Allie Came Home!

We picked up Allie at the airport late on December 17th. She's still here and doesn't fly home until the 9th. It's been fun to have her here.

Allie and our new kitty, Mitty

Here are the highlights of what we've done:

1. Eaten at Cafe Rio

2. Painted bedrooms: First we painted Allie's room the same lovely grey as the rest of the basement. Allie is such a great assistant that we decided to do Mel's room. Her's is just white, with white bedding. It's quite lovely. I'm glad I can report when I go back to work that I accomplished something.

3. Bought crazy white elephant gifts: Saw this lovely and Mel got it to take to her yearbook party, which Allie attended. Allie came home with the same tacky nativity clock that's been going around for a few years. Look out next year's white elephant parties!

4. Made gingerbread houses: This year, I found a kit with 5 mini houses. Kobi, Makei, Allie, Mel and Keen and I decorated. We had a fun time. We also ate them right away and they were pretty darn good for a pre-fab house that was probably actually baked sometime last year. 

Allie's house

Mel, Allie, Makei and Kobi

Mine and Keenan's "chalet"

Mel's house...now there's attention to detail

5. Had a Hunter family Christmas party: On Sunday, the 28th, Hunters of all kinds came over. Deb and Mark, Kenna and Klint and girls, Jen and Scott and Emily, Andrew and Christian came. James and Haley were in town and announced a pregnancy! Marie and Eli were here from Chicago. Grandma and grandpa were here. We had soups, breads and desserts. It was a fun evening. Our kitty enjoyed sitting in the middle of the area rug, in the middle of it all. 

6. Celebrated Christmas: more on a dedicated post

7. Got haircuts: Allie needed a haircut. It's been a long time. We have appointments to go to BYU's studio. I may go there all the time, when I have a break on Wednesdays. Very convenient and only $20.

8. Got manicures/pedicures: Dad gave us girls gift certificates for mani/pedi's at the beauty school. It was relaxing and fun, but not the best looking jobs we've ever seen. Allie's fingernails were especially funny, but nothing a little bit of nail polish around the nail bed couldn't handle. It was fun.

9. Got a new kitty: Christmas Kitty Mitty is the big news of the Christmas vacation. Keenan walked into the house the Sunday before Christmas with a kitty that looked just like Honu. He had been left in the Murdoch's van in the church parking lot the previous week. They were caring for him, but looking for a home for him. How could we resist? He is seriously the cutest thing. He's really good. Even the vet and his assistant commented that he's "not like other cats." He's quite mellow most of the time. He loves to nuzzle us until we pet him. He also climbs up to where his Backyard Cookout treats are and tries to make his way into the bag. We really do love him.

Mel with a cat, just as she should be

Daddy and Mitt napping

Finding a new place to hide

10. Made batches of brownies from this lovely cookbook

Got this awesome cookbook from the Russells for Christmas. Wow, they've been delicious.
One pan that I made weighed 6 lbs. Lots of butter, brown sugar and multiple types of chocolates.

AND...11. were educated about Krampus

Eastern European tradition: Krampus comes with Father Christmas.
He beats bad children and takes them away.
I think I'd prefer just a lump of coal.