So....

So... one of the things I love most about Christmas is Grandma Merrill's candies. Every year she swears she isn't going to make them, but somehow they still appear. Well this year since I wasn't going to be around to taste test I thought I would just whip some of my favorites up and enjoy the little beauties. I called Gram and requested a list of her recipes. No problem, seems simple enough, not too many ingredients, lets get to it. Well, lets just say I've learned a new respect for Gram. I feel I am a pretty competent cook, if I stick to the recipe the meals usually come out pretty good. I stuck to the recipe, did just as it said... things didn't come out very good. Well, at least I can say they tasted fine. Unfortunately I can't say as much for what they looked like. If I was only making these for Greg he would just say "It all goes to the same place anyways." (A quote that I have grown to love and appreciate him for.) The original plan was to share with some friends, but I think these little beauties will stay in the Bench home. I called Gram in the middle of making them to see if she had any suggestions, all she could do was laugh. I told her I would post some pictures so she could see how bad they actually turned out. These are supposed to be Gram's Peanut Butter Cups. Her's are a lot prettier.

Christmas Catch-Up

Here are some pictures to catch you up on what we've been doing. First, there are pictures of Kade becoming Bryn's latest victim of "beauty salon." She absolutely loves to do hair and Kade just happened to be left unattended for a hair too long. Thank goodness Kade was a pretty good sport. Next there are pictures of Bryn sitting on Santa's lap. We were down at the mall and surprisingly there wasn't a line. Bryn was a bit nervous at first, but once she got up on his lap she warmed up. She even gave him the most adorable hug when she was all done, but I wasn't prepared with the camera. But you can just trust me... it was so cute! Lastly you'll see pictures of Tanner at his school Christmas Party. I love that I can go to these parties and help out and watch him interact with his friends and teacher. Their theme for the party was Polar Express. So they were all able to go in thier PJ's. They had a fog machine to make them feel like they were getting on the train and the kids thought it was awesome... but I think they thought it was even more awesome that it set off the fire alarm and the entire school had to evacuate the building. To top it all off they got a friendly visit from the local fire department. It took a while for the fog to clear out of the room so some of the pictures are a bit "foggy."

1 Year Anniversary

Can you believe it? We have been in Arkansas for exactly 1 year today. I didn't believe it until I really started counting the days and looking at the calendar. The year has definitely been full of fun adventures and a lot of changes. Here are a few:

1. Arrived in Arkansas on December 3, 2006.
2. Closed on the house on December 5, 2006.
3. We found out we were prego with #3.
4. Tanner started and graduated from Preschool.
5. We took the kids on their first airplane trip back to Utah.
6. Brynlee turned 2.
7. Tanner turned 5.
8. Tanner started Kindergarten.
9. Kade was born.
10. Bryn is potty trained!!!
11. We have made some really good lifetime friends. We are not sure where we would be without them. Thank you Hoopers!
12. We have experienced the lights in Bentonville square. (Bentonville's version of Temple Square. It is really quite humorous, they even have a horse drawn carriage. It's my goal to get pictures of it this week to post. I think all those who have experienced SLC in December will get a good laugh.)
13. We have taken a trip to Branson MO to experience an "Osmond Show". And learned to really dislike narrow, winding roads.
14. We have learned to appreciate family. Our little family here as well as our family far off. Thank goodness for Vonage or else those long distance bills might put us in the poor house.
15. We can almost add "Thank you for sending us to Arkansas." in our prayers at night.
16. And just today, to celebrate the day, we took the kids to Build-A-Bear Workshop. It has been something they have been wanting to do for quite a while and I thought it might be a fun way to celebrate the day. Here are some pictures of our most recent fun adventure.