Singing His Little Heart Out

Gloooooooo-ria!

The Christmas Choir Festival was on Sunday and this little guy didn't disappoint. Despite wandering off the stand minutes before his number ("I'm getting a little tired up there Mom"), he returned to his seat and caught a second wind just in time. I had attended the practices enough to know that he would be an enthusiastic performer, but he unveiled a whole new level of theatrics for the actual performance--especially during the "me I want a hula hoop" line of the Chipmunks song. It was a fun time.

Thanks to all who traveled to come see him, and to Papa Bill for this picture.

Night in Newport Harbor

Tonight we spent the evening sailing in a little motorboat around Newport Harbor with the Bollard clan, ooohing and ahhhing at the decorated mansions and yachts. It was beautiful to see the lights from the water.
The boys finally got to wear the winter hats they picked themselves out at Target in early September.
However, Luke's hat was quickly discarded for this Rudolph get-up instead (the red nose actually blinks!).
When I told Ethan we were "going on a boat in the ocean," he promptly packed his pillow for another Mexican Cruise. Luckily he was satisfied with this kind of boat trip too, even though we didn't sleep on the boat. He drank loads of hot chocolate and serenaded us with his choir festival songs.
We ended the night with some clam chowder at Ruby's. It was a great Southern California Christmas night.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Caramels are wrapped.

Gingerbread day for Luke's playgroup.

Gingerbread house decorated.

(My kitchen is only now starting to recover!)

Whobilation

I wish I had taken more pictures, but I had to share the few I did take of our Ward Christmas Party, all themed around The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. It was incredible!

Here is the stage, where after our "Roast Beast Feast," we watched an entire musical production of the Dr. Seuss book. This picture doesn't do it justice, but the gym was completely transformed into Whoville. That huge tree in the background was flocked in bright pink!
About all I could muster for costumes was to put my kids in their striped Christmas pajamas, but many were much more creative than us in the dress-up department. I still don't know how Kelly managed to get her hair like that?!How many of these do you think Luke ate? I lost count . . .
And of course, no ward party would be complete without a visit from Santa. Ethan came prepared with a written list to present, just in case Santa's memory gets faulty. One item on the list: a real snowman. Hmmmm, have fun making that happen Santa!
You'll notice I have no pictures of Luke. He ran screaming from Santa and hid in a corner of the room rolled up into a little ball. No amount of coaxing by me, Ethan, Santa, or Mrs Claus (who was offering candy canes) could make him come near Santa. Ethan informed him he might not get any presents, but all to no avail.

Leftovers

This recipe worked perfectly to transform our leftover turkey into tasty enchiladas.
Recipe courtesy of Elizabeth (thanks E.!)

Enchiladas

8 flour tortillas (regular, not burrito size)

½ cup chopped onion

4 cloves garlic, minced (I used 2)

1 teaspoon coriander ( I used 1/2 tsp. coriander, 1/2 tsp. cumin)

pepper

2 tablespoons margarine or butter

3 tablespoons flour

8 oz tub sour cream (regular or non-fat)

2 cups chicken broth

4 oz can chopped green chilies

2 cups jack or Colby jack cheese

2 cups chopped chicken (or leftover turkey!)

olives, mushrooms, chopped tomatoes (optional)

Wrap tortillas in foil, heat in 350 oven 10- 15 minutes

Sauce: In saucepan cook onion, garlic, coriander, & pepper in butter until tender. Stir flour into sour cream, add to onion mixture. Stir in broth and green chilies cook until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup of cheese.

Filling: Put about ½ of sauce into 9x13 greased pan to cover bottom. Combine ½ cup of sauce with chicken (or turkey). Place ¼ cup filling onto each tortilla. Add a little grated cheese. Roll up tortilla, place in dish seam side down. Top with remaining sauce. Bake in 350 oven for about 30 minutes. Top with grated cheese, bake for about 5 – 10 more minutes. Let sit for 10 mintues before serving.

**I used closer to 3 cups chopped turkey and stuffed my enchiladas a little fuller.