Cookie Party!!

Yes, I finally did it! I have been wanting to host a cookie party for the couple of years now, and this year my friend Karsen and I finally decided to do it! We held it here at Madsen Ranch, and it was a lot of fun! Just lots of cookies and lots of girly-talk. It was nice to have a Saturday afternoon to get away from the holiday craziness for a bit and hang with the ladies.

We gave out a few silly awards at our party:
Cookie with the most unusual ingredient: Sue Ashcraft won that, for her Saltine Delights! They were SO good! Who would have thought you could use a saltine in a cookie??

Cookie most likely to be served in the Celestial Kingdom: Tishele Madsen won that one for her wedding cookies. (all white - get it??) Matt LOVES them.

Cookie most able to pass for a vegetable: Angie Person won this one for her pumpkin drop cookies. Sounds like a good side dish to me!

We served hot cider and ate cookies, and everyone took a LOT home to share with their families and neighbors. Success!!

Above: Rebecca, Sue, Barbara and Alison

Above: Karsen (with Emma!), Sarah and Richelle

The table looked beautiful with all the goodies. Karsen and Tishele are checking it out.


Hanna, sweet Emma and me!

CVCHS Christmas Party

...oops - I mean YEAR-END APPRECIATION DINNER! Ha.

The Charter HS I teach a choir class for one day a week had a party this past Friday night. Matt was already committed to announce at a wrestling tournament, so he was unable to come with me. I took along my friend Sue - we had a great time! Some of our choir members we able to come and sing - they did For Good from Wicked, Let it Snow and a parody of Jolly Old St. Nick, making fun of a lot of the administration. I also sang a solo I learned the DAY before - Grown Up Christmas List. My good friend Rebecca was the pianist-extraordinare. Everyone did a good job...the choir girls sounded like angels! I love them!

Of course I missed Matt being there, but I loved having Sue along for the ride! She is always a lot of fun, but darn her - she never wants to hold my hand... :o)

Photo above is of Rebecca and I and some of our lovely choir girls.

Sue - my "date" for the evening, Rebecca and me. Matt says we look like we are headed to a Depeche Mode concert together - all in BLACK!

FHE at Our House

Every month we get together with the Ashcraft family and the Bogle family for dinner and family home evening. This past Monday it was OUR turn to host again! We had a great dinner and Matt gave a lesson, talking about the reason for the Christmas season - the birth of Christ. It was a fun evening! We love this new little tradition that we have started. The kids (all 12 of them!) look forward to it every month. I hope to keep this tradition going for many years to come.


Nick and Zack, playing in Z's room. Brook Bogle and Weston Ashcraft - dueling! Silly Dylan peeking into the picture...

All the younger kids at the dinner table. I am amazed that they actually ate anything, they were being so funny! (On the left side, Reagan B., Emily B., Jessie B., Mac B., Weston A. at the head of the table. On the Right side, Zack, Dylan, Brynley A. and Nick B.)

Sue and Rich Ashcraft

Darren and Rachel Bogle, with Taylor B. being goofy.

Brooke Bogle - she really liked Dylan's light sabers!


Cute little Brynley Ashcraft! Dylan tells me he wants to marry her someday.

Colton Ashcraft and Taylor Bogle - the oldest kids of the bunch.
They got to sit at the adult table for dinner! Woo-hoo!

We have great friends here in Clovis! We love them!