watching my kids light up with joy decorating our home!

2 Pairs of Shoes

1 Holiday Ornament

12 Days of Christmas ~ 2 Pairs of Shoes

On the second day of Christmas you'll find some candy in two pairs of shoes.


I am all for new ideas and starting new/old traditions for the holidays. This past Thanksgiving my brother-in-law told me about one that they have started and I love it.

On Dec. 6th they celebrated Saint Nicholas Day, which is actually a very old tradition. They put candy in their children's shoes/socks. They also take the time to remember who Saint Nicholas really was and what he believed in.

Now, I never grew up believing in American version of Santa Claus. Don't freak out on me...don't worry I never felt deprived of my childhood. My children have never been taught to believe in him either. We have always celebrated Christ at Christmas.

But, I am all for teaching my children about the real St. Nicholas. I think he is a wonderful example of how all Christians need to be. He cared for the poor and did it secretly. He did not do it for his glory ...he gave out of love and compassion. He gave because of his love for Christ.

VeggieTales has a very good Christmas movie out this year. Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving. My family loved it. I think you will enjoy it too. It is great because we all could learn a little about having a joyful heart during the hectic holiday season. This movie and my brother-in-law is the reason I am starting the new tradition in our home of celebrating St. Nicholas Day. It is a great reminder of who the real St. Nicholas is, giving and the perfect gift that was given to us through Jesus Christ.

I love using wonderful memories to teach deep truths to my children. Sure they will love the candy in their shoes. As they grow, they will have with them why we celebrated the day. Just as God gave to us we must also give to others with a joyful heart.

Love it!

All of you who are sad for my third child don't worry he will get some candy next year...he is just to little for it now. LOL

Check out the 1st Day of Christmas ~ 1 Ornament