December: Parties + Christmastime

I saw this recipe for a Norwegian dish called Fattigmand. It looks like a funnel cake of sorts to me. My mom has the special tool you need for it, so if we get ambitious over break, maybe I will borrow it from her and attempt to make it.

We don't have an elf on the shelf at our house, but every year Clara pines for one.

I dried some orange slices for some simmer pots.

...and also used them for a garnish on this cake I made for work.

I was invited to Tessa's annual Favorite Things party at the beginning of December.

While I was gone, Clara and Dana were having a fun time together.

I brought a simmer pot "kit" in a mason jar, a candle from my fav candle company here in Fargo and some energy drink packets.

One of the things I received was a gift wrap cutter. It sure has come in handy as I've been wrapping gifts this year.

The party was so fun and Tessa always hosts a wonderful get-together.

I think Clara and Cora were dressed up as witches one day.

Clara sang in church and both sets of grandparents came to watch. She did a great job!

We went to Randy's for some breakfast/brunch/lunch after.

Clara was invited to her friend and classmate's birthday party at SkyZone. She was the only girl there, which she was alerted to in advance, but we were so touched by his birthday gift request. 💙

Straight from SkyZone, Clara went over to Adria's for a sleepover. They crack me up when they're together.

The following day we went to watch Prairie Joy's dance performance. It was so great!

Later that evening we celebrated Reagan's 18th (!) birthday at the lake.

On Sunday Brynn and I were back at the lake attending a Favorite Things party, this time hosted by Reagan and Elise. Super fun again!

Brynn won the prize basket with all kinds of goodies.

We hung around for some krumkake making with Grandma.

That evening Reagan, Elise, my parents and I attended the Pentatonix concert. They were fantastic.

Yahoo! I was the first of us four to go on official holiday break as of December 19th. The girls were early out on Friday the 21st and then go back on the 2nd. Dana is off now until the 2nd as well.

Elf day at Clara's school:

PJ day was Friday, the last day before break. They watched a movie and had popcorn and treats in her classroom.

We thought we were going to brave the cold wind the other night for a walking holiday lights tour, but we made it to the next neighborhood over and had to go back because it was too nasty outside.