Minnesota Conference

So, Jed and I got to attend the CHS annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  A VERY COOL place.  :)  Literally.  We flew and then rode the tram, which was an experience for us farm folk.  An interesting man with his 3 legged dog got on and then immediately asked Jed, "How the ?$!* do you stop this thing?"  And of course, Jed's response was, "Uh you're asking the wrong guy."  And trust me when I say it was awkward and super funny at the same time.
 

I am eating the best lamb something or rather that I have EVER had.  Seriously Yum!
 

Our hotel had a dome on top... very Cool!  And this is the man that allowed us to attend.
 

 

I was overwhelmed with the skywalks EVERYWHERE!  You can walk almost anywhere downtown INSIDE.  You can see the next one down going over the street. 

The buildings were adorable.  I loved the architecture.
 

AND, the Christmas decorations were AMAZING.  VERY Classy!
 

Do most meetings and conferences have this type of item in the showroom?!  Just wondering... :)

 

Some of you, DAD, may know who this is.  If you watch the farm channel. :)
 

I mean really??!!

I took this opportunity to buy leg warmers and flip top mittens... and trust me both were well worth it.  It's cold in Minnesota and we walked to a restaurant this night!

 

Headed out to dinner with our group.
 

And then on to a piano bar... very fun.
 

The only downfall was we had no time to check out the city.  We were too busy with meetings.  I think we're the only people who went to Minneapolis who haven't been to the Mall of America.  But, we went with very fun people and truly appreciated the opportunity!

Chapstick Factory

 

Livie's class is making Chapstick and selling it for a fundraiser!! 
The ingredients are Bees Wax, Soy Oil, and Tangerine Oil... it's actually yummy, and they have done a Great Job making it.
 

 

They put empty tubes into a holding board,


heat and mix the ingredients,



pour into containers, wait for them to cool, place the lids on,


 

clean and label.
 

 Over

 

and over
 

again!  :)

They make GREAT stocking stuffers and conversation pieces.  How many kindergarten classes do you know making their own chapstick??!!
1 Tube = $2.00
Contact myself, Walton Schools, or Rhonda Roux

Town Tree Decorating

Ollie, our Elf on the Shelf, was low today so the girls thought they should take a picture with him.  Livie continually reminding Claire, "not to touch!"
 

Later, we all went to Livie's school to help decorate the town tree!
Livie was VERY excited that her Daddy was helping put the ornaments on.
 

He did a GREAT job considering he is terrified of children. :)
 

Class Picture Time
 

Livie and one of her best friends Annabell!!
 

Then we sang Christmas Carols holding hands around the tree. 
 

 

 

Finally, hot chocolate in the gym.  Very Cute.
 

Claire got to play on the playground with Livie's Class.
 

 

She loved it and
 

 

fit right in.
 

Dead Deer

Sorry, I know this is kind of yucky, but Daddy got a deer!  The girls were again very excited!
It's not the ONE he wanted and had seen on his cameras, but it is BIG!
 

He's explaining the process to the girls...
 

Claire said she could get a bigger one. :)  And let's face it this girl probably will!!

Strawberry Santas

Okay, I'm sure you've seen these lately on Pinterest and I'm here to tell you THEY WORK and I think are very cute!!
You only need strawberries, whip cream, and something to dot on eyes.
 

Cut the top, stem, off evenly.  This will be the bottom of your Santa.
 

Then cut the bottom off.
Put whip cream on the bottom and put the "hat" back on.
 

Put a dot of whip cream on the top of the hat and dot the eyes.  We used icing simply because it is what we had.
 

Ta-Da
 

Look out, I used my Pampered Chef Easy Accent Decorator, which I love and use for all of our decorative cooking.  :)
 

It looks like this in a normal picture.
 

Strawberry Santas are ready for Preschool!

 

Ho Ho Ho