Merry Christmas!

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We have spent the last month learning about different aspects of the Christmas story using a wonderful advent calendar from this year's December issue of the Friend. We finished the calendar on Christmas morning. It has been a great experience to spend a few minutes each night reconnecting through the scriptures with the Savior's birth story and the reason why we as a family celebrate Christmas. I recommend it to anyone looking for a new family tradition.

Now, don't get me wrong, we still very much enjoy the presents and Santa Clause and Christmas candy at this time of year. I love to watch the excitement of the children on Christmas morning as they open their presents and fall in love with their new toys and dream about the mystery of Santa Clause.

This year the kids woke up early to discover candy in their shoes, stockings on the couch, and wonderful presents under the tree. The twinkle of Santa Clause gleamed in their eyes as they beheld the magic of Christmas morning. Bekah had been a very good little girl this year and Santa happily brought her the unicorn pillow pet and doll house she requested. Loyd was mostly good this year so Santa saw fit to bring him a cool basketball hoop and the first season of Shaun the Sheep on DVD (which we then spent the rest of the day watching). Xavier was a good boy too and was excited to play with his new toy CD player and touch and feel books from the jolly old elf. A lot of candy was consumed before breakfast, paper and toy packaging was strewn all throughout the house and children were busy playing with new toys. It was a good Christmas.


I also discovered a new holiday tradition, AMAZING sweet potato casserole. A friend brought this tasty treat to our house for Thanksgiving and I begged for the recipe. I'm thinking this dish will have to become a holiday tradition for our family from here on out. Now that I've got you all wondering how to make the best sweet potatoes in the world I'll share the recipe with you. :)

Sweet Potato Casserole
Combine:
1/2 cup melted margarine
3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes (about 3-4 sweet potatoes)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Beat/mix well and pour into a 9x7x2.5 inch (2.6 L) dish.

Combine and sprinkle on top:
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2.5 tbsp melted margarine

Bake at 350F degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Enjoy!

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